Portugal Meets Spain Self-Drive

Arrive at Porto International Airport, collect your rental car and drive to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to relax or begin exploring Porto, a captivating city and UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic architecture and remarkable monuments. Take a stroll through its charming streets, admire the distinctive buildings, and sample some of the local cuisine. Overnight in Porto.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we begin exploring the charming city of Porto and its surroundings. Wander through its distinctive neighbourhoods and visit the remarkable São Francisco Church, a prime example of Baroque architecture in northern Portugal. We then see the Stock Exchange Palace, noted for its ornate Moorish Hall, before heading to one of Porto’s famous Port wine cellars for a memorable tasting session. You’ll also have the chance to explore the city centre at your leisure — Santa Catarina Street offers a lively pedestrian area perfect for shopping and soaking up the local atmosphere. We return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Porto.

After breakfast, we leave Porto and drive to Guimar?es, known as the birthplace of Portugal and its first king. Here, we explore the medieval historic centre, including the Sacred Hill topped by the Castle, and the 15th-century Palace of the Dukes of Bragan?a. Next, we continue to Braga, often called the ?Portuguese Rome? for its wealth of religious architecture. We visit the country's oldest cathedral and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, famous for its baroque stairway and gardens. Finally, we drive to Viana do Castelo, where you check in to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we explore Viana do Castelo, one of northern Portugal’s most picturesque cities. Known for its maritime heritage linked to the Age of Discoveries and the cod fishing industry, the city is also famous for exquisite gold filigree craftsmanship. We then drive to Vigo, Spain’s largest city in Galicia, situated on the estuary that shares its name and recognised as Europe’s leading fishing port. Next, we continue to Pontevedra, the capital of its province, noted by the United Nations as one of Europe’s most liveable cities, with an abundance of pedestrian streets and green spaces. Finally, we arrive in Santiago de Compostela to check in to our hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we spend the day exploring Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985 that draws visitors and pilgrims worldwide. We walk through the historic city centre, visiting Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. This cathedral marks the end of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

After breakfast, we continue to Ourense, known as the city of water for its abundant thermal springs scattered throughout the town. You will have the chance to visit some of these, including the free public baths at A Chavasqueira and the Fonte d’Burgas, a notable hot spring where water emerges at 65 degrees Celsius. Later, we drive to the village of Telões, where you will check in to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we drive to Vila Real to visit the gardens of Solar de Mateus, whose distinctive fa?ade is famously featured on Portuguese ros? wine bottles. Next, we enter the demarcated Douro wine region, travelling through vineyards and taking in the striking landscapes of the Douro Valley. We begin in Peso da R?gua, known as the capital of the Douro Demarcated Wine Region, situated beside the Douro River. Our journey continues to Lamego, overlooked by the important shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Rem?dios, renowned for its impressive baroque staircase. Here, you can sample local specialties such as smoked ham and the traditional ?Bola de Lamego? ? a baked loaf filled with ham. We then visit São Pedro do Sul, famous worldwide for its thermal baths dating back to pre-Roman times. The natural mineral waters emerge at 68?C and are distributed between two spas, Rainha D. Am?lia and D. Afonso Henriques, both open year-round. Finally, we drive to Viseu for check-in and overnight stay.

After breakfast, explore Viseu, the heart of the D?o wine region and linked to Viriato, one of Portugal's earliest heroes and a Lusitanian leader. We then drive to Luso, a renowned spa town nestled at the foot of the Bussaco forest. The mineral waters here are famous for their healing properties, and the bottled ??gua do Luso? is widely enjoyed across the country. Continuing through central Portugal, we pass through the lush Bussaco forest, noted for its rare and exotic trees, and home to a charming hotel that was once a royal hunting lodge. We conclude the day with arrival and check-in at your hotel in Coimbra.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit Coimbra’s University, one of the oldest in the world, renowned for its stunning baroque library and rich academic traditions, including the distinctive black student capes and the melancholic Fado music. We then stop at St Clara Church to see the tomb of Queen Santa Isabel, famed for the “miracle of the roses.” Next, we drive to Figueira da Foz, a coastal resort boasting 34 kilometres of beautiful beaches. Continuing on, we visit Batalha to explore the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, a prime example of Portuguese Gothic architecture and the resting place of Henry the Navigator, a key figure in the country’s maritime discoveries. Finally, we drive to Fátima for check-in at the hotel.

After breakfast, we explore Fatima, one of the world’s most significant Catholic shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Fatima is renowned for the Apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary to three shepherd children. From here, we travel through a landscape dotted with windmills and fruit trees to Óbidos, a charming town enclosed by medieval walls. Here, you can admire the harmonious architecture, browse local handicrafts, and sample the famous ginginha, a traditional bitter cherry liqueur. We then continue to Sintra, a place of enchanting palaces and castles set amidst lush forest on the mountainside. Take time to wander the narrow streets around the National Palace of Sintra, once a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty in the 15th and 16th centuries. Later, we drive to Lisbon for check-in at your hotel.

After breakfast, we begin exploring Lisbon’s downtown area, Baixa, which was rebuilt under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal following the devastating 18th-century earthquake. From there, we visit Alfama, the city’s oldest district, with origins dating back to the Arab period. Next, we head to Belém, a historic and spacious suburb known as the departure point for many of Portugal’s great explorers. Here, we visit key landmarks including Belém Tower, an iconic symbol of the city, and Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its original Manueline architecture reflecting the Age of Discovery. Overnight in Lisbon.

Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Lisbon to soak up the city at your own pace. When ready, drive to Lisbon Airport, return your rental car, and prepare for your onward flight.