Portugal

Arrival to Lisbon, Portugal's enduring capital city. Upon arrival, a local guide will meet your group in the airport's arrival hall. As your hotel rooms will not be ready for check-in until the afternoon (and in attempt to help you defeat any pangs of jetlag), the guide will then lead your group on a relaxing tour to begin discovering wonderful Lisbon, which is one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. Your sightseeing tour today, which will be on bus and on foot, will include free time for lunch. You will explore Lisbon's oldest district: the Alfama. Before the Christian "Re-Conquest" of Iberia, most of Portugal and Spain (with the exception of the very northern kingdoms) formed part of a great Moorish kingdom. This area that you will visit today, the Alfama, was the city of Lisbon during the Moorish era. (History note: even before the Moors arrived to Lisbon – Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans and Visigoths had already left their mark here). During your tour, your group will go inside the ancient Castle of St. George. While fortifications have existed on this hill for thousands of years, the castle that you will visit today was erected by the Moors – including the castle's famous walls. After the Christian "Re-conquest," the castle became a royal palace for the monarchy. Today many fishermen and women live in this quarter, which lies on the hill between the ancient Castle of St. George and the Tejo River. It offers visitors charming lanes, beautiful squares and quite a few remarkable views of the city including the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Largo das Portas do Sol. The 12th-century Cathdral of Lisbon is also located inside the Alfama. This area is also a terrific spot to experience "Fado" – a traditional, melancholic folk music, and you'll find many fado bars and restaurants in the area. The tour will finish at your hotel, where after check-in you are free to relax and freshen up before tonight's group dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group should check out and travel north to city of Coimbra. This lovely city's claim-to-fame is its extremely historic university, which is one of the oldest in all of Europe. The university sits on the highest hill overlooking the houses on the banks of the Mondego River. Upon arrival you will tour the university's Baroque Library, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Walk through the medieval area passing the Old Cathedral and the Church of Santa Cruz. Afterwards, your group will continue traveling north to tonight's destination: Porto (also known as "Oporto"). A city best known for its production of port wine, the entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival you will have free time to have lunch and to explore some of Porto's famous Port wine cellars. Afterwards, a local guide will give your group a late-afternoon walking tour of Porto's historic center before the group transfers to the hotel for check-in. Tonight you are free to enjoy Porto on your own.

After breakfast in the hotel, group members should check out and board the private bus to Porto's Train Station. You will board then board the Alfa Pendular, a high-speed train that will transport you from the north of Portugal to the very south in less than six hours. While on this very comfortable train you will enjoy lovely views of practically the whole length of the country. Your destination is the stunning, turquoise coastline of the Algarve region where you'll spend your next three nights. Upon arrival to the station in Faro, a private coach will transfer your group to the hotel for check in. In the evening, a group dinner has been organized in the hotel's restaurant. This is the most visited part of Portugal, and once you see its beautiful beaches, you will understand why. This area is also home to a very interesting history. Many of Portuguese star explorers – like Vasco de Gama – departed on their historic voyages from the Algarve. The area also contains ancient Roman ruins and the remains of historic Moorish castles. However – since you've just had a busy week of sightseeing, we're going to suggest you relax and enjoy the pristine beaches while in the Algarve. Have lunch in small fishing villages, swim in amazingly blue waters, visit local markets, shop, or play a round of golf in this most scenic and paradisal regions of Portugal.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will check out and board its private bus to return to Lisbon for your final evening in Portugal. Upon arrival to Lisbon, check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Lisbon. This evening your group will have a final dinner together in a local restaurant.