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.
February 18 - March 07, 2023
Single supplement:$895.00
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*If the tour is SOLD OUT, please contact us to be added to the waitlist.
Direct flight from Toronto to Lisbon, Portugal via Air Transat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy the facilities at the hotel and the beach.
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.
Free day to enjoy the area.
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.
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 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.
• 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.
• Air fare • Items of a personal nature; • Beverages with meals; • Travel insurance: available on request from the Agency.
March 20 - 28, 2024
Land only: $2,869 per person based on double occupancy
April 05 - 15, 2024
Land only: $3,875 based on double occupancy
April 06 - 20, 2024
$7,148 per person based on double occupancy. Includes air.