Sunny Portugal
March 21 – 30, 2023 | 10 days
$2799 per person, double occupancy
- Itinerary
- Pricing
- Optional Porto Pre-Tour Extension
- Optional Madeira Island Extension
- Optional Excursions
- Payments & Cancellations
- Terms & Conditions
From the Portuguese Riviera to the sunny cliffs of the Algarve, venture along Portugal’s stunning shoreline. Discover the charms of Lisbon. In Evora, step inside a medieval city with Roman ruins. Enjoy a leisurely 3-night stay in the Algarve region. Explore the soft sandy beaches and classic fishing villages. Take advantage of a free day to soak in the Portuguese sunshine and savor local flavors. Visit the charming town of Tavira with its Moorish inspired architecture and Renaissance style buildings. Encounter picturesque resort towns, winding cobblestone streets, oceanfront promenades, and quaint villages of perfection.
10 Days | 13 Meals | 8 Breakfasts| 2 Lunches | 3 Dinners
HIGHLIGHTS: Portuguese Riviera, Lisbon, Belém, Obidos, Sintra, Choice on Tour, Arraiolos, Cork Factory, Evora, Winery Visit, Alentejo, Monsaraz, Lagos, Algarve, Faro, Tavira, 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Azeitao
HOTELS:
- Days 2 – 4 Vila Gale Cascais Hotel, Cascais
- Day 5 – Vitoria Stone Hotel, Evora
- Days 6 – 8 Vila Gale Lagos, Alvare
- Day 9 – Turim Marques Hotel, Lisbon
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1 | Tuesday, March 21, 2023 | Overnight Flight
Ancient castles and Roman ruins, groves of lemon and almond trees, quiet whitewashed villages, and welcoming locals – Portugal is waiting for you.
Day 2 | Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | Cascais, Portugal – Tour Begins
Say hello to the Portuguese Riviera, your home for the next three nights. With mansions scattered about Cascais and Monte Estoril – all hint at its history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3 | Thursday, March 23, 2023 | Cascais – Lisbon – Cascais
Embark on a panoramic Lisbon city tour and uncover the city’s most famous sights. Travel to Belém where you’ll see the Belém Tower (UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Monument to the Discoveries. Step into the past at the 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery (UNESCO) and Lisbon’s Maritime Museum, which offers a glimpse into the country’s naval achievements. Back in Cascais, enjoy some time to discover the narrow cobblestone streets, meandering past seaside cafés or pausing to shop for ceramics, lace, and hand-woven works. You’re on your own for the remainder of the day. You may choose to join an optional experience to savor Portuguese cuisine and wine while local artists perform traditional Fado, included in UNESCO’s list as a World Cultural Heritage. (B)
Day 4 | Friday, March 24, 2023 | Cascais – Obidos – Sintra – Cascais
Explore the picture-perfect city of Obidos, where white-washed houses sit snug within medieval city walls. Continue on to Sintra (UNESCO), a breathtaking hub that served as the summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Then, it’s your choice! Explore this quaint hilltop village independently and wander through the winding streets lined with cork products and pastries -OR- venture into the National Palace of Sintra. On your return to Lisbon stop to admire the stunning Cabo da Roca, the western most point of continental Europe. (B)
Day 5 | Saturday, March 25, 2023 | Cascais – Arraiolos – Evora
Make your way through Portugal’s charming countryside. Visit Arraiolos, known as the “village of rugs,” and delve into the history and art of Portuguese tapestries. Visit a local cork factory, where you’ll learn about the product’s importance to the local economy and why Portugal is the world’s top cork producer. Your journey then takes you to Evora (UNESCO) – the “Museum City of Portugal.” In addition to Evora’s 2nd-century Roman temple to Diana, this medieval walled city is also the home to the mysterious 16th-century Chapel of Bones. (B)
Day 6 | Sunday, March 26, 2023 | Evora – Monsaraz – Lagos
Journey to the stunning coasts of the Algarve – the southernmost region of Portugal. On the way, pause to take in the dramatic vistas from the village of Monsaraz. Indulge in full-bodied wines from the Alentejo region during a winery tour, tasting and light lunch. Then, explore the historic resort town of Lagos, where Moorish and Renaissance influences meet towering seaside cliffs. From this bustling port city, many celebrated voyagers began their explorations. Stroll by the fortress and historic buildings as you take in the surrounding views of the Atlantic. (B, L)
Day 7 | Monday, March 27, 2023 | Lagos
The day is yours to experience the incomparable Algarve on your own. Geraniums, camellias, and oleanders grow alongside fig, orange, and almond trees, while brightly colored fishing boats bob on the seas. Protected by hills to the north and warmed by the sea, the Algarve’s mild climate and beautiful beaches attract visitors from all over the world. You may choose to join an optional experience that will get you closer to the some of the most famous coastal scenery in Portugal. (B, D)
Day 8 | Tuesday, March 28, 2023 | Lagos – Faro – Tavira – Lagos
Journey to Faro, the capital of the Algarve. Explore the city’s historic center and see the 9th-century city walls. During lunch, discover the flavors of the region as a local chef highlights Algarve gastronomy during a cooking demonstration. Enjoy a tasting menu featuring iconic dishes of the region complete with local liquors and pastries. Continue to charming Tavira, an ancient Moorish city that blends traditional architecture with sandy beaches. Return to Lagos for an evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 9 | Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Lagos – Azeitao – Lisbon
En route to Lisbon, make a stop in Azeitao, a charming agricultural village known for red wine, olive trees and beautiful country estates. Meet local artisans at a family-run shop and learn how the famous hand-painted Portuguese tiles, azulejos, are made. Bid Portugal goodbye during a dinner in Lisbon and celebrate the end of your unforgettable journey. (B, D)
Day 10 | Thursday, March 30, 2023 | Lisbon – Tour Ends
Your tour ends today. (B)
Double: $2799pp | Single: $3299pp | Triple: $2769pp
PRICE INCLUDES
Round Trip Airfare
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Air taxes and fees/surcharges
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Travel insurance, visas and items of a personal nature
Expense of any required PCR or Antigen tests
**Travel insurance is recommended**
3-NIGHT PORTO PRE-TOUR EXTENSION – $749pp
March 18 – 22, 2023
Day 1 | March 18, 2023 | Overnight Flight
Travel on your overnight flight to Porto, Portugal.
Day 2 | March 19, 2023 | Porto, Portugal – Tour Begins
Arrive in Porto, a city that’s steeped in history and built with an artistic architectural eye. Here, you’ll find quiet cafés perfect for sipping a glass of Port wine and watching the world go by.
Day 3 | March 20, 2023 |Porto – Vila Nova de Gaia – Porto
Get to know this captivating city with a walking tour led by a local expert. Take in the grandeur of Praça da Liberdade Square, Sao Bento Train Station and its iconic azulejo tiles, the Porto Cathedral, and more. Cross the Dom Luis I bridge into the neighboring city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Enjoy an incredible view of the Porto skyline before heading into a wine cellar for a tour and tasting. The afternoon is yours. Tonight, you’ll find out why Porto is regarded as a culinary hotspot during dinner at a local restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 4 | March 21, 2023 |Porto
Today is yours to explore Porto how you’d like. Take advantage of this day at leisure – maybe heading into the Livraria Lello, considered to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world or visiting a local restaurant to try the famous local delicacy, the “francesinha” sandwich. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 5 | March 22, 2023 | Porto – Lisbon – Cascais
Board a train to Lisbon, where you’ll transfer to Cascais to join your tour and start the next leg of your travels. Today breakfast will be included.
4-NIGHT MADEIRA ISLAND EXTENSION – $1149pp
March 30 – April 3, 2023
Day 10 | March 30, 2023 | Lisbon – Funchal, Madeira
Fly to Madeira Island, the “pearl of the Atlantic.” Madeira boasts a subtropical climate, majestic mountain ranges and volcanic caves. Here it’s your choice! Visit the Botanical Garden of Madeira with its collection of more than 2,500 plants from all continents -OR- discover Madeira’s history during a walking tour of Funchal’s plazas, Colonial mansions, 15th-century cathedral and the local market.
Day 11 | March 31, 2023 |Funchal
The day is yours. Perhaps you’ll explore the historic city center of Funchal or simply relax and enjoy the amenities that your hotel has to offer. No matter how you spend the day, gather in the evening for a traditional dinner known as an espetada. Folk dancers and lively music entertain you as you feast on a favorite local dish cooked over an open fire. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 12 | April 1, 2023 | Funchal – Monte – Câmara de Lobos – Porto Moniz – Funchal
Begin your day with a stop in Monte, perched on the hills overlooking Funchal. Continue to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional village with a picture-perfect bay which served as a special retreat for Sir Winston Churchill. It is here where he admired Madeira’s natural beauty and became captivated by the region painting various images of the village. Drive along mountain roads, pass banana plantations and vineyards while en route to the world’s second-highest cliff, Cabo Girão. Arrive in the lively fishing village of Porto Moniz, enjoy free time for a swim* (weather permitting) in the natural volcanic pools before returning to Funchal. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 13 | April 2, 2023 | Funchal – Lisbon
Board your flight and return to the metropolitan energy of Lisbon. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 14 | April 3, 2023 | Lisbon – Tour Ends
Depart for home with Portugal in your heart as your tour draws to a close today. Today breakfast will be included.
A NIGHT OF FADO – $120 pp
Lisbon
Duration: 4 Hours
Your transportation is included
Fado: the perfect blend of voice and guitar. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Patrimony, as a celebrated form of world music that captures what it is to be Portuguese. The word Fado comes from the Latin word fatum, which means fate or destiny. It is a style of music that is all about deep feelings: the disappointments of love, the ups and downs of life. No one knows quite how Fado first came into being, but to this day Portugal’s traditional music remains at the very heart of the country’s culture. In one of Lisbon’s most popular Fado restaurants, professional performers entertain you while you enjoy a typical Portuguese three course dinner with wine include.
ALGARVE’S COASTAL CRUISE – $50 pp
Algarve
Duration: 2 Hours
Your transportation is included
Set sail on the clear blue waters of the Bay of Lagos to experience the stunning Ponta da Piedade with some of the most beautiful and famous coastal scenery in Portugal, including pristine beaches and rocky cliffs that are simply breathtaking. Upon arrival at Ponta da Piedade transfer to smaller boats… then, it’s off to explore the magical grottoes! Take in the striking rock formations sculpted by the sea for thousands of years as you weave in and out of tiny inlets, serene grottoes and impressive caves.
$600 per person is due with booking
PAYMENTS
Final payment is due January 1, 2023. Payments may be made by check or by credit card. We accept AX, Visa, & MC. Legal full names must be given as stated on your passport. Name changes made from booking until January 1, 2023, will be charged $200 per name change. After January 1, 2023, no name changes.
CANCELLATIONS
If cancelled before January 1, 2023, a $600 per person fee is assessed. If cancelled on or after January 1, trip is non-refundable. Credit card fees are non-refundable for any reason. We highly recommend the purchase of insurance.
FULL LEGAL NAMES
Must be given as stated on PASSPORT. Please send us a copy of your passport (do not fax).
Please request an insurance quote for the SCT agent. It is best to wait until air costs are added.
SHARON CARR TRAVEL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WEATHER-RELATED OR MECHANICAL DELAYS. Any out of pocket expenses caused by airline delays are the sole responsibility of the client and any refunds due are at the sole discretion of the airline. Client must contact the airline directly for any reimbursement. Once again, INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RESPONSIBILITY
SHARON CARR TRAVEL is not the source or supplier of the travel services included in this package and they act solely as an agent for the actual suppliers of such service and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, war, insurrection, vendor bankruptcy, revolt or other civil uprising, other military actions, pandemic, strikes or any act of god occurring in either the country of origin, destination or through passage, or for any reason whatsoever SHARON CARR TRAVEL is not responsible for ski conditions. The suppliers whose names appear in the information supplied are those who are responsible for providing the travel services purchased. SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be held responsible should any of these suppliers fail to provide the travel services purchased SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage during the tour. Also, SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be liable regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. Acceptance of the Tour Contract will serve as a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. This agreement is binding on your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. If, for some reason, a trip must be rescheduled due to any of the above reasons, participants are bound by the new dates of travel, and can only obtain a refund if insurance has been purchased and insurer is contractually bound.
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