Pousadas of Portugal
8days from
£1,790*per person
Overview
Historic Portuguese hotels
Itinerary
- Fly into Lisbon, meet your tour manager and transfer the short distance to the sumptuous Pousada de Queluz opposite the Royal Palace. Settle in to your surroundings and, if you have the time, perhaps wander through the beautiful Palace gardens, before dinner is served in the Pousada’s Old Kitchen dining room.
- Join your tour manager for a guided introduction to the historic Portuguese capital. Stand on the banks of the River Tagus and imagine the great explorers setting off for the New World, wander through the ornate Belem quarter, or explore the Baixa’s wide, tree-lined avenues fringed with cafes and restaurants. Check out the street-sellers and artists of bustling Rossio Square, and stroll the narrow streets of the Alfama district. In the afternoon, why not enjoy a ride on a historic yellow tram? And, this evening, stay in the city or return to the hotel to dine.
- On today’s included tour you'll explore the elegant Atlantic resorts of Cascais and Estoril, and journey to UNESCO-listed Sintra. Estoril’s elegant seafront, lined with bistros and old-fashioned cafes, has long been a favourite destination, while Cascais, on its sweeping bay, is no less alluring. The jewel in the crown, today, is Sintra, a former royal retreat with two remarkable Palacios set in a National Park full of exotic, tropical trees and plants. After a marvellous day, which will also include a visit to windswept Cabo da Roca, at Europe’s westernmost point, you’ll return to the Pousada for dinner.
- Head north, calling at walled, hill-top Obidos to see its cobbled lanes, walls and ancient aqueduct, and former capital and university seat, Coimbra, the "Oxford of Portugal", with its stunning Romanesque cathedral. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive at your second luxurious Pousada, in Viseu, set on a high plateau in heart of the beautiful Beira Alta region. Make yourself at home, perhaps enjoying a sauna or swim, and join friends in the bar before dinner. Why not accompany your meal with a locally produced Dao wine, and wander the historic streets of the beautiful town before retiring for the night?
- Today is spent enjoying the hotel and its surroundings, and making a short trip through the scenic hills to enjoy a tasting at a local quinta. The regions Dao reds are famed for their Burgundy-like qualities, and its whites are fast gaining a fine reputation. You’ll also enjoy a visit to an artisanal bakery and a local cheese-maker. This evening, you're free to explore Viseu, and to enjoy dinner at your leisure in the city.
- Journey west down the beautiful Vouga Valley to colourful Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal because of its canals, lagoons and gondola-like fishing boats. Here you might like to try a delicious Ovos Moles de Aveiro cake with a morning coffee, before you continue north to Portugal’s glorious second city, Oporto, above the ‘golden’ River Douro. Enjoy an introductory tour of the city that gave its name to the country. it clings to the hillside above the river, and is connected to its neighbour, the port-wine centre, Vila Nova de Gaia, by several vertigo-inducing bridges. Highlights of Oporto include its ancient cathedral and UNESCO-listed Ribeira district – a beguiling maze of cobbled passageways lined with restaurants, bars and shops. On the quayside, flat-bottomed barcos rabelos, used to carry the port barrels on the river, add to the charm of the setting. After a marvellous few hours, re-board the coach to head to your final, luxurious, unique Pousada, housed in an ancient monastery in the beautiful northern Minho region. Settle into your sublime surroundings and opt for a drink in the bar, then perhaps wander to the local restaurant, Cruzeiro, which you'll find just a short walk away.
- After breakfast, re-board the coach to begin a last memorable day’s scenic touring. You'll head first to Regua, the bustling Douro town that's one of the most long-standing centres of the region's wine production. Take in the meandering river, and perhaps enjoy a tasting at a working quinta, before heading north once more, to enthralling, UNESCO-listed Guimaraes. Generally regarded as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimaraes boasts an ancient Norman castle, exquisite cobbled squares and cafe-lined plazas. It's a perfect place to enjoy lunch in some splendid surroundings, before you return to the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares to spend a last evening and enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Bid “adeus” to your hosts and transfer to Oporto to check in or your flight home, at the end of a marvellous holiday.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Enjoy a more intimate and smaller group experience of 16 to 24 travellers
- Stay in three of Portugal's famous Pousada hotels
- Discover the historic Portuguese capital, Lisbon
- Visit the incredible UNESCO-listed Royal Sintra
- Experience chic Cascais and elegant Estoril
- Venture out to Cabo da Roca, Europe's westernmost point
- Journey to medieval Obidos and to Coimbra, the 'Oxford' of Portugal
- Taste delicious regional wines, bread and cheeses
- See Aveiro's Venice-like lagoon and canals
- Be beguiled by Porto, Portugal's historic second city
- Discover the enchanting Douro River Valley
Our Price Includes
- Seven nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Pousada de Queluz, Lisbon (3 nights), the four-star Pousada de Viseu (2), and the four-star Pousada Mosteiro de Amares (2)
- Four evening meals
- Tour of Lisbon
- Wine tasting at a local quinta
- Tour of Cascais, Estoril and Sintra
- Tour of Porto
- Tour of Regua and Guimaraes
- Return flights to Lisbon (returning from Porto)
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Pousadas of Portugal Touring Hotels -
You will be staying in a series of well-located pousada hotels, all of which will be of a four-star standard. In all cases, guest rooms will have private bathrooms.
Pousadas of Portugal Touring Hotels -
You will be staying in a series of well-located pousada hotels, all of which will be of a four-star standard. In all cases, guest rooms will have private bathrooms. Pousada de Queluz, Lisbon (nights 1-3)This former headquarters of the Royal Guard is set across from the Royal Palace known as Portugal's Versailles. It's a beautifully elegant setting. The hotel has a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, a bar and beautiful public rooms, furnished in wood and marble. Individually styled and beautifully finished, all the bedrooms are air-conditioned, and each has free Wi-Fi, TV and a hairdryer. Pousada de Viseu, Viseu (nights 4-5)Housed in an old hospital, adapted by a renowned architect in 2009, this hotel is a local landmark just five minutes from a beautiful park, and boasts a superb wellness centre with a sauna, whirlpool, gym, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools (the latter with views over the town). It has a stylish restaurant, a vast atrium piano bar and a lounge, a garden and a terrace, as well as modern, air-conditioned rooms, each with TV and free Wi-Fi. Pousada Mosteiro de Amares (nights 6-7)This luxurious Pousada occupies a converted monastery, and is idyllically set in the beautiful Minho region between historic Braga and Portugal's famous Peneda de Geres National Park. Its superb amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court. And, in addition to a welcoming bar and a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, it boasts beautifully furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi and TV. Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in a conveniently located, alternative hotel of a similar standard.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes on arrival and one hour and 15 minutes on departure.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
Room tax
Some hotel have introduced a room tax of between 1 € and 3 € per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You'll be advised by your tour manager at your destination if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.
Travelling to Europe
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.
Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.
Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").
Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.
Holiday code
N1758Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.