Experience Overview

Once a powerful kingdom that dominated the world sea routes, Portugal today is one of the most welcoming and peaceful countries in Europe, though the legacy of its former wealth can still be found in its historic cities. Starting from colourful Porto, the second city and a Unesco site, our journey follows the verdant valleys and rolling hills of the Douro wine region, before heading to the lesser-known interior, where we visit Coimbra, the Unesco Batalha monastery, medieval Óbidos before reaching Lisbon, one of the most enchanting capital cities in the world.
Profile
— Accommodation: 5 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels) — Guided visits and sightseeing on foot — Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by private air-conditioned minibus or van — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 5 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels) — Guided visits and sightseeing on foot — Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by private air-conditioned minibus or van — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate).For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. This is a comprehensive, fast-paced itinerary that aims to showcase the highlights and lesser-visited sites of Portugal in eight days, taking in vibrant cities and ancient villages. All transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle and none of the distances is particularly long. The itinerary is busy and there are some early starts to ensure we can fit in all visits on the itinerary. There is some free time to relax or sightsee at leisure. Portugal can be hot, reaching the high 30Cs (around 100F) in summer. Although this itinerary is mostly based on sightseeing, please be prepared for a reasonable amount of walking between sites. Walks involve some steep climbs to reach the sites and the ground can be uneven underfoot, with cobblestones commonplace in Portugal. The trip is suitable for everyone in good health and fitness.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, one lunch and one wine tasting included. Portugal is known for excellent wines and delicious regional cuisine that uses a lot of natural resources and produce. All meals have strong links to the land and sea, often prepared following old recipes. We can try a variety of traditional specialities during the trip and the local leader can always recommend good restaurants. Portugal has some of the best fish in the world. Salt cod is a staple here, eaten all kinds of ways, from baked with cream and potatoes to grilled with salad. The Douro and Alentejo regions are also well-known for an endless number of meat dishes, which include roasted goat with rice and potatoes, porco preto (black pork cooked confit-style), posta mirandesa (veal steak) and cozido à portuguesa (boiled meat, sausages and cabbage). Finally, we can’t leave Portugal without trying pastel de nata, the quintessential Portuguese custard tart originating in Lisbon. Please note, vegetarian meals are available on request although options may be limited.
Transportation
Transport from and to the airport is by minibus or comfortable 9-seater vans. We use a private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and excursions allowing us to enjoy comfortable, flexible and stress-free journeys.
Joining Instructions
Key information Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening at 530pm, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Porto Airport (OPO) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 15 to 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Make your own way You can reach the start hotel relatively easily by taxi. A cab from the airport costs €15-€18. On arrival at the hotel, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to Lisbon Airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Portugal hasa fairly mild climate, with the south generally slightly warmer than the north. It can be rainy and windy during autumn and winter, but spring and summer see temperatures hit 38C (104F) in the interior and 35C (95F) in the north. Departures in March, April and October have a higher chance of rain and cool temperatures, especially at night, so it is important to pack warm clothing and rainproof gear. Between May and September, chances of rain are slimmer and days will be long and hot.
Spending Money
Allow €20-€25 for lunch and €25 - €30 for dinner (taken in a standard restaurant), excluding alcoholic beverages. You may also need extra cash for drinks or ice creams in cafes or bars during the sightseeing and in the evening. Typically, a beer will cost around €2 and a coffee will cost around €1. A reasonable bottle of wine at dinner about €15. An optional kitty of €40 per person in cash will be collected at the beginning of the trip for those who wish to participate in the following optional visits and including local tips: — Day 3: Douro Valley boat ride — Day 5: Entry to Nazaré Museum and funicular railway 2 ways in Nazaré — Day 7: Tram ticket, Lisbon — Day 7: Metro ticket, Lisbon Any money that is unused will be returned to you at the end of the trip. On day 6 in Belém there are a number of optional attractions to visit and below are some example costs:- — Belém Tower - €10 — Jerónimos Monastery - €12 / €21 with audio guide Local taxes:- Many destinations, including Portugal, have introduced a tourist tax for non-residents. The local administration oversees the tax, which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €1 and €2 per person per night. For this trip, please allow approximately €10 for the week.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Most of our clients wish to give a tip to their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. As a starting point, we recommend €20 - €25 per person for the guides.

Highlights

— Discover the highlights of Portugal, from storied cities to picturesque countryside — Explore historic Porto, raising a glass together in a traditional port wine cellar — Visit an 18th-century winery above the Douro and Tedo rivers for lunch and a wine tasting — Discover medieval Óbidos and the old university city of Coimbra — End the adventure in Lisbon, exploring the enthralling capital with our expert guide

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Trip Details

Product Code: 4181

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Moderate

Transport: journeys.

Guide Language: English

Supplier Code: ADP

Starts: Porto, Lisbon

Finishes: Porto, Lisbon

Duration: 8 days

Departures: Not Guaranteed

Physical rating: Unknown

Includes

— All breakfasts, one lunch, one wine tasting — All accommodation — Tour leader throughout — All transport and listed activities — Group arrival and departure transfers available

Accommodation

Hotels
All hotels on this trip have been specially selected for their location, character and comfort. We stay mostly in modern buildings within or near the historic centres we visit. Some hotels have a pool. List of hotels normally used: Porto: Hotel Vila Galé Porto RibeiraDouro Valley: Hotel Régua Douro or Hotel Douro ScalaCoimbra: Hotel Dona Inês or Vila Cale CoimbraBatalha: Hotel Lis BatalhaÓbidos: The Literary Man or Josefa de Óbidos HotelLisbon: Hotel Marquês de Pombal

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3130 (CAD 391 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Start Porto

This trip starts in Porto at our hotel in the Ribeirinha district, close to the historic centre and on the banks of the scenic Douro River. Time permitting, we will familiarise ourselves with the hotel, and there will be a welcome briefing in the evening at 530pm in the hotel reception.

2

Day 2: Morning guided sightseeing in the Unesco-listed historic centre; port tasting; free time for optional activities and transfer to Douro Valley

Today starts with a guided tour through the historic centre of Porto, a Unesco World Heritage site. As we amble along the ancient streets and medieval lanes, we visit important monuments, including São Bento Station, a neoclassic jewel. In the buzzing, colourful squares and traditional, unique cafes, we discover the authentic heart of the city. We conclude our guided visit in Ribeirinha, the picturesque riverside area, where we enjoy a tour of the historic port wine cellars, ending with a short wine tasting. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing. City highlights include Porto Cathedral; Saint Francis Church; Livraria Lello (one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world) and Clérigos Church and Tower. Later, we transfer by private bus to the Douro Valley (approximately 90 minutes).

3

Day 3: Optional Douro River cruise; enjoy lunch and wine tasting at a winery with river and vineyard views; transfer to Coimbra

Today we explore the heart of the Douro Valley, the first officially designated wine region in the world, renowned for excellent port wine and pretty landscapes of steeply terraced riverside vineyards. In the morning, you have the option to enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Douro River. Later, we enjoy a delicious lunch with an included wine tasting in an 18th-century estate surrounded by terraced vineyards that climb high above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. In the afternoon, we transfer by private bus to Coimbra (approximately two hours) in the central region of Portugal.

4

Day 4: Visit Coimbra and its university; then to Batalha and its Unesco monastery.

Known as the City of Students, Coimbra has a history closely linked to the Unesco-listed University of Coimbra, which was founded in 1290 and is the second oldest in Europe. The city is divided into two distinct areas, the baixa (downtown) by the river, where most of the commercial activity is concentrated, and the alta (upper town), home to the oldest and most important buildings, including Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), Sé Nova (New Cathedral) and the university. We visit the most important areas and sites this morning during a guided tour. There will be free time in the afternoon for independent sightseeing before we transfer (approximately one hour) to the peaceful little town of Batalha, the setting of the most important battle in Portugal, the Batalha de Aljubarrota (1385). This battle secured Portuguese independence from Castile, and to honour it, King João I constructed the Mosteiro da Batalha, the finest monastery in Portugal. We visit this Portuguese gothic masterpiece that combines various influences from its lengthy construction, which lasted several reigns. We will have the opportunity to visit the outstanding interior, including the Founders’ Chapel with its fine stained-glass windows, cloisters, the Unfinished Chapels with their Manueline and Flemish gothic features and the Chapter House.

5

Day 5: Head to Nazaré beach; transfer to Óbidos

Our first stop today is the seaside town of Nazaré, home to some of the largest surfing waves in the world. There will be time for a stroll, lunch and free time to soak up the lovely atmosphere of this coastal village. Then we move to Óbidos, our base for the night. This small, fortified village resembles a medieval film set. It has been carefully preserved by the inhabitants, who take pride in maintaining the architectural image of the village, characterised by narrow winding streets, whitewashed houses and impressive fort walls, perfect to enjoy after day-trippers have left. We stay overnight in Óbidos.

6

Day 6: Transfer to Lisbon; orientation walk around the Belém district

Transfer (one hour) to Lisbon today, one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world. In the morning, we have an orientation walk around the Belém district, in which the guide will highlight the major landmarks, such as the vast Jerónimos Monastery and 16th-century Belém Tower. The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation or independent sightseeing in Belém before transferring to our hotel.

7

Day 7: Guided sightseeing in Lisbon

Continue to explore the second-oldest capital in Europe (after Athens) on a guided tour today. Lisbon was once home to the explorers Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator. Today, it is one of the most sought-after destinations, offering delicious food, ancient monuments, quirky cafes, and views over the Tejo river. Lisbon is known as the City of Seven Hills, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a few steep climbs and steps during today’s walking tour. We start with an optional ride on the Lisbon tram, which takes us to the elegant area of Graça. We then descend on foot through Alfama, one of the oldest districts in Lisbon, with its maze of colourful alleyways, old buildings and breath-taking viewpoints. We conclude our busy guided tour in Rossio, the heart of the city. The rest of the day is free for further independent sightseeing. In the evening, you have the option of enjoying a fado experience, to learn more about this traditional musical style, which is thought to have originated in Lisbon itself.

8

Day 8: The trip ends in the morning

Our Highlights of Portugal trip ends after breakfast. However, with so much to see and do in Lisbon, we recommend adding some extra days after the tour to truly appreciate the many attractions this city offers. Speak to your sales representative to book.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

In Business Since 1974

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Reviews

Valerie Merges - Traveled, April 2023

Sample of the cities of Northern Portugal This trip covered the cities with the most attractions and sights in Northern Portugal. Our guides Catarina and Marianna were wonderful and caring. Both spoke perfect English and shared a lot of historical information. Both were always available on WhatsApp during our free time. The tour allowed us to see many cities in just one week. We were kept on the move from city to city, but there was plenty of free time. The old towns were so interesting and unique. Strolling on the stone sidewalks and glancing at the tiled buildings is a memory I will never forget. Sintra’s palace and gardens were also a highlight. The wine tastings were very enjoyable. Portugal’s food is incredible and I tried many new dishes. I combined this trip with Walking Portugal’s Coasts and Beaches, which made a perfect holiday of historic sights and coastal beach scenery. Most Inspirational Moment Having lunch in the Duoro Valley in a winery staring at the vineyards and sampling wines Thoughts on Group Leader Marianna and Catarina are the two nicest guides I've ever had! They were extremely caring. Both were very knowledgeable about the sights & history. I do wish they were with us more often. I would have liked them to accompany us to dinner on more nights. Advice for Potential Travellers Wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction. There is the potential for a lot of walking in the cities during your free time. The polished stone sidewalks get slippery if it rains. Add on at least one day in Porto at the beginning and at the end in Lisbon. There is so much to see in both cities. Suggestions Needed less time in Obidos and more time in Sintra. Make Obidos just an hour's visit, then push on to Sintra. I was upset because there are four major sites in Sintra and we only had time for two. The hotel in Obidos was damp and dark; I couldn't wait to leave.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2023

David Reynolds - Traveled, April 2023

Comments from Dave and Mary Good introduction to central Portugal. Moving on after one night at each location quite tiring. Extra time at each end of Porto and Lisbon necessary to give the cities justice. Could do with more time in Douro valley to enjoy the benefits of the hotel and location. Most Inspirational Moment Douro valley hotel and location was exceptional. Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent, although sometimes more information would be of benefit. Advice for Potential Travellers See summary.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2023

Stacey Kalamaras - Traveled, April 2023

Not Recommended I had heard a lot of great things about Exodus. However, the local company in Portugal did not live up to expectations. This was a fast-moving tour. We were in a different city (sometimes 2) each day and the guides did not give us the best of each city. Instead, we spent an hour (of the precious 3 hours we had each day) in a a cafe! One can assume this is because THEY needed a break. There was so much to see and we wandered aimlessly. It became a joke that when they would tell us how beautiful something was in a particular city, that meant we were not going to see it. I mean, who is going to be back to visit anytime soon. Also, their knowledge was not up to par. When we were visiting the Monastery in Batalha, there were these portraits on the wall and I asked who they were and the response I received were “they are not significant.” REALLY? I’ve been in enough churches in Europe to know that EVERYTHING has significance! The knowledge of these guides was so awful, it was almost comical. I realize new people have to be trained, but they should not be trained at our expense, as this was an expensive trip. They should pay their dues as local guides, giving local tours so they can learn how to be guides. These women were absolutely terrible. I felt like a friend had offered to show me Portugal and given their limited knowledge, that would have been exactly what I got – limited knowledge. But, I paid for this trip. And so did others. And we paid handsomely. Also, the nightly meetings were stupid. Just post an itinerary. No one wants to be in a meeting after a long day. The trip to Sintra was a disaster. They left us without coming up there with us. They should have been with us. We had no idea where to go or what we were looking at – we needed a guide! Plus, the whole issue with having to pay 12..50 more for the bus was really stupid. We all felt very nickled and dimed. That should have been handled much differently. Do not use Exodus for this particular tour in Portugal. You will regret it. It is far too expensive for what you get. You would be better off going on your own. You would see more and learn much more. They also weren’t very good about keeping tabs on the group. They didn’t wear logo’d clothing or have a flag or anything. We mostly kept track of each other to be sure no one was left behind – isn’t that their job?? And most of the restaurant recommendations were horrible. Very unimpressed. Most Inspirational Moment NONE Thoughts on Group Leader Terrible, uninformed, ditzy Advice for Potential Travellers Do not book this particular tour with Exodus. Perhaps other local companies are better, but this one is not worth your hard earned money Suggestions No.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2023

Julia Larsson - Traveled, May 2022

Portugal at a glance A very busy trip with not very much free time. Most Inspirational Moment I loved Porto even though it was very busy with tourists. The included lunch at the port winery overlooking the Douro and Teda rivers was excellent with plenty of vegetarian options and nice wines. The tour beforehand was entertaining. Thoughts on Group Leader We had Carlos Santos and Flavio as our leaders/drivers. They were both efficient, friendly, helpful and safe drivers. Carlos took me to a late night chemist when I needed some medication for a bad cough. He did this when we were actually settling into the restaurant for dinner - we still got back in time to eat! Flavio would always find out answers if he didn't know the answer immediately. We had a very enjoyable group dinner on Thursday with both of them as this was the last evening they would have been with us. The food was good - lots of veggie choices - Carlos played guitar and we all sang along. One small criticism is that some of the evening briefings were rather long. Advice for Potential Travellers I have raised this issue with Exodus already. The group flight home is very late. We were collected from our hotel in Lisbon at 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and I walked into my house at 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. Exhausting. I would have liked a bit more time to look round Obidos. We were there for two nights but went to Sintra to visit the Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. Pena Palace was extremely busy, it took about an hour to get in and then you just had to shuffle round due to the amount of people inside. Suggestions Although the hotel Douro Scala (Mesao Frio) is in a lovely position overlooking the vineyards, the bedrooms were rather 'tired' and there is not really a proper bar area so that you bought your drinks in the restaurant and took them out onto the terrace overlooking the pool. Finding vegetarian meal options was sometimes challenging. Carlos always made sure that the restaurants he recommended (or where we had group dinners) served veggie options but sometimes this was limited to one dish and not always very good. It was more of a challenge when we were on our own. Some restaurants had no veggies options at all.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/15/2022

Dennis Jenkins - Traveled, September 2019

Highlights of Portugal Although described as a fast paced tour(which it was), it was a good introduction to visiting Portugal with many highlights as well as vising some lesser known parts. As someone who had not been to Portugal before and as it is so easy to get to from the UK, it was a taster for maybe visiting the country again and exploring other regions. Most Inspirational Moment With all these tours, it is difficult to highlight just one moment that was inspirational, especially on a short tour like this. Lisbon was very inspiring especially as we stayed on for an extra 3 days as was our short stay in the village of Ferraria de Sao Joao. Thoughts on Group Leader Goncalo was an excellent guide who always made sure we were away early to avoid the worst of the crowds. This was particularly important in the case of the Pena Palace in Sintra. He explained the history of the various sites very concisely which kept our interest and he would always try to accommodate any of our requests. Advice for Potential Travellers The Fado evening was very good indeed being in a small establishment in the Alfama district of Lisbon so was not only authentic but was a very pleasant farewell evening, Strongly recommended. Also, I would certainly recommend staying on in Lisbon for some extra days as there is so much to do and see and the atmosphere is very appealing. Suggestions We didn't have many local guides on this trip but mention should be made of the excellent young lady who guided us round the Douro Museum in Peso da Regua. Her command of English and the clarity of her voice as well as her interest in what she was conveying to us was a model of how a guide should be.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/17/2019

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