Experience the diversity of Portugal on this 8-day roundtrip from Faro. Your program: Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrival in Faro You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day as you wish. For example, you can enjoy a stroll through Faro and explore the city or try local cuisine at a restaurant. Day 2 (Thursday): Faro – Lisbon Your journey begins on Thursday as you head to your first destination: Lisbon. Drive through the mountain range in the Algarve and the plains of Alentejo to the bridge over the Tagus River. From there you can admire the magnificent view over Lisbon. Upon arrival in Lisbon you will enjoy a panoramic tour through the historic part of the city and Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon. Here you will visit the Jerónimos Monastery, famous for one of the most valuable cloisters in the world and a monument to the heyday of Portuguese history. Afterwards you will drive to Belém Tower, the landmark of the city on the Tagus River, as well as the Monument to the Discoveries. This was built in 1960 in memory of the Age of Discovery. Here you can see more than 30 statues in honor of the Portuguese navigators as well as the world map and the marble Compass Rose, a gift from the Republic of South Africa. Day 3 (Friday): Lisbon – Coimbra You will leave the capital city and drive to the quaint town of Óbidos, also known as the “Town of Queens”. Here you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque town. The journey then continues on to the traditional fishing town of Nazaré, where you will visit the famous Monastery of Batalha. Continue on to Fátima, the largest place of pilgrimage in Portugal, which attracts 4 to 6 million pilgrims every year. The final stop on this busy day is Coimbra. Day 4 (Saturday): Coimbra – Porto In the historical university city of Coimbra you will visit the Baroque library, the center of the traditional university, with approximately 300,000 books and prints. Another must is St Michael's Chapel at the oldest university in Portugal, which was founded in 1291. Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is your next destination. After a scenic drive through the city to the cathedral you will see the magnificent Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) and visit a port winery to sample port wine. Day 5 (Sunday): Porto – Guarda Say goodbye to Porto and continue north to the green province of Minho. You will first stop at the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães, where you can explore the wonderful old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on through the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley to the heart of the Port wine region of Régua. A short stop in the historical town of Lamego gives you the chance to admire the pilgrimage church Senhora dos Remédios with its monumental staircase. You will then head through the beautiful mountainous landscapes of inland Portugal to reach Guarda, at approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. Day 6 (Monday): Guarda – Évora Today’s destination is the unspoiled landscape of the province of Alentejo. Stroll through the beautiful town of Castelo de Vide and visit the medieval synagogue. Afterwards you will drive to the town of Estremoz, the marble capital of Portugal, where you can see many marble quarries. Day 7 (Tuesday): Évora – Faro Explore the city of Évora by foot and see the Roman Temple of Diana, the cathedral, Praça do Giraldo, and the Church of St. Francis with the famous Chapel of Bones. You will then have free time to explore the city as you wish. Afterwards you will journey back to Faro, with a stop along the way in Beja, where you can visit the castle. Day 8 (Wednesday): Departure from Faro Return to the airport in Faro.

Day 1 Depart from Lisbon, heading to Evora in the Alentejo region by crossing the beautiful suspension bridge. Admire the city and the monument to Christ-King. Evora is a place where different civilizations have thrived and the evidence still remains. See the ancient "Temple of Diana" built in the Roman period, along with the magnificent aqueduct of "Agua da Prata."  Built further in the 11th and 12th centuries by the Arabs, Evora was the residence of Portuguese kings and a point of convergence for renowned artists that were supported by the patronage and dynasty reigning in Portugal. This period of discovery created a wealth in Evora that saw the construction of numerous aristocratic mansions of the city, such as the Jesuit university. The highlight, however, is the Church of San Francisco and the Bones Chapel, clothed with skulls and bones of 500 monks. See next the medieval village of Monsaraz, its narrow stone streets and houses painted white adding special charm to this place and its inhabitants. Later, arrive in Albufeira where you will spend the night. This historic center has a traditional atmosphere, whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets filled with cafes, shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Day 2 Depart to Lagos. In the middle of the 16th century, Lagos was the great base of support for the Discoveries, and the evidence of this is highly visible. See the Sagres Fortress where cannons, a 16th century tower and the Church of Our Lady of Grace and a beautiful sundial await your discovery. After, visit the nearby Fortress of “Cabo de Sao Vicente” which was built in the 16th century to protect the coast from the Moorish attacks. Return to Albufeira to spend the night. Day 3 On the return trip to Lisbon you will stop of a the town of Sesimbra to visit its Moorish Castle on the hillside north of the village. Classified as a national monument in 1910, it is now one of the most visited sites in the county. Down in the bay, you will visit the Maritime Museum of Sesimbra where you will learn the connection of this village to the sea and the history of its local fishermen. Enjoy here a 3D movie that will transport you back in time to medieval times and beyond. Continue on to Setubal downtown where you can find stores for all tastes, whether global department stores or niche local antiquities. Most of the streets here converge to “Praça do Bocage,” Setubal´s local meeting point. Lined with esplanades and dedicated to one of the greatest figures of Portuguese poetry, this statue with its eyes fixed on the sea is the landmark of this busy square. Return to Lisbon.