Portugal Revealed

Welcome to the Portuguese capital and transfer to your hotel in the bohemian Bairro Alto neighbourhood.

Bairro Alto Hotel

Explore the Belém district crowned by the magnificent World Heritage listed Jerónimos Monastery, commissioned to celebrate Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India in 1498. Visit the iconic Belém Tower and pause to sample the country’s famous custard tarts. Afterwards, visit the National Coach Museum. An evening of culinary indulgence starting with a Portuguese apéritif before stopping at Mercado da Ribeira to sample traditional hams, cheeses and petiscos - small portions! Finish with port and sweet treats at the beautiful Opera House.

Bairro Alto Hotel | Meals: B

Head out the city today. In Monserrate, tour the wonderful gardens of the palace then continue to Sintra, a World Heritage site, to visit the National Palace, a former royal residence.

Bairro Alto Hotel | Meals: B

After a leisurely morning, make your way to Sesimbra, a pretty fishing town set in a protected bay. It is dominated by the Moorish castle that the first king of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques, took in 1165. After lunch at leisure take a short walk in the Arrábida Nature Park known for its scenic beauty, the blue of the sea, the green of the mountains and the white chalky cliffs. Stop near Vila Fresca de Azeitão, an area known for its Moscatel wines and sheep´s cheese before continuing to Évora.

M'Ar De AR Aqueduto | Meals: B

Travel to World Heritage listed Évora to explore this museum city whose roots date back to Roman times. Visit the Pousada de Loios and admire the spectacular glazed tiles before wandering past the Roman Temple of Diana, the Municipal Museum and the 12^th century cathedral. Continue to the ‘Chapel of Bones’ in the 16^th century Royal Church of St. Francis.

M'Ar De AR Aqueduto | Meals: B

Make your way towards Tomar whose historic centre is best experienced on foot. Explore the 12th century Castle-Convent of Christ and stroll through the Renaissance town to Portugal's oldest working synagogue. Arrive at your palace hotel in the whitewashed medieval town of Coimbra later today.

Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel | Meals: B

Once Portugal’s capital, the city of Coimbra has a rich past which reveals itself on a visit to the iconic Old University, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1290, it is one of Europe’s oldest, featuring the superb Joanina Library, with its grand Rococo design, the Manueline chapel and a beautiful ceremonial hall. Afterwards stroll down the narrow medieval streets lined with shops and cafés, past a Roman crypto-portico below the Bishop's Palace, to Se Velha, the Romanesque Cathedral and ancient city centre. Here, wander through a warren of enclosed streets and squares to the River Mondego.

Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel | Meals: B

Leave Coimbra behind and head to the breathtaking Douro Valley. En route make a stop in Viseu, a bustling town with historical buildings set high on a plateau near the famous Dao vineyards. Explore the city at your own pace and have lunch at leisure.

Arrive at the Six Senses mid-afternoon.

With three World Heritage Sites recognised by UNESCO, there is no shortage of reasons to visit the Douro Valley, one of the most stunning landscapes in all of Portugal. Medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant Baroque churches and stately Beaux-Arts buildings piled on top of each other line the riverbanks of the valley’s major city, Porto – and, just across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia is a hub of commercial activity. Head upstream along the Douro River to the Alto Douro wine region, boasting stunning landscapes, excellent cuisine and vast vineyards. Here there has been evidence of wine production for more than two thousand years, but it was only in 1756 that the demarcated Douro Region was created, and local wine production became internationally recognised. Nowadays, modernity and folklore go hand in hand, as the old traditions of squashing the grapes by foot are juxtaposed with the chic hotels that are sprinkled throughout the region.

Six Senses Resort Douro Valley | Meals: B

Soak up the stunning valley surrounds and explore the terraced vine-clad landscape stopping at a hand-picked winery for tasting of port and local table wines. Visit Pinhão, a picture-perfect town, to admire the historical glazed tiles of the railway station. Take a private boat this afternoon along the Douro River admiring the enchanting scenery as you pass.

Six Senses Resort Douro Valley | Meals: B

Transfer to Porto, Portugal's vibrant and colourful second city teeming with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant Baroque churches and stately Beaux-Arts buildings. Some of Europe's most graceful arched bridges span the gorge cut by the Douro River above. Porto’s fame, however, springs not from the beauty of its buildings but from the taste of its port wine. First extensively developed by English merchants in the early 18th century, the port industry still plays a major role in the city's economy.

Infante des Sagres | Meals: B

Wind your way through the city’s narrow cobbled streets past merchants’ houses and cafés admiring the richly coloured tiles on every street corner. Explore the quayside of the fascinating Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some of the city’s most beautiful monuments. Round off your day with a port tasting at one of the famous riverside lodges.

Infante des Sagres | Meals: B

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: B