From £2,495pp
Escorted Group Tours
The Grandeur of Central Portugal from Porto to Lisbon
Portugal is an incredible mix of captivating cities, medieval castles, hilltop towns and stunning beaches. Try delicious ports and wines, stand on the river banks of ancient villages, be humbled by fascinating tales of knights and holy apparitions and tap your feet to the melodies of Fado. Immerse yourself in local delicacies and be stunned by breathtaking views. This engaging journey from Porto to the vibrant capital of Lisbon takes in culture, fine food and Portugal’s captivating past.
From £2,495pp
Price based on two sharing & including flights.
11 days
7 excursions and visits
1 day - free time
Relaxed explorer
Your holiday includes
Meals
10 breakfasts, 10 dinners
Flight
International flights and luggage are included
Accommodation
10 nights in historic pousadas and hotels
Excursions
- Guided excursion to Guimarães and Braga (wine tasting, Ducal Palace and funicular to Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary)
- Excursion to Amarante and guided visit of Mateus Palace and gardens
- Guided excursion in Lamego (Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, a local ham tasting, and wine tasting at a quinta)
Tour manager
Expert guidance throughout your holiday
Exceptional value every time
VIP door-to-door
Our transfer service to and from home with unlimited mileage.
Insurance
Included optional travel insurance or £100pp price reduction if not required.
Itinerary
Duration: 11 days
Day 1/11
UK - Porto - Guimarães/Amares
Day 2/11
Guimarães - Braga
Day 3/11
Amarante - Vila Real - Peso da Régua
Day 4/11
Lamego
Day 5/11
Coimbra
Day 6/11
Candal
Day 7/11
Batalha - Fátima - Tomar
Day 8/11
Tomar
Day 9/11
Lisbon - Cascais
Day 10/11
Cascais
Day 11/11
Cascais - Lisbon - UK
Day 1 - UK - Porto - Guimarães/Amares
Our VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Porto. On arrival we transfer to our pousada.
Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães (4-star)
Day 2 - Guimarães - Braga
Guimarães’ historic Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we’ll wander the romantic squares and winding lanes. Afterwards, we’ll visit the impressive Ducal Palace and then learn about the production of Vinho Verde at Casa de Sezim, just outside the town. Don’t worry we get to try some, too. We’ll continue to the ‘Portuguese Rome’ to stroll through Braga’s buzzing plazas, past elegant baroque architecture and narrow streets. Then, ride the funicular to the gorgeous hillside church and sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The order of visits today may be in reverse.
Excursions & visits:
Guided excursion to Guimarães and Braga (all day)
Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães (4-star)
Day 3 - Amarante - Vila Real - Peso da Régua
In picturesque city of Amarante, sitting proudly on the bend of the River Tâmega, we’ll stop for some free time. We’ll continue to nearby Vila Real and Mateus Palace. Built in the 18th century, this enchanting palace is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Portugal, which we’ll explore on a guided tour. Maybe find a quiet nook in the splendid gardens to take in their beauty. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to Peso da Régua.
Excursions & visits:
Excursion to Amarante and guided visit of Mateus Palace and gardens (morning)
Hotel Régua Douro, Peso da Régua (4-star)
Day 4 - Lamego
Located on the shores of the Balsemão River in the Upper Douro Valley, Lamego is a town bursting with baroque style. We’ll wander the narrow lanes and explore the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios which sits majestically at the top of a hill. After working up an appetite, we’ll sample some delicious local cured ham (Presunto). We’ll continue to a local quinta, for a tour and wine tasting and then Vila do Pinhão, to admire the beautiful tiles that decorate its local railway station.
Excursions & visits:
Guided excursion in Lamego (all day)
Hotel Régua Douro, Peso da Régua (4-star)
Day 5 - Coimbra
We continue to Coimbra, rising from the River Mondego - its historical buildings cling to the hillside. They include those of its renowned university, which we’ll visit and take a look at the chapel and baroque library. The city is also famed for its Fado singers accompanied by Portuguese guitars and we’ll sip port and listen to their haunting melodies at the Fado ao Centro.
Excursions & visits:
Excursion to Coimbra with guided tour, including university, and Fado performance (all day)
Hotel Parque Serra da Lousã, Coimbra (4-star)
Day 6 - Candal
We’ll wind our way through well-trodden paths to discover a magical cluster of schist villages, built to blend in with the natural landscape, hidden between mountain slopes and dense forest. The smell of wooden-oven bread and fresh goat’s cheese lingers, as we enjoy a taste of some local specialities and watch the work of local craftsmen. In the afternoon you may like to wander to the local Roman ruins (entrance not included).
Excursions & visits:
Guided excursion to the schist villages with tasting of local specialities (all day)
Hotel Parque Serra da Lousã, Coimbra (4-star)
Day 7 - Batalha - Fátima - Tomar
Today is a full day of exploration. We’ll discover the gothic splendour of the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, feeling like royalty as we stroll under the impressive cloisters. Our spiritual journey continues as we make our way to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima. It was here back in 1917 that three young shepherds saw the apparition of the Virgin Mary and there’ll be a chance to visit Aljustrel, the location of the home of the shepherds.
Excursions & visits:
Excursion to Batalha Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima and Aljustrel (all day)
Hotel dos Templarios, Tomar (4-star)
Day 8 - Tomar
Be transported back to the legends of battling knights, kings and castles today, as we explore Tomar, known as the city of the Knights Templar. We’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ and its magnificent 12th-century rotunda.
Excursions & visits:
Guided excursion in Tomar (all day)
Hotel dos Templarios, Tomar (4-star)
Day 9 - Lisbon - Cascais
Lisbon’s seven hills overlooking the Tejo River and the Atlantic, give the city a distinct charm - the cobbled streets, ornate buildings, white-domed buildings and the rumbling of trams and funiculars are present at every turn. We’ll be driven around the city, stopping at iconic landmarks including Belém Tower, before sitting down to try some delicious Pasteis de Nata (custard tarts) accompanied by Ginjinha (cherry liqueur). We’ll continue to the pretty seaside town of Cascais, for a two-night conclusion to our holiday.
Excursions & visits:
Guided city tour of Lisbon, with tasting of Pasteis de Nata and Ginjinha (all day)
Hotel Vila Galé Cascais (4-star)
Day 10 - Cascais
Today is completely free to explore Cascais at your own pace. Perhaps head to the beaches and quiet coves or wander in the pretty Old Town. Or you can easily take the train along the coast, through Estoril and back to Lisbon for more sightseeing.
Hotel Vila Galé Cascais (4-star)
Day 11 - Cascais - Lisbon - UK
We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Availability
Apr 2025
1 departure
From £2,645pp
Jun 2025
1 departure
From £2,745pp
Best deal
Sep 2025
3 departures
From £2,495pp
May 2026
1 departure
From £2,795pp
Sep 2026
2 departures
From £2,895pp