PORTUGAL
Portugal Highlights
Highlights
Porto and Lisbon
Sintra Castle. Medieval Evora
Algarve Beaches at Lagos
Walking 4 mi daily + down time
Amazing Food & Wines
Summary
We’ve packed all of the best of Portugal highlights on this amazing 10 day tour. Portugal… a “Must-Visit-Destination” by Lonely Planet; “World’s-Leading-Destination 2017, 2018, 2019” at the World Travel Awards. Portugal has it all! Historic cities, UNESCO sights, fairytale castles, wineries, nature parks, urban and nature walks, warm beaches, mouthwatering food, and, of course, wine! Spend time in Lisbon and Porto, visit Sintra castle, medieval Evora and Lagos beaches, and toast it all with a glass of Vino Verde or Port.
At-a-Glance
Vaccinated travelers welcomed
Days: 10
Date: Sep 21 – 30, 2023
Land Cost: $2,495 (airfare extra)
Single Supplement: $1,275
Group Size: 6 – 8
Minimum Age: 15
Level: Moderate – brisk pace, 4 miles walking daily
Overview
Day 1: Arrive Lisbon
Day 2: Lisbon city tour and Fado
Day 3: Sintra, Cascais, Estoril
Day 4: Drive north: Aviero, Porto
Day 5: Porto sights & wine
Day 6: Coimbra. Medieval Evora
Day 7: Evora. Lagos beaches
Day 8: Algarve coast, Lagos
Day 9: Arrabida NP. Lisbon
Day 10: Lisbon. Depart
Flying to Portugal
You can arrive Lisbon any time on Day 1. Airport transfer is provided. This may require departing the USA the day or evening before.
Day 1 - Arrive Lisbon, Portugal
Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal! Transfer from the airport (transfer included) and get settled into your hotel. We will stay in Lisbon for three nights. No meals.
Day 2 - Lisbon Walking Tour. Evening Fado Performance
After breakfast, take a short train ride to the heart of Lisbon and then stroll Lisbon’s historic and culture-filled cobblestone streets during a private 3-hour walking tour. Check out Lisbon’s oldest quarter, the Moorish Alfama District with its labyrinthine alleyways, hidden courtyards, brilliantly-tiled buildings and neat trollies. Walk through turn of the century-style Chiado district and the Baixa, Lisbon’s historic heart and commercial center. Stops include: Rossio Central Station, Carmo Church, Commerce Square, Santa Justa Lift and more. And, we will, OF COURSE, work our way through some must-try treats such as Pastel de Nata (custard tart), Pastel de Belem (egg tart), and Bolinhos de Bacalhau (salt cod cakes). Take the afternoon to explore on your own or rest back at the hotel.
Meet again around 6 pm for a happy hour before our 7 pm evening Fado performance. Fado is the essence of Portuguese culture. So special, this traditional Portuguese singing style was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Come prepared for a passionate show and get to know the true soul of Lisbon and the Portuguese people.
(breakfast included) (walking 4 miles, 3-4 hours)
Day 3 - Sintra, Quinta Da Regaleira, Cascais
A visit to the fairytale castle of Sintra and nearby Quinta da Regaleira and the coast and colors of Cascais is one of the single most remarkable sightseeing and exploring days one can have in all of Europe. We’ll spend 8 hours on a private guided tour visiting these sights and exploring the surrounding countryside. Return to Lisbon. (breakfast included)
Day 4 - Colorful Aviero and Romantic Porto
Early breakfast. Pick up our rental vehicle and head north towards Porto. We’ll stop and visit Aviero, famed for its canals, Art Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted ‘moliceiros’ boats. After lunch, proceed to romantic Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, one of the oldest European centers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (breakfast included)
(Driving: Lisbon to Aviero: 2 ½ hours. Aviero to Porto: 1 hour)
Day 5 - Porto
A day of urban exploration by foot of lovely Porto. Enjoy a 3 hour guided walking tour covering Porto’s sights, and waterfront. Enjoy Porto’s baroque churches, sprawling plazas, the ‘azulejos’ (hand-painted tiles) of Porto’s Central Train Station, the Baixa neighborhood, and the iconic UNESCO Ribeira District. In the afternoon, head to one of Porto’s outstanding wine cellars!
(breakfast included) (walking 4-5 miles)
Day 6 - Historic Coimbra. Medieval Evora
Early breakfast. Driving south of Porto we visit Coimbra, the medieval capital of Europe for over a hundred years and home to Coimbra University. The University was built in 1290 is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest Universities in the world. Keeping with tradition, students still attend class in black robes and capes. Check out the university area and pop into the Biblioteca Joanina Library. Walk the riverfront park and pedestrian bridge over the Rio Mondego. Grab a quick picnic lunch and drive south through grape fields and cork forests of the Alentejo to Evora. Evora is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns. Explore winding lanes, medieval cathedrals, and roman ruins inside Evora’s 14-century walls.
(breakfast included)
(Driving Distance: Porto to Coimbra: 1 hr 20 min. Coimbra to Evora: 3 hr)
Day 7 - Evora's 'Bones & Stones'. Coastal Lagos
You may have seen or visited a chapel before, but not like this one! Visit Capela dos Ossos.. the ’Chapel of Bones’. The chapel is a ‘memento mori’ (reminder of death).. the walls and columns are lined with the bones and skulls of some 5,000 people. Then, just outside Evora, we will visit the Almendres Cromlech, a site of megalithic standing stones built between 5,000 BC and 4,000 BC (way before Stonehenge). Picnic lunch as we head to Lagos in Portugal’s southern, beach-filled Algarve region.
(breakfast included)
(Driving time: Evora to Lagos: 2 hr 45 min)
Day 8 - Free Time in Lagos
You will love seaside Lagos with its cobblestone streets, ice cream parlors, open-air seafood restaurants and gorgeous beaches adorned with massive sculpted sea-stacks. Head to the beach, take a kayak tour, or just chill.
(breakfast included)
Day 9 - Arrabida Nature Park. Lisbon
On our way back to Lisbon, visit the scenic Arrábida Nature Park, known for its paradise-like beaches. Check into Lisbon hotel. Tonight, we have our farewell dinner and try our best to come up with our one special highlight from our incredible journey.
(breakfast included)
(Driving time: Lagos to Arrabida: 2 hr 45 min. Arrabida to Lisbon: 37 min)
Day 10 - Lisbon. Tour ends.
Take in some final sights and shopping before heading back to the airport. Those with extra vacation time might choose to extend their time in Portugal.
Note on Itinerary:
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Additional Information:
Please be sure to scroll through website tabs for information on:
- Pricing
- What’s Included
- General Information
- FAQ
- How to Reserve
Your Meaningful Trip awaits. Space is limited. Click to reserve today.
Land Price: $2,495
International airfare is NOT included. (Rates quoted are per person, based on double occupancy).
Single Supplement: $1,275
Meaningful Trips will pair same-gender participants as roommates. Single Supplement is for those specifically requesting their own room throughout, and is strictly based on availability. For this trip, roommate sharing is necessary.
Gas & Toll Contribution
Upon arrival on Day 1, each participant will pay $75 to the Trip Organizer. This will go towards gas, tolls and parking fees.
Save Big!
Bring your friends. Join any set group tour with 2 or more people (friends, couples, or a family) and each person saves $100. (not combinable with other discounts).
Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy:
Payment
Deposit of $500 due at time of reservation. Final balance due 90 days prior to trip departure.
Cancellation
Your deposit if fully refundable should you cancel for any reason, as long as its 90 days prior to trip departure. If you cancel prior to departure (with written notice), cancellation fees are:
91 or more days… $0
61 to 90 days… $500
31 to 60 days… 50% of Trip Cost
0 to 30 days… 100% of Trip Cost
Included:
- 9 nights hotel accommodations
- Airport transfer from Lisbon
- Meals as per itinerary
- National Park entrance
- Douro River & wine experience
- Entrance to Sintra
- English-speaking guides
NOT included:
- International Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks
- Meals not noted on the itinerary
- Guide gratuity
- Medical Immunizations
LISBON – Hotel Principe (or similar)
PORTO – Royal Bridges Hotel (or similar)
EVORA – Evora Olive Hotel (or similar)
LAGOS – Lagos Avenida (or similar)
Trip Insurance
Meaningful Trips highly recommends the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, delays, medical matters, and emergency evacuation. Travel Insurance companies we like include: World Nomads, Allianz, Trawick International
Safety
Portugal is ranked as the 3rd safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index.
Visa and passport
Must have a US Passport valid for 6 months beyond the tour end date. Visa is not required for US citizens.
Flights to Portugal
Our trip starts and ends in Lisbon. From Lagos, guests can choose to extend their stay in Portugal; otherwise, they can transfer back to Lisbon (3-hours). Please do not purchase any airfare until you have received word form Meaningful Trips that your trip is confirmed with the necessary minimum number of passengers.
Weather
Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to visit Portugal, staying away from the heat and crowds of summer. Average spring temperatures are around 65-degrees in the north, and up to 75 in the south. Fall temps average 70-degrees in the north and 75-80 degrees in the south.
Lodging
This trip includes 9 nights in comfortable hotels and small lodges.
Activity Level: Moderate
This is an active trip offering a mix of walking and hiking activities. The duration of activities ranges from 3 – 4 hours.
Save Big!
Join any set tour with 3 – 5 people (friends, couples, or a family) and each person saves $200. Or, organize a group of 6-10 friends and choose your own private dates (based on availability), and each person saves $200.
Additional Trip Information
Prior to reserving your tour, please carefully review our ‘Pricing’, ‘How to Reserve’ and ‘FAQ’ sections for helpful information on topics such as cancellation penalties, inclusions, food, water, and more.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the Meaningful Trips Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully. Additional pre-departure information including a Packing List, Medical Form, and Liability Release Form is emailed upon sign-up.
Your Meaningful Trip awaits. Space is limited. Click to reserve today.
Some answers to common questions. Upon Sign-up, travelers receive a Packing List, Pre-Departure Info and Important Forms
Do I Need a Passport for Portugal?
Yes, a passport is needed and must be valid for 6 months after your trip date.
Do I Need a Visa for Portugal?
No. As a tourist with a US Passport, no visa is required.
COVID Matters
Do I Need COVID Vaccination for Portugal? No, but read on..
Do I Need Negative COVID Test for Portugal? No, but read on..
While these are not required for Portugal, all Meaningful Trips travelers are REQUIRED to be vaccinated against COVID. This is to protecrt you, your family, friends, traveling companions, our staff, our guides, and locals where we travel. Participants share vans and hotel rooms.
Are any other vaccinations required for Portugal?
No.
We highly recommend that all persons who travel internationally should be current on these three routine immunizations: Annual Influenza (flu) shot; Tetanus Booster (Tdap) (good for 10 years); and Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR). Additionally, Hepatitis A is highly recommended for all international travelers. Meaningful Trips are not medical experts. Always consult your own doctor and always refer to the CDC website for updated vaccination and country-specific information.
Is Portugal Safe?
Portugal is ranked 3rd as the ‘Safest Country in the World’ by the Global Peace Index. Always follow these safety precautions:
- make copies of relevant documents
- be wary of public Wi-Fi
- use caution when using ATM
- use hotel safes when available
- be aware of your surroundings
Do I need Travel Insurance?
Meaningful Trips always highly recommends the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, delays, medical matters, and emergency evacuation.
When is the best time to go to Portugal?
Portugal is one of the warmer European countries. Spring and early fall are ideal times to visit Portugal, staying away from the summer crowds and heat. Temeratures are around 75 – 80 degrees daytime, cooling down to 55 at night. Early autumn has similar temperatures but the beginnings of rainy conditions.
How active is this Portugal trip?
This is an active trip rated Moderate, offering a mix of activities. All persons with a spirit of adventure are welcome. Hikes range from 4 – 8 miles. The duration of activities ranges from 3 to 4 hours.
What are hotels like in Portugal?
This trip includes 9 nights in comfortable hotels and small lodges.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The food on this trip is amazing! Many seafood choices include: Bacalhau (dried, salted cod), octopus, clams, sardines. You will want to try a pastel de nata (egg custard) for desert, and, of course, wash it all down with Vino Verde or Port. Vegetarians and vegans will find many options as well.
STEP 1 – Click ‘Book Now’ and Complete Reservation Form to Hold Your Space(s)
STEP 2 – Mail $500 Deposit via Check.
Reservation is guaranteed upon receipt of a $500 deposit per person. Deposits are held in Trust Account. Deposits are fully refundable for any reason if you cancel before Dec 15, 2020. After Dec 15, 2020, regular cancellation policy applies. Final Payment is due 90-days prior to departure and payable by Check, Zelle, Stripe, ApplePay, Visa, Mastercard.
Mail Check Deposit to:
Meaningful Trips
1416 NW 46th St
Suite 105-343
Seattle, WA 98107
Upon reserving a trip and submitting a deposit, each traveler will receive:
- A Confirmation email
- Invoice
- Pre-departure Information
- Trip Application with Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
- Travel Insurance Information
- Packing List
- Medical Form
Terms & Conditions and Liability Release
At the time of Deposit, participants must read and agree to Meaningful Trips Terms and Conditions and Liability Release Form. Please read this information carefully.
Your Meaningful Trip awaits. Space is limited. Click to reserve today.