MAGICAL PORTUGAL

Day 1 (Sunday): BOGOTÁ– LISBON

Departure from your home city, with Lisbon as the final destination. Overnight on board. 

Day 2 (Monday): LISBON

Welcome to Portugal. Transfer to the hotel and free time. In the afternoon, you will find information about the start of your tour on the information boards located at the hotel reception.

Day 3 (Tuesday): LISBON

In the morning, we’ll take a panoramic tour of the city, during which we’ll explore the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, its narrow streets and azulejos, the “saudade,” and the Atlantic light. We’ll also visit the Belém neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free afternoon to stroll around and visit Barrio Alto and its viewpoint; if you wish, you can take an optional excursion to the towns of Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return from the lively Praça dos Restauradores, with its bars and cafés, back to the hotel.

Day 4 (Wednesday): LISBON - LAGOS - CAPE ST. VINCENT - ALBUFEIRA

We’ll set out early for southern Portugal. We’ll enjoy beautiful scenery as we cross the long bridge over the Tagus River. We’ll arrive in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region. We’ll explore the historic city of Lagos, with its strategic port—from which Portuguese ships once set sail for the African coast—and its historic district enclosed within its walls. Time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the westernmost tip of the European continent; amid ravines and windswept landscapes, we’ll visit Cape St. Vincent. We’ll also have the opportunity to photograph the nearby fortress of Sagres. Afterward, we’ll spend time in Albufeira, a beautiful coastal town, where you can enjoy the beach or stroll through its lively historic center. Overnight stay in Albufeira or a nearby town in the Algarve.

Day 5 (Thursday): ALBUFEIRA - MÉRTOLA - ÉVORA

We travel to Faro, the tranquil city in the Algarve, for a stroll. We continue our journey toward the Alentejo. On the banks of the Guadiana River, we visit Mértola, a walled “museum town” that was an important center during the Muslim era, dominated by its grand castle, which invites us to wander through its streets lined with white houses and corners steeped in history. We continue to Évora, where we’ll visit the Chapel of Bones (admission included), built with over 5,000 skeletons, before exploring this walled city—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with its medieval palaces, Gothic religious buildings, and ancient Roman temple.

Day 6 (Friday): ÉVORA - MARVÃO - CASTELO DE VIDE - TOMAR - FÁTIMA

Today we’ll travel through the beautiful landscapes of the Alentejo. We’ll stop in Marvão, a picturesque walled village that offers a fantastic panoramic view of the region. Afterward, we’ll visit Castelo da Vide and its grand castle. We’ll also have time to stroll through its old Jewish quarter, where we can visit the medieval synagogue (now a museum), or wander through the town’s labyrinth of narrow streets. After lunch, we continue to Tomar, a city dominated by the Convento de Cristo, a former Templar castle-convent; admission included. Before arriving in Fátima, we’ll stop in Aljustrel, the village where the three shepherd children who witnessed the Virgin Mary were born. We’ll be able to see Lucia’s house. Arrival in Fátima and free time at the Sanctuary of Fátima where, if you wish, you can witness the candlelight procession (not held in winter). Dinner included.

Day 7 (Saturday): FÁTIMA - PORTO

We’ll travel to northern Portugal. We’ll arrive in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, around 11:00 a.m. After arriving, we’ll take a 50-minute cruise down the Douro River on a “Rabelo,” a traditional Portuguese boat, to explore the city from the beautiful riverbank. Afterward, you’ll have free time to stroll through the lively Ribeira neighborhood, with its narrow streets lined with old merchants’ houses and cafés, before heading to the hotel.

Day 8 (Sunday): PORTO - BRAGA - BOM JESUS - GUIMARÃES - AVEIRO - COÍMBRA

Today we’ll enjoy beautiful scenery in northern Portugal. We’ll take a stroll through Braga, Portugal’s religious capital, with its historic cathedral. We’ll ride the world’s oldest funicular to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, where the views are breathtaking; we recommend walking back down to admire its stunning staircase. Guimarães was Portugal’s first capital, as the Palace of the Dukes reminds us. Time for lunch. We continue our journey toward the Atlantic to Aveiro, “the Venice of Portugal,” with its colorful houses. In Aveiro, we’ll take a ride on a Moliceiro, one of the city’s traditional boats, and explore its canals and salt flats while sampling a local sweet treat. We continue on to Coimbra, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 9 (Monday): COÍMBRA - BATALHA - NAZARÉ - ÓBIDOS - LISBON

We’ll spend some time in Coimbra, Portugal’s third-largest city, known for its historic university and charming, steep streets. We’ll continue south, stopping at the Monastery of Batalha (admission included), an impressive medieval mausoleum for kings. Time for lunch and a stroll in Nazaré, a fishing and seaside town. We include the elevator that takes us up to the old town with breathtaking views of the ocean. On the way to Lisbon, we stop in Óbidos, one of Portugal’s most beautiful villages, with its whitewashed streets lined with flowers. Lisbon, arrival around 7:30 p.m.

Day 10 (Tuesday): LISBON - BOGOTÁ

Breakfast. At the agreed-upon time in the morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bogotá.