Sunny Portugal

Say hello to Lisbon, Portugal's capital and a city full of authenticity, where old customs and ancient history intermix with cultural entertainment.

Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D) Stay: Turim Marques Hotel (2 Nights)

Choose how you want to explore Lisbon today, because it's your choice! Discover the art and tradition of the Portuguese sidewalks during a locally led walking tour -OR- venture with your Tour Manager on foot and discover the city through the lens of the country's most loved fish, bacalhau (salted codfish). After, travel to Belem where you'll see the iconic Belem Tower (UNESCO) and the Monument to the Discoveries. Witness the façade of the 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery (UNESCO) and learn about the importance of this iconic monastery.

Tonight, you may choose to join an optional tour to listen to local artists perform traditional Fado music, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage highlight. (B)

Today, you'll make your way through Portugal's charming countryside. Visit a family-owned cork factory, where you'll learn about the product's importance to the local economy and why Portugal is the world's top cork producer. Your journey then takes you to Evora (UNESCO) – the “Museum City of Portugal.” A traditional Alentejo lunch will be waiting for you, accompanied by Cante Alentejano music (UNESCO).

In the afternoon, take time to explore this medieval walled city and see its well-preserved Roman temple up close. (B/L) Stay: Vitoria Stone Hotel

Journey to the stunning coasts of the Algarve - the southernmost region of Portugal. On the way, indulge in full-bodied wines from the Alentejo region during a winery tour, tasting, and light lunch. Then, explore the historic resort town of Lagos, where Moorish and Renaissance influences meet towering seaside cliffs. Many celebrated voyagers began their explorations from this bustling port city. (B/L) Stay: Vila Galé Lagos (3 Nights)

It is your day to experience the Algarve on your own. Geraniums, camellias, and oleanders grow alongside fig, orange, and almond trees, while brightly colored fishing boats bob in the sea. Protected by hills to the north and warmed by the sea, the Algarve's mild climate and beautiful beaches attract visitors from all over the world. You may choose to join an optional boat tour today that will get you closer to some of the most famous coastal scenery in Portugal. (B/D)

This morning, venture to Silves. Allow your senses to take over when you see the contrast of dark red castle walls with the whitewashed buildings as you climb the hills of this sleepy town, once the capital of Moorish Portugal. During your stop, explore the town at your own pace or choose to climb up to the castle and see for yourself one of the best-preserved examples of Moorish defensive architecture in Portugal.

Venture into a local farm nestled among rich landscapes, to learn secrets of regional bread and fruits and sample the results with a savory lunch featuring freshly prepared Algarve seasonal and local specialties. Continue down the coast to discover the importance the canning industry held in the Algarve. After, return to Lagos for an evening at leisure. (B/L)

En route to the Portuguese Riviera, make a stop in Setúbal a colorful industrial city and one of southern Europe's best kept secrets. See the Mercado (Farmers Market) do Livramento up close. It is considered one of the best fish markets in the world, but it's also rich with displays of fresh fruits and vegetables. Meet local artisans at a family-run shop and learn how the famous hand-painted Portuguese tiles, azulejos, are made.

After, head to the Portuguese Riviera. Mansions scattered throughout Cascais and Monte Estoril all hint at this area's history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility. (B) Stay: Vila Galé (2 Nights)

Explore the picture-perfect city of Obidos, where white-washed houses sit snug within medieval city walls. Continue on to Sintra (UNESCO), a breathtaking hub that served as the summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Then, it's your choice! Explore this quaint hilltop village and wander through the winding streets lined with cork products and pastries -OR- venture into the National Palace of Sintra and learn about its 1000-year old history.

On your return to Lisbon, stop to admire the stunning Cabo da Roca, the western most point of continental Europe. Bid Portugal goodbye during dinner in Lisbon and celebrate the end of your unforgettable journey. (B/D)

Your tour ends today. (B)