Portugal’s Douro Valley & Lisbon for Solo Travellers

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Portugal’s Douro Valley & Lisbon for Solo Travellers

8 Days - Solo Traveller

Holiday Highlights

Experience the spectacular Douro Valley and sample distinctive Douro wines produced from the vineyards of your idyllic hotel;
Discover Lisbon’s numerous gems and the soul of the city with a local guide ;
Explore Porto, the second-largest city, with a local expert and enjoy a visit to a renowned port wine lodge followed by a tasting;
Marvel at the mountain resort town of Sintra with its flamboyant palaces and pastel-hued villas;
Explore captivating Coimbra, crowned by one of Europe’s oldest universities;
Wander along the canals of Aveiro, the ‘Venice of Portugal’, and admire its colourful gondola-style boats;
Visit Batalha’s imposing UNESCO-listed Gothic monastery;
Enjoy the Baroque town of Lamego and charming Obidos with its medieval walls;
Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers;
Seven nights in excellent four-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast and four dinners;
Plus your tour manager’s drinks reception and a welcome dinner to meet your fellow travellers;
The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout;

Itinerary

Day 1

You will be greeted at the airport by a member of the Riviera Travel team to help you check-in for your flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival, we transfer to the four-star Olissippo Oriente in the modern ‘Expo 98’ area of traditional Lisbon. Settle in before rejoining the group this evening for your tour manager's welcome drinks reception, followed by dinner at a local restaurant specialising in traditional Portuguese cuisine – the perfect way to meet your fellow travellers and start immersing yourself in the local culture.

Day 2

Morning This morning a short rail journey takes us into the historic core of Lisbon, where our local guide takes us on an enlightening walking tour. See the Alfama neighbourhood, once a humble fishing village and now a Moorish quarter of cobbled streets – somewhere within this maze in the 19th century, the distinctive music style of fado was born. Rising above this characterful neighbourhood is the Castle of São Jorge, and within its walls are the gardens and narrow streets of the delightful Santa Cruz quarter. See the Romanesque Sé cathedral, built in 1150 to commemorate the city’s reconquest from the Moors; Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s finest square bordered by grand, Classical buildings and the triumphal Baroque arch that forms the backdrop for the statue of King José I. Experience the lively Rossio square, flanked by ornate fountains and where locals gather in charming pavement cafes to watch the world go by. Afternoon The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, so enjoy lunch in one of the city’s countless fantastic eateries – an ideal chance to sample classic Portuguese cuisine such as bacalhau, a delicious, salt-cured cod dish. After, you may wish to visit the castle, relax with a refreshing drink in one of the many attractive squares, or return to the hotel where you can catch the nearby cable car along the lovely riverfront area. In the evening, you may wish to have dinner to the sounds of fado, Portugal’s signature music style – see our Personalise Your Holiday section for details.

Day 3

Morning This morning, we journey inland to the wooded highlands of Sintra, once the summer residence of the kings of Portugal looking to escape the heat. During your free time to explore, marvel at the beautiful pastel-hued manors and extravagant town hall, or take the time to visit one of the magnificent royal palaces. The atmospheric town was beloved by Byron who described it so poetically: ‘Palaces and gardens rising in the midst of rocks, cataracts and precipices, convents on stupendous heights, a distant view of the sea and the Tagus… it unites in itself all the wildness of the Western Highlands with the verdure of the South of France.’ Afternoon After lunch, we return to the River Tagus to visit one of Portugal’s most iconic sights, the massive Monument to the Discoveries, built in 1960 to commiserate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. Lining either side dramatically are stone statues of Portuguese heroes from the Age of Discovery including Magellan. We then see the 16th-century Belém tower, commissioned by Manuel I as a fortress in the middle of the Tagus and a proud symbol of the nation’s great era of expansion. We also visit the spectacular Jerónimos Monastery, the culmination of Manueline architecture and the final resting place of Vasco da Gama. In the evening, we sit down to an included dinner at our hotel, during which you can share your impressions of Lisbon with your fellow travellers.

Day 4

Morning Departing Lisbon this morning, we head north and call at Obidos, a fortified town surrounded by imposing medieval walls encompassing its maze of narrow streets and alleys. With its whitewashed houses, abundant flowers and splashes of bright paint, this is a delightful place to just lose yourself. Step back in time to the days of the Moorish Arabs who once ruled from the town’s castle. Do try the local take on Ginjinha, the sour cherry liqueur – served in an edible chocolate cup! Afternoon We then continue to the small and aptly named town of Batalha, borne from a battle between two pretenders to the Portuguese throne. To acknowledge divine assistance in defeating his challenger, King João I ordered the founding of the town and the construction of the magnificent monastery that stands dominantly like an imposing guardian. You may wish to have lunch in one of the cafés surrounding the monastery before exploring the Royal Cloister or visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We then continue on to the spectacular city of Coimbra with an expert local guide, the medieval capital for over a century, crowned by one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Cascading down a hillside is its atmospheric old town with its multi-coloured collage of ancient buildings we will discover the soul of the city. We stay overnight at the elegant four-star Tivoli Coimbra, located just a short walk from the historic core, where our group will share dinner at the hotel’s cosy restaurant.

Day 5

Morning This morning, we travel to the coast to visit delightful Aveiro, a real hidden gem. Set along a coastal lagoon teeming with birdlife, this traditional fishing town is reminiscent of Venice with its pastel-coloured buildings and picture-postcard canals. Enjoy a stroll through the narrow streets lined with colourful cottages or should you wish, take a relaxing boat ride on a colourful moliceiro, a gondola-like boat. Afternoon After a leisurely lunch in Aveiro, we return to Coimbra where you have the afternoon to independently explore more of the town’s quaint charms and vibrant student atmosphere. Perhaps visit the UNESCO-listed university to see its majestic collection of buildings, including the Paço das Escolas housed in a former royal palace, the iconic clock tower built in the 18th century, and last but certainly not least – the famous Baroque library that features an extraordinary 40,000 books.

Day 6

Morning This morning we enjoy a tour of the UNESCO-listed historic city centre of Porto, with a local expert, uncovering its major sights including the 13th-century cathedral and the stunning Baroque tower of the Clerigos Church. Experience the splendid Praça da Ribeira square with its distinctively tiled townhouses and unhindered views of the wine lodges across the river. Afternoon Eating well is a long-standing tradition here, and there is time for an authentic lunch at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants. For atmosphere and fresh seafood, the eateries on the riverfront promenade are a reliable choice. One of the best ways to walk off a hearty meal is by browsing the many little shops dotted across the city, specialising in fine art, antiques, ceramics and all manner of goods. Try the local pastries – some of the most delicious you’ll ever taste. Porto is synonymous with the port wine trade, so no visit here is complete without a visit to one of the city’s renowned wine lodges, so we now head to arguably the greatest one. At Taylor’s Port Lodge, we learn the fascinating history of port wine and its close British connections. Taking its name from the city through which it is shipped, this fortified wine is made with grapes from the vineyards of the Douro Valley and are still, staggeringly, trodden by foot. Of course, you’ll get the chance at the end of the fascinating visit to sample this wonderful drink. We then follow the winding River Douro inland to our hotel for the next two nights, the four-star Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa.

Day 7

Morning Today we venture to historic Lamego, for some free time to explore. It was one of the first places to be reclaimed from the Moors in the 12th century and replete with elegant Baroque mansions. Dominating the skyline on a hill is the ancient church, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Remedies, which itself is perched formidably atop an incredible ceremonial stairway adorned with attractive azulejos, the country’s famous painted tilework. Bringing relief to the pilgrimage of 600 steps are many ornamental gardens, fountains and sculptures. Afternoon After lunch, we return to our hotel where we have time to relax and enjoy its excellent facilities, such as the indoor and outdoor pools, as well as the spa. This evening, we gather to sample the excellent wines produced by the hotel itself, while a local enthusiast shares fascinating insights into the wine culture of the area. Then we enjoy our farewell dinner – a wonderful conclusion to a week-long adventure shared with your newfound friends.

Day 8

We transfer to the airport for your return flight.

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Day 3

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