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Next Stop…Aveiro, Portugal

June 14, 2017 By International Lodging Corporation

 

The town of Aveiro, located about an hour south of Porto in the Central region, is one of Portugal’s hidden gems.  Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro’s charming canals, picturesque wooden houses and tranquil seaside location make it a perfect place to visit as a day trip, or as a stop along the route between Lisbon and Porto.

The town was established in Roman times and served as an important seaport until the end of the 16th C. when a storm closed off the port. The old town center is crossed by a network of canals that is reminiscent of Venice, down to the gondola-like boats known as barcos moliceiros.  The colorful moliceiro boats that tourists ride today are traditional flat bottom boats that were once used for collecting seaweed from the lagoon.  Also located in the town center is the 15th C. Convento de Jesus, which houses the town museum. The convent is primarily devoted to Santa Joana, the daughter of King Alfonso V, who lived in the convent until her death in 1490. Her beautifully carved tomb, made of inlaid marble, is showcased in its own lavish room in the convent.

Aveiro is also know for its picturesque wooden houses, once used by fisherman, that have been painted in bright colors and candy striped, so be sure to have your phone or camera fully charged for the photo ops. There are many good seafood restaurants in town along the canals that serve freshly caught seafood and local specialties such as eel stew, cod and lamprey (a jawless fish with an eel-like body).

If you decide to spend the night you can stay at the Pousada Ria (Torreia-Murtosa), located about 45 minutes from Aveiro on a peninsula next to the San Jacinto Natural Reserve. The Pousada overlooks the blue lagoon and is a perfect place to explore the region and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. For more information and reservations, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Aveiro tour, click here, and for information on all of our Porto Day Trip tours, click here.

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Filed Under: Places to See, Portugal Tagged With: Aveiro, Porto (Day Trips), Portugal, Portugal - Next Stop

Private Tours from Porto: Aveiro – 4 Hours

January 5, 2015 By International Lodging Corporation

Located about 1 hour south of Porto, the town of Aveiro is one of Portugal’s hidden gems. Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro’s charming canals, picturesque wooden houses, and tranquil seaside location make it a perfect place to visit as a day trip.

Aveiro was established in Roman times, and it served as an important seaport until the end of the 16th C. when a storm closed off the port. The old town center is crossed by a network of canals that is reminiscent of Venice, down to the gondola-like boats. The picturesque wooden houses that were once used by fisherman are painted in bright colors and candy-striped, so be sure to have your phone or camera fully charged for the photo ops.

On this 4 hour private tour you will have a chance to explore the main sites in this charming city. Your guide/driver will pick you up at your hotel to begin your private tour. Your guide will customize the tour to include the sites that are of most interest to you.

A suggested itinerary could include:

  • Panoramic tour of Aveiro’s historic city center
  • Train station – historic building with beautiful blue azulejo (tile) exterior
  • Cathedral
  • River canals
  • Salt springs
  • Costa Nova – neighborhood with colorful striped houses

2023 Prices and other info:

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

  • US $385 – Daily (start time at 9:00am or 2:00pm)

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

  • US $480 – Daily (start time at 9:00am or 2:00pm)

All tours:

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed guide/driver with transportation for 4 hours
  • Price does not include entrance fees (if any), which are extra
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Portuguese law
  • Common languages available: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Note: Guide/driver is not authorized to conduct tours inside of monuments or museums.

Photo credit: Kondephy

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

por100

Filed Under: Portugal, Private Tours (Portugal) Tagged With: Aveiro, Porto (Private Tours) Day Trips

Private Tours from Porto: Coimbra, Aveiro & Costa Nova – 9 Hours

January 5, 2015 By International Lodging Corporation

ilc-blog-private-tours-porto-day-trip-coimbra-aveiroVisitors to Porto looking to venture outside of the city to explore some historic towns need to look no further than the neighboring Centro Region of Portugal. The region is steeped in history and within just a little over an hour’s drive from Porto you can visit the country’s first capital and a charming coastal town, known as the Venice of Portugal, that is a true hidden gem.

On this 9 hour private tour you will visit the towns of Coimbra and Aveiro. Coimbra’s historical roots date back to Roman times. It has played an important part in Portugal’s history over the centuries, and even served at the country’s first capital from 1131-1255. It is perhaps best known for its university, which is the oldest in the country and one of the oldest universities in the world.

Aveiro was also established in Roman times, and it served as an important seaport until the end of the 16th C. when a storm closed off the port. The old town center is crossed by a network of canals that is reminiscent of Venice, down to the gondola-like boats.  There are also picturesque wooden houses, once used by fisherman, that have been painted in bright colors and candy striped, so be sure to have your phone or camera fully charged for the photo ops.

Your guide/driver will pick you up at your hotel to begin your full day private tour. A suggested itinerary for the tour includes the following stops/visits:

Coimbra:

  • Panoramic tour of Coimbra’s historic city center
  • University Library
  • Cathedral
  • Monastery of Santa Cruz – houses the tombs of Portugal’s first two kings

Aveiro/Costa Nova:

  • Panoramic tour of Aveiro’s historic city center
  • Train station – historic building with beautiful blue azulejo (tile) exterior
  • Cathedral
  • River canals
  • Salt springs
  • Costa Nova – neighborhood with colorful striped houses

The tour can be customized to meet your specific interests. You will have time during the day to stop for lunch. If you have a sweet tooth be sure to ask your guide about Ovos Moles in Aveiro, a traditional confection that originated in a convent in Aveiro. Locals would say that to visit Aveiro and not try this unique treat is a sin.

2023 Prices and other info:

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

  • US $545 – Daily (start time at 9:00am / return at 6:00pm)

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

  • US $710 – Daily (start time at 9:00am / return at 6:00pm)

All tours:

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed guide/driver with transportation for 9 hours
  • Price does not include meals or entrance fees (if any), which are extra
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Portuguese law
  • Common languages available: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Note: Guide/driver is not authorized to conduct tours inside of monuments or museums.

Photo credit: Kondephy

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

por100

Filed Under: Portugal, Private Tours (Portugal) Tagged With: Aveiro, Coimbra, Porto (Private Tours) Day Trips

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