The Details
Stretching from the great northern city of Porto to the historic capital of Lisbon, Portugal’s central region is a captivating mix of sweeping hills, striking medieval architecture and white sand beaches.
Your holiday begins in Porto’s bustling riverfront Cais Ribeira district, by city’s most famous landmark: the Ponte Luiz I bridge. You’ll take a tour of the port houses of Gaia, with a chance to sample the three main styles of port wine: Ruby (the variation we typically see here in the UK), Tawny (aged longer for a more mellow flavour), and Branco (white port from white grapes, and served chilled).
You’ll also take a tour of the Douro Valley – bordered by the Marao and Monetmuro mountains, wine has been produced in the Alto Douro region for over 2,000 years. To the east, you’ll visit the old roman city of Braga, the baroque roman catholic monument at Bom Jesus do Monte and the 10th century Castelo de Guimaraes in the city of the same name: considered to be the birthplace of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Leaving Porto, you’ll head south by hire car to the pretty university town of Coimbra, where you’ll visit the ruins of the 14th century Santa Clara monastery and Coimbra University – Portugal’s oldest academic institution. Your next stop is UNESCO-protected Tomar – founded by the Templars in 1118, the Convento de Cristo, the Castelo Tomar and the nearby Castelo de Almourol are among Portugal’s most precious historic landmarks. Similarly, in Evora you’ll visit the 1st century Templo Romano Evora – known locally as Diana’s Temple and one of the country’s best-preserved roman sites in Portugal – and the Capela dos Ossos: the macabre Bone Chapel situated in the Igreja de Sao Francisco.
Arriving into Lisbon – the capital is best explored on foot, by tram and by tuk-tuk with our resident with guides and you’ll end your stay with visits to the narrow, twisting lanes in medieval Alfama, the grand Manueline architecture of Belem and the fairy tale hilltop palaces of Sintra.
