Sunny Portugal

Ancient castles and Roman ruins, groves of orange and almond trees, quiet whitewashed villages, and welcoming locals – Portugal is waiting for you.

Say hello to Lisbon, Portugal's capital and a city full of authenticity, where old customs and ancient history intermix with cultural entertainment. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Choose how you want to explore Lisbon today because it’s your choice! Discover the art and tradition of Portuguese sidewalks during a locally led walking tour -OR- venture with your tour manager on foot and discover the city through the lens of the businesses and streets connected with the country's most loved fish, bacalhau (salted codfish). After, travel to Belem and see the iconic Belem Tower (UNESCO). View the façade of the 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery* (UNESCO) and learn about the importance of this iconic site. Tonight, you may choose to join an optional tour to listen to local artists perform traditional Fado music, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage highlight.

Today, make your way through Portugal’s charming countryside. Visit a family-owned cork factory, where you'll learn about the product’s importance to the local economy and why Portugal is the world’s top cork producer. Your journey then takes you to Evora (UNESCO) – the “Museum City of Portugal.” In the afternoon, take time to explore this medieval walled city and see its well-preserved Roman temple up close.

Journey to the stunning coasts of the Algarve - the southernmost region of Portugal. On the way, visit a local gin distillery. Learn how one man took a homemade drink and implemented traditional Portuguese stills and local ingredients to craft a premium gin. Savor the flavors of these botanicals before continuing your journey south. This afternoon, keep the day balanced and fruity at a winery. Indulge in full-bodied wines from the Alentejo region during a winery tour, tasting, and light lunch before continuing on your drive. Later, switch the rich taste of local wine and spirits for salty ocean air in Algarve. This evening, explore the historic resort town of Lagos, where Moorish and Renaissance influences meet towering seaside cliffs. Many celebrated voyagers began their explorations from this bustling port city.

It's your day to experience the Algarve on your own. Geraniums, camellias, and oleanders grow alongside fig, orange, and almond trees, while brightly colored fishing boats bob in the sea. Protected by hills to the north and warmed by the sea, the Algarve’s mild climate and beautiful beaches attract visitors from all over the world. You may choose to join an optional boat tour** today that gets you closer to some of the most famous coastal scenery in Portugal.

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

This morning venture along the coast to discover the importance of the sardine canning industry in the Algarve. Then, continue to Monchique, a mountain village nestled within a rich landscape, to learn the secrets of regional bread and fruits. Sample them with a savory picnic lunch featuring freshly prepared Algarve seasonal and local specialties. Return to Lagos for an evening at leisure. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.

En route to the Portuguese Riviera, stop in Setúbal a colorful industrial city and one of southern Europe's best-kept secrets. See the Mercado (Farmers Market) do Livramento up close. It is considered one of the best fish markets in the world, and it’s also rich with displays of fresh fruits and vegetables. Meet local artisans at a family-run shop and learn how the famous hand-painted Portuguese tiles, azulejos, are made. Then, head to the Portuguese Riviera. Mansions scattered throughout Cascais and Monte Estoril all hint at this area’s history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility.

Explore the picture-perfect city of Obidos, where white-washed houses sit snug within medieval city walls, and toast with a ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur served in a small chocolate cup. Continue on to Sintra (UNESCO), a breathtaking hub that served as the summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Then, it’s your choice! Explore the quaint hilltop village of Sintra and take some time to wander through the winding streets -OR- join a guided tour of the National Palace of Sintra, considered the best-preserved medieval palace in Portugal. Bid Portugal goodbye during dinner in Cascais and celebrate the end of your unforgettable journey.

Your tour ends today.