A Prayer, Palaces & Beauty

From USD$717.00

Fatima, Lisbon, the Blue Coast & Sintra – 8 Days – Tuesday departures
Day 1 – TUE USA/Lisbon
  Board your overnight flight to Lisbon Portugal.
DAY 2 – WED Lisbon
  Transfer in from the airport to your hotel.
DAY 3 – THU Sintra–Cascais–Estoril
  After breakfast at the hotel leave Lisbon through the mountain range west of the capital on your way to the historical village of Sintra, immortalized by Byron and famous for its delicious “queijadas” (a pastry made of cheese), visit for its National Palace located in the historical center the whole town dominated by the Pena Palace built on top of the hill. During the visit of the National Palace, taken over by the kings on Portugal in the 13th century, do not miss the elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Manueline and Renaissance architecture, or the wonderful “azulejos” (colored glazed tiles) from the 15th and 16th Centuries in various halls and patios, and in the Royal Chapel. You’ll have free time to taste the traditional “queijadas” or for an optional visit to Quinta daRegaleira and to enjoy lunch (not included) at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon drive to the Roca Cape, the westernmost point of the Continental Europe, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic an the rocky coast. Continue along the sea to have a look at the “Boca do Inferno” (Hell’s mouth) and a waking tour in Cascais, a charming village with a traditional fishermen harbor. On the way back to Lisbon enjoy a panoramic view of Estoril, its gardens and Casino. Arrive back at the hotel around 6:00 pm.
DAY 4 – FRI Lisbon
  Leave your hotel around 9:00 am for a short ride to Belem, the Lisbon quarter most linked to the Discoveries. Stop to visit the original factory of the famous and traditional sweet puff pastries (Pastel de Belém) that you’ll get to taste accompanied by a glass of the even more famous Port wine. A quick walk leads to the Jeronimos Monastery for an outside visit of this extraordinary example of the Manueline style. Next you’ll visit the Belém Tower, another jewel of the unique Portuguese architectural style and the modern monument to the discoveries that marks the place from where the Portuguese navigators left to discover the world in the 15th century. Return to your hotel around 12:30pm.The rest of the day is free you to relax or to discover Lisbon on your own.
DAY 5 – SAT Fatima–Batalha–Nazaré–Alcobaça–Óbidos
  Leave the hotel around 9:00 am to enjoy one of the most rewarding days of your stay. A 90-minute drive will take you to Fatima, city of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three little shepherds in 1917 and the revelations that remain a secret until today. In the address Pope Benedict gave at Bethlehem on May 13, 2009, the anniversary of the first apparition at Fatima, the Pope declared: “You promised the three children of Fatima that ‘in the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.’ May it be so!” Fatima has remained a place of faith and pilgrimage since the early 20th century and one of the most venerated by Catholics around the world. Continue to the nearby Monastery of Batalha, an impressive Gothic work of art of the 14th century, visit the beautiful fishing village of Nazaré with free time for your lunch. In the afternoon visit the Cistercian Monastery in Alcobaça, where the love of Inês de Castro and King Pedro I is remembered through their tombs. On the way back to Lisbon visit the medieval village of Óbidos, and taste a “Ginginha” - typical liquor of this region. Arrive at the hotel around 6:30 pm.
DAY 6 – SUN Lisbon
  This is your last free time in Lisbon before your return to the USA. You may spend half day visiting Lisbon on the old tramway, shopping for gold or silver filigree in the downtown specialty shops, or just relax at one of the many esplanade cafes all over Lisbon.
DAY 7 – MON Azeitão–Serra da Arrábida–Setúbal–Palmela
  After early breakfast at your hotel leave for today’s tour crossing the Bridge 25 of April to visit to the monument to Christ the King (Cristo Rei) before continuing to Azeitão and visiting a centenary wine cellar typical of this wonderful wine-producing region. The visit includes a tasting of the local wines. The tour continues with a drive around the beautiful Arrábida Natural Park, always staying along the Atlantic Ocean that offers wonderful viewpoints. Stop in the city of Setubal, near the Sado estuary and the sea, with free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit the town of Palmela and its Moorish castle dating from the 8th century and, later, used as the seat of the Order of Santiago daEspada (the Portuguese branch of the Order of St. James) from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Visit a ceramic factory in Palmela where you can paint your own tile. Drive back to Lisbon over the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest in Europe with 10.7 miles and arrive at your hotel around 6:00 pm.
Day 8 – TUE Lisbon/USA
  Transfer out Hotel to the Lisbon Airport.
   
Tour Includes: Tour does not include:
• Arrival and departure transfers in Lisbon • Roundtrip flight between the USA and    Lisbon
• 6 nights accommodation in Lisbon • Airfare fees and taxes
• Breakfast daily • Airfare difference between New York   and another USA gateway
• 5 dinners for Mundial guests, only • Expenses of personal nature
• Half day city sightseeing • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Full day escorted tour to Fatima and other points   of interest • Tips to guides or drivers
• Entrance fees  
• All local taxes and service fees