The Algarve and Lisbon

Saturday, February 18 to Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Enjoy a nineteen-day winter escape to the Algarve, southern Portugal’s sunny seaside paradise, and Lisbon, Portugal’s exciting capital city. Golden beaches, unique coastline vistas and distinctive historical towns and villages offer the visitor a wealth of visual and cultural experiences. Our boutique 40-room hotel close to the town of Albufiera will be home for 12 nights. From here we tour exciting sites, lounge on the beach, or simply relax in comfort on our personal balcony. The program includes five escorted tours in the Algarve including a full-day tour of Seville, one of Europe’s most exciting cities. In addition, golf may be an option of interest to some of us. Following our time in the Algarve, we leave for Lisbon, once one of the most influential cities in Europe's evolution. En route we visit Evora, perhaps the finest tourist destinations of central Portugal. Its 5,000-year history offers us a delightful city that exudes Portuguese charm with its vast array of classic buildings, Roman antiquities and more. Then four more days to tour in Lisbon and area. Don Kasta will be the tour leader.


BOOKING INFORMATION

February 18 - March 07, 2023

Land only: $3,995.00 based on double occupancy.

Single supplement:$895.00

DOWNLOAD PDF OF ITINERARY

*If the tour is SOLD OUT, please contact us to be added to the waitlist.


ITINERARY

Day 1 - Saturday, February 18: Flight from Toronto to Portugal

Direct flight from Toronto to Lisbon, Portugal via Air Transat.

Day 2 - Sunday, February 19: Arrive in Portugal

Morning arrival in Lisbon and airport transfer by private coach to our hotel in Albufiera. Check in to our hotel, the Vila Gale Collection Praia. Settle in and a brief orientation walk of the immediate area before dinner.

Day 3 - Monday, February 20:

A relaxing day. Time to stock the larder for lunches and snacks, and walk on the beautiful beach. Late afternoon gathering for an aperitif and brief information session before dinner. For the golfers, we will be recommending local courses and transfer arrangements. 

Day 4 - Tuesday, February 21: Lagos and Sagres

Excursion to Lagos, a wonderful tour where you’ll have a chance to wander back in time to the era of the Portuguese primacy in the Age of Discoveries. We visit the Church of Saint Anthony, then on to the spectacular rock formations in Ponta da Piedade. Then we’re off to Sagres, the most westerly town of the Algarve and a prime destination for visitors who appreciate nature’s raw beauty. The region is noted for its massive cliffs and vast beaches, carved out through time by the huge Atlantic waves. Today these powerful waves have drawn experienced surfers to Sagres, and this in turn has allowed the town to gain an unobtrusive, cool vibe.

Day 5 - Wednesday, February 22: Albufiera

A casual walk to Albufeira to explore this former fishing village that has become a major holiday destination, with sandy beaches and a busy nightlife strip. Local fishermen now use the modern marina, also a base for diving, dolphin-watching and boat trips. It's surrounded by candy-colored apartments, with a waterfront promenade. 

Day 6 - Thursday, February 23: Day at leisure

Day on your own. For golfers, a day on the links?

Day 7 - Friday, February 24: Silves and Monchique

Silves and Monchique are our destinations for today. Silves is a typical regional town with small narrow streets, whitewashed houses and an imposing church situated next to the castle that dominates the whole town. The Castle of Silves is one of the most important historical monuments in the Algarve. This fortification has the form of an irregular polygon surrounded by a strong wall and outside the main door is a bronze sculpture of King Dom Sancho I. Time for lunch then on to Monchique. This magnificent town and its surrounding area are considered by many to be one of the most peaceful places in the Algarve. The mountains offer remarkable views over the landscape and is marvellous for lovers of nature walks. 

Day 8 - Saturday, February 25: Day at leisure

Enjoy the facilities at the hotel and the beach.

Day 9 - Sunday, February 26: Seville

A full-day tour by coach to unforgettable Seville, the capital of the region of Andalusia and home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its historic centre is dominated by the colossal Gothic cathedral, a superb mix of resplendent Mudéjar palaces, baroque churches and winding medieval lanes. There are many outstanding sites within this former Moorish capital. 

Day 10 - Monday, February 27: Loulé

Join your tour leader for a bus trip to Loulé, an authentic Portuguese market town. Its historic centre features an Arabian-inspired covered market with stalls selling fresh produce and regional handicrafts. Surrounding the market are busy shopping streets, tree-lined plazas and a warren of alleys, all barely changed since the medieval period. Time to shop and visit the ancient castle, a Gothic church, and traditional tradesmen’s houses. 

Day 11 - Tuesday, February 28: Day at leisure

Free day to enjoy the area.

Day 12 - Wednesday, March 01: Personal choices

Our final day in the Algarve. One more game of golf or relax and prepare for our transfer to Lisbon.

Day 13 - Thursday, March 02: Evora

We say "Adeus" to the Algarve and as we travel north to Evora, one of Portugal's most famous tourist cities. It was of significance when it was ruled by the Romans and is on the list of “1000 Places To See Before You Die.” A late lunch before continuing on to Cascais, a lovely resort town close to Lisbon and our home on the beach for the next five nights. 

Day 14 - Friday, March 03: Lisbon

This morning our local guide leads us on a panoramic tour of Lisbon, a city best known for its colonial history, ornate architecture and tradition of  Fado music. Its postcard-perfect panorama of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals present a captivating scene crafted over centuries. Visits will include the compact Alfama District, the Tower of Belem, the grand Jeronimos Monastery constructed in the early 16th century and financed with profits generated by the spice trade. The nearby stunning Monument of the Discoveries was designed to commemorate the Age of Discoveries in Portugal. After a late lunch, optional harbour boat tour or a walk through the old part of Lisbon. 

Day 15 - Saturday, March 04: Personal Choices

A day for personal choices. Perhaps Fatima with its shrine, returning to Lisbon for an afternoon of individual sightseeing. Or a full day in the city to explore sights of personal interest. Your guide will assist with any arrangements.

Day 16 - Sunday, March 05: Estorial and Sintra

Estorial and Sintra are our destinations for today. Estoril is a stylish and sophisticated resort town, situated on the beautiful Costa do Estoril coastline. This town strikes the perfect balance between Portuguese charm and outstanding tourist facilities; elegant villas, grandiose hotels and quality bars and eateries all situated in a general atmosphere of luxury with tailored gardens.
In Sintra we visit the historic center famous for its 19th-century Romanticist architecture, royal palaces and castles which resulted in the classification of the town and its historic passage as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight a traditional Fado concert!

Day 17 - Monday, March 06: Day in Cascais

Day to relax in Cascais. Enjoy the amenities of our hotel or engage in some retail therapy at the nearby shops. Tonight is our farewell dinner. 

Day 18 - Tuesday, March 07: Return flight to Toronto

After breakfast, transfer to the Lisbon airport for our direct flight to Toronto.

ITINERARY PDF

EXPLORE THE AREA

INCLUDED

• Group coach transfers as per itinerary; • 4-star accommodation in both the Algarve and Cascais; • Daily breakfast; 2 dinners in the Algarve and 2 dinners in Cascais; • Selected excursions in both the Algarve region and Lisbon area; • Services of Pauwels tour staff member and local tour escorts as required.

NOT INCLUDED

• Air fare • Items of a personal nature; • Beverages with meals; • Travel insurance: available on request from the Agency.

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