Portugal 's Atlantic Coast
An ideal opportunity to enjoy the sights and delights of this historic land without the summer crowds and in a climate that is likely to be a vast improvement on what is expected at home.
An ideal opportunity to enjoy the sights and delights of this historic land without the summer crowds and in a climate that is likely to be a vast improvement on what is expected at home.
A winter holiday to Portugal’s Atlantic Coast is not a “beach-break” but is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sights and delights of this historic land without the summer tourist crowds. Although wall-to-wall sunshine is not guaranteed the climate is likely to be a vast improvement on what we expect back at home! (Lisbon averages 18 degrees Celsius). Contemplate the majesty of the ocean, its invigorating sea air and the contrasts between beach and countryside, urban rhythms and rural landscapes. Discover a region dotted with small villages and fishing towns as well as ancient cities, united by a history rich in traditions. From its built heritage of fortresses, Roman remains, medieval towers and monuments to the rare beauty of its natural environments – Portugal is a paradise waiting to be discovered.
PRICE REDUCED BY £50 Per person - see Other Information
ITINERARY
Tuesday - Afternoon departure from Dorset to Portsmouth. Join the evening Britanny cruise ferry (sails at 22:45) to Bilbao in Spain with 2 nights on-board - Cabin accommodation with private facilities included.
Wednesday - A day at sea enjoying the ships extensive facilities - restaurants, bars, entertainment area, shops, cinema, pool, casino & lounges.
Thursday - Arrive Bilbao 08:00 and after disembarking spend time in this the capital of the Basque region. It can also be referred to as "The City of the Guggenheim" as when the futuristic museum was built it changed Bilbao forever. Despite this it is a pleasure to stroll around the 700 years old streets of the old city crammed with traditional shops, the cathedral and cafes. Leave at noon and drive through the mountains of Northern Spain and onto the plains to the wonderful Renaissance city of Salamanca for dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Recoletos - all expected facilities of a high quality venue.
Friday - Continue westwards and cross the border into Portugal. The countryside becomes greener, mountainous and is more wooded the closer we get to the sea. We reach Praia da Vieira set on its beautiful sandy beach late that afternoon and check in to our hotel for a 4 night stay.
Saturday - An excursion to Lisbon, one of the oldest capitals in Europe - we shall be accompanied by a local guide. Founded by the Phoenicians and styled by the Moors which shows strong Arab influences - destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 and then rebuilt - it is a potpourri of unusual character and charm. To explore the city without slogging up and down its seven hills take the old tram system that calls at most historic sites - including the old quarter of Alfama, the Feira de Ladra market, St Georges Cathedral, the Parliament building and more. We have included entry to the stunning Jeronimos Monastery - a masterpiece and UNESCO listed - Lunch included today.
Sunday - A shorter day today as we drive to Coimbra, again accompanied by our local guide. Rich in centuries-old monuments that illustrate every chapter of the history of architecture, Coimbra was once the capital of Portugal. Its university is monumental and we have included admission - a UNESCO Heritage Site and founded in 1290, it is a former Royal Palace and includes two museums, the cathedral and library. Lunch is included again today and there will be free time to make you own discoveries strolling the narrow cobbled streets and riverside.
Monday - Led by our local guide we drive to the coastal city of Porto, home of the port wine trade. It is filled with narrow alleyways, steep winding streets and historic buildings. The magnificent cathedral (admission is included), baroque churches and neo-classical Palace all serve to make an exceptional townscape steeped in over 1000 years of history. We shall visit a Port wine cellar with a tasting and enjoy a boat cruise on the River Douro. Lunch is again included today.
Tuesday - We bid our farewells to Portugal and head eastwards back into Spain. Our overnight hotel is located in Burgos, the medieval city with its masterpiece Gothic cathedral situated just 10 mins walk from our hotel. Stay overnight at Hotel Corona de Castilla with all expected facilities.
Wednesday - This morning we leave Burgos and cross the border into France - making a lesiurely drive through the French countryside northwards to Poitiers. Stay overnight at Ibis Hotel with dinner and breakfast included.
Thursday - After breakfast continue north, crossing the Loire valley and into Normandy to arrive in Cherbourg that afternoon. Join the Britanny ferry sailing at 16:30 to Portsmouth - ETA 21:30. Return to Dorset later that night.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Hotel Cristal, Praia da Vieira
A modern and high quality 3 star hotel situated right on the beachfront promenade with the Atlantic ocean as its spectacular backdrop. Bedrooms are stylish and airy with private bathroom with free toiletries, hairdryer, television, phone, heating/air-con, safe, tea tray, fridge and wifi. Some have a balcony and/or sea-view. The Cristal Restaurant provides freshly prepared meals featuring Portuguese specialities and International dishes with wine and water included each evening. The bar and lounge provide a beach view and are a great place to socialise. Guests have use of the extensive leisure facilities which includes a heated indoor pool, loungers, sauna, Turkish bath*, gym and massage* (*extra). A lift serves all floors.
TOUR PRICE : £1350.00 Per Person - Now Reduced to £1300 (see itinerary change below)
Single Room/Cabin Supplement : £210.00
Price Includes: All coach travel, Overnight ferry crossings, Cabin accommodation with beds not bunks, 2 overnight hotel stays in Spain, 4 nights hotel in Portugal, 1 overnight hotel stay at Poitiers, Half board meals at hotels, 3 lunches in Portugal, No meals on ship, Local guides in Portugal, Admission to Jeronimos Monastery, Admission to Coimbra University, Admission to Porto cathedral, Douro River Cruise, Port wine tasting.
Ferry accommodation is an inside cabin (no window) with beds not bunks.
Upgrade to outside cabin (inc. window) with beds @ £25.00 per person
NB: You can only book a sole occupancy cabin with a single bedded hotel room - not when sharing a twin/double room.
Note : Change to brochured itinerary. This tour follows the itinerary published in our brochure as far as Day 8 (Tuesday). However we are not able to secure a group reservation on the overnight ferry back from Santander on Day 9. Therefore we shall make a lesiurely drive up through France and stay overnight at a hotel near Poitiers (dinner and breakfast included). Resume on day 10 from Poitiers to Cherbourg and join the afternoon ferry back to Portsmouth (arrives 21:30 - just 30 mins after the Santander ferry has docked). Revised itinerary is correctly shown here on our website. Price reduced by £50 per person due to this change.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Queens Avenue | Dorchester, Bus stop end of Queens Avenue |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | Southlands Road bus stop on Buxton Road, Weymouth (former St Nicholas Church) |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Value House | Value House Car Park |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
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