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Portugal Unveiled:
A Hiking Adventure
Day 1 | Arrival in Porto (-/-/D) Day 4 | Valongo - Aveiro - Coimbra – Fátima Day 6 | Lisboa (B/-/D)
On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel (B/-/D) The day will be devoted to a guided tour of Lisboa,
in the Porto region. Dinner and overnight stay. Departure for Valongo to visit a Quinta producing the capital of Portugal: discovery of the old Alfama
Vinho Verde, a much-loved wine typical of the region. district - one of the most charming parts of Lisboa,
Day 2 | Porto – Guimarães (B/-/D) Tasting of three selected wines, accompanied by with its winding alleys, cul-de-sacs, colourful houses
Departure for a guided tour of Porto, Portugal's se- cheese, olives and oil. Continuation to Aveiro, nickna- and endless staircases - and the Baixa district, hard
cond-largest city. This ‘city of granite’ was built on med the ‘Venice of Portugal’, the city is famous for its hit by the earthquake of 1755 and rebuilt by the Mar-
trade and has a UNESCO-listed old town, Baroque lagoon and numerous small canals spanned by small quis of Pombal. Then on to the Belém district, home
churches and metal bridges. Discover the Ribeira bridges. Brightly coloured Art-Nouveau-style houses to a number of prestigious monuments including the
district, Porto's historic quarter. Then, board a Rabelo line the canals that criss-cross the city. Tasting of Monument of the Discoveries, the church of the Jero-
boat for a mini cruise of the 6 bridges, to see the city ‘Ovo's moles’ (soft-boiled eggs), a local pastry spe- nimo's Monastery - a true masterpiece of Manueline
from a different perspective. Afterwards, visit a wine ciality. Then a boat trip on the Ria de Aveiro. Continue architecture - and the nearby Belém Tower (exterior
cellar and taste some Port wine. In the afternoon, to Coimbra and discover this city of arts and letters, views). Visit to the carriage museum. To round off
discovery of the city of Guimarães, considered to be home to one of Europe's oldest universities. Continue the day, taste Pastéis de Belém, a delicious pastry
the cradle of Portuguese identity because of the batt- to Fátima, a major pilgrimage site: its sanctuary is typical of Portuguese cuisine. Return to the hotel.
le fought by King Alfonso I that led to Portugal's in- one of the best known in the world. Check-in at a ho- Dinner and overnight stay.
dependence in 1139. Discover the old town and visit tel in the Fátima region. Dinner and overnight.
the Gothic palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Return Day 7 | Sintra-Cascais Natural Park (B/L/D)
to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. Optional (with Day 5 | Óbidoss – Lisboa (B/-/D) Hiking details: medium level – distance: 5 km
supplement): Fado evening in Porto. Hiking details: medium level – distance: 6-7 km duration: approx. 03h00min
duration: approx. 03h00 min Depart for a half-day hike in the Sintra-Cascais Natu-
Day 3 | Peneda-Gerês National Park (B/L/D) Depart for Óbidos, to walk around this captivating ral Park. At the westernmost point of the European
Hiking details: medium level – distance: 5 km town. Situated fairly xclose to the capital and high continent, believed by the ancients to be the place
duration: approx. 2h30min up on the Atlantic coast, Óbidos was of strategic im- ‘where the earth ends and the sea begins’, Cabo da
Depart for a half-day hike in the Peneda-Gerês natio- portance to the region. Already occupied before the Roca is one of the most spectacular spots in the park.
nal park. Located in the Minh region of north-west Romans arrived on the Iberian Peninsula, this small Its vertical cliffs rise around a hundred metres above
Portugal, it is home to over a hundred granite villages town became prosperous as soon as it was chosen the ocean, offering marvellous scenery. Discover the
that have changed little since Portugal was founded by the royal family. When King Denis I gave it to his park and its many castles. Packed lunch. Return to
in the 12th century. The oldest, most traditional vil- wife, Isabella of Aragon, in the 13th century, it beca- the hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight stay.
lages remain untouched by modern life. In the most me known as the ‘home of queens’, who embellished
isolated areas of the park, a few wolves still live, as and enriched it over the course of the various dynas- Day 8 | Departure from Lisbon
well as wild boar, badgers, otters, roe deer and wild ties. This is one of the main reasons why this small Transfer to Lisbon airport depending on flight times.
ponies. Long-horned cattle and goats can also be town has so many churches. Continuation to Lisbon. Assistance with check-in formalities and return flight.
seen here, as can the hardy ‘Castro Laboreiro, a she- Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
pherd's dog. Picnic lunch in the park. Return to the
hotel, dinner and overnight.
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