THE SOUTH OF PORTUGAL

A day of discovery awaits you in the town of Evora with its mosaic of culture, history and tradition. In the narrow streets of the whitewashed town, stroll along visiting some of the most important monuments: the Roman Temple, the Romanesquegothic Cathedral, Saint Francis Church with its “Bones Chapel“, and the University. At the market, delve into the rich culinary products used to prepare the elaborate gastronomic delights of Portugal. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to discover the city and Portugal’s culinary scene on your own. Overnight in Evora. (B)

Have breakfast at your hotel and enjoy part of the morning at leisure in Evora, then drive southward passing Beja where you will see the highest tower of Portuguese Medieval castles. Crossing small mountains, we enter the Algarve. After passing fields of orange trees, we arrive in Silves, the renowned town dominated by its red sandstone castle. Continue to the golden sands of the Algarve by Praia da Rocha before reaching Lagos. (B)

After breakfast at your hotel head on to “Ponta da Piedade” and admire the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Sagres, a fishing port, for a visit to the fortress where the “navigation school” is forever linked with Prince Henry the Navigator during the first days of Atlantic navigation and the discovery of the African coast. Proceed along to the cliffs to Cabo Sao Vincente, the most southwestern point in Europe. This afternoon, take time to savor the flavors of Lagos, a cosmopolitan town with a marina and fishing port where you can taste delicious Algarve dishes, such as fish and shellfish cooked in a copper pan (cataplana) or fine sweets, such as the famous marzipan almond and fig cakes. Overnight in Lagos. (B)

This morning, take a last look at the water while traveling along the coast as you say farewell to the Algarve. The return trip to Lisbon will take you by the city of Setubal, a major port and industrial center on the north bank of the Sado estuary. Next, travel the scenic route over the Arrabida Mountain Range, an area preserved as a Natural Park with amazing scenery and unique vegetation at the gates of Lisbon. Crossing the bridge over the Tagus River, we arrive in Lisbon. (B)

Savor breakfast at your hotel before your departure transfer to Lisbon Airport for your flight home. (B)