NORTH OF PORTUGAL
CODE: CL05
06 DAYS / 05 NIGHTS
DEPARTURES: SATURDAYS ALL YEAR (01/04/12 - 31/03/13)
Day 1 LISBON - OBIDOS - ALCOBAÇA - NAZARE - BATALHA - FATIMA
Depart Lisbon and travel north to Obidos, that has changed little since the Middle Ages. Here we can admire the lovely handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liqueur). We continue our journey to Alcobaça, home to the first and largest Gothic church in Portugal which holds the tombs of Dom Pedro and his lover Inês de Castro. Continue to Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort and on to Batalha where you will visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture where we find the tomb of Henry the Navigator. Departure to the sanctuary at Fátima. Overnight.
Day 2 FATIMA - COIMBRA - AVEIRO - OPORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Coimbra to visit the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library. Stop at St Clara Church, where the tomb of Queen St. Isabel lies. In the afternoon we shall drive to Aveiro, city of canals, known as the "Portuguese Venice", where you will have time to see the graceful "moliceiros" boats and taste local sweets called "ovos moles". Finally continue to Oporto, to stay at Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto city. Overnight.
Day 3 OPORTO 
Breakfast at the hotel. The present city of Porto occupies the site of the Roman town of Portus, sprawling down the long, steep north bank of the Douro, 6km from the sea. Today you have morning visit to discover the riverside area with its old houses, palaces, churches and Port wine, known worldwide. Afternoon free. Vila Nova de Gaia for Overnight.
Day 4 OPORTO - GUIMARÃES - BRAGA - BARCELOS - OPORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to the lush northwest region of Minho, which produces Portugal's sparkling "vinho verde" (green wine). Starting at Guimarães, birthplace of the first king of Portugal. Here walking through the historic centre is like stepping back in time.
Visit the Sacred Hill crowned by a Castle, as well the 15thC Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Continue to Braga known as the "Portuguese Rome". In the 18th century, two bishops undertook the project of redesigning the city and their influence is plain to see, with churches on every corner. Continue to Barcelos, a city famous for handicraft, where the Galo (rooster) de Barcelos legend was born. Return to Porto. Overnight.
Day 5 OPORTO - AMARANTE - VILA REAL - DOURO VALLEY - LAMEGO - VISEU - URGEIRIÇA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Amarante, a pretty town most proud of it's great son, São Gonçalo, the patron saint of love & marriage. Continue to Vila Real, visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, still depicted on the well-known rosé bottles. Then we enter in the Port wine region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. You will have the opportunity to try some of the local delicacies such as the local ham or the famous "Bola de Lamego" (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). Continue to Viseu, centre of the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal´s oldest hero, Viriato, the Lusitanian chieftan. Arrival in Urgeiriça. Overnight.
Day 6 URGUEIRIÇA - BUSSACO - TOMAR - LISBOA
Breakfast at the hotel. Head south into central Portugal to Bussaco, home to the historic 250 acre forest. In a clearing in the centre of the park stands a former royal hunting lodge - now a fine hotel. Continue to Tomar. In 1159 the Knights Templar were given land to erect a castle in Portugal by Dona Teresa, the mother of the first king of Portugal. In 1147 the order traded their original land for acreage at Tomar and there bulit a castle on a hill, completed in 1160. A church and fortress walls were later added. It is the centrepiece of the city and UNESCO World Heritage listed. On to Lisbon. END OF TOUR
- Portugal
- Tours
- Pousadas
- Solares
- Accommodation
- Cruises
Portugal - Land of Tradition
A land of great tradition and famous for its warm hospitality, Portugal shared a common history with Spain for many Centuries. However its regional individuality in culture and language, combined with a dogged determination to self rule brought its nationhood to the fore as early as the 12th Century when Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself King of Portugal.
Recapturing regions from the Moors was the first priority, and the fledgling nation would endure another four centuries of wars and dynastic succession with the Kingdom of Castile.
Portugal, like Spain,would develop and consolidate its vast empire. Under the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494 they divided the known world between them into two spheres of dominance and influence.
Always a great seafaring nation, Portugal provided a long and distinguished line of explorers and navigators, with its ships the first to discover Brazil and the lucrative trade routes of Asia, Africa and India. Names such as Vasco De Gama, Henry the Navigator, Ferdinand Magellan and Pedro Alvares Cabral are now legendary for having made great discoveries in the New World in the name of Portugal.
The Republic of Portugal today is a small vibrant nation with a population of around 11 million people with a deep sense of their history and traditions. As a consequence of a concerted policy of economic development over the past 15 years Portugal is emerging as an important new member of the EEC.
With its islands of Madeira and the Azores, the country offers an enormous variety of scenery, historical sites and monuments. With heritage accommodation as well as fine food and wine for the visitor to enjoy the pleasant and courteous nature of the Portuguese people is a welcome bonus.
MADEIRA & THE AZORES - Please ask us for a fact sheet for more information!
Download our 2012 brochure!
Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options...
| Self Drive Tours: | CENTRAL PORTUGAL -- HERITAGE OF PORTUGAL -- LISBON AND THE ALENTEJO -- PORTO, MINHO AND THE DOURO VALLEY |
| Fully Escorted Tours: | 03 DAY WONDERS OF PORTUGAL -- 04 DAY SOUTH OF PORTUGAL -- 06 DAYS NORTH OF PORTUGAL -- 11 DAYS BEST OF PORTUGAL TOUR -- SALAMANCA AND PORTUGAL |
| Small Group Tours: | PORTUGUESE PASSEIO |
| Tours with Private driver: | FIRST CLASS PORTUGAL |
| Unique Portugal: | A TASTE OF EVORA -- AN INTRODUCTION TO PORTUGUESE WINE -- DISCOVER THE WESTERN ALGARVE -- JEWISH HERITAGE IN LISBON -- LISBON AND MEDIEVAL OBIDOS -- LISBON AND UNESCO MONASTERIES -- SAVOUR THE ALENTEJO -- VINHO VINTAGE |
Pousadas
IBERTOURS is the Official Representative of Pousadas in Australia and New Zealand.
If you are looking for attractive and historic accommodation for your next holiday, away from the bustle of the city, consider the Pousadas of Portugal.
The Pousadas are located in pleasant rural settings, inside the walls of medieval towns, near the seaside or in the mountainous regions of this 'old world' country. There are around 45 Pousadas forming an impressive network of heritage hotels run by the Portuguese State, many of them Historic Buildings, Castles, Palaces and Monasteries all lovingly restored and managed.
Special care has been taken to reflect the cultural traditions of the region in which they are located with attention to folk crafts, period furniture and local cuisine and wines.
Comfort, friendly atmosphere and traditional Portuguese hospitality are the cornerstones of these uniquely beautiful buildings.
Solares Properties
A new kind of tourism has recently developed in Portugal basing its theme on the cultural and traditional heritage of the country and involving privately owned country Manors and Historic Rural Estates, which have been adapted in order to receive "Special" guests. These are known as Solares de Portugal. The guest is treated to the friendliest of receptions that is an essential hallmark of the Portuguese tradition, blended with the comfort and charm of the rural setting. Most of the Manors and Houses are historic buildings located in or near medieval villages offering attractive country walks, natural parks and ancient monuments to enjoy. Others are situated near urban centres where one can ride, play tennis and golf or just relax on a nearby beach. Many homes have their own swimming pool and ample private gardens. All rooms have private facilities and the basic tariff includes continental breakfast. This is the way to truly discover the essence of Portugal, its customs and regional culture and cuisine. The houses fall into 3 categories:
Category A - the finest manors and palaces, luxuriously furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, often surrounded by beautiful gardens. Many of their names are preceded by the word 'Paço', a term used to indicate that a king stayed there.
Category B - incorporates country homes and smaller manors, many of which date from the 18th century and carry on the farming traditions of their ancestors.
Category C - establishments which are largely rustic cottages and farmhouses, which have been converted into comfortable apartments.
Portuguese Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Lisbon, and
Oporto, plus many other smaller regional cities and towns such as Coimbra, Evora, Obidos, Guimaraes and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region:
Costa Verde / Costa de Prata / Lisboa and Costa de Estoril / Ribatejo and Alentejo / The Algarve
Sorry, no cruise itineraries available for 2012.