Made for Spain & Portugal
The Ultimate Travel Experience in Spain & Portugal
ITINERARY PROPOSAL
SPAIN
“Spain is one of the most diverse and visually spectacular countries in Europe - overwhelming it´s visitors with fascinating sights, charming towns and incredible landscapes. Although it is a small country, it is rich in contrasts and widely known for its several customs including flamenco, bullfights, festivals, crowded beaches and emerald green mountains. With an innate flair for style and design, Spain´s architecture shapes the country with a unique mixture of historical and modern buildings. Whether discovering beautiful avant-garde designs from architects such as Gaudí, Rafael Moneo and Santiago Calatrava or traveling back in time with Velazquez, Goya and Picasso in one of the marvelous museums – there is something for everyone in the form of Spanish art. Be captured by the Spanish lifestyle including its nightlife and flamenco. You can hear the harsh foot stomping, castanet rattling, hand clapping and passionate guitar sound while walking through small streets. Spaniards believe the best times of all are shared with friends and family over a great bottle of wine or pitcher of sangria and delicious regional food that you can taste in one of the many tapas bars, sidewalk cafés or taverns. The food is one of the highest qualities that can be found in Europe. Spain has become a world leader in gastronomy. Whether its architecture in Barcelona, music in Andalusia, food in the Basque country or art in Madrid – the country is bursting at the seams with a creativity and zest for life that can only be found here. Shape Paths And Ink your own Novel in the country that never sleeps…!”
PORTUGAL
Portugal lies along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula in south Western Europe. It shares a border with Spain in the east and north, while the Atlantic dominates the coastline in the west and south. Occupying about 16 percent of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal (including Madeira and Azores) has a population of over 10 million people. Despite its relatively small size, the country boasts a great diversity of geographical features, from golden plains to mountainous zones. Moreover, its location allows quick access not only to several European countries, but also to the east coast of the American and African continents. Portuguese is spoken by more than 200 million people in several continents, including Europe, Africa and America. This diversity has contributed to the deepening of historical and cultural ties between Portugal and the world.
The state form is a pluralistic democracy. Under the Constitution, the organs of sovereignty are the President, the Parliament, the Government and the Courts. As a member of the European Union and NATO, Portugal plays a greater role in both European and world affairs than its size would suggest. Portugal is part of the group of EU countries, where the Euro is the official currency and common to all.
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1 / LISBON ARRIVAL – EVORA Arrival to Lisbon Airport / flight details to be advised Meet your driver at the arrivals hall with a sign board Private Sedan Transfer from Airport to Evora provided by Made for Spain / 1, 30 hrs Drop off at Hotel Convento do Espinheiro Starwood Luxury Collection 5*/ Rural Resort style The Hotel Convento do Espinheiro is fascinating for its history, authentic for its charm and only one hour away from Lisbon, the hotel has given new life to a 15th century convent, considered a national monument, where important nobles throughout history helped shape Portugal's destiny. Located at 15 minutes driving outside Évora, a city of outstanding beauty, and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a treasure with much to offer, not only historically and culturally, but also in gastronomy.
Its 90 rooms are divided into two buildings with rooms and suites decorated in a modern and classic style. Dripping with a storied history, the gardens surrounding the chapel have been producing exceptional extra-virgin olive oil since 1098. Wonder amongst the age-old olive trees and Manueline style cloisters. Among its facilities, the hotel features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Spa, Gym and two restaurants.
Rest of day at leisure to recover from the journey and enjoy the hotel installations
Stress relieving massage included
Day 2 / EVORA Breakfast at hotel 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM Full Day Excursion to Evora and wine tasting at Convento do Espinheiro
Meet your local expert guide at the lobby of the hotel 9:20 AM Transfer with your local expert guide to Evora easily by taxi 9:30 AM – 12:15 PM Private guided Tour to Evora Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and known as the “museum city”, in Évora, we find traces of 2000 years of history. Its architectural and artistic heritage is so present and impressive that will guide your steps, especially if you like to walk without destination. All historic eras are represented in this city, from the roman to neoclassic and you may also see other styles such as gothic, renaissance and baroque. The main square named Praça do Giraldo, is located right in the heart of the city. Here, you will get to know a more dynamic and commercial side of Évora. You can also see the 16th Century St. Anton’s Church and the popular Henriquina Fountain, considered a national monument since 1910.
The Gothic and Manueline architecturally influenced Church of St. Francis is indeed a pearl of its own. The space so elegantly occupied by golden altars and painted blue tiles will eventually lead you to the most relevant section of the church, the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). The entire chapel is covered with about 5.000 human bones and skulls, and was built by Franciscan monks during the Catholic revival era. The message behind this was to make one contemplate the brevity of life.
Évora’s Cathedral is by far, the most dominating site in the whole town and the largest cathedral in Portugal. It is another vestige of Roman presence, although the cathedral is clearly an example of Gothic influenced architecture. Inside, you may enter the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (also known as Chapel of Esporão), and observe the fine decoration representative of the Renaissance movement. Continue your visit discovering the Convento dos Loios and admire its traditional Portuguese tile decoration. The convent buildings house now a pousada. The facade of the church was modified after the 1755 earthquake, except the porch that protects the flaming gothic cover.
12:15 PM Transfer back to Hotel Convento do Espinheiro 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Enjoy a wine tasting at the premises The origins of the Convento do Espinheiro are connected to a legend that tells of an apparition of the Virgin Mary above a thorn-bush, espinheiro, around the year 1400. In 1412, an oratory was built in honour of Our Lady and finally in 1458, during the reign of King Afonso V, and due to increasing pilgrimage, a church and convent were built and settled by monks of the Order of St. Jerónimo, who stayed here until 1835. In the Alentejo region, eating, drinking and snaking (petiscos) are rituals, ways of socializing, of entertainment friends and guests, of celebrating. It is customary to say that, in a true Alentejo’s house, whether rich or poor, the table is always set. The wines are emblematic of the region. There are more than 250 producers, with an area under cultivation in the order of 22.000 hectares. You will discover the exquisite local wines with a professional Sommelier at the wine cellar, originally a gothic water reservoir dating back to the 15th century.
Accommodation in Evora: Hotel & Spa Convento Do Espinheiro / Heritage Deluxe Convent Double room
10 AM - 4 PM Full Day Excursion to Herdade da Mata Farm & Cartuxa Winery
Meet you driver outside the main entrance of your hotel 10 AM Private transfer provided by Made for Spain to the farm 10:45 AM Arrival to Herdade da Mata Farm 10:45 AM – 1:45 PM Meet the owners and enjoy a tour of their farm and a picnic. Take a day trip to the Herdade Da Mata farm in Evora, where you will enjoy a tour and a picnic lunch. The Swiss owners, Barbara and George Thomman, live on the grounds and will be delighted to share what life is like on a typical Alentejo farm, from breeding cattle horses and goats to running the equestrian school.
You will have the opportunity to see 200 mother cows, 100 of them are of the particularly endangered Portuguese “Garvonesa“ breed. The farm offers spectacular views of the gorgeous landscape and lake dotted with endangered cows, Lusitano mares and their fillies, and many different species of birds.
1:45 PM Meet your driver and transfer to Cartuxa Winery
2:30 PM Arrival to Cartuxa Winery and meet your host
2:30 PM - 4 PM Cartuxa Winery guided tour The Eugénio de Almeida Foundation is a private institution of public utility set up in 1963, with its head office in Évora. Vineyards are an integral part of the Alentejo Region since time immemorial and the Cartuxa Winery has been making its own wine since the 19th century. The grapes are processed in a former Jesuit house, which became part of the National Heritage in 1755, and where a large wine press has been in operation since 1776.
In this historic setting the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation continually invests in quality, and now boasts a sizeable modern winery. All the work and effort devoted to acquiring knowledge of the vines, the grape varieties and the winemaking techniques have resulted in characterful wines with unique styles.
During the course of the visit along the main area of the French oak barrels where the maturation process takes place and then passes through the old areas of fermentation. Learn about the aromatic characteristics of some major grape varieties of the Alentejo region. 4 PM End of the experience and transfer back to hotel 4:15 PM Arrival to hotel Rest of day at leisure to enjoy the hotel installations Accommodation in Evora: Hotel & Spa Convento Do Espinheiro / Heritage Deluxe Convent Double room
Day 4 / EVORA - COIMBRA – PORTO
Breakfast at hotel Check out and settle incidental accounts 9 AM Meet your driver outside the main entrance of the hotel Private transfer to Coimbra 11:30 AM Arrival to Coimbra and meet your local guide 10:15 AM – 1:15 PM Private guided visit of Coimbra Discover the Old Quarters, Coimbra’s University and the Old Cathedral. After some leisure time and a lunch of local delicacies, you will be whisked off to Coimbra, for the second half of your excursion. Once the capital of Portugal, Coimbra is now a major cultural center and home to the University of Coimbra, the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world. Your guide will take you on a tour of the university’s UNESCO World Heritage Site campus, as well as Coimbra’s old quarter, Roman aqueduct and cathedral. On your way back to Porto, your head will surely be buzzing from the culture-packed day.
Leisure time for lunch / your guide will suggest you good local restaurants 2:30 PM Meet your driver and transfer to Porto 4 PM Arrival to Porto At first glance, Portugal’s “second city” looks like a page out of a pop-up book; soaring bell towers, extravagant Baroque churches and stately Beaux-Arts buildings seem to tumble down its hills, stopping just short of plunging into the Douro River below. The only way to discover the stories that each crack in the tiled facade hides, is to wander through the narrow streets that seem to zigzag to nowhere. Porto rewards those that take her on with curious minds and open hearts. Although such streets are dotted with crumbling homes and storefronts, once you poke your head inside you will find that residents haven’t let the old-word style hinder the cultural renaissance that they’ve brought to the city. Modernity and history are seamlessly fused throughout Porto, be that in hip petisco bars serving age-old recipes in an elevated style, or fabulously sleek museums situated a stone’s throw from Roman ruins.
Between sipping port wine in its birthplace, having to stop every 100 meters in awe of architectural wonders, and cruising through the lush Douro valley by boat, you will quickly learn that life in Porto is built around pleasure, so let yourself go and indulge in all of the beautiful details it has to offer.
Drop off at The Yeatman Hotel 5*
The Yeatman Hotel in the historic port wine cellar district in Oporto (Portugal). It is the city's address of choice for discerning travellers and wine lovers as well as those visiting Oporto and the north of Portugal. It is set in extensive landscaped gardens enjoying panoramic views. Shopping venues are about 1 km away and the railway station is around 25 minutes' walk from the hotel
Constructed in 2010, this city hotel is a tranquil heaven where guests can unwind in an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication. In addition to a lobby area with 24-hour reception and check-out services, facilities available to guests at this family-friendly establishment include a safe, cloakroom and lift access, as well as a bar, TV lounge, restaurant and conference facilities.
Rooms are 36m² in size and enjoy views of the historic city of Porto, the Douro River and feature a private balcony where guests enjoy spectacular sunsets. In addition to a private bathroom with a bathtub, shower and hairdryer, in-room amenities include a direct dial telephone, satellite/cable TV, radio and Internet access, as well as a minibar and a double or king-size bed. Individually regulated heating and a safety deposit box are further standard features of all accommodation units. Leisure time
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Enjoy a Portuguese Pantry Petiscos Tasting dinner: Taste Portugal
7:20 PM Meet your host at the lobby of the Hotel and transfer to Mercearia das Flores easily by taxi where you will meet the owners and enjoy a dinner with fresh local products
Located in one of the most charming streets of Porto, Mercearia das Flores opens its doors to food lovers looking for a local gourmet experience. The owners, Joana and Joana, will welcome you into their specialty shop, sharing with you their large selection of organic, Portuguese goods, and inviting you to sample some of the many petiscos, or small plates, on their menu.
While you eat, Joana and Joana will discuss the origins of the fresh, local products that you are enjoying, the quality of which will become more and more evident with each bite.
Starters: Organic olive pâté with artisanal bread and curry/oregano crackers
Petiscos: Toast with cheese from Castelo Branco, chutney and tomato Desserts: “A Tarte” – Almond Pie and coffee
Wine: Red Wine – Dourum Colheita DOC Douro region 9 PM End of the experience
Transfer back to the hotel by taxi (own arrangements) (Duration of the experience: 2 hours) Accommodation in Porto, Hotel The Yeatman (Superior Double room)
Day 5 / PORTO
Breakfast at hotel
Porto Highlights Tour
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM Enjoy a Porto Highlights Tour…
Meet your guide at the lobby of the Hotel and start discovering the city with a panoramic tour of the city. This tour is a great introduction to Porto, its history and its cultural treasures. Discover a colorful tumbledown dream with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and stately beaux-arts buildings piled on top of one another, illuminated by streaming shafts of sun. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace, Church of Saint Francis, the Cathedral and Lello Bookstore at the Ribera district. The Stock Exchange Palace, Pálacio da Bolsa, is a historical building which was built in the 19th century by the city's Commercial Association, Associação Comercial, in a neoclassical style. It is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the historical center of Porto, designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Continue visiting the Church of Saint Francis, Igreja de São Francisco, is a fine example of Gothic architecture in the city. This little gem started being built in the 13th century, but suffered several delays and accidents on the way. It is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto due to its outstanding Baroque inner decoration. Even though it looks rather plain on the outside, sporting a stone facade with elements of gothic and baroque styles, but when you step inside an abundance of gilt wood carvings make up the columns, vaulted ceilings and walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site church, which started to take shape in 1245.
Unveil the architectural treasures of the Cathedral of Porto, Sé do Porto, one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Portugal. The current Cathedral of Porto underwent construction around 1110 under the patronage of Bishop Hugo and was completed in the 14th century.
Lello Bookstore or Livreria Chardon is the oldest bookstore in the world. Built in 1906 by the Lello Brothers it is one of the most ornate bookstores in the world, mixing Neo-Gothic and Art Dec elements. Carved wood ceilings, a stain-glassed roof, an undulating and opulent red staircase make the Lello seem like the bookstore out of some fantasy world. In fact, J.K. Rowling herself lived in Porto for a short while and used to visit it for a cup of coffee.
End of your visit
Rest of day at leisure to explore the city on own
Accommodation in Porto, Hotel The Yeatman (Superior Double room)
Day 6 / PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel 11 AM - 2 PM Portuguese Cooking Workshop with Lunch: Cook and taste Portugal Transfer to Workshops Pop Up easily by taxi (own arrangements) 11 AM – 2 PM Enjoy hands on cooking Portuguese experience with a top professional chef. In the heart of one of Porto’s most vibrant area you will be surprised by this concept store, made with a collection of pop up stores of fashionwear, gourmet and lifestyle with a kitchen where cooking and wine pairing workshops takes place, in a cozy and relaxed environment, perfect for learning and sharing experiences. A place in continual reinvention where you will find always something new!
You will prepare, learn and taste a typical Portuguese meal accompanied by well-known wines from the region and spirits in an authentic local atmosphere.
2 PM Transfer back to the hotel by taxi (own arrangements) (Duration of the experience: 3 hours) Leisure time
3:30 PM - 6 PM Porto Wine Tour: Enjoy a visit of Churchill’s and Graham’s Port Wineries with a light lunch at Graham’s Port Lodge
3 PM Meet your driver outside of Hotel and cross over the Douro River and enjoy a visit and wine tasting at Churchill’s Port Winery Founded by John Graham in 1981, as the first British Port Wine company to be established in 50 years. His desire was to set up a company to produce his own, individual style of wine. It was his wife, Caroline Churchill, who provided the company with its name. All of their ports are produced in their own vineyards on the south bank of the River Douro, in the prestigious Cima Corgo sub-region, in traditional granite “lagares” or treading tanks built in 1852.
4:30 PM Transfer to Graham’s Winery 4:45 PM Visit of the premises and enjoy a wine tasting and a light lunch at Graham’s Port Winery.
The historic Graham’s Lodge was built in 1890 on a hilltop in Vila Nova de Gaia, overlooking the Douro River and the city of Porto. The winery’s strategic location between river, ocean and lush green hills ensures that temperatures never reach extreme highs or lows. This system guarantees a continuous, balanced maturation of the wines and, in effect, some of the best port in the world. Today you will enjoy a tasting of Graham’s wines led by an expert guide, followed by a lunch of varied petiscos (tapas). This is a true taste of some of the best goods that Portugal has to offer.
6 PM Arrival to your Hotel
Accommodation in Porto, Hotel The Yeatman (Superior Double room)
Day 7 / PORTO - DOURO VALLEY – PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Full day Hiking excursion Vinho do Porto (subjected to availability)
8:30 AM Meet your hiking expert guide at the lobby of the hotel and transfer to the Alto Douro Wine region
10 AM – 3 PM Enjoy a hiking trail, visit of Régua and Wine Tasting at Quinta da Pacheca
The tour begins with a hiking trail into the Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO world heritage site. The unique landscape and hiking Trail has a length of 7 km (4,35 miles). You will walk through trails flanked by the famous vineyards of the Alto Douro Wine Region next to the magnificent Douro River. Here, in the demarcated region of wines, that are considered the oldest in the world (1756), in the contemporary sense a denomination of origin, the history of the peoples and vineyards advance, along the centuries and roads parallel. (Hiking trail: 2 hours)
Enjoy a picnic with your hiking expert guide (cost of food included)
Continue visiting the town of Régua, the official centre of the Douro Wine Region, marked by the development of the Port wine making process from where previously it was transported down the Douro river to Vila Nova de Gaia, the other side of the river in Porto.
To conclude your experience, Visit Quinta da Pacheca’s premises and enjoy a wine tasting
Before you indulge in the Quinta’s produce, you will have a full tour of the family-owned winery, where the emphasis on comfort and the spirit of family will make you feel right at home. If that’s not enough, the brilliant colours of the vineyard, calming sounds of the Douro River and smooth taste of the wines will lull you into the most peaceful state.
Difficulty: Medium Please make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen 3 PM Transfer back to your Hotel 4:30 PM Arrival to your Hotel Rest of day at leisure Accommodation in Porto, Hotel The Yeatman (Superior Double room)
Day 8 / PORTO - BRAGA - GUIMARAES – VIDAGO
Breakfast at hotel Check out and settle incidental accounts 9:30 AM – 6 PM Full day Excursion to Braga and Guimarães 9:30 AM Meet your driver and local expert guide outside of the Hotel and transfer to Guimarães Explore two of Portugal’s lesser known gems on a day trip from Porto. 10:15 AM Arrival to Guimarães 10:15 AM - 1PM Private guided visit of Guimarães The city is often referred to as the "birthplace of the Portuguese nationality" or "the cradle city" (Cidade Berço in Portuguese). This is because it is the birthplace of Alfonso I of Portugal, the first Portuguese king. The "Vimaranenses" are also called "Conquistadores" (the Conquerors) in relation with the historical heritage of the conquest initiated in Guimarães. Visit the Ducal Palace (Paço Dos Duques De Bragança), the Guimarães Castle and walk along the narrow streets of the historical quarters declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO until the charming Oliveira Square (Praça da Oliveira).
1 PM Transfer to Braga 1:30 PM Arrival to Braga 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Enjoy some time at leisure to have an informal lunch (cost of food not included) 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM Private guided tour of Braga Founded by Romans in the 1st century BC, Braga is Portugal’s third largest city. An elegant town laced with ancient narrow lanes closed to vehicles, and strewn with plazas and a splendid array of baroque churches. Unveil its treasures with your local expert guide. The Braga’s Cathedral, Sé de Braga, is the oldest cathedral in Portugal. The original Romanesque style is the most interesting and survives in the cathedral’s overall shape.
Visit Portugal’s oldest cathedral and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, a stunning example of neoclassical architecture and Baroque decorations, as your private local guide unveils all of the treasures that each stop has to offer. The stairway leading to the top contains 17 landings adorned with symbolic fountains, allegoric statues and other Baroque style decoration along themes such as the Stations of the Cross, the Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments and, at the top, the eight biblical figures that contributed to the Condemnation of Jesus.
4:45 PM Transfer to Vidago
6 PM Check in at Hotel Vidago Palace 5* - Golf Hotel
Surrounded by the natural beauty of green parklands, the majestic Vidago Palace Hotel 5 * blends the Belle Epoque style with modern luxuries. Designed last century, during the reign of King Carlos I, the Vidago Palace Hotel was opened for the first time in 1910. With distinction, as one of the Leading Hotels of the World, the hundred-year old Palace now provides a luxury service of excellence and comfort. Inside the hotel, you are invited to enjoy one of the 70 magnificent Rooms & Suites. In the park, the 18hole Golf Course is ideal for a few rounds.
Decorated with light colors and floor-to-ceiling windows, the rooms at the Vidago Palace Hotel are equipped with LCD TVs and work desks and offer a spacious seating area. Guests can choose between Vidago’s indoor or outdoor pools or try some rejuvenating beauty treatments at the spa. Hydrotherapy uses local mineral waters and essential oils from plants grown on the Palace grounds.
The Vidago Palace Hotel provides 4 restaurants, including the stylish main restaurant, spa bar and poolside bar and grill. The region’s most famous export wine can be tasted at Vidago’s wine cellar. Enjoy its excellent location at only 5 minutes’ driving from the center of Vidago and take a trip through this enchanted universe with a visit to the traditional springs or a bicycle ride along the many trails that provide a fantastic opportunity to observe the local wildlife. Rest of day at leisure to enjoy the hotel installations Accommodation in Hotel Vidago Palace / Privilege Double room
Day 9 / VIDAGO - CHAVES – VIDAGO
Breakfast at hotel 10 AM - 3:30 PM Half Day Excursion to Chaves 10 Meet your driver outside th main entrance of the hotel Private transfer to Chaves 10:30 AM Arrival to Chaves and meet your local expert guide 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Enjoy a guided walking tour Chaves was founded by the Romans as a spa town called Aquae Fluviae. Their impressive 2millennium-old bridge named after Emperor Trajan, with 16 arches and two milestones, remains over the Tâmega River, while their thermal springs (among the hottest in Europe), are still in use today, with warm waters that treat rheumatism and hypertension. The old town is made up of narrow streets filled with elegant houses, most of which have carved wood balconies.
Chaves church Overlooking it are the Parish Church (with a fine Romanesque portal) and the 17th century Baroque Misericordia Church (ornamented with twisted columns and containing a gilded altarpiece, a painted ceiling, and walls lined with huge white and blue tile panels depicting scenes from the New Testament). The 14th century castle keep, the remains of an ancient castle that houses a Military Museum with displays of ancient weaponry and armour. Leisure time for lunch and explore the city on your own 3:30 PM Meet your driver and transfer back to Vidago 4 PM Arrival to the hotel Rest of day at leisure to enjoy the hotel installations Accommodation in Hotel Vidago Palace / Privilege Double room
Day 10 / VIDAGO - DOURO BOAT EXCURSION – VIDAGO
Breakfast at hotel
10 AM – 4:30 PM Discover the Douro Wine Region in a three hours Boat Tour with private lunch (subjected to availability)
11 AM Meet your driver outside of the Hotel
12:15 PM Meet the crew at the dock of Pinhão
Discover the mythic Douro Wine Region and enjoy a delicious traditional Portuguese lunch on board (cost of food included).
o g Site by UNESCO, U famous for its extraordinary qualityy wines Discover this World Heritage wheree it goes without saying that the most famous, o internationally o u is the p ort wine. It is in the Douro region, rich in tradition, where the history of the river and the history of itss banks e Proudly made by the same people that designed, generation t after g eneration, a journey merge. of secrets c throughout h history.
3:15 PM Arrival to Pinhão’s pier and transfer to Hotel
4:30 PM Arrival to your Hotel
(Duration of the experience: 6 hours and a half)
Rest of day at leisure to enjoy the hotel installations
Accommodation in Hotel Vidago Palace / Privilege Double room
Day 11 / PORTO - OBIDOS – LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel Check out and settle incidental accounts 9:30 AM Meet your driver outside the main entrance of the Hotel Transfer to Obidos 1 PM Arrival to Obidos and leisure time for lunch / cost of food not included Your driver will suggest you good local restaurants 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Private guided visit of Obidos Meet your local expert guide at the restaurant and enjoy a guided tour to Obidos When 13th-century Portuguese Queen Isabel passed through Obidos and marveled at its beauty, her husband King Denis I simply gave it to her. For centuries after, the kings of Portugal followed suit, presenting the picturesque little town to their queens as a wedding gift. With its white buildings shining as brightly now as then, the walled city of Obidos is very popular and offers amazing views of the Estremadura area.
4:30 PM Meet your driver and continue to Lisbon 5:30 PM Arrival to Lisbon Nestled between river and sea, curving from hill to hill, Lisbon is the sensual queen of Portugal. Her streets are filled with the song of her people; the chatter of vibrant life, the passion of fado, and the breeze that once carried her men to faraway lands. Unlike most bustling capitals, Lisbon doesn’t just creep into your heart through small charms, she overtakes your senses and steals it. As the birthplace of Portugal, Lisbon has seen days of immense splendor, visible in the spectacular castles, churches and plazas, followed by deep sorrow as it fell into ruin during 20th century political clashes. Thanks to its extraordinarily creative residents, Portugal’s crown jewel is today reborn and exploding with excitement. Utmost importance is placed on honoring the past, all while reinventing tradition in the most fabulous of ways as they fill Lisbon with indie shops, quirky galleries and inventive restaurants.
Through interactions with shopkeepers, waiters and locals that are happy to chat, you will learn about the rich history that is laced in their modern interpretations, always with a personal touch.
Lisboetas build their lives around being in the streets. To ensure a full sensory experience, do as the locals do and wander the Jewish quarter and by foot, take your drinks and petiscos into the fresh air, and enjoy the gorgeous climate and views that Lisbon is blessed with.
Check In at Bairro Alto Hotel 5*
Bairro Alto Hotel Lisbon, is a 5-star boutique hotel in central Lisbon, located in the heart of historic downtown, between two of the most emblematic city districts, the bohemian Bairro Alto and the chic, cultural and trendy Chiado.
Bairro Alto Hotel has 55 rooms, within 6 different categories (including 4 suites), overlooking either the emblematic Praça Luís de Camões, Bairro Alto, the quiet Rua das Flores (Flowers St.) or the sunny Rua do Alecrim (Rosemary St.).
A luxury boutique hotel, both cosmopolitan and trendy with a harmonious blend of old and new, that offers an excellent service in an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. A unique and special place in the city of Lisbon, within walking distance to major shops, theaters, museums, restaurants and bars. Rest of day at leisure Accommodation in Lisbon: Hotel Bairro Alto / Prestige Double room
Day 12 / LISBON
Breakfast at hotel Day at leisure to explore the city on your own
Fado Performance and dinner at O Faia
Enjoy a unique Fado performance at O Faia with dinner…
8:45 PM Transfer on own to O Faia
Many Portuguese would argue that you can’t truly know their country without hearing and understanding the traditional music. Fado is the melancholic song of Portugal, usually performed in a dark tavern by a singer and a small band of guitars, violas and basses. Tonight, you will be welcomed into the soul of Portugal in one of Lisbon’s most emblematic fado locales, where you will enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal and a show. The performance is a moving and captivating experience, as the music has been used to transmit the longing and loss of the Portuguese people since the early 19th century. By learning about fado you will come to know an important part the country’s complex history. Founded in 1947, O Faia remains up to the present day as a reference in Lisbon nightlife: daily Fado evenings, in which big names have always been present - starting with the founder, Lucilia do Carmo, herself an important figure in the history of Fado, and her son, Carlos do Carmo, together with other preeminent artists.
Today, Lenita Gentil, Anita Guerreiro, Ricardo Ribeiro and António Rocha, accompained by the Portuguese Guitar player Fernando Silva and the Classical Guitar player Paulo Ramos, continue the tradition. 9:30 PM Fado show (cost of food included) Starter: Fish Soup with fresh river mint, Portobello gratin with cheese ‘Ilha de S. Jorge’ and vegetables brunoise, with coulis of Morello cherries liquor or ‘Alheira’ (Portuguese sausage) slightly toasted, Port wine reduction and pear purée
Main Course: Dried cod fish in cornbread crust, potatoes and turnip leaves, Sea bass filet, sautéed vegetables with potato and coriander in olive oil infusion, Black Pork loin, with honey and red wine sauce, served with chickpea purée, Duck confit with red onion compote and sweet potato with pumpkin purée or Tortellonis filled with spinach and ricotta, on tomato and sweet basil sauce
Dessert: Small hot chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, Crumble of pear boiled in white wine and saffron with ice cream or 2 scoops of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, coffee, pistachio, lemon or mango sorbet). Transfer back to Hotel on own easily by taxi
Accommodation in Lisbon: Hotel Bairro Alto / Prestige Double room
Day 13 / LISBON
Breakfast at hotel
9 AM - 5 PM Full Day Excursion to Sintra and Cascais
9 AM - 5 PM Enjoy a Full Day Excursion to Sintra and Cascais… Meet your guide and your driver outside the main entrance of the hotel 9 AM Private Transfer with English Speaking Driver Enjoy a guided tour to Sintra. Sintra is a magnificent town of marvelous historic mansions, all set against the backdrop of lush hills. You will first visit the Palacio da Pena, located in the Sintra hills, the Park and Palace of Pena are the fruit of King Ferdinand II’s creative genius and the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal, denoting clear influences from the Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture. The palace was built in such a way as to be visible from any point in the park, which consists of a forest and luxuriant gardens with over five hundred different species of trees originating from the four corners of the earth.
Afterwards, you will visit the Convento dos Capuxos. A Franciscan convent built in direct contact with nature and in keeping with a philosophy of extreme architectural and decorative simplicity. The Capuchos Convent is extremely small in size, being notable for the great poverty of its construction. It is also known as the “Cork convent” because of the extensive use of cork in the protection and decoration of its tiny spaces. Its rustic appearance and great austerity are indissociable from the surrounding vegetation, since the building is completely integrated into the natural environment, to the extent that enormous granite boulders have been incorporated into its construction. Leisure time to have lunch and walk around the city on your own Private Transfer to Cascais and guided tour Cascais, a coastal town just 20 miles west of Lisbon was once a small fishing village, but its idyllic scenery attracted the attention of artists, writers and expelled European nobility in the 20th century. Today, it still attracts high society, but all society comes in force to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and adventure options. Transfer provided by Made for Spain to Lisbon 5 PM Arrival to Lisbon
Rest of day at leisure Accommodation in Lisbon: Hotel Bairro Alto / Prestige Double room
Day 14 / LISBON DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel Check out and settle any incidental accounts Meet your driver outside the main entrance of the hotel Private Sedan transfer to airport provided by Made for Spain to airport Departure flight / Details to be advised
End of Made for Spain services
Making a difference: Made for Spain collaborates with Cruz Roja Española supporting kids in Spanish hospitals. The Fundamental Principles of Cruz Roja Española are the Code of Conduct and Ideology of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, which are the hallmarks of the institution in all areas and levels of performance: "Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality”.
