Meet at Humberto Delgado International Airport (LIS) at 2:00 p.m.
Your Trip Leader will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the city center of Lisbon with your new group of friends.
Evening
Familiarize yourself to the city of Lisbon on a guided walking tour. You will visit popular overlooks and walk past historical cathedrals, all while learning a bit about Lisbon's history from a local guide. (~2 hour walking tour)
Enjoy delicious Portuguese cuisine during the opening dinner.
Get to know the other group members and begin to settle into Portugal.
Day 2
Morning:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a day trip to Sintra.
Drive to Sintra. (~45 minutes)
Visit Quinta da Regaleira for a self-guided tour.
Afternoon:
Enjoy an included lunch with your new friends. Be sure to eat enough for this afternoon’s hike to Castelo dos Mouros.
Begin your hike on footpaths along the road and a paved trail through the Sintra forests. You will then begin your ascent, going up many steps until you reach the top where the castle is. (~1 hour hike)
After the hike, stop at a local bakery to try queijada and travesseiro, two famous Sintra pastries.
Evening:
Return to Lisbon and enjoy a free evening!
Dinner tonight is not included. Be sure to ask your Trip Leader for local recommendations.
Day 3
Morning:
Breakfast will be served at the hotel, or feel free to take to the streets and try out some local cafes.
Leaving Lisbon, you will drive out to Evora, the capital of Portugal's south-central Alentejo region. (~2-hour drive)
Afternoon:
Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the picturesque town and its narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and hidden squares.
Meet back up with your group for a guided walking tour of Evora.
Visit the Bones Chapel and the Cathedral, two of Evora’s most famous attractions.
Evening:
Join your group for an included dinner and recap your adventures!
Day 4
Morning
Enjoy the quietness of the smaller Portuguese town and have breakfast at your hotel.
Begin driving south through the countryside to a winery. (~1 hour)
Afternoon
Have a tour of the winery along with wine tasting, and then feast on a traditional Alentejo lunch.
After lunch and wine, drive to Lagos, Portugal's Algarve region town. (~2 hours)
We recommend taking a walk along the scenic coastal trail that winds along the cliff tops providing stunning views.
Evening
Enjoy an evening of free time to explore this beautiful coastal city and its nightlife.
Dinner tonight is not included. Be sure to ask your Trip Leader for some local recommendations.
Day 5
Morning
After breakfast, gear up for a private boat trip on the water.
Enjoy a 2-hour guided boat tour to the breathtaking Ponta da Piedade caves.
You will be offered a welcome drink of water, juice, or sangria.
You will have the opportunity to swim and take a smaller boat ride to get up close with the caves of Ponta da Piedade. (~tide and water conditions permitting)
Afternoon
Return to Lagos and ask your Trip Leader for recommendations on where to have lunch.
This afternoon is free for you to choose your own adventure or simply relax on one of the nearby beaches.
Evening
Join your group and head out for an included group meal in Lagos.
If you’re looking for more adventure after dinner, tonight is the night to check out Lagos’ thrilling nightlife scene.
Day 6
Morning
Today, you will drive from Lagos to Olhao, a traditional fishing town in the center of the Algarve. (~1.5 hours drive)
Drop your luggage off at the hotel and pack a day pack! This afternoon, you will take a ferry to the beautiful sandbar island of Culatra.
Afternoon
Have an afternoon to unwind and relax.
Culatra Island is made up of small paths, bungalows, and a few small cafés. With no cars on the island, it’s a relaxing place where life is slowed down.
Ferry back to Olhao and enjoy more free time to check out the town.
Evening
Dinner tonight is not included, but your Trip Leader will be able to recommend a few local favorites.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also take a train or taxi to the larger town of Faro for more nightlife options.
Day 7
Morning / Afternoon
Today is free to choose your adventure or another beach to relax on.
Consider taking a walk through town to see Olhao’s famous murals, walk the trails at Quinta de Marim, or visit Mercado de Olhão, one of the more popular fish markets in the Algarve.
If you are interested in an olive oil tasting and tour, please talk to your Trip Leader about organizing this activity.
Evening
Gather with your friends for a farewell dinner and reflect on your journey in Portugal over this past week.
Day 8
Morning:
On the final day of your adventure, wake up early to soak in the last morning in Portugal together.
Say goodbye to your new friends and depart at any time of the day. Hotel checkout is at 11:00 a.m. Receive instructions from your Trip Leader on how to take taxis, buses, or local transportation to the airport.
Be sure to ask your Trip Leader for suggestions on what to do if you choose to spend more time in Portugal.
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