OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty west of Lisbon where you will find two landmarks with intriguing royal connections. You will first encounter the National Palace of Queluz, which was built in the 18th century as a summer retreat for the future King Pedro III. Often referred to as the “Portuguese Versailles” for its opulent Rococo style, Queluz has been restored to its original grandeur after a devastating fire in 1934. Highlights include the gilded Throne Room where state banquets were held and the tiled canal in the gardens, which could be filled with water so the royal court could ride gondolas. Continuing on, you will soon arrive in historical Sintra, a town that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. From Sintra’s designated bus parking area, the group will take an approximately 30-minute public bus transfer to the center of the romantic village of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During free time, you might browse the Palace of Sintra – considered Portugal’s best-preserved royal residence – or simply meander about this idyllic town that poet Lord Byron described as a “glorious Eden.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the lavish National Palace of Queluz, an 18th-century Rococo treasure.
• Learn the disturbing history of the palace, where a mentally ill queen was confined.
• Spend free time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site city of Sintra.
• Visit the Palace of Sintra or simply meander about, shopping and dining if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Meet the guide at the pier and follow him to Alfama quarter. The first stop will be the iconic Portas do Sol, where, from the viewpoint, you will be able to admire one of the most breathtaking views of Lisbon. It’s the perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of the city and soak in the tranquility of the place. The tour continues with a walk to Martim Moniz Square, a vibrant and multicultural neighborhood, where the guide will share fascinating local stories and curiosities. Along the way, you will have the chance to experience the everyday life of Lisbon, with its markets, traditional shops, and the lively energy of the locals. Upon reaching Martim Moniz, you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent St. George´s Castle on top of the background, one of the city's hills. Then makes a stop for a snack accompanied by a tasting of the famous "Ginja", a traditional sweet cherry liqueur at a tiny and ancient producer´s tavern near by. We will head to Rossio, where you will be enchanted by the impressive D. Maria II National Theater and the Train Station, both iconic examples of Portuguese architecture. Be sure to notice the ruins of Carmo, a historical reminder of the 1755 earthquake, which still preserves the mystery and history of the city. We then proceed to the emblematic Augusta Street, one of the most famous and charming streets in Lisbon. Here, you will be able to admire the traditional Portuguese pavement, the beautiful facades of the buildings, the majestic Santa Justa Lift. To finish, there will be one final stop to taste a traditional snack, filled with the authentic flavors of Lisbon.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful Portuguese countryside which leads you to the medieval town of Obidos, dating back to 308BC. Since the day that King Diniz gave his young bride the town, Obidos has been the taken wedding gift to all of Portugal's queens. You will feel as if you are travelling back in time as you explore the picturesque streets in a short walking tour. During your free time, visit the 17th-century Parish Church of Santa Maria, with its magnificent interior decorations in blue and white tiles. From Pillory Square, continue exploring the narrow streets at your own leisure. There are fine shops to browse in, or you may want to hike up to the castle (now a hotel), or explore the old lookout path on top of the wall encircling the city. This is truly an off the beaten path experience.Free time in Obidos offers an excellent opportunity to do some great craft-shopping or relax in one of the charming outdoor cafés while enjoying the local ambience. On your way back to the Pier by Bus, you will pass through Lisbon's main streets and avenues prior to reaching the Pier.

Use your Attraction Pass to explore the top destinations in Lisbon without the hassle of arranging transportation, or having to pay the entrance fees. It’s the best way to maximize your time in Lisbon and get a genuine feel for the city’s history and culture. The options include the richly ornamented Jeronimo’s Monastery, the Belém Tower from which so many Portuguese explorers set sail. Learn all about the history of craft-making of decorative ceramic tiles in the National Tile Museum, then our next stop will be at the National Museum of Ancient Art, we will go ahead to enjoy Rua Augusta Arch. You will be marveled by the History at Pasteis de Belem where you will have a tasting of a traditional Portuguese tart.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Use the Attraction Pass to see Lisbon’s best attractions at no additional cost.
• Ride a bus around town, stopping at the attractions most appealing.
• Enjoy at Pasteis de Belem the most wonderful traditional Portuguese tart.
• Port Pick up and drop off.
• Our team will provide all the relevant information to the guests during the tour.

Get acquainted with the highlights of the beautiful city of Lisbon and stop for photos at some of its most iconic landmarks. Drive to the historical Belem quarter by the river Tagus you will be able to see the Monument of Discoveries and the Tower of Belem. The area is closely linked to the era of discoveries when the Portuguese navigators sailed in search of new lands. Drive to the Jeronimos Monastery and from the outside, admire this impressive building, representative of the Golden Age of the Portuguese Discoveries.

Continue on to Alfama where you’ll have an exterior visit of the Lisbon Cathedral -its construction started in 1147 when the city was reconquered from the Moors, by the first king of Portugal. Follow your guide for a walk through this area and immerse yourself in the architecture, sounds and aromas of old Lisbon. It is the oldest and most fascinating area of the city.

Mingle with the locals at a vibrant marketplace and with fishermen along the waterfront in Setubal. The city sits atop a Roman fishing town that a tsunami destroyed in the 5th century, and parts of it have been excavated. Fishing is still essential to Setubal, as you will discover at a bustling downtown market. Sardines, cuttlefish, oysters—they are all here on display, fresh from the docks where the fishermen have brought their morning’s catch. The guide will point out some of the most unusual species and introduce you to the vendors. While walking along a nearby promenade, you will likely see fishermen tending their nets. This will present another opportunity to interact with the locals and ask about their traditional livelihood, which new technology continues to influence. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and taste a local delicacy “choco frito,” which is fried cuttlefish.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how the sea has influenced the village of Setubal for centuries.
• Browse a seafood market in Setubal and meet some of the vendors and local fishermen.

Discover the off the beaten path areas of the Sintra Hills which can only be explored by 4x4. Feast your eyes at the endless landscapes dotted with picturesque villages and stop at a wine lodge for a tasting. In the hands of skilled drivers, you’ll experience all the thrills of off-road driving, in Sintra’s parks and reserves, while enjoying magnificent views. You’ll learn something about its back country, convents and country villages, on this fun-filled trip.

Sintra dominates the first part of the route, then head you’ll for the heart of the Sintra Hills, with dense foliage, crossing small water courses. Travel to dusty trails, leave the woodlands and head for Alto da Memoria, where you’ll see an endless landscape, an immense ocean and the Pena Palace. Continue to the typical country village of Penedo.

In the village of Colares, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting in a regional wine lodge. Stop at Fojo da Adraga, an impressive natural well dug out of the cliffs and watch as powerful waves crash against the bottom. Travel to Europe's most westernmost point - Cabo da Roca.

Leave the pier and cross the Tagus River, heading south into one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal.Your journey begins with a scenic drive toward the charming village of Azeitão, you’ll discover a region celebrated for its wine production. Here, visit a prestigious local winery to learn about traditional winemaking techniques and enjoy a tasting of regional varieties, including the famous Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet fortified wine that has earned international acclaim.The return journey winds through Arrábida Natural Park, with scenic photo stops that showcase the dramatic coastline and the meeting point of river and Atlantic. After soaking in the remarkable views and flavors of southern Portugal, relax as you are driven back to your ship. Note: Tour involves approximately 1/2 mile of walking on cobblestone and flat surfaces with some steps.

OVERVIEW

Get a taste of local life while walking through Lisbon’s public plazas and toast the occasion with a literal taste of a craft beer. Restauradores Square exudes history as it commemorates the restoration of the Portuguese crown in 1640 after decades of Spanish rule. Rossio Square is historical as well, but known more for its iconic wave-patterned pavement, a 19th-century design that was later copied throughout Portugal and even internationally. Still, the most popular plaza is sprawling Commerce Square, which opens to harbor and the Tagus River estuary. It was constructed as a symbolic entrance to the city after a devastating earthquake in 1755 leveled the area. The Rua Augusta Arch was added about a century later to commemorate Lisbon’s reconstruction following that earthquake. To complement the experience of spending free time in Commerce Square, you will tour a brewery. After a sampling of the craft beers, you will understand why they are so acclaimed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through several downtown plazas and discover their historical importance.
• Spend free time in and around Commerce Square, a hub for shopping and dining.
• Sample a selection of craft beer after an enlightening tour of the brewery.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Dine on Portugal’s beloved national dish of bacalhau in an atmospheric restaurant that masterfully prepares it in dozens of ways. Pastel de Belém has been similarly revered in Lisbon since the pastry was introduced in 1837. You will sample one of these delicious egg custard tarts before taking a panoramic route to the restaurant. Along the way, you will pause for photos of the Belém Tower – the marine gateway where Portuguese explorers once set sail on their voyages of discovery – and the Vasco da Gama Tower, the tallest building in Lisbon. A leisurely dinner at A Casa do Bacalhau follows, during which you will enjoy bacalhau, which is salted cod, cooked in so many ways that your head will be swimming. The dishes will likely include cod pâté, codfish pastries, codfish carpaccio and a tasting of three other cod concoctions as the main course. Complementary wines will also be served.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy balcalhau or salted cod creatively cooked in a surprising number of ways.
• Dine at A Casa do Bacalhau restaurant, the renowned House of Cod.
• Savor a Pastel de Belém pastry – a Lisbon staple since 1837 – as an appetizer of sorts.
• Pause at landmarks such as Belém Tower on the panoramic drive to the restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample two classic Portuguese appetizers and stroll to a culinary venue. Pass through two of Lisbon’s most popular plazas – Restauradores Square, which commemorates Portugal regaining its rule from Spain in 1640. Also, see Rossio Square, an expansive plaza known for the eye-catching, wavy design on its pavement. Your immersion into Lisbon’s cuisine will begin with a tasting of pastéis de bacalhau, a deep-fried fritter made with potato puree and salt codfish. The guide will describe its preparation and heritage, which dates to the late 1700s. Lisbon is also known for its pastel de nata, an egg custard tart pastry. It too was first invented in the 18th century, supposedly to use up because of the huge amount of eggs donated by the community. You will have the opportunity to see other local dishes and treats while browsing a bustling local food market.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample two well-known Portuguese appetizer as the guide describe the preparations.
• Taste a salt cod fritter and an egg custard tart and learn why they were first invented.
• Discover the history behind two signature plazas while walking through them.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an enlightening drive through Lisbon’s most historical neighborhoods with brief stops at the capital city’s famed landmarks. Alfama is the oldest quarter and as you will discover it was built on bedrock so it survived the disastrous earthquake of 1755 that leveled other parts of Lisbon. The Tagus River opens to the Atlantic Ocean at the Belém quarter p, so naturally it was where Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery. There, you will see the Belém Tower – a fortification that served as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon – and the Jerónimos Monastery, an architectural treasure that holds the remains of explorer Vasco da Gama. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites built in the 16th century. The towering Monument to the Discoveries commemorates the golden age of Portuguese exploration and legendary figures such as Henry the Navigator. The ultimate view of Lisbon awaits you from atop the Alto do Parque Belvedere.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through the winding cobbled alleyways of Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon.
• See the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Pause to snap photos of the Monument to the Discoveries and from atop a city lookout.
• Be dropped off at the Humberto Delgado Airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.