Portugal Uncovered
Beaches, culture, port and more!
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Group Size: Max 24
Trip code: CTPT
Duration: 9 days
Dive deep into Portugal’s unique culture and beauty on this awesome 9-day group trip through its best bits. Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of the most exciting cities from bohemian Lisbon to the fading grandeur of Porto, and see the most stunning historical sites, from magical Sintra and medieval Evora to the holy shrine of Fatima. There’s no shortage of beach time either with a couple of days on the Algarve’s sun-soaked sands, and a stay in a mellow surf hotel, right next to the beach in Peniche. With delicious seafood, beach yoga, street art and big surf to boot, this is living.
Trip highlights
- Explore the fairy-tale palaces and atmospheric castle ruins of beautiful Sintra
- Get your chill on the beach in the surf town of Peniche
- Sip a glass of aged port on the banks of the Douro in Porto
- Bliss out on the Algarve’s golden beaches
- Explore the vibrant museums, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife of lovely Lisbon
- Explore Evora, one of Portugal's most beautifully preserved medieval towns
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- 8 nights accommodation
- 8 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Group leader and local guides
- In country transport
- Visit the moving religious site of Fatima
- Visit canal city of Aveiro
- 24 hour emergency support
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Airport transfers
- Some meals
- Optional activities
Day 1 – Lisbon. Fly into lovely Lisbon and make your own way to our starting accommodation. Meet the group around 4pm today and head out for sunset in the Bairro Alto, and some bacalhau, followed by a cocktail or two.
Day 2: Porto (via Fatima and Coimbra). Head to the charming city of Porto, with stops en route at Fatima, one of Catholicism's major shrines, and the lively university town of Coimbra, where we’ll pick up a spot of lunch. Arrive in Porto and explore the highlights of the city on foot, or by e-bike. This evening’s all about some tasty eats and sampling some port – when in Rome!
Day 3: Porto. Explore Porto at your own pace today. Take a stroll along the Douro, check out the views from some of the lofty miradouros and learn how to bake traditional pastel de nata. This evening, how about an authentic dining experience in a local home?
Day 4: Peniche (via Aveiro and Obidos). Our first stop today is Aveiro. Explore ‘Portugal’s Venice’ on a boat tour of its canals, before continuing to the whitewashed town of Obidos. Our final stop is Peniche, where we’ll stay in a laid-back hotel with a pool.
Day 5: Peniche. Today’s all about the beach. Join one of the surf classes or if you’d rather just soak up the sun, then grab a spot by the pool or on the beach – nobody’s judging.
Day 6: The Algarve (via Evora). Head to Lagos via the medieval town of Evora. Check out its grand cathedrals, Roman baths, and gorgeous town square before continuing towards Lagos. Explore the banks of the Rio Bensafrim, hit the beach, or just grab a glass of something cold and relax.
Day 7: The Algarve. You’ve got a full day to enjoy the beautiful Algarve. Top up your tan on one of the golden beaches, practice your surf skills, or take a hike along the coastline. There are tons of watersports on offer, and if you’re a golf fan, take your pick from some stellar courses.
Day 8: Lisbon (via Cascais and Sintra). Head back to Lisbon via Cascais. Wander along the marina, check out the beaches, or join a resident-guided street art tour. Our next stop is the fairy-tale town of Sintra. Explore its glittering palaces and UNESCO protected ruins, before journeying on to Lisbon for a final farewell feast.
Day 9: Trip end. It’s time to say your goodbyes and either continue your travels in Portugal or head home. Your tour guide can help with airport transports or other travel arrangements. See you next time!
All activities, inclusions and itineraries are subject to change
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The trip starts in Lisbon on day 1. Fly into Lisbon Airport (LIS) and make your own way to the starting accommodation. There are no activities scheduled until 4pm but we advise you to arrive by midday to allow plenty of time before meeting the group in the afternoon. An airport transfer is not included but is easily arranged locally. The metro runs directly to the city centre, but a taxi is probably the easiest way to get there and takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
The trip ends in Lisbon on day 9 at 8am. You can depart at any time. You’ll need to arrange your own return airport transfer or onward travel, but your tour guide can help with this.
Accommodation
8 nights’ accommodation is included on this trip. You’ll stay in a unique selection of places in dorm style rooms of 6 – 8 people.
To give you a taste of the type of accommodation included on this trip, you may stay in hotels such as:
- Selina Secret Garden, Lisbon – centrally located hotel with a rooftop deck, patio, and pool area.
- Selina Porto, Porto – newly renovated hotel within a stone’s throw of Riberia - the city’s medieval waterside district. Features an on-site café and comfy courtyard with resident DJs.
- Star Inn Peniche, Peniche – chic, contemporary accommodation near the beachfront of Albarroba Beach, with a restaurant and 2 pools
- Carvoeiro Plaza, Algarve – beachfront hotel with fabulous roof terrace, pool, and lounge.
Meals
8 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included. You’ll have to source the rest of your meals yourself, which allows you maximum flexibility to eat where and when you like.
The minimum age to join trip is 18. This trip is designed for 18-35 year olds.
UK citizens can travel to countries in the European Schengen area (including Iceland) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your trip.
All visa, passport and entry requirements are subject to change so we recommend travellers check the most up to date information with the relevant embassies before travel.
Please note, this trip requires you to show evidence that you have been fully vaccinated against covid-19 (final dose administered a minimum of 14 days prior to the start of the trip).
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.