Monday, September 8 - Overnight flight to Lisbon

• Depart for NEWARK AIRPORT via Benedict's Motorcoach.
• OVERNIGHT FLIGHT to LISBON.

Tuesday, September 9 -  Lisbon

• Arrive in LISBON and transfer to the HOTEL MUNDIALto check in for your 2-NIGHT STAY.
• Enjoy a MEET AND GREET with your local TOUR DIRECTOR followed by a nice BREAKFAST.
• Afterwards, embark on a TOUR OF LISBON with a visit to its historical quarters, the ALFAMA and BAIXA. Enjoy a stroll through its cobbled streets brimming with colorful houses, a perfect chance to have a coffee with a savory Pastel de Nata tart.
• Visit the PRACA DO COMERCIO SQUARE, along with the AVENIDA DA LIBERDADE, followed by the POMBAL SQUARE.
• In the evening visit a local establishment to enjoy a DINNER with some traditional PORTUGUESE FADO MUSIC.

Wednesday, September 10 - Lisbon

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• After breakfast, set out to the eastern side of the city, home to the medieval quarter of BELEM. Visit the TOWER OF BELEM, a monument dedicated to the Portuguese explorers who led the expeditions on discoveries of new routes and lands. Giving way to a creation of a mighty empire that controlled the seven seas.
• Later, visit the JERONIMOS MONASTERY to see the tomb of VASCO DA GAMA, Portugal's most famous explorer.
• Afterwards enjoy FREE TIME this afternoon to stroll around the OLD ALFAMA QUARTER.
• Dinner will be on your own this evening in Lisbon.

Thursday, September 11  - Lisbon - Alentejo - Evora

• BREAKFAST is included this morning,
• Depart Lisbon and head east towards the interior of Portugal and into the region of ALENTEJO. This region is renowned for its Cork Forests. We make a quick stop in one of the LOCAL CORK FARMS to discover how this essential material is harvested and made into something so well needed for bottles of wines across the world.
• Later, make a stop in a LOCAL VINEYARD for some WINE TASTING and LUNCH.
• After lunch, continue east towards the town of EVORA, a Unesco world heritage site and renowned for its medieval history and architecture.
• Visit to the CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS where we will enter the eerie "Chapel of Bones". A chapel built by the 15th century Franciscan monks decorated with the remains of 5000 bones.
• Check in to the MAR DE AQUEDUTO HOTEL for your 1 NIGHT STAY.
• This evening, enjoy FREE TIME to explore the cobbled streets of Evora. Dinner will be on your own.
  

Friday, September 12 - Evora - Coimbra

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• After breakfast, set out to the in-lands of Portugal. Crossing through fields of Olive groves and Citrus orchards. Your first stop in our journey inland is a visit to the town of TOMAR, home of the KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Tour around some of the historical streets and lanes of this fascinating town.
• Visit the CONVENTO DE CRISTO that is within the walls of the fortress surrounding the town, where you will discover the origin of the Knights Templar and the peculiar history of this fascinating order.
• Later on in the afternoon, head to COIMBRA, Portugal's charming college town and home to one of Europe's oldest universities.
• Check in to the VILA GALE COIMBRA HOTEL for your 1 NIGHT STAY.
• Enjoy FREE TIME in COIMBRA. Dinner will be on your own.
  

Saturday, September 13 - Coimbra - Duero Valley - Porto

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• In the late morning, depart north towards Portugal’s wine region, the DUERO VALLEY. Home to rolling hills brimming with vineyards and a meandering Duero river at its depth, this infamous region produces some of Europe's best wines.
• Visit a RENOWNED WINE ESTATE for WINE TASTING and LUNCH.
• Afterwards, take a relaxing SHORT CRUISE across the DUERO RIVER.
• Finishing the day in PORTO, Portugal's second largest city and considered one of Europe's best wine cities.
• Check in to the VILA GALE RIBEIRA PORTO for your 2 NIGHT STAY. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
  

Sunday, September 14 - Porto

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• Explore the fascinating streets of Porto on a WALKING TOUR. This city is brimming with tiled wall houses and stunning architecture!
• Visit the PORTO CATHEDRAL and the 18th century clerigo towers followed by a visit to the impressive DONA MARIA PIA BRIDGE, designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel, architect of the Eiffel Tower.
• After lunch on your own on the riverfront, visit one of the city's renowned PORT WINE CELLARS and learn how this savory fortified wine is made.
• DINNER is included this evening in one of the city's cozy establishments.
  

Monday, September 15 - Porto - Nazares - Sintra

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• Depart Porto and head south stopping to enjoy the stunning views of NAZARES, Portugal’s seafood capital.
• Enjoy a delightful seafood lunch on your own.
• Continue south and visit FIM DO MUNDO. Known for centuries before the discovery of the Americas as the world's corner, Fim do Mundo is the most western land point in Mainland Europe.
• Indulge in the evening scenery before heading to SINTRA to check into the ARRIBAS SINTRA HOTEL for your 2 NIGHT STAY.
• Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Tuesday, September 16 - Sintra

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• Today, explore SINTRA. Renowned for its relaxing and mystical atmosphere, Sintras charm has been an enigma for thousands of years since the time of the Celts and Moorish rule. Closer to our time, it has been a place of retreat for many of the former Portuguese royalty.
• Visit stunning palaces built by monarchs like the QUINTA DA REGALEIRA, and PALACIO NACIONAL DE SINTRA, all brimming with colorful walls, rooms and lush gardens.
• This evening enjoy a FAREWELL DINNER at the hotel.
  

Wednesday, September 17 - Flight home to Newark

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• Today fly home with wonderful memories of your tour experiencing the GEMS OF PORTUGAL.
• A Benedict's motorcoach will be waiting for you at NEWARK AIRPORT to take you home.