Classic Portugal: Mainland & Azores Adventure

Arrive at any time. If visiting the historic district of Belém is on your bucket list, we recommend arriving early on this day to explore its major sites like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Most attractions in Belém are closed on Mondays.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk of Lisbon. The rest of the day is free for exploration. In the evening enjoy a Fado performance and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods.
Opt to take a day trip into the foothills of the surrounding mountains to Sintra. Get lost in the city's winding streets lined with pastel coloured houses, palaces, majestic gardens and lush forests. It doesn't get more postcard-worthy than this.

Lisbon Orientation Walk: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Leave Lisbon behind and head north to the small hill town of Batalha, best known for its ornate gothic monastery built to commemorate Portugal's victory in the infamous battle of Aljubarrota. Visit the historic Monastery of Batalha with free time to wander the grounds. Continue to the medieval capital of Portugal, Coimbra.

Monastery of Batalha Visit: Visit the Bathala Monastery built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. The elaborate, Gothic-style architecture of this UNESCO site is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the region.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time: Take time to wander around the jaw-droppingly gorgeous monastery, or get out and explore the surrounding area.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Enjoy a free day to explore Coimbra. Opt to visit the famous Coimbra University, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013 (and also the inspiration for Harry Potter's Hogwarts). Explore the winding streets and the riverfront filled with restaurants and bars, or opt for a day trip to the nearby coastal town of Aveiro or the pilgrimage sites of Fátima.

Free Time: Get out and explore.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Continue to the historic and vibrant coastal town of Porto in the morning, and take an orientation walk upon arrival.

Orientation With CEO: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

: Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Free day to explore Porto. Opt to take a cruise down the Douro River, or explore the city which gained UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1996. In the evening enjoy a visit to the port wine cellars and a tasting.
Head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Bargain at the Bolhão Market. Wander the city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district, visit São Francisco church, the palatial former 19th-century stock market Palácio de Bolsa or head to the Clerigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city. In the evening, become an Port wine connoisseur with a visit to the cellars and a port wine tasting.

Port Wine Cellar Visit: Finish off the day with a tour of the cellars of the region's famed export - Port wine. Learn about the art of Port making and the processes that render its rich taste. Indulge in a tasting and raise a glass to a day well spent. Saúde!

Free Time: Take it all in.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Transfer to the airport this morning and board an unescorted flight to Ponta Delgada. Enjoy free time to settle in upon arrival and meet with your new CEO this evening at the hotel.

: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Hike from Ribeira Funda to Maia along the dramatic and beautiful north coast of the island of São Miguel. Pause to eat lunch at Praia da Viola, also known as the 'secret beach.' Along the way pass many viewpoints along the coast of the island. The tour ends in the friendly parish of Maia. After returning from the hike the group will head into Furnas town for a visit to the Terra Nostra Gardens and geothermal hot springs. While there, the group will have a chance to take a dip in the natural hot waters or wander around the 24-acre botanical garden.

Ribeira Funda to Maia Hike: Hike from Ribeira Funda to Maia along the dramatic and beautiful north coast of the island of São Miguel. Pass by several ruins of old water mills that once used the force of the Ribeira do Salto river to transform wheat and corn into flour that was mostly used to bake bread. Bread was a key staple in the eating habits of the many families in the village and of the island. Lunch will be had at Praia da Viola also known as the 'secret beach'. The hike ends in the friendly parish of Maia, right next to a little beach area where we can cool off if the weather is nice. Length: 8km Avg duration: 4 hours. Elevation: approx 180-200m

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Spend the morning on a hike to the highest body of water in the Azores, Lagoa do Fogo, "lake of fire". Wander down to the shores of the lake through a forest of Eucalyptus and Japanese Cedars. Later, after a picnic lunch, travel to the Sete Cidades Parish and hike the trails for stunning views of the lakes within the caldera.

Lagoa do Fogo Hike: Known as the "lake of fire," Lagoa do Fogo is the highest body of water in the Azores. Embark on a hike down to the shores of the lake which has formed in the bottom of the caldera. Walk through a forest of Eucalyptus, Japanese Cedars and along a levada water way.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Fly from São Miguel to Terceira island, considered the capital of Azorean culture. Meet your CEO and hit the trails. Hike 9.5km on a circular route right in the middle of the island. Enjoy beautiful views of the Azinhal Valley and Biscoitos village with its rocky lava formations that meet the sea. Later, enjoy a walking tour of Angra do Heroísmo, the capital city, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Rocha do Chambre hike: This 9.5km circular route takes place in the middle of the island explores the rich agriculture of Azorean Heather, Laurel and Juniper plants. The Rocha do Chambre trail is considered rolling terrain. It has some flat sections through the forest which provide very dramatic scenery and a few steep inclines. It crosses a forest and meanders along a small stream up to the top of the Pico Alto crater at just over 700 meters. Enjoy beautiful views of the Azinhal Valley and Biscoitos village with its rocky lava formations that meet the sea. Total elevation gain is about 360 meters.

: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Head to the middle of the island with stunning views of the agricultural patchwork fields contrasted by the centuries old lava flow (often called the Black Lagoon). Here we hike the Mistérios Negros trail and visit the Algar do Carvão lava caves.

Mistérios Negros trail Hike and Algar do Carvão lava caves: Hike the Mistérios Negros trail which starts near the site of the last volcanic eruption on Terciera, in 1761. Learn about this incredible landscape while traversing uneven trails, over hardened lava flows and volcanic rock. The highlight of the day is a visit to the Algar do Carvão lava caves, which are a naturally formed tunnel of air developed under the warm lava.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle - its a short 30 minute drive each way.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Depart at any time.

Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST