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Savour the very best of Portugal, and stay in three historic, charming and unique Pousadas (specially created high-quality hotels that reflect Portugal's traditions and culture) along the way.
Enjoy luxurious accommodation in a trio of acclaimed Pousada hotels, each offering traditional hospitality in remarkable settings. Discover some of Portugal’s most delightful locations as you travel through the heart of the country. Explore the colourful capital, Lisbon, elegant Estoril and glorious Sintra. Head north via hilltop Obidos and the university city of Coimbra, and experience the local culture of wine-producing Viseu and Porto, and on the banks of the 'golden' River Douro, on this wonderful Portuguese tour.
Highlights
Experience chic Cascais and elegant Estoril
Be beguiled by Porto, Portugal's historic second city
Journey to medieval Obidos and to Coimbra, the 'Oxford' of Portugal
See Aveiro's Venice-like lagoon and canals
Stay in three of Portugal's famous Pousada hotels
Discover the historic Portuguese capital, Lisbon
Visit the incredible UNESCO-listed Royal Sintra
Venture out to Cabo da Roca, Europe's westernmost point
Taste delicious regional wines, bread and cheeses
Discover the enchanting Douro River Valley
Inclusions
Seven nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Pousada de Queluz, Lisbon (3 nights), the four-star Pousada de Viseu (2), and the four-star Pousada Mosteiro de Amares (2)
Four evening meals
Tour of Lisbon
Wine tasting at a local quinta
Tour of Cascais, Estoril and Sintra
Tour of Porto
Tour of Regua and Guimaraes
Return flights to Lisbon (returning from Porto)
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Day 1
Fly to Portugal - Fly into Lisbon, meet your tour manager and transfer the short distance to the sumptuous Pousada de Queluz opposite the Royal Palace. Settle in to your surroundings and, if you have the time, perhaps wander through the beautiful Palace gardens, before dinner is served.
Day 2
Included tour of Lisbon - Join your tour manager for a guided introduction to the historic Portuguese capital. Stand on the banks of the River Tagus and imagine the great explorers setting off for the New World, wander through the ornate Belem quarter, or explore the Baixa’s wide, tree-lined avenues fringed with cafes and restaurants. Check out the street-sellers and artists of bustling Rossio Square, and stroll the narrow streets of the Alfama district. In the afternoon, why not enjoy a ride on a historic yellow tram? And, this evening, stay in the city or return to the hotel to dine.
Day 3
Included tour of Cascais, Estoril and Sintra - On today’s included tour you'll explore the elegant Atlantic resorts of Cascais and Estoril, and journey to UNESCO-listed Sintra. Estoril’s elegant seafront, lined with bistros and old-fashioned cafes, has long been a favourite destination, while Cascais, on its sweeping bay, is no less alluring. The jewel in the crown, today, is Sintra, a former royal retreat with two remarkable Palacios set in a National Park full of exotic, tropical trees and plants. After a marvellous day, which will also include a visit to windswept Cabo da Roca, at Europe’s westernmost point, you’ll return to the Pousada for dinner.
Day 4
Travel to Viseu - Head north, calling at walled, hill-top Obidos to see its cobbled lanes, walls and ancient aqueduct, and former capital and university seat, Coimbra, the "Oxford of Portugal", with its stunning Romanesque cathedral.
In the late afternoon, you'll arrive at your second luxurious Pousada, in Viseu, set on a high plateau in heart of the beautiful Beira Alta region. Make yourself at home, perhaps enjoying a sauna or swim, and join friends in the bar before dinner. Why not accompany your meal with a locally produced Dao wine, and wander the historic streets of the beautiful town before retiring for the night?
Day 5
Included wine tasting at a local quinta - Today is spent enjoying the hotel and its surroundings, and making a short trip through the scenic hills to enjoy a tasting at a local quinta. The regions Dao reds are famed for their Burgundy-like qualities, and its whites are fast gaining a fine reputation. You’ll also enjoy a visit to an artisanal bakery and a local cheese-maker. This evening, you're free to explore Viseu, and to enjoy dinner at your leisure in the city.
Day 6
Included tour of Porto - Journey west down the beautiful Vouga Valley to colourful Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal because of its canals, lagoons and gondola-like fishing boats. Here you might like to try a delicious Ovos Moles de Aveiro cake with a morning coffee, before you continue north to Portugal’s glorious second city, Oporto, above the ‘golden’ River Douro.
Enjoy an introductory tour of the city that gave its name to the country. it clings to the hillside above the river, and is connected to its neighbour, the port-wine centre, Vila Nova de Gaia, by several vertigo-inducing bridges. Highlights of Oporto include its ancient cathedral and UNESCO-listed Ribeira district – a beguiling maze of cobbled passageways lined with restaurants, bars and shops. On the quayside, flat-bottomed barcos rabelos, used to carry the port barrels on the river, add to the charm of the setting.
After a marvellous few hours, re-board the coach to head to your final, luxurious, unique Pousada, housed in an ancient monastery in the beautiful northern Minho region. Settle into your sublime surroundings and opt for a drink in the bar, then perhaps wander to the local restaurant, Cruzeiro, which you'll find just a short walk away.
Day 7
Included tour of Regua and Guimaraes - After breakfast, re-board the coach to begin a last memorable day’s scenic touring. You'll head first to Regua, the bustling Douro town that's one of the most long-standing centres of the region's wine production. Take in the meandering river, and perhaps enjoy a tasting at a working quinta, before heading north once more, to enthralling, UNESCO-listed Guimaraes. Generally regarded as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimaraes boasts an ancient Norman castle, exquisite cobbled squares and cafe-lined plazas. It's a perfect place to enjoy lunch in some splendid surroundings, before you return to the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares to spend a last evening and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 8
Fly back to the UK - Bid “adeus” to your hosts and transfer to Oporto to check in or your flight home, at the end of a marvellous holiday.
Pousadas Of Portugal Touring Hotels
You will be staying in a series of well-located pousada hotels, all of which will be of a four-star standard. In all cases, guest rooms will have private bathrooms.
Pousada de Queluz, Lisbon (nights 1-3)This former headquarters of the Royal Guard is set across from the Royal Palace known as Portugal's Versailles. It's a beautifully elegant setting. The hotel has a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, a bar and beautiful public rooms, furnished in wood and marble. Individually styled and beautifully finished, all the bedrooms are air-conditioned, and each has free Wi-Fi, TV and a hairdryer.
Pousada de Viseu, Viseu (nights 4-5)Housed in an old hospital, adapted by a renowned architect in 2009, this hotel is a local landmark just five minutes from a beautiful park, and boasts a superb wellness centre with a sauna, whirlpool, gym, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools (the latter with views over the town). It has a stylish restaurant, a vast atrium piano bar and a lounge, a garden and a terrace, as well as modern, air-conditioned rooms, each with TV and free Wi-Fi.
Pousada Mosteiro de Amares (nights 6-7)This luxurious Pousada occupies a converted monastery, and is idyllically set in the beautiful Minho region between historic Braga and Portugal's famous Peneda de Geres National Park. Its superb amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court. And, in addition to a welcoming bar and a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, it boasts beautifully furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi and TV.
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in a conveniently located, alternative hotel of a similar standard.
Further Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes on arrival and one hour and 15 minutes on departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
Room tax
Some hotel have introduced a room tax of between 1 € and 3 € per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You'll be advised by your tour manager at your destination if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.
Visas & Passports
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.
Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.
Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").
Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)
EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.
The EES scheme is not live yet - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live, ensure you are familiar with the process.
For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the ABTA website here.
Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS)
Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.
The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.
Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.
Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.
