2011 Portugal

ITINERARY

Day 00 Thursday, March 17 – Fly from USA.
Day 01 Friday, March 18 – Arrive in Porto
Upon arrival, transfer to the centrally located Hotel Eurostars Das Artes, Rua Do Rosario, 160-164,. (+351) 222 071 250.Take the rest of the day for recovery. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Eurostars Das Artes.
Day 02 Saturday, March 19- Porto
Breakfast at hotel (every morning) 9:00 a.m. departure from hotel for half day Porto city tour including visits to Igreja de S. Francisco and the Palacio da Bolsa. After the tour, the bus will take us to the pier where you can find lunch (independent), followed by a cruise on the Douro River. Afterwards,.you will be given a 48-hour “Hop on,Hop off” bus pass to facilitate further explorations of Porto. Leave hotel in time to get to 8:00 p.m. fixed menu dinner at Casa Agricola. Overnight in Hotel Eurostars Das Artes.
Day 03 Sunday, March 20 – Porto
Today is a free day to continue using your “Hop on, Hop Off” pass to explore this city of bridges. Leave hotel in time to get to 8:00 p.m. dinner, fixed menu at Chez Lapin. Overnight in Hotel Eurostars Das Artes.
Day 04 Monday, March 21 – Porto/ Douro Valley
9:00 a.m.  departure from the hotel for the Douro Valley, traveling through the beautiful landscape and vineyards.  We will visit Penafiel and the Quinta da Aveleda winery, producers of one of the most famous sparkling wine of the region. We will have lunchhere along with a wine tasting.  We will then continue to Baião, and overnight and dinner at the the Douro Palace Hotel., (+351) 254 880 000
Day 05 Tuesday, March 22 – Douro Valley – Bussaco
9:00 a.m. departure for transfer from Baião to Bussaco.  Leave Baião via Mesão Frio and Peso da Régua. Lunch (on own) en route.The rest of the day at leisure in this incredible hotel and the 600 acre forest preserve. 7:30 fixed menu dinner at hotel restaurant. Overnight at the Palace Hotel Bussaco, (+351) 231 937 970
Day 06 Wednesday, March 23- Bussaco
9:00 a.m. departure for half day Coimbra city tour. In the afternoon visit of the Conimbriga Ruins, the most important Roman site in Portugal.  Return to the hotel. Leave hotel in time for 8:00 p.m. dinner at a restaurant in Mealhada  “Pedro dos Leitões.” The specialty here is roast suckling pig, but there are alternatives. Overnight at the Palace Hotel Bussaco.
Day 07 Thursday, March 24 – Bussaco – Lisbon
9:00 a.m. departure for transfer from Bussaco to Lisbon via Batalha, Nazaré, Óbidos. Buffet dinner at hotel. Overnight in Lisbon at the Hotel Lisboa Palace, (351) 213 218 218
Day 08 Friday, March 25 – Lisbon
9:00 a.m. departure for half day Lisbon city tour including a visit of Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, as well as the St. Jorge Castle. Here you have a panoramic view over the whole city. I will then provide you with a “Hop on, Hop off ” bus pass good for 48 hours to explore the city on your own. Depart hotel in time for 8:00 p.m. fixed menu dinner and Fado show at Cafe Luso. Overnight in Lisbon at the Hotel Lisboa Palace.
Day 09 Saturday, March 26 – Lisbon
Day free in Lisbon to continue using your bus pass. Leave hotel in time for 8:00 p.m. .a la carte dinner at Cervejaria Trindade. Overnight in Lisbon at the Hotel Lisboa Palace.
Day 10 Sunday, March 27 – Lisbon
.9:00 a.m. departure for full day excursion to Estoril, Cascais, Sintra, Guincho, Cabo da Roca. Late afternoon return to Lisbon.Lunch will be included on excursion, dinner is on your own. Overnight in Lisbon at the Hotel Lisboa Palace.
Day 11 Monday, March 28 – Évora
9:00 a.m. departure to Évora with a stop in Arraiolos to visit the castle, historic center, and the famous hand made tapestry. We will then visit the wine caves of Adega das Mouras where we will taste two wines along with regional cheese, bread, and chicken pie. We will then continue on to Évora. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel M`AR De AR Muralhas, (+351) 266 739 300
Day 12 Tuesday, March 29- Évora
9:00 a.m. departure for a city tour, going to the Cathedral, Bone Chapel, Diana Temple (monument from the Roman times), University, and Historic Center. In the afternoon we will visit the Megalithic Ruins of Almendres. Dinner and overnight at M’Ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel.
Day 13 Wednesday, March 30-Évora/Algarve
9:00 a.m. departure to Vilamoura in the Algarve. Overnight in Hotel Vila Gale Ampalius., (+351) 289 303 900
Day 14 Thursday, March 31 – Algarve
After 13 days of pre-arranged activities, nothing is planned for the next two days. Enjoy! Dinner at local restaurant, Overnight in Hotel Vila Gale Amplius.
Day 15 Friday, April 1 – Algarve
See above. 
Day 16 Saturday, April 2 – Algarve-USA
Transfer to the airport in time for 6:05 flight for 9 of us. The rest will take taxis. 
End of tour