Taste of Portugal with Azores
Overview
PLUS, your tour includes your choice of an excursion in Coimbra so you can plan your day your way.
Itinerary
Welcome to Porto!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Panoramas & Port Wine
Discover the beauty of the waterfront city of Porto when you follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour that features a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, plus a walk in the city center to see the soaring cathedral, the Church of São Francisco, and the Stock Exchange. Enjoy a glass of the local Porto Wine before relaxing on a panoramic Douro River cruise.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The grapes from the vineyards in the Douro Valley surrounding Porto provide the main ingredient for one of the world's most recognized fortified wines. Visit a local wine cellar and taste centuries of tradition in a glass of Port wine in the city that bears its name. Saúde!
Art Nouveau & Academic Honors
This morning, stop at the picturesque fishing town of Aveiro, often called “the Portuguese Venice.” Take a stroll to admire the canals and the charming streets. Why not pop into a local bakery and get acquainted with Ovos Moles de Aveiro, delicious traditional pastries! Continue to Coimbra and start to discover the town on an orientation walk.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Aveiro is known as the Portuguese Venice for the canals that traverse it, and the traditional boats (barcos moliceiros) that sail on them. In the center, you'll discover the colorful buildings that reflect the delightful Art Nouveau movement in the city where the past and present blend to reveal a remarkable landscape!
Spend Your Day Your Way in Coimbra
Explore more of Coimbra with your choice of an included Globus Choice Excursion.
- Academic Discovery - Explore Coimbra's historical district featuring the UNESCO-listed University and the Pátio das Escolas (central courtyard). Visit the Royal Palace, St. Michael's Chapel, Cabinet of Curiosities, the Chemistry Laboratory, and Biblioteca Joanina, considered one of the most spectacular libraries in the world; discover how the resident bat colony helps preserve the books.
- Pouring In Portugal - Discover the celebrated Bairrada region, the perfect place for prized Portuguese wines, especially sparkling wines. Enjoy a visit to a wine cellar for a tasting and tales of wine traditions amid resting bottles in rock-carved galleries.
Enjoy free time this evening.
Monuments & Maritime Glory
After a pleasant drive, reach the beautiful capital city Lisbon, located on the River Tagus. Discover the historic grandeur of Lisbon when you join your Local Guide for a fascinating sightseeing drive complete with photo stops at Beléem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Enjoy an evening at leisure to explore more of this vibrant city.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Along the banks of the River Tagus see the 16th-century Belém Tower, which served as a fortress and an embarkation point for sailors; it was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon's impressive sculpture, the Monument to the Discoveries pays homage to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship.
Portuguese Royalties
A real treat today with an included excursion to visit three localities of the Portuguese Riviera. First stop is Mafra for an enjoyable guided visit which includes the Royal Palace, the convent, and John V Library. Continue to Sintra, free time to stroll the UNESCO-listed historical center and try some local specialties for lunch. Later, stop in the popular resort town of Cascais and browse the charming center before a scenic drive back to Lisbon. This evening, sit down with your travel companions for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Learn about the colony of bats that have made their home behind the bookshelves of the John V library and that ensure its ancient books remain in pristine condition. The bats leave their hiding spot at night to hunt insects that would otherwise damage the leather- bound spines and yellowed pages of the library's antique collection
The European Hawaii
Today, leave the Portuguese mainland and fly to Ponta Delgada, capital of the Azores archipelago, located on the island of São Miguel. Meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk to admire the historic landmarks and attractive waterfront. Enjoy free time to explore more.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Mother Nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of the Atlantic. Waterfalls tumble down basalt cliffs, rainforest-covered hills are topped by spectacular crater lakes and pale-green pastures are hedged by a kaleidoscope of hydrangeas. Dive into the rich cultural heritage as well, with warm welcomes from local residents who graciously share stories of their proud history and traditions.
Volcanic Craters & Cups of Tea
A fascinating day awaits! Drive to Ribeira Grande and stop at the top of Pico da Barrosa mountain to take in views of the volcano's crater and the ocean. At Maia, visit the oldest tea plantation in Europe, then continue to Furnas to see the area's geothermal activity before enjoying an included lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the botanical gardens.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Visit the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Today the Tea Factory produces 40 tons of tea every year from 37 hectares of plantations without the use of chemicals. One lump or two?
Forbidden Fruit & Fruitful Landscapes
Enjoy the morning at leisure before an afternoon drive to visit a pineapple plantation. Continue to Pico do Carvao viewpoint and take in the region's stunning beauty. Drive to the bridge of Sete Cidades, which separates two small, ecologically different lakes situated in the crater of a dormant volcano. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Sete Cidades Lake is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal and the largest natural freshwater reservoir in the Azores. The lake is actually two lagoons, called Green Lake (Lagoa Verde) and Blue Lake (Lagoa Azul), linked by a shallow channel. The differing hues of each lake are the natural result of varying reflected light, or it could be the legend of a blue-eyed shepherd and a green-eyed princess whose tears filled each lake with tears of forbidden love. You decide!
At Leisure in Lisbon
Pack your bags and depart the magical Island of São Miguel with a flight to Lisbon. Enjoy leisure time to explore more of the city.
ENHANCED FREE TIME - Enjoy free time in Lisbon to absorb more art and culture in one of the museums, stroll along the classic streets, browse the stores, or try local specialties, like the delicious pastel de nata.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Trip Inclusions
- Guided walking tour in Porto's historic center including a complimentary glass of Porto, Portugal's world-famous fortified wine
- Scenic cruise on the Douro River, enjoying views of Porto and its picturesque waterfront
- Visit Aveiro, Sintra, and Cascais, discovering three of Portugal's most distinctive destinations
- Orientation walk in Coimbra, introducing one of Portugal's oldest and most historic university cities
- Globus Choice Excursion in Coimbra − included in your tour with your choice of a guided walking tour of the historical district, focusing on the UNESCO-listed University, or a visit to a wine cellar followed by a wine tasting experience in the Bairrada wine region
- Guided sightseeing in Lisbon features a photo stop at Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, two of the city's most iconic landmarks
- [LF] Guided visit of Mafra includes the Royal Palace, the convent, and John V Library
- Orientation walk in Ponta Delgada, the historic capital of São Miguel in Portugal's Azores
- Visit to one of the only tea plantations in Europe, discovering one of the Azores' most distinctive traditions
- Visit to a pineapple plantation, to learn about one of São Miguel's signature agricultural products
- Scenic drives to Ribeira Grande, Pico do Carvao viewpoint, and Sete Cidades, showcasing some of the Azores' most spectacular volcanic landscapes
- Return flight between Lisbon and St. Michael, Azores, providing convenient travel between mainland Portugal and the islands
- 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner
- Porto: Holiday Inn Porto Gaia (First-Class):
A modern 212-room high rise hotel near the historical Porto city centre with a chic atrium bar and culinary concept restaurant serving traditinal Portuguese cuisine. Amenities include a gym, spa and Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout. - Coimbra: Donas Ines (First-Class):
The modern rooms are all equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV, a desk, a radio, a minibar and a safety deposit box. The hotel's two modern restaurants offer a range of regional Portuguese food and international cuisine. The Old Cathedral of Coimbra and the famous Unesco World Heritage Coimbra University are a 20 minute walk away and a bus station is within easy reach just a few minutes walk away. - Lisbon: Mercure Lisboa (First-Class):
A 104-room modern hotel offering Free Wi-Fi Internet access and year-round heated rooftop swimming pool, with panoramic views over the Águas Livres Aqueduct. International cuisine and Regional wines can be enjoyed in the main restaurant and there is a lobby bar serving a wide range of drinks & cocktails. - Ponta Delgada: Azoris Royal Garden (Superior First-Class):
This welcoming modern hotel has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool with a terrace and Zen-style gardens. All of the elegant 193 guest rooms are air-conditioned, decorated with neutral tones and come with a private bathroom, hairdryer, minibar, cable-TV, in-room safe and Free Wi-Fi access. A tennis court, a wellness center and a heated indoor pool are also available. The on-site restaurant serves local and international cuisine, there is also a piano bar for drinks and a cafe that overlooks the landscaped gardens.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Services of the Tour Director end on day 7. The island portion includes services of a local expert.
Don't waste your precious time qeuing up, skip the lines with special VIP access at the must-see sites. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of the destination. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the flavours of Europe through its regional cuisine. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Globus' coaches offer one of the most comfortable, stress-free and eco-friendly ways to travel. Read more
Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Globus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
