"Sunny South" Group tour

April 2-8, 2011
June 1-7, 2011
September 19-25, 2011

1368 Euros per person
Land Only - Based on Double Occupancy
300 Euros - Single Supplement

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Lisbon

Welcome to Lisbon! Awaiting you at the airport is a transfer ready to take you to your hotel. Depending on the hour of your arrival, you'll enjoy some free time. Accommodation at a hotel, in Lisbon.

Day 2: Lisbon

Breakfast at the hotel.

We begin our tour in the morning with a visit throughout Lisbon. The Portuguese capital - known as the city of the seven hills, was once the centre of the maritime discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries, from where ancient ships set sail towards the unknown, thus discovering and laying the foundations of the modern world. This is a city eternalized in the architectural craftsmanship of the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both considered to be World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Lisbon's charm lies in the strong links it maintains with the past: palaces, majestic churches and an imposing castle that rests on the city's highest hill are the testimonies of this bond. The city's rich artistic and cultural productions mirror the modern world where several cultures influence and are influenced by Portugal.

We will take a stroll through the city's downtown area. This particular zone was rebuilt after the famous 1755 Lisbon earthquake. We will also visit Belém and Parque das Nações, the place where Expo 98 was held.

Accommodation at a hotel, in Lisbon.

Day 3: Lisbon, Évora, Arraiolos, Reguengos de Monsaraz  

Breakfast at the hotel.

From Lisbon, we will proceed to Arraiolos where we will discover this traditional Alentejo village of whitewash houses decorated with blue and yellow stripes. Its castle keeps guard over the plain and the village. You should not miss the opportunity of discovering the mysteries that animate the art of one of the Portuguese most traditional arts: the carpet of Arraiolos.

Located within a 62km distance from the Spanish borderline and rising out from the vastness of the plains of Alentejo stands the ancient city of Évora, protected by the walls of its castle. In here, you will find Portugal's most well preserved Roman temple, commonly known as Temple of Diana. This monument dates back from the 2nd C. A.D. and was an important stronghold during the Middle Ages. In the 19th century it was used as a slaughterhouse. You may still unravel what remains of its original Roman walls of the 1st century between the palaces of Duques do Cadaval and Condes de Basto.

Évora's beauty also extends to its impressive 9km aqueduct, built from 1531 to 1537. The plain that surrounds it is the physical proof that Humankind has inhabited this area from thousands of years ago to the present day. We have over 200 tapirs and dolmens.

From Évora, we will depart to Reguengos de Monsaraz where we will spend the night.

Accommodation at Reguengos de Monsaraz.

Day 4: Reguengos de Monsaraz, Beja, Lagoa

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will proceed with our visit southwards. Arising from the flat plain like a pyramid, we will enter the Most Honored and Noble Beja, capital city of the Low Alentejo region. Founded either by Julius Cesar or by the Emperor Augustus, this city was known as Pax Julia from the Roman occupation of the area until 711, date of its Arab conquest. Finally recovered in 1932, this date commemorates the effective conquest of the Alentejo region and acts as the ultimate forerunner of what was awaiting the Moorish kingdom of Silves.

We will visit the city's completely accessible historical centre with its emblematic monuments: the city's castle embellished with a magnificent watchtower, the cathedral, the church of Santa Maria da Feira, the church of Misericórdia, among others.

When visiting Beja, the kingdom of Algarve awaits us and, once we enter its domains, we will continue with our journey towards Lagoa where we will spend the night.

Accommodation at Lagoa.

Day 5: Lagoa, Lagos, Lagoa

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will spend the day at the ancient city of Lagos. During the 15th century, this city's main function was that of a shelter to the African coast's explorers. Due to the frenetic affluence of people with an entrepreneurial spirit that converged to this region, Lagos soon became one of the kingdom's most opulent cities.

We will visit the city's historical centre with its beautiful church of Santo António.

Accommodation at Lagoa.

Day 6: Lagoa, Alcácer do Sal, Lisbon

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will depart from Lagoa in the morning towards Lisbon, where we will arrive by the end of the afternoon. On the way, we will visit Alcácer do Sal. The city's castle is one of the last Arab fortifications that has survived the decay of time and has reached our days. Following a construction plan of natural lines, this castle is located in the same place where once a megalithic citadel and a Roman castelum were. The annals refer that, in the year 966, a Viking group attacked to the castle. However, it was vehemently repelled by the castle's strong defenses.

Accommodation at Lisbon.

Day 7: Free day and departure Home

Transfer back to Lisbon Airport with wonderful lifelong memories!