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Tour: 10 Days
Departs: n/a
Day 1 (LISBOA – SINTRA )
Collect your hire car and travel along the scenic coast to Cascais and Estoril as you wind your way north toward beautiful Sintra, stopping briefly at the town of Guincho on the way. Sintra is a regional town of great beauty set in an oasis of pine woods and exotic gardens in a barren and rocky landscape with an altitude of some 500m above sea level. Lord Byron referred to Sintra as a 'glorious Eden' and not surprisingly, it was one of the favoured summer retreats of the Portuguese monarchs. Sintra has a splendid palace (formerly a Royal residence), a castle of moorish origin from the 8th century and the Pena Palace with its surprising variety of architectural styles. Overnight Sintra.
Day 2 (SINTRA – OBIDOS )
Breakfast. Continue on to Obidos, an enchanting medieval fortified town dating right back to Celtic times, with successive occupations of Romans, Visigoths, Moors until the 12C. In 1282 King Dinis and Queen Isabel spent their honeymoon in the village, which had been given to them as a wedding gift; a tradition thereafter maintained by all Portuguese queens until 1834. Entrance is gained via one of four gates in the wall, bringing the visitor into a world of centuries past – tiny winding streets, whitewashed houses with their typical ochre trimmings and flower boxes brimming with colour. Overnight Obidos.
Day 3 (OBIDOS )
Breakfast. A full day to explore within this enchanting city. There are delightful chapels & churches, a number of other secular buildings of interest, and its historic castle, now a Pousada. Overnight Obidos.
Day 4 (OBIDOS – COIMBRA )
A leisurely breakfast and a walk will see you on the road around midday as you drive north toward Coimbra. You travel via some marvellous, historic towns, such as, Alcobaça, Leiria, Batalha and Pombal.The city of Coimbra was Portugal's first true capital, the birthplace of six kings and is where the nation's first University was founded in AD1290. Located on the banks of the Mondego river, the historic heart to be found high above the river, where there are cathedrals, the university and a fine museum. A city of high tradition and culture. The roots of nationhood lie buried beneath the streets of this fine old world city. Overnight Coimbra.
Day 5 (COIMBRA )
Breakfast. Another day to enjoy in the area of Coimbra where you have not only many pleasant walks to take in the city limits, including a visit to its historic university, but you have the magnificent Bussaco Forest 30kms to the north and the Roman ruins of Conimbriga near Condeixa to the south. Overnight Coimbra.
Day 6 (COIMBRA – GUIMARAES )
Breakfast. Your journey takes you north again to Oporto and the beautiful Green Coast region of Portugal. You are heading north-east of Oporto, about 35-40kms to historic Guimaraes. Spend a full day discovering this delightful regional town. Overnight Guimaraes.
Day 7 (GUIMARAES )
Breakfast. Framed by gently rising hills, the town of Guimaraes is celebrated as the birthplace of the nation. In the well-preserved city centre, the narrow streets of the medieval quarter are ideal for exploration on foot. The cobbled Rua de Santa Maria, lined with old town houses embellished with ornate statuary, leads up from the main square, the Largo da Oliveira, past the Paço dos Duques to the castle. Today Guimaraes thrives on weaving, cutlery manufacturing and tanning. Handwork still is practiced in the form of ox yokes, embroidery and linen damask. Overnight Guimaraes.
Day 8 (GUIMARAES – PONTE DE LIMA )
Breakfast. Continue a little further north to the attractive riverside town of Ponte de Lima. During the Middle Ages, the town played a pivotal role in the defence of the Minho against the Moors. The remaining medieval fortifications of Ponte de Lima include the former prison tower and the 15th Century Palacio dos Marqueses de Ponte de Lima, a fortress-palace which now functions as the town hall. Overnight Ponte de Lima.
Day 9 (PONTE DE LIMA – VIANA DO CASTELO – PONTE DE LIMA )
Breakfast. Spend the day in Viana do Castelo, an elegant resort town on the north bank of the River Lima estuary at the foot of green hills. The central Praça da Republica, with surrounding mansions and centre fountain, is one of the loveliest squares in Portugal. You may like to continue a short drive north of the town where there are pristine beaches. Overnight Ponte de Lima.
Day 10 (PONTE DE LIMA – OPORTO )
Breakfast. An easy drive takes you back to Oporto, the capital and heart of the north of the country. Situated on the bank of the river Douro, Oporto is one of the oldest cities in the entire Peninsula. Known as the "unconquered city", owing to its renowned courage in fighting back all invaders, it is also the centre of an internationally important wine industry. The port wine grown in the upper Douro Valley is synonymous with this charming city.
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