Mesmerising Portugal

Buffet Breakfast. Lisbon is a captivating and picturesque capital built on hills with scenic vistas from every angle. Lisbon is Europe's second-oldest capital, once home to the world's greatest explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator, becoming the first true world city, the capital of an empire spreading over all continents. Today you will get to know the city with the sightseeing Hop on Hop off tour, time to admire its splendid avenues and monuments of this amazing city, like the Tower of and its cultural quarter, the Jeronimos Monastery, the Tower of Vasco da Gama and the Castelo S. Jorge. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and cosy museums are part of the colourful cityscape, but the real delights of discovery lie in wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets. As yellow trams wind their way through curvy tree-lined streets, you can stroll through the old quarters, as visitors done for centuries. Traditional village-life style in old Alfama district combines with fresh bread and wine at tiny patio restaurants as fadistas (fado, is Portugal’s traditional melancholic singing) perform in the background. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronic music and fado filling the air. Option: HD private panoramic City tour instead of Hop on Hop off tour. Overnight at hotel in Lisbon. (B)

Today after breakfast proceed to the station for your train to Porto. On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel for check in. A visit to Porto is a trip back to Portugal’s beginnings. A land of Celtic settlements, medieval castles, mountain fortifications and imposing monuments, every hill and edifice has its own tale to tell. Green valleys and slopes produce the finest wines; every village produces a gastronomic marvel .The combination of old charm and new trends in cosmopolitan Porto will leave you entranced. Rest of day free at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Porto (B)

Buffet Breakfast Check out at the hotel and Private transfer to Lisbon airport for your flight to Porto. Upon arrival to Porto Airport you will be welcomed by our driver and then transfer to the hotel. Check-in and rest of the day free to explore Porto, Portugal's second largest metropolis, and one of Europe's most charismatic cities. Porto is an ancient port steeped in history and tradition. This is the city that originated and named Port Wine, and gave birth to one of world history's legendary figures, Prince Henry the Navigator. Starting at the monumental Avenida dos Aliados, all the way down to the riverfront, UNESCO has declared this a World Heritage Site, with churches dripping with gold (São Francisco and Santa Clara Churches), and other spectacular interiors (Palacio da Bolsa's Alhambra-like decoration and São Bento Station's dazzling tiled walls); combined with a highly atmospheric medieval quarter with colorful houses facing the river and its picturesque boats. This is the soul of the city that should be the starting point of a visit - and the place to return at night for the liveliest restaurants and bars. More bars and restaurants are found in the more upscale Foz district, which is ideal for a final stroll before leaving the city. You will find a plenty of local color and a singular atmosphere by the riverfront at either side of the Douro River, Cais de Gaia and Cais da Ribeira. Porto is also a great place for shopping. Overnight at hotel in Porto. (B)

Buffet Breakfast. Today you will have the opportunity to experience the city on your own with the sightseeing Hop on-Hop off tour. Option: Supplement for a private panoramic visit instead of the Hop on Hop off sightseeing tour. The first place to begin with is the Ribeira, the part of the city near the river, which is also a good place to start visiting the World Heritage area; to the other side of the river you will see the Ribeira de Gaia, a similar area from the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (the two are only separated by the river). Next go up to the São Francisco church and the Stock Exchange palace nearby, where you can visit the most impressive Arab room in the country. The well-known Modern Art museum at Serralves and the House of Music concert hall (Casa da Musica) live in the area known as Boavista. From there you can reach the amazing ocean front drive, known as "Foz". Go back to the center of the city and visit Mercado do Bolhão, a tradi-tional market of fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. Next the Aliados Avenue and the City Hall and finally the 6 bridges connecting Porto to Gaia over the Douro river. Take your time, wander through the mazes and alleys of the city. When anyone in town thinks about eating out, downtown is the natural destination, but the riverfront (Ribeira) has the most attractive setting. But if you're simply looking for coffee or a refreshing drink, there are also several good choices for such as "Cafe Majestic", a classic European Art Nouveu café and a city landmark. At night everyone gravitates towards Rua Galeria de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis, two parallel streets downtown. Others descend to the Ribeira district for more bars and cafés, many of which have out-door seating. Directly across the river in Cais de Gaia is also a number of pleasant cafés for a post-dinner drink, with incredible city views while the river baths in the moonlight. Overnight at hotel in Porto. (B)

After breakfast at the hotel you check out and proceed to the airport for your flight back home or to onward destination (B) Note: For joining any of the exciting Day trips from Porto we suggest extra nights in the city in able to visit: FD Minho Region (Guimarães y Braga); FD Douro Region (Amarante, Lamego, Porto wine tasting, Pinhão); FD Wine Tour to Vale do Douro; Porto by night and HD Aveiro Tour.