Grand Designs of Portugal

Overview

Grand Designs of Portugal

Beyond Portugal’s exciting capital city lies a land of beautiful ancient towns, varied culture, wild landscapes and elegant pousadas (historic converted hotels). On our excellent-value Portugal tours, you’ll get to stand before the dazzling 110m marble façade of the Duke’s Palace, Vila Viçosa. To breathe in the wildflower scents of the tranquil Serra da Estrela mountains. And, along with your new travel companions, to toast adventure with a delicious port wine in Porto, its city of origin.

What’s Included:

9 nights in pousadas
14 meals: 9 breakfasts 5 dinners
Portable audio headset system on excursions
VIP door-to-door travel service
Services of a Tour Manager
International flights
Porterage
Travel in destination by coach

Included Excursions:

City tours of Arraiolos; Évora (including cathedral, San Francisco Church & Chapel of Bones); and Porto
Guided tour of Palácio Ducal in Vila Viçosa
Guided excursion to Viana do Castelo (with Costume Museum & Santa Luzia Basilica), including Ponte de Lima and Valenca do Minho
Visits to Castelo Branco; Aveiro
Port tasting in Porto

Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK - Lisbon - Vila Viçosa

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Lisbon, ready to begin your Portugal escorted tour. On arrival, we transfer to the delightful town of Vila Viçosa. We’ll check into our pousada, a luxury 16th-century converted convent, right next to the palace and full of history and character.

Day 2: Vila Viçosa

Today we explore this small, marble-clad town. Known as the ‘Princess of Alentejo’, it’s home to a splendid palace, charming streets and a sprawling plaza dotted with orange trees. We’ll take a guided tour of the majestic Renaissance-style Palácio Ducal or Duke’s Palace - the symbol of the city and once one of the most important noble houses in Portugal. The 110-metre façade is totally covered in marble from the region making this unique building the town’s most symbolic monument. One of our favourite 'grand designs of Portugal'!

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Guided tour of Palácio Ducal in Vila Viçosa (morning)

Day 3: Arraiolos - Évora

Enjoy a morning tour of Arraiolos, a small town overlooked by the ruins of a Moorish castle, to discover the town’s history and famous carpet-making tradition. In the afternoon we head to Évora, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage city that dates back to Roman times. Our guide will bring the history of this bustling university town to life as we visit the cathedral, San Francisco Church, university and the Chapel of Bones.

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: City tour of Arraiolos (morning) City tour of Évora, including cathedral, San Francisco Church & Chapel of Bones (afternoon)

Day 4: Viseu

Today we wave goodbye to Vila Viçosa and journey towards medieval Viseu. On the way, we’ll stretch our legs among the tree-lined squares and boulevards of Castelo Branco, the provincial capital. This evening we arrive in Viseu and check into our imposing pousada, a one-time 19th-century hospital.

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit to Castelo Branco (morning)

Day 5: Viseu

Today is reserved for leisure time. Perhaps take a walk in the park, around the town, or just relax at the pousada.

Day 6: Viseu

Today is yours to spend completely as you please in Viseu, or perhaps join our full-day optional excursion to the Serra da Estrela Mountains. The highest mountains in Portugal, this range forms a beautiful park of craggy peaks, hidden lakes, thick forest and historic villages full of character. Look out for the iconic Estrela Mountain Dog.

Day 7: Aveiro - Viana do Castelo

We continue north and stop en route in coastal Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal due to several canals crossing the town. We continue to our next historic pousada, high above Viana do Castelo’s sailing port and the estuary on which it lies.

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit to Aveiro (morning)

Day 8: Viana do Castelo

Take a morning tour of the coastal town of Viana do Castelo, with its opulent mansions, winding streets and intimate squares, and rich Minho folklore. Together we’ll explore the Santa Luzia Basilica and the Costume Museum. The nearby towns of Ponte de Lima, named after the Roman bridge that aided pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela, and Valença do Minho, are included on this tour.

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Viana do Castelo, with Costume Museum & Santa Luzia Basilica, including Ponte de Lima and Valenca do Minho (all day)

Day 9: Porto

Today we explore Porto. The city that gave its name to Port wine sits along hills tumbling down to the famous Douro River. Here, you may see some of the elegant, traditional, wooden sailing barges - barcos rabelos - used to transport the famous wine; and Porto’s landmark, the impressive two-tier bridge - Ponte de Dom Luis I. We’ll amble Porto’s historic Ribeira district together. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its cobbled streets and impressive buildings and grand churches dripping in gold, gives a glimpse into its Roman past. Portugal’s second city never fails to impress. As part of our tour, we’ll stop for a tasting at a historic Port cellar and have some time to wander at leisure.

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Porto, including morning city tour and Port tasting (all day)