SHORE EXCURSIONS

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. 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.

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 Manteigaria 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. continue your walk to Rossio, where you will gain even more insight into daily life in Lisbon. Admire the magnificent D. Maria II National Theater and the striking Train Station, both iconic examples of Portuguese architecture, and take in the haunting ruins of Carmo, a poignant reminder of the 1755 earthquake. Then, stroll along the emblematic Augusta Street, where traditional Portuguese pavement, elegant building facades, and the impressive Santa Justa Lift create a truly captivating scene. One last stop will be made at a café, where you will sample Portuguese products such as codfish 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.
• Explore the city on foot, immersing yourself in Lisbon’s vibrant atmosphere.

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.

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.

Use your Attraction Pass to explore the top destinations in Lisbon without the hassle of arranging transportation, waiting in lines 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. 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.

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.

Discover beautiful landscapes, small villages and savor the wines that have made Portugal famous. Cross the bridge over the Tagus River towards Setubal, The city of Setúbal is located on the northern bank of the Sado River estuary, approximately 48 kilometres (30 miles) south of Portugal's capital, Lisbon. It is also the seat of the Setúbal District. In the beginning of the 20th century, Setúbal was the most important center of Portugal's fishing industry, particularly specializing in processing and exporting sardines. 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.

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.

OVERVIEW

This excursion is for guests that use a cane/walker, have limited mobility issues or for companions of those guest that have booked mobility equipment tour.

Behold the natural beauty west of Lisbon and see several destinations 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. After snapping photos of its Rococo-style exterior, you will head for Sintra, a historical town that Lord Byron described as a “glorious Eden” and that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. Its Town Palace is considered Portugal’s best-preserved royal residence. Not to be outdone, the city of Cascais boasts one of the most beautiful settings on the Portuguese Riviera. Numerous exiled royals lived there during World War II and later gathered in glamorous Estoril as you will discover while passing through town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stop at the National Palace of Queluz and the royal palace in historical Sintra.
• Drop by Cascais, a seaside city where exiled royals lived during World War II.
• Pass through Estoril, a captivating town that has long attracted royals and socialites.
• Take in the stunning views from the cliffs that mark Europe’s westernmost point.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

This excursion is for guests who are fully dependent on their mobility device. You will be required to supply your own wheelchair/scooter.

Behold the natural beauty west of Lisbon and see several destinations 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. After snapping photos of its Rococo-style exterior, you will head for Sintra, a historical town that Lord Byron described as a “glorious Eden” and that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. Its Town Palace is considered Portugal’s best-preserved royal residence. Not to be outdone, the city of Cascais boasts one of the most beautiful settings on the Portuguese Riviera. Numerous exiled royals lived there during World War II and later gathered in glamorous Estoril as you will discover while passing through town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stop at the National Palace of Queluz and the royal palace in historical Sintra.
• Drop by Cascais, a seaside city where exiled royals lived during World War II.
• Pass through Estoril, a captivating town that has long attracted royals and socialites.
• Take in the stunning views from the cliffs that mark Europe’s westernmost point.

HELPFUL HINTS

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