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Sample Itineraries: Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve (Portugal)

May 22, 2019 By International Lodging Corporation

Portugal has so much to offer visitors, whether you are interested in exploring its culture and history, or enjoying its sandy beaches and leisure activities. If you are looking for a vacation that will allow you to satisfy both your cultural interests and your desire for some fun in the sun, consider combining a visit to Lisbon and Porto with a few days relaxing on the Algarve. In this sample itinerary you can explore the history, monuments and museums in the main cities of Lisbon and Porto and take a break in between to soak in some sun on the sandy beaches of the Algarve. If you have more time you can easily add a few more days to extend you stay in any or all of the locations.

The itinerary begins in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is the oldest city in Western Europe, and one of the oldest cities in the world. History buffs will enjoy the many cultural attractions that this city has to offer. But there are also other attractions, including a thriving art scene, trendy shops and boutiques, and a growing food scene that is turning out new young chefs who are collecting Michelin stars. To get to know Lisbon you have to really explore the different neighborhoods, such as the historic Alfama topped off with the São Jorge Castle, the sophisticated Chiado with its theaters and designer stores, or the vibrant restaurants and nightlife of the Bairro Alto. For more information on what to see in Lisbon, click here.

Your next stop is the sandy shores of the Algarve, one of Portugal’s most popular destinations for visitors. Located under 3 hours from Lisbon by car on the southern coast of the country, the Algarve has 100 miles of coastline that spans from the border with Spain to the town of Sagres, which is the most south-westerly tip of Europe. Many come to the Algarve to enjoy the 300 days of sunshine per year and the beautiful sandy beaches. But there is much more to the Algarve than just a beach.  For sports enthusiasts and people who enjoy the outdoors there are numerous activities to choose from, including golf, cycling, tennis, surfing, horseback riding, kayaking, rock climbing, kite surfing, and wake boarding, to name a few. Golf lovers can choose from the 70 courses found throughout the region and the many resorts that cater to all of their needs. For more information on what to do on the Algarve, click here.

For the last leg of the itinerary you can hop a short 1 hour and 10 minute flight from Faro to Porto in northern Portugal. Porto is the second largest city, and is perhaps best known for the fortified wine that bears its name. Many visit to learn more about Port wine and sample it at the many wine cellars that dot the banks of the Douro River, just across from the historic city center. But Portugal’s second largest city has much more to offer than just its eponymous wine. The city has a special old world charm and enchantment that you can feel as you stroll along its riverfront, visit its monuments, or walk down its ancient narrow streets and alleyways. For more information on what to see in Porto, click here.

Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve – 10 Days
  • Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon in the morning; sightseeing in the afternoon
  • Day 2: Sightseeing in Lisbon
  • Day 3: Day trip to Sintra, or Sintra, Cascais & Cabo da Roca
  • Day 4: Morning sightseeing in Lisbon, afternoon drive to the Algarve (270 km)
  • Day 5: Beach/sightseeing
  • Day 6: Beach/sightseeing
  • Day 7: Morning flight to Porto (1 hr 10 min); afternoon sightseeing
  • Day 8: Sightseeing in Porto
  • Day 9: Day trip to Douro Wine Country; visit vineyard with wine tasting
  • Day 10: Depart Porto to return home

Since all 3 cities have airports, you can switch the itinerary around to start and end in different cities. For example, you can start in Porto and work you way south to Lisbon and end in the Algarve, or you can fly into Faro to start on the Algarve and then work your way up to Lisbon and finish in Porto.

For more information on Lisbon day trips, click here.

For more information on Porto day trips, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Private tours are a great way to make the best use of the limited time you have in each city. Your English-speaking local guide will make sure you don’t miss any must-see sights, and will provide you with the history and insights behind the places you will visit. For more information on all of our Lisbon City Center, Day Trips and Wine Tours, click here. For more information on all of our Porto City Center, Day Trips and Wine Tours, click here.

Photo credit: Freebird / Photo of Praia dos Tres Irmaos beach

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

Filed Under: Places to See, Portugal Tagged With: Algarve, Cabo da Roca, Cascais, Douro, Lisbon, Porto, Portugal Itinerary Suggestions, Sintra

Sample Itineraries: Lisbon Getaway (Portugal)

March 27, 2019 By International Lodging Corporation

Lisbon is the perfect place to visit for travelers looking for a quick getaway for a week. This charming cosmopolitan city with a vibrant nightlife and booming food scene is the perfect place to call home so you can explore the city and its environs. Depending on your interests, you can spend an entire week in the city center doing a deep dive into the historical sites and monuments, bars, restaurants and shops. Or if you to prefer to venture out a bit, you can add one or more day trips to your itinerary so you can discover the history and beauty of some of the nearby towns. With Lisbon as your home base you won’t have to worry about moving to other hotels and packing/unpacking. Even if you venture out of the city center for day trips, you can still make it back to Lisbon in time for dinner.

In the city center you can explore the historic Alfama neighborhood that is topped off with a 12th C. castle, ride the wooden trams that traverse the city’s narrow streets, visit museums that feature everything from paintings, to tiles to royal coaches, tour the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Belém Tower, and finish off by enjoying a meal at a top rated restaurant with chefs that are gaining worldwide acclaim and Michelin stars in the popular Chiado and Bairro Alto areas.

If you decide to venture outside of the city center, there are a number of wonderful towns you can visit that are just 45 – 90 minutes away. You can rent a car or book a private tour with your own guide/transportation. For more information on what to see in Lisbon, click here.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon in the morning; sightseeing in the afternoon
  • Day 2: Sightseeing in Lisbon
  • Day 3: Day trip to Sintra, or Sintra, Cascais & Cabo da Roca
  • Day 4: Day trip to Obidos, Nazare, Batalha & Fatima or Day trip to Evora with Wine cellar visit
  • Day 5: Sightseeing & shopping in Lisbon
  • Day 6: Depart Lisbon to return home

For more information on Lisbon day trips, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Private tours are a great way to make the best use of the limited time you have in each city. Your English-speaking local guide will make sure you don’t miss any must-see sights, and will provide you with the history and insights behind the places you will visit. For more information on all of our Lisbon City Center, Day Trips and Wine Tours, click here.

Photo credit: Turismo de Portugal / Photo of panoramic view of Lisbon and São Jorge Castle

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

Filed Under: Places to See, Portugal Tagged With: Cabo da Roca, Cascais, Evora, Fátima, Lisbon, Nazaré, Óbidos, Portugal Itinerary Suggestions, Sintra

Cheers…Sintra’s Colares Wine Region (Portugal)

March 13, 2019 By International Lodging Corporation

The charming and picturesque town of Sintra, located about a half hour west of Lisbon, is a popular destination for travelers. Most visitors are drawn by the many historic sites located in this small town, including the stunning hilltop Pena Palace, the historic Sintra Palace in the town center, or the Quinta da Regaleira palace.

But many would be surprised to learn that nestled on the coastline between the hills of Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean is Portugal’s smallest and most distinct wine region. The Colares wine region is the second oldest demarcated wine region in Portugal, and the history of wine making in this region dates back to the Roman Empire. The vines are planted very close to the ground in sand trenches, with roots that can be 26 ft. deep. This unique growing environment saved the Colares wine region from becoming extinct when the phylloxera wine bug devastated nearly every vineyard in Europe in the late 19th C. The vines proved to be a deterrent to the insects, as they were unable to feed on the deep roots.

Despite overcoming the threat of total extinction in the late 1800s, the Colares wine region faced a different threat in the 1980s and 90s that was man-made. A strong surge in property development in the Sintra area resulted in a significant decline in the number of vineyards in the region. There has been a bit of a rebound in recent years, with vines now covering about 50 acres and more continuing to be planted. Interest in the wine has also increased, but given the low volume of production your best opportunity for sampling this unique wine will be in the region itself.

To highlight the wines of this unique region, the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais Hotel in Sintra has created the Seteais Colares DOC room for wine tastings. The elegant room is furnished with decorations from the Regional de Colares Winery. The menu includes wine tastings with either 2 or 3 Colares wines accompanied by a selection of tapas. The tasting lasts around 30-45 minutes and is offered from 3pm – 6pm. A dinner tasting menu with wine pairings is also offered. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability.

For more information on the 5-star Tivoli Palacio de Seteais Hotel hotel, click here.

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

Filed Under: Food Related, Portugal, Restaurants, Wine Related Tagged With: Cheers - Portugal, Portugal, Sintra, Sintra Restaurants, Wine Related - Portugal

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