Pre- and Post-Congress Tours

Porto & Douro Valley (4-day tour)

Discover the traditional city of Porto. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, the city center has exceptional architectural value. Later, enjoy Porto wine that the region is famous for and soak in the beautiful landscapes of the Douro river. This is a four-day tour of a lifetime!

Porto & Douro ValleyMinimum 30 participants required:

  • Three nights in a double room at a 4-star hotel in Porto, with breakfast included
  • Coach service and English speaking guide throughout the tour
  • Douro cruise in a traditional Rabelo Boat, Porto Wine included (45 minutes)
  • Two lunches with drinks at Douro Estates
  • One dinner with drinks in a Porto winery
  • One wine tasting at a local Manor House/Hotel
  • Entrance fees at Guimarães Castle and Solar de Mateus Palace in Vila Real

1st Day

Departure from Lisbon in the morning and arrival in Porto around midday. Begin with a 45-minute cruise on the picturesque Douro River in a traditional Rabelo boat, while enjoying famous Porto wine. In the afternoon, check-in at the hotel. Later, walk through the heart of the city of Oporto—the “granite and glazed-tile city”. Start at the Bulhão Market—the place where all the “Tripeiros” (that’s the nickname of the inhabitants of Oporto) buy their fresh vegetables and fruits. Then walk along Santa Catarina Street, the most famous shopping area of the city. Stop at the Livraria Lello, a magnificent art deco building inaugurated in 1906 that today is one of the most prestigious bookstores in town. Then head to the Estação São Bento, a beautiful train station from the turn of the century whose walls are covered with marvelous glazed-tile panels. In the evening, make a pit stop back to the hotel before strolling the inviting Ribeira area at your leisure. Dine at one of the many restaurants and get a taste of the local food.

2nd Day

Your second day is outside Porto in Guimaraes, also called the cradle of Portugal. It was here that the first King of Portugal was born, and you’ll get a chance to visit the medieval town. Then, leave the city to visit Casa do Sezim, a beautiful historic manor where one of the best Vinho Verdes of the area is produced. Have lunch there while enjoying the famous local wine. In the evening, it’s back to Porto to enjoy a tour of, and dinner in, one of the most renowned port wine lodges, either Taylor’s, Calem, or Sandeman.

3rd Day

Day 3 is a memorable day in which to truly experience the world-renowned heritage and landscape that is the Douro River. In fact, the first denominated wine area in the world was the Douro Valley, and since then the area has been famous not only for the excellent and unique Porto wines that are produced here but for its excellent extraordinary table wines as well. Take a speedy ride to Vila Real in the morning and visit the beautiful gardens of the Solar de Mateus. No wine is produced here, but the impressive palace remains an icon of the area. Fun fact: the façade is featured on the label of the world-famous Portuguese wine Mateus Rosé. Afterward, it’s on to Quinta do Portal, one of the most important wine producers in the area for a tour and lunch. After the meal, travel down to Pinhão to enjoy the stunning views of the Douro slopes, all dotted with wine terraces. We will continue to the center of Porto until Casa da Insua. This romantic palace nowadays hosts a fine boutique hotel with its own winery. Retreat to the hotel and, once again, take advantage of the chance to try amazing local dishes for dinner.

4th Day

Before heading back to Lisbon, you’ll enjoy an excursion to the fishermen’s village of Nazaré and enjoy the local flavours of this seaside resort located in the Costa de Prata.

 

Alentejo: The Portuguese Countryside (3-day tour)


Located just two and half hours from Lisbon is Alentejo, an off-the-beaten-path, unspoiled region of Portugal completely yours for the exploring. Enjoy the local gastronomy, taste the fantastic wines, and relax in the midst of superb views.

From the narrow, peaceful streets of Monsaraz and the historical heritage in Évora, to the local wine production of the Esporão and Azeitão wine cellars, this tour promises to be as restorative as it is unforgettable!

Alentejo - the Portuguese countrysideMinimum 30 participants required:

  • Two nights in a double room at a 4-star hotel in Évora, with breakfast included
  • Coach service and English speaking guide throughout the tour
  • Two lunches with drinks at local restaurants in Monsaraz and Évora
  • One lunch with drinks in Pousada de Palmela
  • Visit and wine tasting at Herdade de Esporão in Reguengos de Monsaraz
  • Visit and wine tasting in Azeitão Wine Cellars - JMF
  • Entrance fees at the University & St. Francis Church in Évora 

1st Day

Departure from Lisbon towards the medieval village of Monsaraz, one of the most ancient places in Portugal that epitomizes the relaxed way of life in the Alentejo region. Monsaraz has been settled since pre-historical times, originally serving as a fortified hill fort. It is surrounded by an astonishing landscape, and from the top of the castle, one can appreciate all its splendor. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After the meal, head to the nearby Esporão Estate. This huge property covers 1.557 hectares, of which 450 ha. are vineyards. All visitors will receive a warm welcome from the family with ... a glass of wine, of course!

The visit starts in the Tower and Archaeological Museum, followed by a visit to the wine cellars for a wine tasting. Once completed, you’ll depart back to Évora and enjoy free time for personal activities, with dinner at your leisure.

2nd Day

Évora - the Museum City

One of the most beautiful cities in the country, Évora is famous for its gorgeous historical centre which was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, boasting around 105 hectares and 400 buildings. Évora is commonly known for its strong Roman influence. This is due to the large number of archaeological vestiges found here relating to the time of the Roman occupation, namely the Temple of Diana. After Visigoth and Muslim domination, Évora was finally taken by Geraldo the Fearless (Sem Pavor) in 1166 and flourished as one of the most dynamic cities in the Kingdom of Portugal during Middle Ages. The court was based here for a long time, and Évora became the scene of many royal weddings, as well as a place where many important decisions were made. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit the university that was founded by the Company of Jesus in 1551. In the 18th century, the Jesuits, which had spread intellectual and religious enlightenment since the 16th century, were expelled from Portugal and the university was closed, only to reopen in 1973. The many monuments erected by the major artists of each period is a testament to Évora's lively cultural, artistic and historical past. The variety of architectural styles (Romantic, Gothic, Manueline, Mannerist, Baroque), the palaces, and even the squares and narrow streets are all part of the rich heritage of this museum city. We will visit the University, the Temple of Diana, the Church of St. Francisco and the Chapel of Bones. Enjoy dinner at your own leisure to end the day.

3rd Day: Return to Lisbon Via Setúbal and Palmela

Depart from Évora in the morning to Azeitão, and enjoy the flavours and aromas of Moscatel wine in the famous Jose Maria da Fonseca Wine Cellars. Here you will learn all about the production techniques of this famous fortified wine. The visit begins with a brief introduction of the history of the company, followed by a tour of the three old cellars. Two of the cellars are where wines such as Periquita are aged, and the third one contains the antique Setubal Moscatels, including rare treasures over 100 years old. The tour finishes with a wine tasting paired with exquisite Tortas de Azeitão (egg cream rolls). Have lunch in Pousada de Palmela, an old castle with a superb view of the Arrabida Mountain, before returning to Lisbon.

 

Algarve: The Sunny South (4-day tour)


With its warm climate throughout the year, a coastline of splendid beaches bathed by the Atlantic, unspoiled nature, rural way of living, and characteristic local hospitality, you’ll find Algarve to be a land of surprises!

Enjoy four relaxing, sunny and memorable days.

Algarve: The Sunny SouthMinimum 30 participants required:

  • Three nights in a double room at a 5-star hotel in Algarve, with breakfast included
  • Coach service and English speaking guide throughout the tour
  • Two lunches with drinks in a local restaurant in Lagos and Azeitão
  • Two dinners with drinks at Vilamoura Marina and a local restaurant
  • Visit and wine tasting at Adega do Cantor in Albufeira
  • Entrance fees at Faro Convent and Sagres Fortress

 1st Day

Depart from Lisbon in the morning and arrive in Algarve around midday. Check-in at the hotel and have lunch nearby at your discretion. Later, enjoy an afternoon visit to Faro, a city of ancient origins. The history of the city is marked by numerous earthquakes, fires, and military action, but despite this, the city attracts lots of visitors. Faro has been the capital of the Algarve since the 16th century and is protected by the dunes of the Ria Formosa islands. Surrounded by a 17th-century wall, the Vila Adentro is the oldest part of the Faro city centre. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, then head to the Vilamoura Docas for a dinner by the ocean. The Marina of Vilamoura offers a wide variety of restaurants as well as many different bars. Return to the hotel after a trip to the Vilamoura Casino.

2nd Day

Full day tour to “the edge of the continent”: São Vicente & Lagos. Travel along the beautiful Algarve coastline to reach the Cape of Saint Vincent, Europe’s Southwest end where “land finishes and the sea begins”. Just beside the Cabo São Vicente we find the village of Sagres, where Prince Henry the Navigator founded the first nautical school in the 15th century. It was also here that people used to scan the horizon, waiting for the return of the caravels with news from the New World. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the most important navigation school of the time was located here. It was from this geographical location that Portuguese sailors started to discover the coast of Africa and the seaway to India and Brazil! Some of the navigation practices and theories we use to this day were studied and developed here. Afterward, the tour continues to Lagos, the most ancient city of the Algarve. Lunch will be in one of the restaurants in the pedestrian zone of the old quarter. In the afternoon, visit the Golden Chapel of St. Anthony, the Slave Market, the fortress, the old centre, and the statue of Henry the Navigator. You’ll also have time to stroll around and have a look at some pottery and traditional handmade cork. Dinner is at your leisure – we recommend you try one of the local restaurants for a taste of Portuguese gastronomy from our suggested list.

3rd Day

Morning Tour—“Algarve, wines, and history”. Depart from the hotel for a visit to Albufeira, one of the most charming villages in the Algarve. Its location in the centre of the Algarve region allows visitors staying here to visit the Eastern and Western areas quite easily. Discover the old town with its narrow streets, the medieval fortress, and the white-washed house inherited from the Arabs who lived in this region for 500 years. The “Adega do Cantor” or “Winery of the Singer”, is situated at Guia, a few kilometres northwest of Albufeira in the middle of the Algarve. This “adega” belongs to famous singer Cliff Richard, who is very much involved in producing the wine. We would like to give you the opportunity enjoy a tasting of Sir Cliff Richard’s Vida Nova, which is grown, matured and bottled here. Return to the hotel for lunch and enjoy an afternoon of leisure at your own pace. Relax at the hotel swimming pool or play golf in one of nearby international golf courses! Have dinner at a local restaurant.

4th Day

Departure in the morning back to Lisbon, enjoying a stop first in Azeitão to experience the flavours and aromas of the Moscatel wine in the Jose Maria da Fonseca Wine Cellars. Here you will learn all about the production techniques of this famous fortified wine. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then admire the superb view of the city from the coach while crossing the bridge. Arrive in Lisbon in the late afternoon.

 

For more information on these and many other tours please contact:

 

Ana Amorim

Meetings & Incentives Supervisor

Pacific World Portugal

[email protected]

Rua Tenente Espanca , 3 - 3º C | 1050 - 220 Lisboa

Ph (+351) 215996058

www.pacificworld.com

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