September 16-29, 2005
14 days / 13 nights

September 16^th, Fri.  SINTRA

Welcome to one of one of Portugal's World Heritage Sites, a market town under the Serra de Sintra that Lord Byron called, that glorious Eden. In the late 18th c, it became the favored retreat of Royalty. Today, many palaces and grand houses can be glimpsed through dense subtropical foliage, and here and there a nod to the Moorish antecedents appears in tiles and fountains. Your independent arrival allows for you to rest or explore today, before a group gathering this evening for early Welcome Cocktails & Appetizers.
Overnight: Lawrence's Hotel, standard double rooms. Cocktail

September 17^th, Sat.  SINTRA

Following a leisurely buffet breakfast with views over the hills to the sea, today's first visit is Palacio da Pena which looms over the town and above the ancient Moorish castle and walls, a Portuguese version of Mad King Ludwig's castle. Back in the Vila, tour the quirky Museo do Brinquedo/Toy Museum. Afterwards, return to the hotel for a rest and lunch. This afternoon, stroll past Town Hall with its Moorish style tower, with views to the many quintas and gardens below, and arrive at the superb Museum of Modern Art that houses one man's vision-the Barnardo collection, cutting-edge modern art of the last 40 years. Sample culinary art at nearby Casa Gregorio's, justifiably famous throughout the area for his traditional Portuguese pastries. Regional dinner in one of our favorite tascas this evening.
Overnight: As above. B Pastries D

September 18^th, Sun. SINTRA • NAZARÉ • ALCOBAÇA • ÓBIDOS

After breakfast, depart for the north. In Sitio a dramatic cliff overhangs the beach of Nazaré. Visit the Ermida da Memória, the hermitage connected to the town's apocryphal tale of the 12th c and the Virgin; nearby is a 17th c Baroque Church associated with Nazaré's romería/pilgrimage tradition. Descend to the lower town and beach by the funicular and explore the seafront and square and colorful back streets that sell local products. Free time for lunch. Continue to Alcobaça; tour the church and monastery, a center of Cistercian power in Portugal, the church is associated with one of the country's greatest and saddest love stories. Nearby Óbidos is associated with one of Portugal's happier tales of love-a town offered as a wedding present to a queen. White washed Óbidos harbors remains from the Stone Age, Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moorish and Sephardic populations. On a walking tour, explore the history behind the shops that sell arts and crafts, and learn about Josefa de Óbidos and her life as a painter. Dinner at the inn this evening.
Overnight: Hotel Real D'Óbidos, standard double rooms B D

September 19^th, Mon. ÓBIDOS • FIGUEIRA DA FOZ • PORTO

On a leisurely drive north today, stop in Figueira da Foz which preserves the timeless flavor of an early 20th c beach and casino resort. Visit Casa do Paço, decorated in Delft tiles retrieved from a 17th century shipwreck. Continue to the beach at Costa Nova for a picnic before visiting the Vista Alegre porcelain factory & the Atlantis Crystal factory at Ilhavo. Continue into Porto, recently the European City of Culture. At Vila Nova da Gaia, enjoy a tour and tasting at a port wine house. Traveling along the river to your hotel, notice the reflection of thousands of houses bordering the granite escarpment above the Douro, a reminder of the central role the river has played in the city's history for a thousand years. Explore the newly gentrified Ribeira this evening or dine in the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Pestaña Carlton, river view rooms B Picnic

September 20^th, Tues. PORTO

Today's tour of Porto includes two of the most emblematic buildings-the 12th c fortress Cathedral with its glorious tiles and atmospheric cloister, and the Palacio da Bolsa/the 19th c Stock Exchange. The Bolsa is a reminder of the Portuguese saying, Porto makes the money and Lisbon spends it. Again today, the city is a dynamic player in a region that stretches from Porto to Coruña in Spain-a region that is known for a mixture of fishing, wine, tourism and mixed industry, and preserves extraordinary monuments from a rich history dating to pre-Roman times. Before lunch, we'll stop at a craft museum run by the city. Enjoy free time for lunch before an afternoon excursion outside Porto to tour a cork oak factory, an example of the industrial legacy of the region. This evening, you'll sample the cuisine of the North in one of our favorite spots, by the river, of course.
Overnight: As above. B D

September 21st, Wed. PORTO • DOURO RIVER PORTO

Cruise the Douro with lunch en route. Until the 18th c, much of the River Douro was unnavigable due to treacherous rapids. The Douro Valley, protected from the Atlantic influences by the Serra do Marão, is distinguished by its granite 'soil' and is home to the appellation that produces port wine. Vineyards cling to hillsides like hanging gardens; here and there famous names appear--Kopke, Niepoort, W & J Graham. Designed to age, this precious wine can still be found in pre Great War vintages. At Regua, you'll disembark and return by coach via Amarante, founded in 360 BC. Walk along the river, past graceful 17th century houses and ascend to the 16th century Monastery of São Gonçalo. The Museum Amadeo de Sousa-Cardoso houses works by a native son, one of the most distinguished Portuguese artists of the 20th century. After a full day, relax back in Porto this evening.
Overnight: As above. B L

September 22nd, Thur. PORTO • BARCELOS • ALTO MINHO • PORTO

Today is Market Day in Barcelos, a centuries-old tradition in a small town to the north of Porto. The town is forever connected to the national symbol-the Cock of Barcelos, symbol of the Resurrection. Everything is for sale in the Thursday Barcelos Market, including ceramic replicas of the famous rooster, and all manner of crafts, local foodstuffs, leather goods and clothing. Late morning, continue to a nearby quinta for a private hosted tasting of the green wines/vinhos verdes of the North, followed by a tour of the quinta/farm, and lunch. After lunch, you'll travel to a small community to see a local craft operation. Free evening in Porto.
Overnight: As above.  B L

September 23rd, Fri. PORTO • COIMBRA • LUSO

After breakfast depart for Coimbra, with Roman foundations and the birthplace of six kings. Your walking tour includes the 11th century fortress Cathedral with its wealth of ecclesiastical art, the 12th century Monastery of Santa Cruz with its rich sculpture collection, and the 13th century University, with its extraordinary history, art and traditions. Free time to wander before transferring to nearby Luso and your
Overnight at the spa hotel. Walkers, transfer this afternoon to nearby historic Bussaco Forest. This ancient oak forest was home to hermits for centuries; follow paths to 7th century hermitages, pilgrimage crosses and superb views. Visit the Carmelite monastery where Wellington slept during the Peninsular War. Have a drink on the terrace of the Palace hotel, built in the 19th century by King Carlos. Free evening to relax at the hotel and explore the little village of Luso.
Overnight: Grande Hotel de Luso, standard double rooms.  B

September 24^th, Sat. LUSO • CONÍMBRIGA • TOMAR • MARVÃO

Today's first stop is Conímbriga, the largest Roman site in Portugal, preserving an old Roman road , villas, mosaics and a fine collection in the local museum. Continue to Tomar, capital of the Knights Templar in Portugal; tour the dramatic Convento do Cristo, its walls echoing with the centuries of intrigue of this most secretive religious brotherhood. In the town is the Luso-Hebraico Museum, which houses a medieval synagogue and memorabilia associated with the Sephardim in Tomar. From here, you travel into the northern Alentejo. The village of Marvão perches over a rocky landscape. Enjoy too the vista from the castle, and perhaps visit the local museum, with Bronze Age, Roman, and other artifacts. Relax at the pousada before dinner tonight.
Overnight: Pousada Santa Maria de Marvão, standard double rooms B D

September 25^th, Sun. MARVÃO • CASTELO DE VIDE • FLOR DA ROSA • ESTREMOZ

Drop down off your perch this morning and continue to the spa/water town dating to Roman times and today a bottling center for the water of the same name. Like Tomar and Marvão, this village once had a Jewish/Sephardic population and the medieval quarter preserves a tiny synagogue, Baroque fountains celebrating its famous water, tiled churches and other civic structures of historic interest. Continue to Crato; enjoy a walking tour of this small town once home to the Order of the Hospitallers, including a stop at the Matiz Church to see the beautiful tilework. Continue to Flor da Rosa to enjoy a visit to the 14th century monastery and lunch. After lunch, continue south into the central Alentejo, the historic breadbasket of Portugal, and your
Overnight in the beautiful white town once occupied by one of the nation's most beloved saints.
Overnight: Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel, standard double rooms B L

September 26^th, Mon. ESTREMOZ • ÉVORA • REDONDO • BORBA • ESTREMOZ

Transfer to nearby Évora for a walking tour of the main sights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a town with pre-Roman foundations and many beautiful buildings preserved from Roman, Renaissance and the Baroque periods. Your walking tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, the Renaissance University and the São Francisco Church. Ancient walls, an aquaduct and the Roman temple are reminders of the former inhabitants for whom this was an administrative center for centuries. Travel through rolling wheatfields , criss-crossed with olive and cork oak, past traditional farming and craft communities. Stop in Redondo, a town dedicated to ceramics, and visit the potters at work. At Borba, tour an Adega Cooperativa de Vinhos, followed by a wine tasting. Return to your elegant pousada for drinks & appetizers before dinner.
Overnight: As above. B D

September 27^th, Tues. ESTREMOZ • ARRAIOLOS • LISBON

This morning depart for the capital with a stop en route at Arraiolos, known for centuries for its hand crocheted rugs. Continue into Lisbon; hotel check in is followed by lunch in a local institution with beautiful tiles. After lunch, step aboard one of the popular Lisbon trams for a ride to the Alfama and walking tour of the oldest quarter of the city, a labyrinth of streets, a jumble of multicolored buildings with draped laundry and bird cages, tascas with grilled sardines, and all manner of antique and bric a brac shops. Early evening visit to the Pavilhão Chinês for drinks, then return to the hotel for a free evening.
Overnight: Hotel Lisboa Plaza, standard double rooms B L

September 28^th, Wed. LISBON

This morning, begin with a city tour to include the river as far as Belém and the Monument to the Discoveries and Jerónimos Monastery. Late morning hosted visit to the Restoration Workshop, where artisans are at work on antiques and altarpieces. Following a light lunch, continue to the Guelbenkian Museum for a tour of the selected highlights. Mid-afternoon, free time until this evening. This evening, you'll cross the Tagus river by passenger ferry for a special Farewell Dinner in one of our favorite restaurants.
Overnight: As above. B D

INCLUDED: $4490 PER PERSON

• Superior hotels based on double occupancy, with buffet breakfast
• Meals with wine & Appetizers & Drinks per itinerary
• Land transfers in comfortable motorcoach
• English-speaking guide/escort throughout
• Local guides for some monuments
• Entrances, tours & tastings per itinerary
• Douro cruise per itinerary & Tagus ferry crossing
• Pre-trip documentation
• Group limited to 14 pax

*price subject to currency fluctuation adjustment