Best of Portugal

BEST OF PORTUGAL packages are designed to provide the best historical and cultural overview of Portugal whether you have a few days or a few weeks. Packages can start in the beautiful northern city of Porto or Portugal’s historic capital of Lisbon. For private groups or Self-Guided packages, itineraries can be easily modified to include more (or less) depending on general group interests and preferences.

After visiting the key sites in Lisbon / Porto, we work our way gradually through the heartland of Portugal with time to savor the major highlights along the way including visits to Sintra, Cascais, Ericeira, Óbidos, Tomar, and Coimbra and end with the the key attractions in Porto / Lisbon (depending on where we start).

Extended packages can also include visits to Portugal’s birthplace, Guimarães, as well as Nazaré, Batalha, Fatima, Aveiro, Braga, the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north or the Algarve coast in the south.

Key points of interest:

  • Enjoy a guided-walk through Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods with colorful buildings and impressive architecture. Our walk starts at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara then we will walk by Carmo Convent, Santa Justa Elavator, through Praça Dom Pedro IV to Praça do Commercio and ending at the 16th century S. Jorge Castle where you will enjoy one of the best views over the sprawling Lisbon skyline.
  • Take in an optional visit Lisbon’s Belém district where you will see the iconic Belém Tower and the Discoveries Monument. Steps away is the vast Gothic Jerónimos Monastery and the popular Pastéis de Belém patisserie, where you can savor the tasty custard tarts.
  • The visit to the picturesque city of Sintra is sure to be a highlight. After a morning visit to the peaceful and mystic Quinta da Regaleira (or alternatively, depending on the time of year, a visit to the colorful and magnificent Penã Palace) you can enjoy lunch in the historic center of Sintra before continuing onto Cascais. Extended packages offer the opportunity to visit other must see sites in Sintra like the mystic Quinta da Regaleira, National Palace, park and palace of Monserrate or the 8th century ruins of the Moors Castle.
  • A drive towards the eastern coast to enjoy a walk along the Cascais coast to the Boca do Inferno look-out and then a leisurely walk through Cascais.
  • Visit the beautiful walled city of Óbidos – one of the best preserved medieval towns in Portugal if not all of Europe. (For interested private groups, a visit to Portugal’s most important sanctuary that attracts between 5-8 million visitors per year – Fatima).
  • Step back into the 12th century with a visit to the iconic Templar Knights Castle in Tomar.
  • Take in a leisurely cruise through the Aveiro canals on a gondola-like Moliceiro boat (previously used to transport salt from the salt fields).
  • Enjoy a city guided walk tour through the picturesque city of Porto which is very different experience from a walk in the evening.
  • A full day along the vineyard lined Douro River will be sure to please with a boat & train ride, a visit to a local vineyard with some wine taste-testing to make the day complete.
  • Partake in optional leisurely walks: along the coast and one of Ericeira’s pedestrians only street; delight in a stroll through the historic city of Coimbra; or an evening stroll through Porto’s Ribeira district and across to Vila Nova de Gaia.

Although BEST OF PORTUGAL packages cover a diverse list of highlights, the carefully designed itineraries allow for a slow(er) pace of travel compared to traditional large group bus tours.

What do we mean by a slow(er) pace of travel? It starts with a focus on the key “must-visit” sites while allowing some time to walk around and take each in. It also allows for more flexibility, slower starts in the morning and earlier return times back to the hotel at the end of the day. For those that have the desire to see and do more, they can join optional walks…. or simply opt to rest & relax. Keeping each group small (normally 6 to 12), allows participants the opportunity to get to know each other better and makes it more satisfying and pleasant for everyone. The bottom-line… by having greater flexibility and more quality experiences at a slow(er) pace, we believe, will make your trip a truly unforgettable experience.

Accompanied Small Group Packages offer many inclusions to make your trip as worry-free as possible. Packages include all accommodations, breakfasts and some dinners, driver and transportation, as well as included site entrances and city-guides. However, packages DO NOT include any flights, insurance, medical expenses, additional unplanned meals/snacks, alcohol, tips, and or expenses of a personal nature.

Price and Upcoming Departure Dates:

  • 2023 Accompanied Small Group Tour: October 14-21, 2023
    • 7-Days & Nights Package with our LOW season & SLOW pace of travel itinerary, from late October to April. (Prices based on double occupancy, Single Supplement 500 €):
      • 13 + participants: 2 350 € per person
      • 6 – 12 participants: 2 650 € per person
    • Receive notification of dates as soon as they are available by joining the LIFE! community below or by asking us to add you to the PRIORITY LIST when these tours are launched.

To fully enjoy the included activities, participants should be able to walk 2-4 km of walks along cobble-stoned streets, uneven surfaces, up and down hills within and around cities.

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Refund policy: Due to logistical and service partner commitments we are not able to provide a full refund once your reservation has been confirmed and paid. However, if cancellations are made 90 days or more prior to the tour start date we will provide a 50% refund. We strongly encourage you to consider using an independent travel & medical insurance provider to ensure that costs & inconveniences resulting from unexpected trip cancellations and delays are minimized.

BEST OF PORTUGAL packages are available as:

  • Private Group Tours – enjoy the flexibility to determine the number of days, time of year, size, accommodations comfort level, meals inclusions as well as tailor the itinerary and sites to be included. (Ideally for groups of 6-12 persons but can be tailored to any number of persons)
  • Self-Guided Package – with this option you can do it alone, with a partner or friends and family. Most importantly you can change it up and adjust it to meet YOUR preferences. You can select your accommodations based on your comfort-level and budget. This option is available all year round! Click here for more information on Self-Guided Packages.
  • Personalized Plan – All packages can be modified as part of a Personalized Plan. Click here for more information on Personalized DIY Plans.

Private Group, Self-Guided and Personalized Plan Package prices are dependent on the number of travelers, time of year, selected inclusions and accommodations based preferred comfort-level. Contact us for more information.

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