Iberian Treasures: From Portugal to Andalusia

Flight from Montreal to Porto.

Arrival at Porto airport.

Meet your local guide and depart for Braga, Portugal’s Rome, where you can admire one of the jewels of Portuguese architecture: the Church of Bom Jesus and its spectacular staircase (one-way ascent by historic elevator).

Coffee break and tasting of local
pastries (not included).

Braga is renowned for its rich tradition of conventual sweets, with several unique
pastries deeply rooted in the city’s history. Be sure to try Tíbias de Braga: crisp, shin-shaped pastries filled with cream. The filling varies, with flavors such as banana, pineapple, raspberry, hazelnut, caramel or cappuccino.

Afterwards, we’ll head for Guimarães, the cradle of Portugal, a charming city steeped in history.

Dinner at leisure (not included).

Guided tour of the historic center (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (included).

Back to Porto.

Check-in at hotel for 3 nights.

Welcome dinner.

Overnight at hotel. (S)

Lunch at the hotel.

Enjoy a full-day excursion with your local guide to discover some of Porto’s iconic sites. In the morning, we invite you on a walking tour of the San Bento train station (inside) and its magnificent azulejo panels. We’ll also visit the Church of St. Francis (included,
open on Mondays). Continue to the Ribeira quay to soak up the local atmosphere and admire the São Luís Bridge.

Dinner at leisure (not included).

In the afternoon, enjoy a fascinating cruise on the Douro (approx. 50 minutes) (included – regular cruise) and discover the six main bridges and admire the scenery. During the cruise, you’ll be able to take some superb photos.

Return to hotel.

Dinner on your own (not included).

Overnight at hotel. (PD)

Lunch at the hotel.

Today, discover the Douro region. Pick-up at your hotel and departure with your local guide for a tour of the charming town of Amarante. You’ll discover a number of medieval and historical sites.

Amarante is renowned for its delicious “doçaria conventual” (traditional pastries), often made according to recipes handed down from generation to generation. Here are a few local specialties to sample: the light and fluffy brisas do Tâmega, named after the river Tâmega, or the foguetes, cylindrical pastries filled with a sweet egg cream. Then off to Régua, capital of the Douro region. Admire the region’s verdant landscapes and visit a winery in a quinta (typical Douro farmhouse).

Dinner with wine tasting included.

Return to hotel.

Dinner on your own (not included).

Overnight stay. (PD-D)

Lunch at the hotel.

Departure for Aveiro, nicknamed the “Portuguese Venice”, famous for its canals anchored by “moliceiros”, colorful fishing boats with raised bows. Orientation tour with local guide. Workshop to make “ovos moles”, a type of wafer filled with egg jam, a local specialty.

Continuation to Coimbra.

Dinner at Mealhada included

In the afternoon, meet our local guide and discover Coimbra, nicknamed the city of arts and letters by many of the poets it inspired. Visit the university (subject to availability), one of the oldest in Europe, the chapel and the Joanina library, home to 300,000 books and 5,000 manuscripts. We’ll also have the chance to pass by the “republic”, the university houses, and discover the traditions of student life.

Arrival at hotel in Coimbra.

Settle into your room for the night.

Dinner included

Overnight stay. (PD-D-S)

Lunch at the hotel.

Departure for Nazaré, Portugal’s most typical and colorful fishing village. Free time to explore the village. Continue to Óbidos, a magnificently preserved walled town created in the Middle Ages, with its picturesque streets. Ginjinha tasting (not included).

Dinner at leisure (not included).

Transfer to Lisbon.

Arrival at the hotel. Check-in for 3 nights.

Dinner and overnight stay included. (PD-S)

Lunch at the hotel.

This morning, we invite you to discover LISBON, one of Europe’s oldest capitals. The city of seven hills is captivating for its charm, splendor and warm welcome. Spend the morning on a guided walking tour of the Alfama district. As you stroll through the maze of cobbled streets and alleyways, you’ll discover St. George’s Castle (exterior) and Lisbon Cathedral (exterior). The former offers exceptional views over the city and the Tagus River, while the latter, Lisbon’s oldest cathedral, is a blend of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles.

Continue your visit to the Praça do Comércio (Trade Square) and choose a restaurant for lunch.

Dinner in Lisbon included.

After lunch, discover the Belém district and admire the Monument to the Discoveries
(outside), the majestic Belém Tower
(outside) and the Jerome Monastery
(outside), a jewel of Manueline art. You
will have the opportunity to taste the famous “Pastel de Belém” (takeaway cake included).

Return to hotel.

Dinner on your own (not included).

Overnight at hotel. (PD-D)

Lunch at the hotel.

Departure for Sintra with your local guide. You’ll discover medieval fortifications perched
on high ground, fairytale castles, lush forests and original labyrinthine gardens, all in one place. Sintra is a medieval village (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit the charming Royal Palace (decorated with 16th- and 17th-century azulejos). Don’t miss the delicious Sintra queijada (tart),
a local specialty (not included).

Dinner at leisure (not included).

Then a visit to the cliffs of Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point in continental Europe. Panoramic tour of the Sunshine Coast and its beaches: the colorful bay of Cascais and the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Estoril.

Return to hotel.

Supper at your convenience (not included).

Overnight stay. (PD)

Lunch at the hotel.

Departure for Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet your local guide in Évora. Visit the city’s main sites, including the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of St. Francis), famous for its mysterious Chapel of the Bones (visit included), the Roman Catholic-style Évora Cathedral (exterior) and the ruins of the Roman temple of Évora (exterior).

Dinner in Evora included

In the afternoon, transfer to the Algarve. Arrival at your hotel in Portimão.

Set up for 3 nights.

Dinner in Portimao.

Overnight at hotel. (PD-D-S)

Lunch at the hotel.

Free day.

Free lunch and dinner (not included).

Overnight at hotel. (PD)

After lunch, departure for SAGRES, a fishing village that was the starting point for many expeditions.

We’ll discover the Cape of Saint-Vincent, the south-western tip of Portugal, and the lighthouse of one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
We’ll then head for LAGOS, the ancient port town where the infant Henrique, known as “the Navigator”, lived. It was from here that he sent ships to Morocco and Africa. Visit some of the city’s most emblematic sites, including
the statue of Infante Henrique (outside) and the Santo António church (included).

Dinner on your own.

In the afternoon, visit the Old Slave Market Museum (included). Return to the hotel, not forgetting the Ponta de Piedade to admire the breathtaking view of the Atlantic and the cliffs sculpted by marine erosion and time.

Return to hotel.

Dinner on your own (not included).

Overnight at hotel. (PD)

Lunch at the hotel.

Departure and transfer to Seville, Spain (guide not included).

We lose an hour at the border (in Spain it’s an hour later).

At the appointed time, pick-up at the hotel by an English-speaking guide for a private panoramic walking tour lasting up to 4 hours.
This tour includes the city’s main sights: the Alcázare (or Royal Palace) and the Cathedral. The Alcázare is considered Europe’s oldest surviving palace. Inside, Moorish, medieval and Renaissance styles blend harmoniously. Its magnificent gardens are reminiscent of a botanical garden. Passing through the former Jewish quarter, now the Santa Cruz district, the tour takes you to the cathedral, one of the largest
in the world, home to magnificent works of art and the tombs of Christopher Columbus and his son
Hernando.

End of tour at hotel.

Dinner on arrival at hotel.

Overnight at hotel. (PD-S)

Lunch at the hotel and departure.

Pick-up from hotel and private transfer with English-speaking guide (until check-in) to selected hotel in Torremolinos.

Dinner at the hotel (included).

Overnight stay. (PD-S)

Lunch and dinner at the hotel (included).

Free day.

Overnight stay. (PD-S)

Lunch and dinner at the hotel (included).

Free day.

Overnight stay. (PD-S)

Lunch at the hotel and departure.

At the indicated time, pick-up and private transfer with assistance to Malaga airport.

Return flight to Montreal (PD)