Portugal & Its Islands

Experience the beauty of Portugal as you travel through the capital Lisbon, the Azorean island of St. Michael, and the island of Madeira.

Your adventure opens in Lisbon, where old-world traditions blend seamlessly with modern ways. Experience Portuguese cuisine, regional wines, and folkloric entertainment among colorful buildings and winding pathways. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Set out on a tour of Lisbon and uncover some of the city’s most famous sights. Travel to Belem, where the age of Portuguese maritime discoveries comes to life at the Tower of Belem (UNESCO). Go to downtown Lisbon and enjoy some free time to have lunch, take in the intricate architecture, and explore the beautiful streets before a quick stop to savor one of the local petiscos, and end your morning in a playful and interactive historical museum. You can choose to return to your hotel and relax or enjoy the free afternoon to continue exploring Portugal’s capital city.

Explore Lisbon today at your own pace. With plenty of free time in the capital city, you may wish to check out its famous culinary scene or venture downtown to do some shopping. If you’d prefer to tour today, choose an optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais; from the quaint palaces and villas of Sintra, learn a thousand fascinating tales of the Portuguese Riviera and of beautiful Cascais and Estoril. This evening, over Portuguese cuisine and wine, listen to local artists perform the traditional fado (UNESCO).

To the Azores! Fly to St. Michael, the largest of the 9 volcanic islands that form the Azores archipelago. On a brief walking tour of Ponta Delgada’s town center, see the Portas da Cidade (the City Gates), and several of the main architectural sights that make up this unique island capital. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant featuring traditional Azorean cuisine.

Start the day with a visit to a 150-year-old family run ceramic factory where you will learn about the process of creating traditional Portuguese pottery. Then, it’s your choice! Take a stroll through the natural beauty of Terra Nostra Botanical Park -OR- rest and relax in the park’s thermal water pool.* In Furnas Valley, experience a cozido das Furnas lunch, cooked in the heat of the volcanic earth. After lunch let the green, lush beauty of Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park surround you as you stroll through the natural landscape and take in the watermills so typical of this place. Then head to the verdant pastures of a tea plantation, one of two in Europe, and delve into its cultivation methods and trade history before heading back to Ponta Delgada. The evening is yours to do as you please.

*Bathing suits and towels are required if partaking in the thermal water pool choice in Terra Nostra Botanical Park and if choosing to swim in the pools at Porto Moniz. Swimming in Porto Moniz volcanic pools is dependent on weather and ocean conditions.

Make the most of a day at leisure. Perhaps you‘ll take an optional whale-watching adventure** and cruise over the waves with an expert biologist, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Gather in the late afternoon to explore a local pineapple plantation and learn more about this fruit, introduced to the island by Portuguese navigators. Then enjoy a cocktail and dinner in one of the best family-run restaurants in Ponta Delgada.

**Due to inclement weather or challenging sea conditions, operation of the optional whale-watching tour will only be reconfirmed on the day of service.

Today visit the iconic Sete Cidades volcanic crater and peer down at its twin lakes. The lakes appear to be different colors -– one blue (reflecting the sky) and the other green (reflecting the ground). Hear the stories and legends associated with the two lakes before journeying to a boutique, family-run winery where the volcanic soil plays a key role in the end product. Then travel to the quaint town of Ribeira Grande, with free time for lunch. End your full day of touring with a visit to Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Nature Reserve, where watermills create a lush, otherworldly setting.

Fly to Madeira, the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” After your afternoon arrival, embark on a walking tour of the capital city of Funchal, to get a first glimpse of the quaint old town and some of its main sights. Then, discover the Madeira Botanical Gardens as you make your way through a terraced landscape of more than 2,000 exotic plants.

Explore the Lavradores market, a hub of exotic fruits, flowers, and a traditional fish market. The local culture comes to life here! A tasting at a Madeira wine lodge teaches you about the famous Madeira wine. Head to colorful Santa Maria Street, where vibrant murals and brightly painted doors enliven the streets, and many cafe´s tempt you to linger over lunch on your own. A free afternoon provides more time to explore or to relax and enjoy your hotel’s garden, pool, and spa. Gather again this evening for a traditional espetada dinner, feasting on local cuisine cooked over an open fire against a backdrop of folk dancers and lively music.

Begin your day with a tour that takes you to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional village on a picture-perfect bay that served as a special retreat for Sir Winston Churchill. It was here that Madeira’s natural beauty captivated him and inspired many paintings of the village. Drive along mountain roads, passing vineyards en route to the world’s second-highest cliff, Cabo Girão, where you can walk on the highest glass skywalk in Europe. At BAM (Centro da Banana da Madeira) find out about the rich history and modern-day production of delicious Madeira bananas before leaving for the lively fishing village of Porto Moniz. Here, enjoy free time for a swim* (weather permitting) in the natural volcanic rock pools before returning to Funchal.

*Bathing suits and towels are required if partaking in the thermal water pool choice in Terra Nostra Botanical Park and if choosing to swim in the pools at Porto Moniz. Swimming in Porto Moniz volcanic pools is dependent on weather and ocean conditions.

The day is yours to explore independently or embark on a full-day optional tour of the island. Start with an easy trek along the island’s levadas*** and learn about this unique watering system. Then travel to a quinta for lunch with views of the Atlantic. End with a visit to the traditional A-frame houses of Santana, a reminder of the island’s farming past.

**The levada optional walk is approximately 1 hour on a mostly flat surface.

Board your flight and return to the metropolitan energy of Lisbon. Later, bid adeus to Portugal during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Depart for home with Portugal in your heart as your tour ends today.