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. For a taste of the seafood that comes into Setubal, you will dine at a restaurant in town. The menu will include the local specialty “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.
• Indulge in a delicious seafood lunch, featuring the day’s catch in traditional dishes.

Visit the most romantic village in the country, Obidos, a perfectly preserved 13th-century village that for centuries was the love offering of Portuguese kings to their queens. This village enjoys a privileged hilltop setting above a peaceful valley of vineyards.

Enjoy a scenic drive through beautiful countryside to the medieval town of Obidos, dating back to 308 BC. Since the day that King Diniz gave his young bride Isabel of Aragon the town, it has been the wedding gift to all of Portugal's queens. You’ll feel as if you are travelling back in time as you enter through its arched gates. Visit the 17th-century Parish Church of Santa Maria, with its magnificent interior decorations in blue and white tiles.

Explore the narrow cobblestone streets at your leisure and feast your eyes on the colorful houses.There are lots shops to browse in, or you may wish to hike up to the castle, now a hotel or explore the old lookout path on top of the city wall.

Experience local life by riding public transportation to several trendy neighborhoods where expats comfortably enjoy Lisbon’s leisurely lifestyle. A tram will take you through some of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods to the landmark basilica in Estrela. Queen Maria I ordered the church to be built to celebrate the birth of her only son, who sadly died two years before the church was completed in 1790. The queen rests in an elaborate tomb inside. Across from the basilica, you will find the 19th-century Estrela Gardens, an urban oasis with a duck pond, manmade caves and a wrought-iron bandstand. You are sure to see plenty of locals and expats relaxing on the benches and strolling the winding garden paths. After a traditional cup of espresso-like coffee known locally as “bica,” you will ride the bus to the Principe Real neighborhood. During free time there, you might stroll the botanical gardens, or simply take in the spectacular views.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Join Lisbon’s expats in the neighborhoods where they now reside.
• Get an authentic feel for what attracts the expats to Lisbon.
• Mingle with the locals, ride public transportation and spend free time exploring downtown.

Discover memorable highlights of Portugal including the Royal Palace at Queluz, Sintra the summer residence of kings and the resort town of Cascais. As you depart Lisbon, enjoy the panorama of the River Tagus with views of the Monument of Discoveries, Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem. Drive to the Portuguese Royal Palace at Queluz. The simple exterior belies the lavishness within of the Throne Room and the Hall of Ambassadors. The sculpted gardens, with rows of hedges, artistically carved shrubs and huge magnolia trees are impressive.

You’ll visit Sintra, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal. The Royal Palace is the dominant architectural feature, located right in the center of town. You’ll enjoy some free time here to stroll the charming narrow streets lined with bakeries, craft shops and small boutiques. Continue to the resort town of Cascais, it was developed during the late 19th century around a charming town. Enjoy some free time in the historical center with its narrow cobbled streets and interesting architecture.

Follow a local guide on an enlightening walk through Lisbon’s most atmospheric districts, pausing at various venues to sample Portuguese delicacies. In the Baixa district, you will stop at Manteigaris Silva, a delicatessen that dates to the 19th century. Chances are, you will sample local ham and cheeses such as Serra da Estrela. You will then head to Mouraria, a Moorish-influenced district that is considered the birthplace of the music genre fado. There you will be served a sweet, cherry liqueur known as ginja. A tram ride with the locals will bring you to the historical Graça district, where you will become even more familiar with daily life in Lisbon. While pausing for photos at the more than 100-year-old Villa Bertha, you will enjoy superb views of the city and the Tagus River. One last stop will be made at a café, where you will sample Portuguese products such as cod fish pastry and cornbread with sausage, perhaps with another glass of ginja.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Walk through Lisbon’s historical districts and stop on occasion in the cafés.
• Snack on an array of Portuguese specialties, such as ham, cheeses and traditional beverages.
• Ride the tram through the capital city for an authentic slice of daily life.

OVERVIEW

Unveil the finest architectural gems and cultural treasures on this unforgettable journey through the city. Delight yourself with the grandeur of San Jeronimos Monastery facade and experience the serene ambiance during your allocated time. Next, tour two of Lisbon’s most outlandish buildings with an architectural historian that will point out and describe their fascinating futuristic designs. The MAAT or Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is an undulating, low-slung building on the banks of the Tagus River. It is covered with 3-dimensional, crackle-glazed tiles that reflect Portugal’s rich tradition of crafts and ceramics. Other design elements include a roof that doubles as an outdoor room, an entrance that resembles a cresting wave and a water-like fluidity that continues throughout the interior. In a word, it is stunning, as is the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown. This ultramodern medical research center rises from the riverfront near the historical Tower of Belém, which Portugal’s greatest explorers passed before sailing into the unknown. The center’s design is just as daring, especially the curvaceous exteriors and the glass tubular bridge that connects them – all of which the guide will expound on. Continue your journey to the symbolic Belem Tower, soaking in its storied history and captivating surroundings. Finally, explore the vibrant Cais Do Sodré surroundings, indulging in the lively ambiance and embracing the vibrant spirit of Lisbon

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn little-known details about two cutting-edge buildings from an architectural historian.
• Browse the MAAT museum as the guide describes its revolutionary design.
• Hear fascinating facts about an ultramodern medical research center while touring its surroundings.
• Explore the symbolic relics and vibrant culture of Lisbon

HELPFUL HINTS

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

This is your opportunity to visit Fatima, an important world pilgrimage site, known by many as the Lourdes of Portugal. Your guide will describe the legendary story behind the region’s fame en route during your approximately two-hour drive.

Fatima was a very poor and forgotten parish until an apparition of the Virgin Mary was seen by three peasant children back in 1917. The little village was transformed almost overnight into a pilgrimage town that grew around the imposing modern basilica and shrine. You'll stop at the modern basilica and square, which is larger than St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Here, enjoy about two hours of free time to explore the area on your own.

Tour a family-owned winery that sources grapes from its three estates and sample several of the most distinctive wines. Your immersion into these premium wines will take place at Quinta Do Saguinhal, whose distillery is one of the oldest in the region. Both red and white grapes are grown in the sandy-clay soil on the slopes surrounding the estate. It is an idyllic setting for wine production and sampling. While in the cellar, you may taste an elegant red blend made with touriga nacional and syrah grapes, a fruity white blend made with arinto and chardonnay grapes, and perhaps a bold aguardente with a velvety finish. Feel free to ask how the various wines are produced and how the terroir of Quinta Do Saguinhal affects their tastes. A panoramic driving tour through Lisbon will add a historical perspective, especially the photo stop at the Belém Tower, the capital’s ceremonial marine gateway.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Sample a number of premium wines produced at Quinta do Saguinhal.
• Gain insight into how the terroir affects the red and white wines produced there.
• Enjoy an enlightening driving tour through Lisbon with a stop at the Belém Tower.

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

Sample several unique wines with an unusual history from the westernmost wine region in continental Europe. On the way to the Sintra-Colares cellar, you will stop for photos at the Belém Tower, the riverfront fortress from which so many Portuguese explorers set sail. This landmark should pique your curiosity about the local history, which is especially interesting with regard to wine. The Colares region is one of the few places in the world suitable for growing ramisco grapes because they must be planted in deep sandy trenches so the roots can reach the clay soil below. The vines must also be maintained low to ground to survive the steady salty winds. It is a fascinating and arduous process that you will learn about during the wine and tapas tasting at the wine cellar, which was founded in 1931. Afterwards, you will discover more about the area during the panoramic tour of Lisbon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Sample several unusual wines paired with tapas at the Sintra-Colares wine cellar.
• Learn how these vines survived the aphids that destroyed Europe’s vineyards centuries ago.
• Enjoy an enlightening driving tour through Lisbon with a stop at the Belém Tower.

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

Discover beautiful landscapes, small villages and savor the wines that have made Portugal famous. Cross the bridge over the Tagus River towards Sesimbra, a busy fishing village with a fleet of brightly colored boats all moored in the port. High above the town is a Moorish castle.

Travel to the town of Azeitao, best known for its wine, especially the famous Moscatel de Setubal. Here you'll taste the local wines and learn how they are made during your visit to a charming and prestigious wine lodge.

You’ll continue towards Arrabida Natural Park which covers a small range of limestone mountains, the road across the top offers remarkable views. The park was established to protect the wild, beautiful landscape and rich variety of birds and wildlife. The name Arrabida derives from Arabic, meaning a place of prayer, and the wooded hillsides are indeed a peaceful retreat.

Visit a working farm and family wine estate where you will enjoy an inspired tasting of its most characteristic wines. Quinta de Santana has been producing wine since its founding in 1630, but the winery was neglected toward the end of the last century. Once the present owners took over its operation, Quinta de Santana once again flourished as a winery and an organic flower farm. During the tasting, you will discover how the vineyards were revitalized, how the grapes are grown and how the terroir affects the various wines. The red vines are planted in the steep upper slopes while the whites are found at the foot of the slopes. You may sample at least one of each or perhaps a rosé blend made with merlot, touriga nacional and aragonez grapes. Before and after the tasting, you will enjoy a panoramic driving tour through Lisbon with a photo stop at the Belém Tower.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Taste a number of characteristic wines at the family-owned winery Quinta de Santana.
• Hear how the family revitalized the vineyards after they lay dormant for years.
• Enjoy an enlightening driving tour through Lisbon with a stop at the Belém Tower.<

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

Ride through Lisbon atop an open-air double-decker bus, enjoying unobstructed views of the capital city while listening to enlightening commentary that lends a historical perspective. By tour’s end, you will have captured the essence of Lisbon as few experiences present so many key attractions. You will pass beautiful squares and lush parks with monuments to the most influential Portuguese kings, expansive shopping malls in gentrified neighborhoods and the neoclassical Estrela Basilica, an ornate 18th-century church that contains the tomb of Maria I, Portugal’s first queen. Along the way, you will see the lengthy suspension bridge that spans the Tagus River from different perspectives. Being red, it is often compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. You will gain and even deeper understanding of Lisbon during photo stops at the UNESCO World Heritage site Jerónimos Monastery and at Belém Tower, the riverfront fortress from which so many Portuguese explorers set sail.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Lisbon and admire the landmarks from the top of a double-decker bus.
• Pause for photos at the Jerónimos Monastery and at the Belém Tower.
• Gain an understanding of Lisbon’s history through its architecture and monuments.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

Marvel at the botanical wonders within the Nature Park of Arrabida and enjoy an inspired tasting at a winery that one family has owned for six generations. The seaside park is one of the few places in Portugal where Mediterranean maquis flourishes. The evergreen shrubbery is extraordinary fragrant because it is composed of plants such as lavender, myrtle and wild mint. The park’s other natural sights are just as diverse, as you will pass chalk cliffs, remote beaches and a majestic coastal mountain range. After free time to explore the village of Sesimbra, you head for José Maria da Fonseca winery, which was founded in 1834. The wines are fermented in large clay amphorae, a method that dates to Roman times, and the finished products are spectacular as you will discover during the sampling. One last stop awaits you at Cristo Rei, a statue similar to the famed Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a panoramic drive through the extraordinarily scenic Nature Park of Arrabida.
• Sample wines fermented in clay amphorae, a method the Romans used 2,000 years ago.
• Pause at the hilltop Cristo Rei statue and take in the sweeping views of Lisbon.

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

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 and stop for photos at 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 visit 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.

Explore the oldest, most fascinating part of Lisbon on foot and ride the Gloria Funicular - an iconic symbol of the city. After your visit to the cathedral, follow your guide down to Alfama one of the oldest sections of the city, where you walking tour begins. Discover its cobbled labyrinth of narrow alleys, honeycombed with steps and archways and the houses decorated with wrought iron balconies and panels of tiles.

Spreading out along the right bank of the Tagus, Lisbon is the city of the seven hills. Walking towards the city center, stop in front of the D. Maria Theatre in Rossio Square. Reach the funicular that connects Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto or High Quarter. The ride takes approximately five minutes and brings you to Sao Pedro de Alcantara Belveder for stunning views of the city. You’ll walk down to Chiado, an area with elegant shops and old style cafés and enjoy some free time here.

A drive through the city introduces you to Lisbon - historical and beautiful, Portugal's capital is full of surprises and you'll see many of the city's main landmarks from your coach. A few photo stops allow you to take home some memorable images.

Drive to the historical Belem quarter by the river Tagus and stop for photos at the Monument of Discoveries and the Tower of Belem., two iconic landmarks of the city. The area is closely linked to the era of discoveries when the Portuguese Navigators sailed in search of new lands.

Drive to the Jerónimos Monastery and from the outside, admire this impressive building, representative of the Golden Age of the Portuguese Discoveries. A scenic drive takes you to Alfama and towards downtown Lisbon, with views of Liberdade Avenue, Restauradores and Comercio Squares and the always busy heart of the city, Rossio Square.