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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Meals 10 buffet breakfats (BB); 6 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Lisbon Hotels LISBON Mundial (F), TOMAR Dos Templarios (F), OPORTO Dom Henrique (F), VISEU Grao Vasco (F), EVORA Albergaria Vitoria (F), ALGARVE Vilamoura Beach (F) at Vilamoura
Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2: Arrival in Lisbon, Portugal. (Mon.) Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and have a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) Day 3: Lisbon. (Tue.) Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa and did not subside until the 1970s. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tagus, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and on along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Then enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the quarter of the seamen. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Exciting optional excursions to the royal palace of Sintra and dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment are available. (BB) Day 4: Lisbon–Fatima–Tomar. (Wed.) First stop on your northbound journey is medieval Obidos. Go back in time as you pass the main gate in the impressive perimeter wall and walk along the narrow streets. Continue to Alcobaça to visit the Church of SANTA MARIA MONASTERY, built in the 12th century for 999 Cistercian monks. See the elaborate tombs of King Pedro I and his Castilian lover Inês de Castro and hear how she was murdered at the order of Pedro’s father. The fishing harbor of Nazaré is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch break. In the afternoon mix with the pilgrims at the country’s hallowed national shrine, Fatima’s SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. Overnight in Tomar, the historic seat of the mighty Order of the Knights of Christ. (BB,D) Day 5: Tomar–Oporto. (Thu.) Visit the hilltop CONVENT OF CHRIST with its famous Manueline window. Further north, the ROMAN RUINS OF CONIMBRIGA are eloquent testimony to centuries of Roman influence. Tour the excavations, view the well-preserved mosaics, and visit the excellent MUSEUM. On to Coimbra, strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Mondego River. After a visit to the gilded baroque LIBRARY of its 700-year-old university, drive through the ancient BUÇACO FOREST on your way to Oporto, Portugal’s second-largest city. (BB,D) Day 6: Oporto. (Fri.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, the soaring cathedral, the richly decorated CHURCH OF SAO FRANCISCO, and the STOCK EXCHANGE with its contemporary ARABIAN HALL inspired by Granada’s Alhambra. Next, visit a PORT WINE CELLAR where the famous wine produced from grapes of the Douro Valley is aged in huge vats. Afternoon at leisure, and tonight why not join an optional dinner at one of Oporto’s typical restaurants? (BB) Day 7: Oporto–Viseu. (Sat.) Head inland to Guimaraes, often referred to as the “Cradle of Portugal” because of its association with the country’s first king, Alfonso Henriques. Next is Vila Real, former capital of Portugal’s northeastern region of Trás-os-Montes. Just outside the town visit the splendid park and manor of PALACIO DE MATEUS, whose picture graces the label of the excellent Mateus rosé wine. From here a scenic road through the port wine vineyards leads to Viseu, believed to have been the home of the Lusitanian leader Viriate who resisted the Roman conquest. (BB,D) Day 8: Viseu–Evora. (Sun.) This morning, your first stop is in Belmonte, today a symbol of Jewish awakening, and visit the JEWISH MUSEUM. Afternoon break in Castelo de Vide, an enchanting small town. Time to walk through the Jewish Quarter with its white-washed houses and take pictures of the 14th century castle. Continue to Evora, the cultural center of southern Portugal and a former royal residence. (BB,D) Day 9: Evora–Algarve. (Mon.) A massive wall surrounds Evora’s medieval center, classified as a World Heritage Site. A Local Guide will take you on a walking tour through its narrow alleys to the Roman Temple, the early gothic CATHEDRAL, Portas de Moura Fountain, and SAO FRANCISCO CHURCH. Visit the OSSUARY CHAPEL, whose walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls. Next, proceed across the arid Alentejo plain to the Algarve, Portugal’s most popular holiday area. Tonight is your chance to try one of the seafood restaurants for which the Algarve is famous. (BB) Day 10: Algarve Excursion. (Tue.) Today you may prefer to relax, explore this beautiful resort at your own pace, or join the included excursion along the enchanting southern coastline. History comes alive as you reach the wind-swept PROMONTORY OF SAGRES, where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas expansion. Only a few miles away is Cape St. Vincent, the southwestern corner of continental Europe, a dramatic cliff defying the waves of an ever-angry Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a lunch break in pretty Lagos and return to your hotel. (BB,D) Day 11: Algarve–Lisbon. (Wed.) North to Setúbal, a major port and industrial center on the north bank of the Sado Estuary. Then the scenic route over the Serra da Arrábida and savor sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle of Sesimbra, which recall fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th, you’re back in Lisbon for the last evening of an exciting touring adventure. (BB) Day 12: (Thu.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
City Highlights LISBONWelcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit Jeronimos Monastery and the AlfamaOBIDOSVisit the medieval townALCOBAÇAVisit Santa Maria MonasteryNAZARÉLunch stopFATIMAVisit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the RosaryTOMARGuided visit of the Convent of ChristCONIMBRIGAVisit of the Roman ruins and the museumCOIMBRAVisit the University LibraryBUÇACO FORESTVisit the national parkOPORTOGuided sightseeing, visit the Church of Sao Francisco, and the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange; wine tasting in a port wine cellarVILA REALVisit the Palacio de MateusBELMONTEVisit the Jewish MuseumCASTELO DE VIDEAfternoon stopEVORAGuided sightseeing, visit the Gothic cathedral, the Sao Francisco Church, and the Ossuary ChapelALGARVEExcursion to the Promontory of Sagres Price Details US Single room supplement: $397Triple room reduction per person: $50Extra nights per person in Lisbon:in single room $150, in twin room $83, in triple room $74 CURRENT SPECIALS: Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus Discount for young travelers Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.
Pay less for your second vacation We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.
Triple room reduction On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.
Avoid the single room supplement We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!
Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel? Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!
*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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