PORTUGAL’S CASTLES AND PALACES

Have you ever thought about visiting Lisbon, the capital of Portugal? Are you looking for an English speaking tour guide to escort you during your tour? Look no further.

I’ve been holidaying and guiding in Lisbon and Portugal for 12 years therefore, I have exceptional knowledge of Lisbon along with the history, heritage and culture of Portugal. I’m available throughout the year for one day tours of Lisbon along with extended tours of Greater Lisbon and beyond.

Five full days visiting Portugal’s magnificent castles and fairy-tale palaces, all homes at one time to the Portuguese Royal Family.

Tour Details

Day ONE
Meet at Lisboa Story Centre on Praça do Comércio at 9:30am. The morning begins with a tour of the Lisboa Story, an interactive history of Portugal’s capital city. Afterwards a visit to the iconic Arco da Rua Augusta gives you a 360° panoramic view of the city.

Following lunch, you’ll board the famous Tram 28 for a panoramic journey through the historic districts of Mouraria and Alfama followed by visits to the Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora (Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora) and Castelo de São Jorge (St George’s Castle).

Day TWO
Meet at the Arco da Rua Augusta at 9:30am. Travel by bus to Belém for a visit to the 19^th century Palácio da Ajuda (Ajuda Palace), the official residence of the Portuguese Monarch until 1910. Marvel in the beauty of the state and private rooms that were the centre of the Royal Court.

No visit to Belém is complete without a visit to the delightful Pastéis de Belém, home to Portugal’s delicious egg custard tarts.

Following lunch, your afternoon can be spent exploring the Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) or the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery) followed by a walking tour around the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries) and Torre de Belém (Belém Tower).

Day THREE
Meet at Rossio Railway Station at 9:30am. Travel by train to visit the picturesque town of Sintra. The town is situated in the Parques de Sintra and classified as a Cultural Landscape by UNESCO. A short bus ride will take you to the fairy-tale Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace) and parkland. The palace was created in the 19^th century by King Ferdinand II from the ruins of the Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Pena.

Following lunch, you’ll visit the Palácio de Sintra (Sintra Palace), famous for being festooned with colourful Portuguese decorative tiles (azulejos). The palace was first mentioned in the 12^th century however, much of the palace dates from the early 15th century during the reign of King João I of Portugal.

Day FOUR
Meet at Rossio Railway Station at 9:30am. Travel by train to Queluz where you’ll visit the 18th century Palácio de Queluz (Queluz Palace) and parkland. The palace was one of the last Rococo palaces to be built in Europe and was a residence of Queen Maria I – ‘Maria the Pious’ or ‘Maria the Mad’.

Day FIVE
Meet at Rossio Railway Station at 9:00am. Travel by bus to Mafra where you’ll visit the imposing 18^th century Palácio de Mafra (Mafra Palace) that was built during the reign of King João V of Portugal. Not only was the palace a royal residence, it housed a basilica and convent. The magnificent Rococo Biblioleca (Library), with its 36,000 leather bound volumes, is the palace’s crowning glory.

Cost
The maximum participants per tour will be limited to six. The cost is per person for five days.

1 Person = £1495.00
2 People = £785.00 per person
3-4 People = £650.00 per person
5-6 People = £545.00 per person

Your flights or transport to and from Lisbon, airport transfers, accommodation in Lisbon, travel to Praça do Comércio (Day ONE), meals, refreshments and gratuities are not included.

Your tour guide, public transport costs* and entrance costs to all visitor attractions are included.

* Lisboa Card (Days One to Five). The Lisboa Card will be given to each tour participant on Days ONE and THREE.

Each tour participant is responsible for their own Lisboa Card for the duration of their tour. If lost, the tour participant is responsible for replacing their own Lisboa Card.

Prices are valid from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022.

Private, personally designed tours are also available, please contact me for further details.