<p>A transfer will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel. You will stay the next 4 nights at the centrally located hotel Fontinha Porto, Trademark Collection by Wyndham****, including breakfast.</p> <p>Today, you can explore Porto at your own pace; don’t forget to visit one of the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the river.</p>

<p>During your stay in Porto, a guided excursion is also included in the program.</p> <p>The tour begins on foot with a pleasant walk through Porto’s historic city center. You’ll start at Avenida dos Aliados, where you can enjoy the impressive architecture of the local buildings. From here, you’ll have a view of the iconic Clérigos Tower. Along the way, you’ll pass by various other landmarks, including the McDonald’s, known as one of the most beautiful in the world.</p> <p>The next stop is São Bento Train Station, where the guide will tell you about the history of the station and the famous “azulejos” that illustrate important scenes from Portuguese culture and history. We continue on to the Sé Cathedral, one of the oldest monuments in the city, where we’ll take a short break to enjoy the view and learn more about the history of the place (the visit is external only). From the Cathedral, we walk toward the Fernandina Wall, offering impressive views over the city.</p> <p>At Praça da Batalha, we board our comfortable bus to continue the tour. From here, we head to Vila Nova de Gaia, where we visit a Port wine cellar for a full explanation of the production process of Port wine, followed by a tasting of three wines.</p> <p>A traditional Six Bridges Cruise on the Douro River is an absolute must-do in Porto! After the tour, you’ll receive a voucher to enjoy the cruise at your own convenience.</p>

<p>The entire old city center of Porto is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the historic electric tram from Carmo (line 22) and enjoy the ride through the characteristic streets. Then walk to the Cathedral and admire the beautiful azulejos. Continue your walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge and enjoy the view over the city. Then walk down and return along the lower riverside path to Ribeira, and enjoy a bite and drink at one of the many terraces. Overnight stay at your hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast, you could optionally take the train to Póvoa de Varzim and Viana do Castelo. Of course, you can also stroll through the old town in search of souvenirs, terraces for a nice bica and a Pastéis de Nata. In the evening hours, there is always a café hosting a Fado performance. Definitely worth it!</p>

<p>After breakfast, a transfer will be ready to take you and your luggage to the train station, where you can start your relaxing train journey to the stunning Douro Valley. Enjoy the scenic views along the way. At the final station, another transfer will be waiting to take you to your luxury hotel, Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa ****. A perfect starting point for a journey of discovery.</p> <p>This afternoon, a delicious picnic basket will be ready, and you can find a special spot in the vast vineyards surrounding the hotel. Be surprised by a delightful menu, prepared with fresh and colorful ingredients from the hotel’s own garden. The hotel follows a sustainability policy and respects the natural seasonal cycles. This means that some products, depending on the season or availability, may be replaced with equivalent alternatives. Dinner at your own leisure. Overnight stay at your hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast, it’s time for a delightful day of wine tasting and learning more about the vineyards and wineries that the Douro Valley is known for. The Douro Valley, the world’s first officially demarcated wine region, is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned for its spectacular landscapes.</p> <p>During this exclusive private tour, you will taste the region’s finest wines at two renowned wineries, enjoy a culinary wine lunch, and take a panoramic cruise on the Douro River.</p>

<p>After these wonderful days, the journey takes you back to the train station after breakfast, with a transfer provided, to enjoy the scenic train ride to Lisbon, the sparkling capital of Portugal. Upon arrival, another convenient transfer will take you directly to your luxury hotel, The Emerald House**** Lisbon, Curio Collection by Hilton, where you will stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner is on your own. Overnight stay at your hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast, experience the unique atmosphere of Lisbon during a sightseeing tour of the city’s most historic and authentic spots! Whether the sun is shining or it’s raining, Lisbon’s distinctive light makes every street and monument special. With the Tagus River as a backdrop, we will take you past landmarks that reflect Portugal’s glorious Age of Exploration. Additionally, you will visit one of the city’s most famous museums. Along with the bus tour, you’ll also have access to two digital walking tours, allowing you to explore Alfama – the oldest and most traditional district where Fado music echoes through the streets – and Baixa-Chiado, the vibrant commercial heart of Lisbon, at your own pace.</p> <p>Excursion highlights include:</p> <p>Belém Tower – photo stop at this historic fort on the Tagus, Monument to the Discoveries – a tribute to Portugal’s maritime history, Jerónimos Monastir Ajuda National Palace – including entrance (or visit to the Tesouro Real Museum on Wednesday) Alfama walking tour.  Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight stay at your hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast, you will have plenty of time to continue exploring Lisbon. If you enjoy concerts, it’s good to know that there is always a lot of musical events, especially during the summer months. Alternatively, take Tram 24 instead of the overcrowded Tram 28 to the stylish Principe Real and enjoy the atmosphere without the long queues. Overnight at your hotel.</p>

<p>Today is the last day in this beautiful city. If you want to enjoy some traditional Portuguese food once more, Zé da Mouraria is a golden tip. It’s the place to get fresh servings of polvo à lagareiro (grilled octopus). Or, visit Café Tati, a bohemian café where you can enjoy live music and a delightful glass of Vinho Verde. Muito bem! Overnight at your hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast, your transfer is ready to take you to the train station for your final stop to Vilamoura in the Algarve. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to take you to your wonderful hotel, Vilamoura Garden Hotel****. Spend the day relaxing at the beach or by the pool, as tomorrow another excursion is scheduled. If you’re a golf enthusiast, Vilamoura is the perfect place for you, or you can simply stroll along the promenade to Quarteira.</p>

<p>After breakfast, it’s time to discover a beautiful part of the Algarve! Immerse yourself in the era of Portuguese exploration. Lagos offers an impressive blend of history and nature: admire the golden Santo António Church, a national monument, and explore the spectacular caves and rock formations at Ponta da Piedade. Lagos also houses one of the oldest slave markets in Europe from the 15th century. Further west lies Sagres, a picturesque fishing port with a well-preserved 15th-century fortress. A visit to Cape Saint Vincent, once known as the “End of the World,” is an absolute must. This most southwestern point of the European mainland offers one of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ll ever witness and houses one of the strongest lighthouses in Europe. Overnight at your hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast, a beautiful new day awaits you to relax or rent a bike and cycle towards Albufeira. Alternatively, head the other way towards Quarteira and Faro. The possibilities are endless. Overnight at your hotel.</p>

<p>Today is another day to enjoy all the hotel’s facilities or further explore the Algarve coastline. Take a look at the authentic fishing village of Tavira and the stunning nature reserve of Rio Formosa.</p>

<p>After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to an amazing experience: traveling by train through Portugal. So much seen, so many people met, memories made, and countless photos to accompany the beautiful stories that your friends and family will be envious of. We look forward to welcoming you back on one of our other journeys.</p>