Portugal and Its Islands featuring Lisbon, Azores & Madeira Islands

What's Included

• Tour of Lisbon

  Set out on a tour of Lisbon and uncover some of the city’s most famous sights.

• Visit to Belem

  Travel to Belem, where the age of Portuguese maritime discoveries comes to life at the Tower of Belem (UNESCO).

• Fado Experience

  Experience a night of fado (UNESCO) and learn about this traditional art form.

• Visit to a Ceramic Factory

  Be a guest at a family-run ceramic factory and learn about Portuguese pottery.

• Cozido das Furnas Lunch

  Experience a truly unique cozido das Furnas lunch in Furnas Valley.

• Visit to Sete Cidades

  Visit the iconic Sete Cidades volcanic crater and peer down at its twin lakes.

• Madeira Wine Tasting

  Taste Madeira wine and learn why it’s had such an important role in the history of the island.

• Espetada Dinner

  Enjoy a traditional dinner in Madeira, known as an espetada, and local folkloric entertainment.

What's Not Included

• Optional Excursions

  Optional excursions such as the tour to Sintra and Cascais, whale-watching adventure, and the levada walk in Madeira are not included.
  
  

• Transportation for Optional Tours

  Transportation is not included for some optional tours, such as the whale-watching adventure.
  
  

• Prepaid Gratuities

  Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand and do not cover airport transfer and extension gratuities.
  
  

Experiences

Be a guest at a family-run ceramic factory and learn about Portuguese pottery.Visit Funchal’s Lavradores market, a fruit and exotic-flower paradise.Experience a night of fado (UNESCO) and learn about this traditional art form.

Options

Sintra: Portugal's Royal Havens: Sintra & Cascais On this fascinating tour, visit the charming town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic palaces, castles, and gardens, and tour the Sintra National Palace. Later, drive through the mountains to the rugged coastline, passing Guincho Beach, a favorite spot for windsurfers. Arrive at Boca do Inferno ("mouth of hell" in English), an ancient cave whose wide-open mouth juts into the sea, forming an archway. Then arrive at the Portuguese Riviera, known as the "playground of kings." Many royals and world leaders have chosen this resort area as their home, and visitors flock here to soak up the luxe atmosphere. Scenic, cosmopolitan Cascais sits on a broad blue bay with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Duration approximately 5.5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.




Sao Miguel, Azores: Whale Watching Adventure and Lunch Go searching for gentle giants on a whale watching excursion! Venture out into the blue Atlantic and search for some of the 28 species of cetaceans. Learn about the culture of whales in the Azores from an expert biologist, detailing the social shift of whale treatment in the area. From whale hunting to whale watching, you’ll understand the cultural evolution that has led to respecting these peaceful animals in present day. Sperm whales, pilot whales, and pods of dolphins frequent the Azorean waters, and you might be able to catch some blue whales or fin whales migrating through the area. After you’re back on land, reflect on your adventure with a lunch featuring local flavors. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This optional tour is weather-dependent and may be cancelled without previous notice. If cancelled due to weather, you will be reimbursed.
Please note, this option is not suitable for people with back problems due to impact by waves.

Madeira Island: Levada Walk & Santana's Traditional Houses with Lunch Explore Madeira's eastern side with a full-day optional tour which combines Madeira's stunning natural landsacapes with some of its early history. Start with a visit to Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira's highest peaks where, on most days, you can stand and look down on the clouds. Follow with an easy trek along the island’s levadas, and learn about this unique watering system. Then travel to a Quinta for lunch with views of the Atlantic. End with a visit to Santana's traditional A-frame houses, constructed with triangular rooftops protected by straw. While most of these homes are no longer lived in, they are a reminder of the island’s farming past. Duration approximately 7 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.


Levada walk is approximately a one-hour walk in moderate terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.

Pawtucket, RI: Portugal & its Islands Tour Gratuities You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included

Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.

Culinaries

Experience a truly unique cozido das Furnas lunch in Furnas Valley.Enjoy a traditional dinner in Madeira, known as an espetada, and local folkloric entertainment.Taste Madeira wine and learn why it’s had such an important role in the history of the island.

Must See

Gaze upon the pristine twin lakes of Sete Cidades.Explore the island of Madeira, known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic."Tour Lisbon and uncover its old-world charms.

Choice Highlights

Lisbon Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star attraction, yet with half the fuss of other European capitals. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colorful cityscape, but the real delights of discovery lie in wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets. The Lisbon experience encompasses so many things, from enjoying a fresh pastry and bica (espresso) on a petite leafy plaza to window-shopping in elegant Chiado. It’s mingling with Lisboêtas at a neighborhood festival or watching the sunset from the old Moorish castle.

Belém Standing proudly on the bank of the Targus river in Lisbon is Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 16th-century tower was where explorers from the Age of Discovery set out towards the New World, across the Atlantic.

Fado Dinner Show Fado is a popular style of music in Lisbon, Portugal. In Lisbon, fado is always sung by a solo performer, while in other regions of Portugal it is typically performed in a group. Fado can be traced back to the 1820s, but it is said to have much earlier origins.

St. Michael Island, Azores The island, named for Archangel Michael, is also referred to as “The Green Island.” Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The island was established in 1427 after the discovery by Goncalo Velho Cabral. The island is home to the Presidency of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Tourists come to Sao Miguel, to view the lakes, rolling high, high mountains, and enjoy the beaches. Sao Miguel offers a variety of outdoor activities that include several of its scenic features.

Terra Nostra Botanical Garden Guided Walk or Thermal Pool Experience While in Ponta Delgada you have a choice between two ways to experience the Terra Nostra Botanical Park. You can choose to take a guided stroll through the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, home to the world’s largest collection of camellias. Or, you can choose to experience the sensation of rest and relaxation in the Terra Nostra Botanical Park’s mineral rich thermal water pool. (Bathing suits are required)



Terra Nostra Botanical Garden Guided Walk

Activity Level 2

Guests can choose while on tour whether they would like to go on the garden walk or thermal pool experience.



Terra Nostra Thermal Pool Experience

Activity Level 1

Guests can choose while on tour whether they would like to go on the garden walk or thermal pool experience. The thermal pool will require a swimsuit and towel.

Terra Nostra Botanical Garden These botanical gardens are over two hundred years old, dating back to 1780 when the U.S. Consul General to the Azores built his home here. Successive owners have since developed the park, planting layer upon layer of iconic trees and shrubbery from all over the planet. Today the park is a romantic vision of ponds, winding paths, flowers, centuries-old exotic trees and silence. Two streams converge in the park and there is a pond of warm thermal water that is used as a swimming pool. There are vast, hidden, luxurious gardens in which the colors of the flowers are mixed with the bright green of the Japanese cedars and araucarias. There is an abundance of leafy vegetation from cold and tropical countries, with some species that are hard to find even in their native lands.

Sete Cidades Sete Cidades is a civil parish in the center of Ponta Delgada, that is loczted in the center of a massive volcanic crater. The region comes from Latin origins and became a historical reference as the Island of the Seven Cities. The first documentation recognizing Sete Cidades was written in 750 A.D. The urbanized portion of the parish, the village of Sete Cidades, is located in the southwest of the crater. Most of the land is covered in farmlands, pastures, and forests.

Madeira Island Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago, a group of islands, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island was claimed by Portuguese sailors in 1419, and became a settlement a little more than a year after. The archipelago is considered to be the first territorial discovery of the exploratory period of the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Today, Madeira is a popular year-round resort visited by about a million tourists a year. Noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, landscapes, and embroidery artisans, Madeira has also been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for its annual fireworks show on New Years.



Espetada Dinner Folkloric Show During an evening on Madeira Island, experience a traditional Portuguese dinner and show. While you are entertained by folklore music and dance, dine on classic Portuguese cuisine. Dig in to delicious espetada, a type of kabob made from beef or chicken. These skewers are marinated in garlic and salt before being slow-roasted over an open fire. In the traditional fashion, the espetada will be served with bolo do caco (a type of Maderian bread) or milho frito (fried cornmeal bites).

Folkloric Show Have an immersive cultural experience when you attend a traditional Portuguese folkloric show. Folklore is a meaningful part of Portuguese culture, and you’ll have the opportunity to witness this entertainment firsthand.

Porto Moniz Gaze upon the picturesque volcanic pools in the fishing village of Porto Moniz and perhaps take a dip into the sparkling blue waters that overlook the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Mode of Transport

Travel between destinations via flights, including Lisbon to St. Michael in the Azores and Ponta Delgada to Funchal in Madeira, ensuring a seamless exploration of Portugal's diverse landscapes.

Accommodation

Stay at the Lumen Hotel in Lisbon, Azoris Royal Garden Hotel in Ponta Delgada, and Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Funchal, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey.