Arriving at the capital, Lisbon, is a great way to dive into this century aged country! This white city offers the possibility to visit UNESCO cultural heritage sites, as well as identify signs of authenticity like the Portuguese ‘’calçada’’, the tiles carefully placed in the walls, or even listen to a fado singer practicing in Alfama or Bairro Alto! A curiosity while you relax from the walk and sit for a glass of wine: did you know that the famous fado singer Amalia dedicated a whole song to the wine? Well, it is quite purposeful, as you can taste wine from north to south! From the sweet Port wine to the sparkling wine, leave us a note on what your favourite was!
On the way to Douro, famous heritage sites will be just at a short detour: Tomar, Alcobaça, and Batalha are just some of the possibilities to add to the program. Imagine yourself back at the times when those monuments where full of life, walking by them and feeling the smell of those fresh baked conventual sweets… Try some at a local pastry shop! They are delicious!! With the amazing valley in memory, you must visit a local winery on the way, and arrive in the stunning Porto for a perfect ending!
Porto is also a gateway for the Portuguese way of Jacob, through the charming village of Ponte de Lima, heading to Tui, already in Spain. Passing by Porriño, Pontedevedra, Padrón before the so much awaited Santiago de Compostela. Groups would normally return to Porto, but it’s also possible to depart from Santiago airport. Or even, why not, continuing to Bilbao??
In the centre of the country, we’ll find Fátima, one of the most well-known pilgrimage sites in the World. This can be added as a stopover in a cultural group or suggested as the main destination for religious groups. Also combinable in a program with Santiago Compostela and Braga, bearing the religious character in mind.
By going south from Lisbon, cross the Alentejo region to reach the sunny Algarve – top destination for summer holidays. But its’ essence is way beyond the sun and sea! With great weather offseason, it’s perfect for a long stay in the autumn/ winter, for trekking or hiking tours or for visiting traditional industries like cork, olive oil production, pottery, saline’s… Have you heard about the region wines?? The international Faro airport serves the region, but it also allows us to, in a short drive, reach the neighbourly Spain.
From this amazing country you’ll feel ‘’saudade’’, whiling to return soon!
