Spirit of Portugal

10 Days

Porto Lisbon Lagos

september, october

$4289

September 26th to October 5th 2022

Ribeira, the old town of Porto, Portugal

Explore Portugal with Reverend Andrea Asebedo of CSL Bellingham. We will visit the cornerstones of the country, its two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto before heading to Lagos on the Algarve coast.

Start in Porto, one of the oldest cities in all of Europe, located on the beautiful Douro River. Tour the historic city with a private guide, then embark on a journey to Braga the religious heart land of Portugal. We will travel to Lisbon, get a taste of the culture with a fado evening, celebrating Portugal’s national song style, then venture out in to the city with a private guide for a tour of the city including beautiful Rossio Square, and the historic monuments of Belém. Visit of the 19th century Pena Palace, Sintra’s undisputed highlight, a most incredible combination of architectural styles, colors, and shapes, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a fairytale.

Visit Lagos a colorful and characterful town in southern Portugal’s Algarve region. It’s known for its walled old town, cliffs and Atlantic beaches.

Abbreviated Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive

in Porto Check into your hotel and rest from the flight.

Meet your private driver for an airport transfer. A welcome package with a bottle of wine, city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip. Hotel Porto Bay Flores

Day 2 The Adventure Begins

Morning Meeting after Breakfast. Afterwards a private guide and driver will pick us up at your hotel to escort you on a half day tour of Porto and its historic city center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the exterior of the 18th century Porto Cathedral, one of Porto’s oldest monuments, followed by a panoramic viewpoint over the Douro River where you can take in views across to the city Gaia. Head to Batalha Square where you can spot the 18th century Batalha Palace, then walk Santa Catarina Street, the city’s main shopping street, buzzing with action.

Head to Liberdade Square where the monument to King Peter IV is centralized within a number of beautiful neoclassical facades, and continue to see the Clerigos Church and Tower, dominating the city at 250 feet tall. Enjoy a skip-the-line visit of Livraria Lello, likely the world’s most stunningly beautiful bookshop, and the point of inspiration behind the Hogwarts library in the revered Harry Potter series. Venture to Ribeira Square, with its river view and three-storey high monumental fountain, and if desired, speak with your guide about making an optional visit to Porto Wine Cellars for a wine tasting (payable on the spot). Conclude with a return transfer to your hotel.

We will have dinner together at our hotel or a restaurant in town.

Day 3 Cultural Immersion

Morning Meeting after Breakfast. Set out with a private tourism driver to discover Braga, the religious heartland of Portugal and today houses more religious buildings than any city in Portugal, Braga, one of the oldest cities in Portugal, and was founded by the Celts in 300BC. Braga suggests quiet, peace, security. Braga combines its development with tradition in a quiet and peaceful coexistence. Its natural beauty inspires contemplation and aesthetic satiety. Therefore there’s a strong feeling of religiosity in the air. There are ancient buildings and churches around every corner, the majority which proudly display their baroque influence especially Se de Braga, the oldest cathedral in Portugal. We will also visit the Bom Jesus Sanctuary which a World Heritage Site by Unesco also a perfect spot to appreciate the landscape of the city of Braga.

By end of the morning we will drive to the city center to take a break at Braga’s city center and enjoy an amazing traditional Portuguese lunch included on this tour.

Day 4 Porto to Lisbon

Morning meeting and afterwards after out last morning in Porto we will meet our private driver for a train station transfer.

Enjoy a train ride from Porto to Lisbon. The regular trains take around 3 hrs, while the highspeed trains takes a little less than 3 hours. We will check into the hotel and later go to a Fado dining experience.

Fado refers to the national song style of Portugal and is deemed of cultural importance to Lisbon and therefore protected by UNESCO. Experience live Fado this evening at an excellent Fado Restaurant, “Casa de Linhares”. Enjoy the great ambience as you listen to the Fado singers over dinner at one of Lisbon’s most famous venues. Includes 3-course meal, wine, coffee and water as well as private return transportation.My Story Hotel Tejo

Day 5 Lisbon HIghlites

After our morning meeting we will take a ½ day tour of Lisbon..

With a private guide and driver, embark on a half-day tour of Lisbon, the city of seven hills, has layers of history dating to occupation by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Visigoths and the Moors. Visit the heart of the city, Rossio Square, then spend some time in Alfama, the Old Quarter. See the Lisbon Cathedral, with history dating back to the 12th century, and admire views of St. George’s Castle, a Moorish fortification, while catching a stunning panorama over the city from the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte lookout. In Belem, the city’s monumental district, walk alongside a pair of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the stunning 16th century Jeronimos Monastery, and the Belem Tower on the bank of the Tagus River. Enjoy a short stop at the Monument to the Discoveries, celebrating the influential 15th-16th century Portuguese Age of Discovery before a transfer back to your hotel.

Day 6 Winding the Wind-Swept Shorelines

Accompanied by your private guide, depart on a scenic coastal drive, spotting several sandy beaches hidden within the cliffs, protected by the 17th century fortresses along the coast. Arrive to the beautiful resort town of Estoril, famous as the home of the Casino Estoril and Hotel Palácio, known rendezvous points for WWII spies and their handlers, while Portugal remained politically neutral. Take a stroll on the Tamariz Beach promenade, admiring the 17th century Forte da Cruz castle, set behind a backdrop of palm trees. Continue to Cascais, once a small fishing village, the town has managed to maintain its seafaring traditions combined with the aristocratic and royal presences of the late 19th and early 20th century, as it shifted into a luxurious resort town on the Portugal Riviera.

Passing through its animated town center you’ll find a cosmopolitan life side by side with stunning Atlantic beaches. We will have lunch here. After, head to Sintra, where hundreds of years of history and culture await, surrounded by lush vegetation. After a short walk in the old city center, find yourself surrounded by the old houses that are now converted into small quaint handicraft shops and traditional pastry shops. Ascend the mountain by shuttle for a visit of the 19th century Pena Palace, Sintra’s undisputed highlight, a most incredible combination of architectural styles, colors, and shapes, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a fairytale. Conclude your day with a return to Lisbon.

For our final dinner in Lisbon .

Day 7 Lisbon to the Algarve Coast Lagos

Meet your private driver for a bus to Lagos, Portugal

Lagos is a colorful and characterful town in southern Portugal’s Algarve region. It’s known for its walled old town, cliffs and Atlantic beaches. Steep wooden steps lead to the sandy cove of Praia do Camilo. The nearby cliffs of Ponta de Piedade offer sweeping headland views and a lighthouse. Igreja de Santo António, an ornate 18th-century church, sits across from the Castelo dos Governadores, a castle with a baroque facade and watchtowers.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Lagos combines perfectly traditional Portuguese culture and beautiful beaches. A perfect place to unwind from our previous busy days of the tour and slow down to the pace of Portugal.

We will be here for 3 nights and 4 days. Fist night Dinner together in Town Hotel Tivoli Lagos

Day 8 Lagos

After our morning meeting you will have the day free to Explore Lagos on your own. Spirit Tours will provide optional outings that you may choose from (not included).

We will lead an optional walk to Ponta da Piedade, a group of spectacular rock formations, caves, grottoes and sea arches along the coastline, It is one of the most beautiful places of the Algarve and Portugal. Other outings include kayaking, cruises along the coast line, exploring the walled town of Lagos with its cobbled streets. There are ancient Moorish walls, a 17th century fort and extravagant Baroque Churches.

Day 9 Explore the Algarve Coast

After our morning meeting we will take a beautiful walk from our hotel to beautiful estuary and fishing harbor to the marina.

From the Marina we will take a boat to explore the Algarve coast. Experience the scenic beauty of Lagos on this cruise to Ponta da Piedade. After embarking from Lagos Marina, cruise by picturesque beaches and explore the caves and hidden coves of Ponta da Piedade.

Marvel at the dramatic sea cliffs, gold-sand beaches, and rocky coves of Portugal s Algarve coast on this private catamaran cruise from Lagos. Sail past landmarks such as the Camilo Beach and the black rock of Praia da Luz. We will also enjoy a delicious lunch on-board.

We will end our Spirit of Portugal with a beautiful Seafood dinner in Lagos

Day 10

Return to Lisbon for our flight home or onward in Europe

Departure Time

September 26, 2022 12 AM

Return Time

October 5, 2022 12 AM

Included

9 Nights Luxury Hotel with American Breakfast

3 Dinners and 2 lunches

A half-day tour of Lisbon

Visit the beautiful resort town of Estoril and Sintra Pena Palace

Half day tour of Porto and its historic city center

Half day tour of Braga Portugal's Spiritual hearland

Hotel Shuttle Transfers and Tours with private guide

Explore the Algarve Coast and Lagos

Not Included

Round Trip Air to Portugal

Meals not included in itinerary

Tips and Gratuities

$889

non-refundable Deposit Per Person

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