ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR
Trip Length: 11 days
Trip Dates:
May 1-11, 2012
9 Nights in Deluxe Hotels | 13 meals + wine tastings
Rates: $3495 double | $4695 Single
International Airfare is additional
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Portugal shares the rich history of Europe alongside her neighbors of Spain and France. She was an important player in the Age of Exploration, the Inquisition, and the founding of the Americas. Yet she may very well be the least know and least visited of European countries. The great hospitality of the Portuguese people is well known. Their food and wine are celebrated around the world. For the gay traveler, it is a lively, fun destination with many places to mingle with the locals. A week in Portugal is enough to learn you will probably want to go back. Join us and let our expert, gay, American-born guide take you through this fascinating country. You will be glad you did.
DAY 1 – Tues, May 1, 2012 USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Porto (OPO), Portugal. You will need to connect in another city to reach Porto. See International Airfare information under Rates & Facts.
DAY 2 – Wed, May 2 PORTO
Arrive in Porto and be welcomed by your driver at the airport. Enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in the city center and check in. Have some time to relax and during the afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the famous Port Wine Cellars where you will have a tour and enjoy a wine tasting at Taylor while appreciating the sunset over Porto. Overnight in Porto.
Hotel Infante Sagres
Room
Meals Wine Tasting
Taylor's is now over 300 years old. It remains a family firm, completely independent, owned still by relations of the original partners. On the Atlantic coast at Porto are the ancient lodges where Taylor's priceless ports slowly reach their glorious maturity. High up in the Douro Valley is Taylor Quinta de Vargellas, one of the world's truly great vineyards, comparable in quality to Chateau Latour. Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman has won prestigious awards for their declared vintages. Recently the Taylor 1992 was awarded a perfect 100 points from Robert Parker. The 1994 vintage also received 100 points and the Top Wine of the World award from the Wine Spectator.
Have breakfast at the hotel and your guide will meet you to explore Porto. Tour starts with Porto’s unique historic center recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. With a narrow, labyrinth of pathways and traditional houses made of granite, the Ribeira Old Quarters’ boasts an astonishing number of monuments and curiosities. In this unique historic center you visit the city’s most prominent Gothic monument. Also known as the ‘Gold Church’ for its wealth of gilt wood carvings, Igreja de S. Francisco was originally an austere Gothic temple built in the 14th century with three naves a tripartite apse with polygonal chapels.
While roaming around the historical center streets there will also be time for a stop at Livraria Lello, one of Porto's biggest attractions, this Bookshop opened its doors in 1906, apart from the interesting facade it is the inside that really is astonishing and makes us want to stay there just to admire it!
Time for lunch (not included) and then you will continue to Guimarães, where Portugal started to emerge, back in the 10th century. The Historical Quarter is where we will spend more time, which comprises a succession of squares of great formal value. This unique site was classified by UNESCO in 2001 and apart from that is also where local residents gather and spend time so you will have the chance to mingle. We will also visit the 10th century castle and the Dukes of Bragança Palace, at a time the King's residence up in the north, now the official Presidential home in the north. Continue towards the Douro and Dinner and overnight on the Douro River
Hotel Aquapura
Room
Meals Breakfast, Dinner
For centuries Portugal has been giving the World one of its best products: Port Wine. And it is here, along the Douro River, that the grapes used for making such a wonderful wine are grown. All along the river you will find hundreds of vineyards creating a spectacular scenario where you will want to immerse... |
Your day will begin with a morning walk through the vineyards before embarking in the scenic train that will take you in a few minutes to Quinta do Crasto, with the best location over the Douro River and some of Portugal's best wines (some of them given 96 points by Robert Parker on “Wine Spectator”). There you will visit the winery and enjoy the tasting of a couple of wines while relaxing next to the river.
Quinta do Crasto is located on the right bank of the river Douro, covers 130 hectares, of which 70 are planted with grade “A” vineyards. Large investments were made over the last years to restructure the vineyards and install modern winery equipment, guaranteeing the production of high quality table wines as well as top port wine categories. While using state-of-the-art vinification technology, the quinta has always retained its traditional foot treading method in granite tanks, called “lagares”. All the investments made in the past combined with the tradition and passion that is put into the wine making, has given Quinta do Crasto a prominent name in wine market scene, at home and abroad.
After this great experience you will embark a small boat which will leave directly at DOC Restaurant, where you will have lunch. Situated on the river bank, just touching the water, it is the project of renowned Portuguese chef Rui Paula and you try some of our traditional dishes with a special twist.
Back to the hotel after lunch to enjoy all the available options and relax or walk through the property. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Overnight on the Douro River
Hotel Aquapura
Room
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 – May 5 DOURO / COIMBRA / BATALHA / ALCOBAÇA / CENTER OF PORTUGAL
Have breakfast and depart towards Coimbra, with its own very special mystique, the result of a past full of important events and of the memories of the many thousands of Portuguese who, dispersed around the country or abroad, remember the carefree, easygoing, hopeful years spent here in their youth as students at the University. Your time here will be passed walking through the University grounds and entering the famous Library.
The Joanine Library (Biblioteca Joanina) begun in 1717 at the instigation of King João V, its unique style make it Portugal’s most famous library. On the upper floor, the library has three rooms linked by arches of polychrome wood, structurally identical to the main doorway. In typical Baroque style, the rooms are full of tromp-l’oeil decorative features. The 250,000 books date from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and deal mainly with civil and canon law, theology and philosophy. |
There will be time for lunch in the center (not included) and the afternoon will be taken to visit Batalha and Alcobaça. We will go directly to Batalha and start by visiting the battlefield and then seeing the movie, to understand how the Battle of Aljubarrota (between Portugal and Spain) happened and the importance of the victory, and then continue to the Monastery (built in honor of the Virgin Mary as a “thank you” for help on the victory). Afterwards we will go to Alcobaça for a tour of the monastery, this was built by the end of the 12th century and is the first and perhaps best example of Gothic architecture in the country.
We will then take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Coimbra, the Center of Portugal
Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas
Room
Meals Breakfast
DAY 6 – May 6 CENTER OF PORTUGAL / ALMEIRIM / ÉVORA
Depart to Casal Branco, the beautiful estate of winemakers and horse breeders. You will have the chance to see and learn about the Lusitano Horse and then visit the winery finishing with a wine tasting and lunch.
Near the Tagus River, Casal Branco Estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. It has been creating Lusitano horses since the 19th century and producing top quality wines for more than one hundred years.
Family, tradition and a big passion for what they do keeps it going and justifies the recognition that is continuously receiving.
After lunch we will continue our drive to Évora. You will have some time in the afternoon to relax or walk around the city by yourselves.
Overnight in Évora.
Hotel Convento do Espinheiro – A Luxury Collection Hotel
Room
Meals Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7 – May 7 ÉVORA / S. PEDRO DO CORVAL / MONSARAZ / ÉVORA
Today we will be traveling to São Pedro do Corval and Monsaraz. São Pedro do Corval is a small typical Portuguese village widely renowned for its pottery which is of great quality and variety. You will have the chance to walk the streets, watch the artisans working and of course take some with if you want to.
Lunch will be on your own. Monsaraz, our next stop, is the perfect place from where to appreciate the scenic views of southern Portugal. This small village is one of the oldest in Portugal, perched on top of a hill, surrounded by walls used for protection from the Moors and then from the Spanish, you can still breathe the tradition from all over.
Later on we will return to Évora for overnight.
Hotel Convento do Espinheiro – A Luxury Collection Hotel
Room
Meals Breakfast
DAY 8 – May 8 ÉVORA / ARRAIOLOS / LISBON
Being the most important city in the south of the country, Évora has a lot to offer (it is a UNESCO Heritage site) and it can all be done walking through its narrow streets, mingling with the locals and watching how day to day is lived here.
We will start with the remains of the Diana Temple, built during the Roman period in honor of Emperor Augustus. From there you will continue with a visit to the important Cathedral in late romantic/early Gothic style. The most impressive attraction of the city however is the Bones Chapel – a small chapel inside S. Francisco Church where all the walls and ceiling are covered with skulls and bones... you have to visit it to understand it!
Lunch will be in Évora (not included) and on the way to Lisbon we will make a stop at the small village of Arraiolos. This is the place where the Arraiolos rugs come from, made by hand with wool, very colorful, usually symmetric and representing flowers and animals. You can still see women making this beautiful art and if it is a sunny day most likely they will be outside their houses working and chatting with neighbors.
Continue the ride and overnight in Lisbon.
Hotel Bairro Alto
Room
Meals Breakfast
DAY 9 – May 9 LISBON
This morning, meet your guide for a full day tour of the city, including the old town, Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.
You will start the tour by going to the top of Marques Pombal to learn about Lisbon from that point. Travel by car from there, down Avenida Liberdade, and drop off in Rossio. Begin a walking tour with explanations of the history and how things were in the past, continuing through the Baixa and walking to the Sé. After that we will take the 28 Cable Car to Graça and the miradouro where the car will meet us and drive to Jeronimos and Belem Tower.
Tonight you will enjoy a Fado music Show (the traditional music) including dinner.
Overnight in Lisbon.
Hotel Bairro Alto
Room
Meals Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 – May 10 LISBON / SINTRA / CASCAIS / LISBON
Today we will visit Sintra, which Lord Byron called “glorious Eden” and Cascais, once a fishing village, then the place where Kings and Princes from all Europe came for exile early on the 20th century, today a charming village and one of the best places to live in Portugal.
Pena National Palace in Sintra was built by a German architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Schwege in a mixture of architectural styles. Richly decorated walls are all over the interior, covered either with tiles or painted walls.
The palace remained one of the main royal family residencies for decades. In 1889 it was purchased by the Portuguese State, and after the Republican Revolution of 1910, the palace was classified as a national monument and transformed into a museum. The rooms were left exactly as they were when the last royal closed the front door.
In Cascais the idea really is to walk around the marina, the center of the village, try the great ice cream “Santini” (probably best in the World) and enjoy the sun.
By the way, James Bond “On her Majesty's Secret Service” was shot here in Estoril, the Casino, the Palace Hotel and the road where you will go through were some of the relevant scenarios.
Return to Lisbon will be on the route by the sea, you will enjoy the views of some nice beaches, the sea, a few small palace-like houses and of the Monument to the Discoveries when reaching the city.
Overnight in Lisbon.
Hotel Bairro Alto
Room
Meals Breakfast
DAY 11 – May 11 Depart to USA
The morning will be free for you to walk around the city, do some shopping or visit a Museum for example. There are quite a few options and on the previous day our guide will happily assist you choosing the ideal way to cease the day according to your taste.
Everything that is good must come to an end and today we will transfer you to the airport at the designated hour for your departure flight.
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Infante Sagres is Porto’s leading boutique hotel, a true icon of sophisticated design and intimate atmosphere located in the city’s historical district, a few meters away from City Hall, the UNESCO World Heritage area and the art district. The hotel is part of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”. We just visited it in 2011 and you will not regret staying there, it is like staying in a small museum with paintings, sculptures and other forms of art spread around the hotel giving it an exquisite environment. |
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Inaugurated in June 2007, at Quinta Vale de Abraão, the Aquapura Douro Valley has become a reference in the world luxury hotels industry. 50 rooms in an entirely renovated 19th century manor house, 21 villas of pure contemporary design, a 2200m2 spa for pure indulgence and a 5 hectare woodland by the river bank await you in the magnificent setting of the Douro Valley. |
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The hotel offers three different atmospheres: the Palace (which once accommodated the Duke of Wellington and the Portuguese King and have a lot of charm and romanticism), the Garden and the Spa (more recent areas with a lot of comfort and many options). We stayed there in May 2011 and the setting is great, service is very good and it will be an experience to remember. This is a 4* Hotel. |
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Bairro Alto Hotel Lisbon, is a boutique hotel in the heart of historic downtown, between two of the most emblematic city districts, the bohemian Bairro Alto and the chic, cultural and trendy Chiado. A luxury boutique hotel, both cosmopolitan and trendy with a harmonious blend of old and new, that offers an excellent service in an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. We love it. |
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Fascinating for its history, authentic for its charm, Convento do Espinheiro, Evora has given life to a 15th century convent, considered a national monument where important nobles have outlined the history of Portugal. Luxuriously recovered, Convento do Espinheiro gains a new interaction with the city, classified as world Heritage by UNESCO. Really the best option in this region of Portugal, we visited in May 2011 and recommend. |
| 2012 | Double | Single |
| 8 guests | $3495 | $4695 |
| 6 guests | $3875 | $5075 |
- 9 nights at the selected hotels
- Breakfast during all your stay
- 3 Dinners and 2 Lunches (drinks included at lunch in Casal Branco and Fado dinner in Lisbon)
- All private tours and sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary with driver and English speaking guide
- Entrance fees to all the attractions referred above
- All necessary transfers
- Special Experiences:
- Visit to Port Wine Cellars including wine tasting
- Visit to Quinta do Crasto
- Visit and lunch at Quinta do Casal Branco
- Fado Show and dinner in Lisbon
Airfare ; * Meals not mentioned ;
* Beverages with meals if not mentioned ; Gratuities to guides, tour leader, restaurants and hotel personnel ; Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance which is highly recommended.
No visa is required for American or Canadian passport holders. Travelers of other nationalities should check with the appropriate Consulate or Embassy for requirements.
None required or recommended. It is recommended you have your regular vaccinations up-to-date before traveling. For further information, visit the Center For Disease Control website.
Delta Airlines, TAP, Air France, British AirwaysLufthansa, United are among airlines that can be used for this trip. You will need to fly into PORTO (by connecting in Lisbon) and out of LISBON. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to try to use Frequent Flyer Miles for free tickets or upgrades or the American Express Platinum card 2-4-1 program.
All departures are guaranteed on a minimum of 6 participants. A small group charge will be assessed for fewer than 6 travelers. This tour can be operated as a Private Tour, can be customized and repriced based on final itinerary.
