Grand Designs of Portugal

Grand Designs of Portugal

Discover Portugal’s rich heritage and scenic countryside from an elegant pousada, each set in stunning locations with their own fascinating history and now painstakingly restored and converted into unique hotels known for their style and fine service. Explore ancient Porto, a charismatic magnet for wine aficionados, as well as some of Portugal’s lesser-known - yet equally charming - towns and cities in one truly inspiring and great value

What’s Included:

• 9 nights in pousadas (accommodation as specified or similar)
• 18 meals: 9 breakfasts (days 2-10) 9 dinners (days 1-9)
• Welcome drink and fruit and water in your room on arrival at each poised
• VOX portable audio headset system on excursions
• VIP door-to-door travel service
• Services of a Tour Manager

Day 1: London to Lisbon

Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® collects you from home for your journey to London Heathrow for your direct, scheduled TAP Portugal flight to Lisbon. On arrival, transfer to the Pousada da Assuncao in the delightful town of Arraiolos for a three-night stay on a half-board basis.

Day 2: Arraiolos

Enjoy an included morning tour of Arraiolos, a small town overlooked by the ruins of a Moorish castle, to discover the town’s history and famous carpet-making tradition. In the afternoon, an optional excursion is available to Evora, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage city that dates back to Roman times.

Day 3: Estremoz

Full day, guided excursion to the marble towns of Estremoz, Borba and Vila Viçosa. At Viçosa, we enjoy a visit of the beautiful and majestic Renaissance style Palácio Ducal or Duke’s Palace - the symbol of the city and once one of the most important noble houses in Portugal. The 110-metre façade is totally covered in marble from the region making this unique building the town’s most emblematic monument.

Day 4: Arraiolos

Today we journey north through beautiful countryside and charming towns to Vila Pouca da Beira. Our base for three nights is the beautiful Pousada do Convento do Desagravo, built in the 18th century on the edge of the Portugal’s largest natural conservation area. Enjoy stunning vistas across Serra da Estrela Natural Park and Serra do Acor mountain range.

Day 5 - 6: Villa Pouca da Beira

A couple of days reserved for leisure. Perhaps join a full day optional excursion to the Serra da Estrela mountains, the highest in Portugal, explore the Roman ruins of Bobadela or just relax by the pool.

Day 7 - 8: Villa do Castelo

We continue north, travelling through the Roman City of Viseu and stop en route in Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal due to several canals crossing the town. We continue to the very impressive Pousada do Monte de Santa Luzia (4T+) for three nights, situated on top of a hill, with breathtaking, panoramic views of Viana do Castelo’s sailing port and the estuary on which it lies.

Day 9: Porto

Join an included excursion to Porto, the city that gave its name to Port wine sits along hills tumbling down to the famous Douro River. Here, you may see some of the elegant, traditional, wooden sailing barges - barcos rabelos - used to transport the famous wine; and will certainly see Portugal’s second city’s landmark, the impressive two-tier bridge.

Day 10: Villa do Castelo to Porto

After breakfast you transfer to Porto Airport for your TAP Portugal flight back to London. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.