September 19 to 30, 2020

SHORT HISTORY:“Any Portuguese town looks like a bride’s finery— something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”

Saturday, September 19

Departure from Canada with inflight meals.

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Today, you will arrive in one of the oldest cities in the world— Lisbon, Portugal! Dating back to Julius Caesar, this incredible city predates other cities around the world by centuries! Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and transfer to the PortoBay Marque Hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before attending a Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning and then depart for the city of Sintra. In addition to its mountaintop medieval fortifications, vibrant fairytale castles, lush forests, and intricate labyrinth of beautiful gardens, it is famed for its numerous historic villas, luxury estates, and Michelin-star restaurants. Sintra also has many famous landmarks including the mediaeval Castle of the Moors, the romanticist Pena National Palace and the Portuguese Renaissance Sintra National Palace (the latter being your first stop).

The Sintra National Palace, also called Town Palace, is the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal, having been inhabited almost continuously from the early 15th century to the late 19th century, mainly by various royal families.

Enjoy lunch on your own and then depart to the steep cliffs of Cabo Da Roca. The most westerly point of mainland Europe, this spectacular Cliffside offers a panoramic view over the Serra de Sintra.

Afterwards, travel to the “Sun Coast:” Estoril. Although this stunning town holds a lot of history and hardship, it is now one of the most sought-after destinations for sun, sand, and water. It is also home to a traditional fishing port along the bay of Cascais.

Return to your hotel in Lisbon before dinner.

This evening dinner will be at a typical Fado House where you will enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine with interludes of authentic fado music (for which is said to be the “the soul of Portugal”).

After dinner, transfer back to your hotel for your overnight.

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Following breakfast at the hotel this morning, depart for a tour of Portugal’s capital and one of the most intricately-designed cities in the world: Lisbon. With sidewalks of limestone mosaic designs and the faces of buildings decorated in ceramic tiles, this beautiful “city of seven hills” is full of charm and cheer Visit first the neighbourhood of Belém, originally the location of Lisbon’s shipyards and docks, and from where the 15th-century voyages that discovered the sea-routes to India, East Africa, and Brazil originally departed While here, you will enter the Church of The Hieronymite Monastery and its Tower of Belém, which was built in 1520 and was originally constructed to commemorate the safe return of Vasco da Gama (a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea) and is a testament to the ornate 16th century Manueline architecture. During this tour, you will also have the chance to sample a Pastel of Belém; a pastry desert that Belém is known for

Lunch will be held at a local restaurant followed by a tour of the neighbourhood of Alfama. With its winding streets and flowered balconies, this area is warm and inviting; a homey place with welcoming people.

Climb the Belvedere of Santa Luzia where you can experience an exquisite panoramic view of the city of Lisbon.

Next, visit Plaça do Rossio, also known as the Heart of Lisbon. The square is a lively place where people stop to relax, sit, and chat while being surrounded by large, ornate fountains, cobblestoned walkways, numerous statues, and a 27-meter monument dedicated to Dom Pedro IV (the city’s architect following the devastating earthquake of 1775); and Plaça do Comerci, the business district which is surrounded on three sides by distinctive yellow Pombaline architecture.

Enjoy some free time to discover this incredible area. Return to your hotel for dinner on your own and your overnight.

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After breakfast, depart for Setúbal. Said to have been founded by a relative of Noah, this ancient town is known most for its sweet Moscatel wine. The pedestrian streets and the beautiful fountains and gardens throughout lend the city a certain grace with a thriving historic feel.

While in Setúbal, you will have the opportunity to visit the local cheese factory which produces Azeitão—a world-acclaimed cheese made of Ewe’s milk and that has been in production for over 200 years!

Lunch will be at a local restaurant before you continue your journey by visiting Serra Da Arrabida National Park to discover the breathtaking landscapes nestled between high mountains and blue sea.

Afterwards, visit the local winery which produces the Moscatel wine—taste the wine this city is known for!

Dinner will be on your own this evening with your overnight at your hotel.

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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then check out of your hotel and depart for Óbidos; a beautifully preserved and fortified town dating back to the middle ages, complete with cobblestoned streets and flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses livened up with dashes of vivid yellow and blue paint and a hilltop castle!

Enjoy lunch in this quiet town and then head for a tasting of this medieval town’s traditional licor “Ginginha.”

Continue towards Nazaré—the most colourful Portuguese village known for its incredible waves and exceptional surfing (so much so that there is actually a website specifically dedicated to the waves of Nazaré!).

Afterwards, visit the town of Fatima to visit the Shrine of Fatima. Complete with the Chapel of the Lausperene, a great oak tree, a monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Chapel of the Apparitions where, historically, three children said they were first visited by the Virgin Mary, this is one sight to see!

Continue on to Monte Real and check in at the Hotel Monte Real for dinner on your own and your overnight.

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After breakfast at your hotel, check out and start the day off with a visit to Coimbra University in Coimbra. This spectacular university is the oldest university in continuous operation in the world having been established in 1290. You will take a walk through lower town and discover “the republics” - residence of the university students - while witnessing the university traditions that mark the lives of the students who attend this prestigious university.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Aveiro. Nicknamed “The Portuguese Venice” due to its canals, colourful boats, and general atmosphere, this small town sits along the Ria de Aveiro lagoon and contains the Cathedral of Aveiro with its imposing bell tower as well as the Museu de Aveiro, housed in a former convent, with a lavish tomb made of marble.

You will then attend a short workshop to learn about the delicacy that this town is known for: Ovos Moles.

Following, depart on a mini-boat tour on a Moliceiro—a traditional vessel which has a close resemblance to the Venetian gondola. The tour will take you along the picturesque canals of Averio while explaining the history and beauty of this small town.

Then, depart for Oporto for check-in at Hotel Pestana Douro Riverside Hotel & Conference Center for dinner on your own and overnight.

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After breakfast at your hotel, journey to the Douro region with a walking tour of the delightful city of Amarante showcasing the medieval and historic areas.

Continue on to Régua where you will visit a local winery followed by a wine tasting, and is also where you will enjoy lunch.

Following lunch, depart on a boat tour of Douro River, roughly translate to “river of gold.” When the setting sun catches it just right, the water itself looks like liquid gold. With beautiful land scapes and historical structures surrounding, this is a boat tour like no other!

Return to your hotel for dinner on your own and your overnight.

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Following breakfast, you will depart for Barcelos, the Portuguese capital of craftsmanship and where you will find the Rooster of Barcelos—the symbol of Portugal. You will be joined by a local craftsman who will give you a history of the making of the Galo de Barcelos (Barcelos Rooster).

Then, you will be taken to Braga where you will witness one of the most spectacular architectural monuments in Portugal: The Church of Bom Jesus. Dating back to as far as 1373 with many pieces added until 1629 when a pilgrimage church was built dedicated to the Bom Jesus (Good Jesus), with six chapels dedicated to the Passion of Christ. While there, view the monumental Baroque stairway that climbs 116 meters, and enjoy a short ride on The Lift.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then travel to Gumarães; the cradle of Portugal where you will visit the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.

Depart back to Porto for dinner on your own and overnight at Hotel Pestana Douro Riverside Hotel.

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Today will be dedicated to visiting Porto’s “Invicta;” a city famous for its wine. You will get to know this beautiful city in-depth by speaking with friendly locals who are passionate about their country.

Take a panoramic tour of Avenida dos Aliados with a small stop at São Bento Station which is known for its 20,000 tiles, painted by João Colaço, and which depict scenes from the traditional life of the north.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant before your afternoon visit to the Palace of Stock Exchange. To finish off this day, you will visit a local wine cellar for a tasting of port wine. Return to your hotel for dinner on your own and overnight.

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Start today with breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy the entire day on your own! Enjoy the sights and sounds of this incredible place while visiting all the places you didn’t have a chance to or would like to see more of!

This evening, you will be whisked away for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant to share in the memories of this incredible journey. Return to your hotel for your overnight.

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After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for the airport for your trip home.

PORTUGAL—GENERAL CONDITIONS

RESPONSIBILITY

Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents, affiliates, or subsidiaries act only as agents for the hotel, airlines, bus companies and operators providing accommodation, transportation, meals, tours or other services and all coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by the Company are issued subject to all tariffs, terms and conditions under which the forgoing or any other services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, airlines, bus companies. By the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees that the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to the person, firm or corporation. Further, the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage due to an Act of God or Act of War. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw a tour, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time or to make changes in the itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant or if such changes result from circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator. Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents shall not be responsible for the injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or other, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying or providing transportation to the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any other hotel proprietor or employee. The aforesaid and their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to delay or changes in schedules or hotel overbookings or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.

CONDITIONS

BOOKING

Both a CA $1000 deposit as well as the optional package tour insurance cost, are required upon reservation. Second deposit of $1000 is due on March 5, 2020. Final payment will be due on June 19, 2020.

Cheques should be made payable to Uniglobe The Premiere Travel Group. Credit card payments are accepted.

CANCELLATION

Between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, full refund less $1,000 per person. Between 90 and 61 days prior, full refund less $1,500 per person. Less than 60 days prior, no refund will be made for any unused hotel accommodation, meals, transfers, sightseeing, etc. Notice of cancellation must be made in writing.

INSURANCE

The following insurance packages are optional but highly recommended.