CHAMBER DISCOVERIES PROPOSAL
Portugal: Discover and Explore Portugal
September 15, 2015 – September 25, 2015 (Optional Extension available)
Price Quote
*$3649.00 - Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
*$100.00 discount applies to Chamber Members & Past Passenger bringing trip price to $3,549
*Prices are subject to change if passenger reservations are made after a date that will be determined upon signing of contract
between the Madera Chamber of Commerce and Tour Operator. This is to guarantee all tour pricing.
Includes in price: Round trip scheduled airfare, Round trip transfers between airports and hotels, Personal airport VIP
greeting and check-in service, First Class Hotel, Fuel surcharge and Airlines taxes, Includes breakfast daily and 4 dinners,
(Meals Key B = Breakfast, D = Dinner)
Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from the U.S. and embark on our fabulous adventure to Portugal.
Day 2: Cascais, Portugal – Arrival. Today your group will arrive on the “Portuguese Riviera” in the beautiful coastal
resort of Cascais which will be your home for the next 4 nights. Cascais is an old fishing village which developed into a
town from the 19th century when the royal family chose it as their summer residence. Today it is the residential area for
the Lisbon jet-set and a favorite night spot for young people. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travelers. (D)
Day 3: Cascais - Lisbon – Cascais. Today after breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. Lisbon is
set on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. Join our local guide to see the broad city avenues, as well as the alleyways
of the Alfama quarter. We will also view the navigator Monument and the Belem Tower. The tower was classified as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was included in the registry of the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2007. The
remainder of the day is at leisure where you can shop for local goods, stroll the cobblestone streets or enjoy the
promenade along the ocean. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner including Portuguese wine. During the meal,
local artists will perform traditional dances and music including Fado, a genre of music that can be traced back to the
1820’s. (B,D)
Day 4: Cascais - Sintra - Obidos – Fatima – Cascais. Begin the day visiting the charming town of Sintra. Sintra is known
for its many 19th-century Romantic architectural monuments, which has resulted in its classification as a NESCO World
Heritage Site. Sintra has become a major tourist center, visited by many day-trippers who travel from the urbanized
suburbs and capital of Lisbon. The parishes of the town of Sintra are dotted by royal retreats, estates, castles and other
buildings, including the Castelo dos Mouros, the Pena National Palace and the Sintra National Palace. We will then travel
along the “Silver Coast”, a gem of largely undiscovered beauty and gets its name from the effect of the sun on the waves
of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can discover pretty villages and a real Portuguese way-of-life amongst stunning coastal
scenery fringed with the best beaches in Europe. We will visit the town of Óbidos which is located on a hilltop, encircled
by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well preserved example of medieval architecture; its cobblestone streets, squares,
walls and its castle are a popular tourist destination. Finally, we will travel to Fatima. The Sanctuary of Fátima, in Cova da
Iria, is the principal focus of visitors. Annually, pilgrims regularly fill the country roads leading to the shrine. (B)
Day 5: Cascais - Evora - Monsaraz – Alentejo. After breakfast, we will travel the Portuguese country side to the town of
Evora, a well preserved medieval town where time seems to stand still. View its protective walls, a 13thcentury
cathedral, several palaces and a 1st century Roman temple. Don’t miss the Chapel of Bones, where the remains of nuns
and monks are arranged in a haunting mosaic. We will then journey to the village of Monsarez, located at the hilltop.
This area is referred as “a jewel in the crown” of the Alentejo. From the beautiful 13th century castle, you can enjoy the
breath taking panoramic views of the Alentejo countryside. Next, partake in a winery tour including tastings of the wines
from the region’s vineyards. (B)
Day 6: Alentejo - Algarve - Sagres – Lagos. This morning journey to the famous area of Algarve, your home for the next
few days. Here we will visit Sagres, the home of Prince Henry’s School of Navigation, a 16th century fortress. Located at
the most southwesterly point of Europe, we will visit Cape of St. Vincente where 200 foot cliffs plunge into the Atlantic
Ocean. Afterwards, we will visit and spend leisure time in the resort town of Lagos, a historic town where the Moorish
and Renaissance influences are still felt today. (B)
Day 7: Algarve. Today is a day of leisure, a day to explore the region of Algarge on your own. Coastal Algarve receives
much exposure for its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, scalloped bays and sandy islands. The enchanting inner
Algarve boasts pretty castle towns and historic villages, cork tree– and flower-covered hillsides, and birdlife. And the
wonderful Via Algarviana walking track crosses its breadth. (B)
Day 8: Algarve - Faro - Sao Bras de. Alportel – Algarve. After breakfast, we will visit Faro, the best-known city in
Portugal’s deservedly famous Algarve region situated in a cliffside location. There’s an archaeological museum and a
“Bishops’ Palace,” a Renaissance cathedral that was heavily bombed during World War II, but later rebuilt. Faro has
become famous for its golden coastline. Portugal, being the world’s number one producer of cork, we will visit a local
cork factory in Sao Bras de Alportel where we will learn about cork’s importance to the local economy and the many
uses of it. Later, enjoy an afternoon savoring the “taste of Portugal””. Begin with a presentation by a local liqueur maker
which is followed by a tasting of some of the regional varieties. Finally, we will round out the day with a Portuguese
cooking demonstration followed by a delicious dinner featuring local cuisine and wine. (B,D)
Day 9: Algarve - Azeitao – Lisbon. As we travel back to Lisbon for an overnight stay prior to you return home, we will
visit Azeitao, a Delightful agricultural village. This area is known for its wine and olives. Here we will stop at a local shop
that will demonstrate how they make Portuguese tiles known as azulejos. The final stop on this journey will be to Jose
Maria da Fonseca Winery for a tour and tasting. Here you can walk through the Azeitao Wine Museum along with tasting
the local varieties. Tonight, enjoy a final farewell dinner with your fellow travelers where you can reminisce about your
magnificent tour. (B,D)
Day 10: Lisbon – After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport for our return flight home. Lisbon, Portugal to USA
or travel on with the post option tour…
Optional - 2-nights Post Tour Extension to Azores or Madeira Island - (location to
be determined by majority of group tour passengers)
Pricing starts at $950.00 and final price to be determined once location of optional
destination is final.
OTHER AVAILABLE OPTIONS DURING THE 10-DAY TOUR: If majority of group tour passengers are interested an
optional trip to Porto during the 10-day trip arrangements will be made
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE - CANCELLATION WAIVER: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance is available through a partner
company with Chamber Discoveries or you can seek out your own policy.
The following are included in your tour package: transportation via motorcoach, accommodations, hotel luggage
handling, meals, sightseeing, admission charges identified in itinerary, and applicable gratuities for bellmen, doormen
and dining room wait staff. Customary gratuities for hotel housekeeping staff, local sightseeing guides, drivers and tour
managers have not been included.