Unforgettable Portugal – 8 Days of Northern Beauty

Welcome to Portugal. Once you pass immigration, take your luggage at the indicated treadmill and head for the exit.

The Operational Manager (OM) will be at the airport to greet him and then take him to the hotel.

In the afternoon, in time to be determined, we will make a sightseeing tour through the city.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, even so, you can meet her in a single day, since most of its attractions are close together. We start the tour with superb views of the world-famous CELLARS OF PORT WINE, on the opposite bank of the river that are in Vila Nova de Gaia.
We visit the Caves to learn about the fascinating history of Port wine and we included a tasting of special category of port wine.

After the visit, we will continue with the scenic drive to the historic center, where we will make a nice boat trip on the Douro RIO (included), which will allow an indescribable view of the city.

Free night.

Breakfast.

Free day to get to know the city of Porto.
Set out to explore the Porto Cathedral, one of the leading and oldest monuments in Portugal. Enjoy the beautiful view and walk down the stairs and alleys to get to Chez Lapin, across the Douro, one of the oldest known restaurants and the city of Porto.

Order a drink, some seafood and delight in the view and joy of this paradise.
Ribeira, walk to the Bolsa Palace and the Tower of Clerics, and admire the many historic buildings.

For suggestions of where dinner, talk to our OM, which indicate a restaurant according to your taste and will also provide private transportation, if you prefer.

Accommodation.

Check with your travel agent one of our optional.

After breakfast, we will visit the Douro region, which is an almost unique example of hegemony achieved between man and nature, creating an ecosystem modeled by terraces. It is one of the oldest and most important specific regions of the world and the culture of the vineyard in the region dates back to the Roman occupation period.

We visit SABROSA, village known for being the birthplace of the fifteenth century navigator, Fernão de Magalhães.
The Church, in baroque style, is dated to the eighteenth century and was built on the site of the former Fernão de Magalhães Chapel, housing a valuable collection of Sacred Art.

Then we arrive at the Pinhão, enjoy and visit the railway station, decorated with tiles dating from 1937, one of the most beautiful historical heritage of Portugal, consisting of 24 panels with wine motifs, documenting the drudgery of work Douro.

Note also the Road Bridge over the River Douro, designed by Gustave Eiffel in the nineteenth century.

In Pinhao, we will make a fascinating tour by BOAT RABELO preservadíssimos places in the Douro River, where there are only vineyards and estates, and a unique experience (tour included).

We visit one of the beautiful FARMS IN DOURO and do a wine tasting.

We will continue to the city of Guimarães, known as the “cradle of the Portuguese nation,” because I was born here in 1109, the first king of Portugal,Afonso Henriques.
The center is considered Cultural Heritage of Humanity and its streets and monuments breathe history and enchant visitors. The MEDIEVAL CASTLE OF GUIMARAES (1st place among the Seven Wonders of Portugal), was built in the century. X, with the aim of defending the Guimarães monastery.

Tip: take a walk through the historic center of Guimarães and know the pleasant plazas and cafes.

After breakfast, departure to Bayonne, a city that breathes sea, tradition and tourism. It was in 1493 that reached its port, the Caravel Pinta, giving firsthand the discovery ofAmerica. In Bayonne, walk through the historic sector, which is one of the best care of Galicia.

Admire the granite houses, secular churches, cruises, fountains in the squares and narrow stone streets. Marvel at the life and craft, visit the replica of the Caravel Pinta. We will continue the tour to visit the town of Combarro and admire the historical sector, its narrow, winding, full of life and traditions. It is one of the most picturesque and original locations of the Rias Baixas region. The granaries are the main attraction for tourists.

Free time for shopping and lunch (not included).

Combarro, go to Padrón, the second most important town linked to the apostle Santiago.
The Theodore and Athanasius disciples when they came to Jerusalem, with the body of the apostle, tied the boat on a large rock (Pedrón in Galician), which gave rise to the current name of the municipality. This stone is below the altar of Santiago de Padrón Church.

The disciples with the body of Santiago, passed by Iria Flavia, where the apostle had preached for the first time and after, they went to the Libredón lot where the saint buried in the place where later was built the Cathedral of Santiago.

Arrival in Santiago de Compostela, Overnight.

Free night.

After breakfast departure to the Costa da Morte to Cape Finisterre, which hides legends and true wild landscapes, one of the most beautiful and wild regions of Galicia.
The Romans thought it was the westernmost point of Europe and that the world end was there, was the “finis terrae”. To the pilgrims of the Middle Ages, the Cape Finisterre was literally “the end of the earth” and travel. Sacred to the Druids, Romans and Christians, a mystic and must-see for all pilgrims. This is where the pilgrims return its shell to the Ocean, burn their pilgrim clothes and plunge naked in the sea ice. When leaving the sea, the pilgrim is reborn.

From Finisterre going to Muxía, where we will visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Barca. Legend has it that the apostle Santiago tried for a long time, to convert Galician to Christ’s teachings. One day, discouraged and he was sitting on the beach rocks of Muxía, fighting the urge to give up and return to Palestine, saw approaching a barge that seemed to come from the “end of the world.” The strange vessel was stone and it was Our Lady. The rowers and helmsman were angels and stone paddles.
The Virgin spoke to Santiago and gave him strength to go on with their task and the apostle continued his mission. The remains of the stone ship were scattered around the beach. The fragment was the keel is known among the people as “The Stone of Cadrises” and is reputed to be a saint remedy for back pain. The “d’Abalar Stone” that would be the candle, is a flat, swinging stone and say that it has the property to move when someone steps without sin. If the stone stand firm is a sinner who stood on it. Santiago, with new life, left the northern region where he was preaching and moved toward the center of the Celtic cities. Nothing managed, after a while, decided to return to Jerusalem accompanied by his two closest disciples, Theodore and Athanasius giving by closed his preaching in Spain, leaving planted, however, the first seed that would flourish for centuries to come.

Free time for lunch (not included).

Return to Santiago de Compostela, visit the Cathedral which was built between the years 1075 and 1128, during the Christian Reconquista, during the Crusades. We will also see the Obradoiro Square, the main and most famous of the city of Santiago de Compostela.

Return to hotel and free night.

After breakfast departure to Vigo, where we ascend to the Castro Castle, in the heart of the city.
It was in this castle that General Franco ordered the killing of 136 people. Enjoy your gardens and beautiful views of its spectacular viewpoint. We will continue to the Minho region and stop in Valenca do Minho, walled city with a fortress dating back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
You will find numerous shops and cafes and a fantastic view of the River Minho.

Free time.

We continue then to the Brejoeira Palace, which is situated south of the town of Monção and, since 1910, considered as a National Monument, visit the Palace followed by wine tasting Alvarinho, famous in this region.

After the tasting, we will continue to the beautiful Ponte de Lima, its name comes from the importance of the bridge over the river Lima, it was the only safe passage until the late Middle Ages.

Free time for lunch.

We visit the Camões Square to the Avenue of Platanos, where the chapels and churches stand out.

Continue to Viana do Castelo, capital of the Portuguese folklore, which is located at the mouth of the Lima River, between the sea and the mountains. Historically, the city was a crucial starting point during the Age of Discovery, when many Portuguese explorers embarked to discover the world still unknown. Currently, Viana do Castelo has a thriving fishing port, known for its advanced architecture with Manueline and Renaissance influences and an innovative contemporary design. Minho colorful costumes, embroidery, crockery Viana and the famous jewels made in filigree, give you the Lima Princesa nickname.

Our first stop will be to visit the Monte de Santa Luzia and his Sanctuary. Also enjoy the view of the city, the estuary and the sea. At the bottom of the hill of Santa Luzia, the narrow cobbled streets are lined with beautiful mansions and solar built over centuries. Enjoy the many facades adorned with exquisite lines and colors tiles.
Take the opportunity to admire in the city center the monumental wealth, handicrafts, embroidery and jewels in filigree.
free hosting and time.
Enjoy the many facades are adorned with exquisite lines and colors tiles. Take the opportunity to admire in the city center the monumental wealth, handicrafts, embroidery and jewels in filigree.

Free time, overnight.

After breakfast we continue to Barcelos, famous for the legend Rooster of Barcelos, which has become a national symbol. The legend tells the story of a dead rooster and a man who was wrongly accused. We will see the medieval Bridge of Barcelos that since the Middle Ages, it was essential for the pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago.

We will visit the Igreja Matriz, built between 1325 and 1328, Gothic root, but with some reasons of Romanesque influence, particularly in the decoration of your portal. Admire your tiles of the eighteenth century and the rose window on the facade.
Do not forget to take a picture next to the Galo de Barcelos.

Then exit to Braga, or Bracara Augusta, as the Romans named it. It was founded by the Celts in 300 BC and was a Roman administrative center in 27 BC. A city of contrasts of ancient and the modern.

Braga visit the BOM JESUS ​​DO MONTE, where there is a curious nineteenth century elevator moved to water (entrance included) that works since 1882.

Free time for lunch in the historic center of Braga (not included).

Recommend knowing the Braga Cathedral which is the oldest chapel of Portugal (not included).

At a time to be determined, exit to the city of Porto, situated only 50 km away.

Free time.Accommodation.

Breakfast, hotel available until 11am.

Check-out.

At a time to be determined, transfer to the airport.

End of our services.