Portugal Holiday
Self Drive Tours from Lisbon

Staying in Pousadas 

1Nov'09-31Oct'10

1 week from Euro 538 ($ rate varies depending the exchange)

ITINERARY  - (7 NIGHTS) - GATEWAY: LISBON

LISBON/QUELUZ 1NT (Around 25 Km, about 30 minutes drive)
Flying into Lisbon. Upon arrival P/U your car from Budget car-hire desk at Lisbon Airport and drive West of Lisbon to Queluz and stay at Pousada D. Maria, Summer Palace of the kings of Portugal in the 18th century. The building was formerly used by the Royal Guard of the Court in the Palace of Queluz, known as the “Portuguese Versailles”. Stay 1nt there to explore the Lisbon coast, Estoril and Cascais (the Portuguese Riviera) the beautiful and romantic Sintra with its Palaces, Nacional Village Palace and the Moorish Palace, surrounded by the Monserrate Park and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe. Overnight: Pousada D. Maria in Queluz

QUELUZ / ÓBIDOS 2NTS (Around 100 Km, about 1 hour drive)
Drive North through Western coast of Portugal, the Costa de Prata region with plenty of natural features from the mountains to lush valleys, small villages and beaches flanked by high sand dunes. You will find the Natural Park of Serra de Aire and Serra de Candeeiros, known for the Grottoes of Santo antónio, Mira de Aire and Alvados with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. Obidos - Medieval walled town and another Unesco World Heritage. Overnight.
Recommended visits during your stay:
Nazaré – pretty fishing town;
Alcobaça – the heart of the Portuguese ceramic industry; visit the 12th centurty Santa Maria Cistercian Monastery,
classified in the Unesco World Heritage;|
Batalha – Batalha Monastery and example of Gothic and Manueline architecture;
Fátima – one of the most important Marian centres in the world;
Tomar – Famous Chapter window in the Convent of Christ, headquarters of the Knights Templars; the Castle built by the Master of the Knights Templars, Gualdino Pais;
Overnight: Pousada do Castelo in Óbidos (The Castle in the walls of this beautiful fortified town has been converted into a small Pousada);

ÓBIDOS / GUIMARÃES 2 NTS (Around 200 Km, about 2H30 drive)
Drive Northwest coast of Portugal, the Costa Verde region the mountainous region revealing its prehistoric past, the Roman occupation and the medieval times, the Douro demarcated wine region, has as a wonderful natural tranquillity of green, open spaces and an age-old cultural heritage, numerous lagoons in deep valleys are part of a landscape of unbelievable beauty, the River Douro, which runs trough the heart of the region, very pleasant to take a boat trip on the river.
Guimarães - linked historically to the birth in 1143 of the Portuguese nation, and the Church of São Miguel do Castelo and the strong walls of the castle bear this out. There is magnificent architecture in the city and of special note is the Paço (Palace) Duques de Bragança. Overnight.
Recommended Visits:
Braga – the centre of Baroque art, its cathedral, the oldest in Portugal.
Porto – the 18th Century tower of the Baroque Clérigos church, from the Gothic period the Church of São Francisco famous for its interior of gilded wood engravings “Golden Church”, the Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa).
Viana do Castelo – one of the commercial maritime centre during the time of the Discoveries, evidence by the architectonic of the Praça da República, of the churches of São Domingos and Nossa Senhora da Caridade.
Amarante – lovely town, reflected in the waters of the Tâmega River, with the Church and Convent of São Gonçalo from the 16th-17th centuries. Overnight in the majestic Santa Marinha Pousada (housed in the 12th century Convent of Agostinhos that was rebuilt and restored) near the historical centre of Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city of Guimarães.

GUIMARÃES / CONDEIXA-A-NOVA 1NT (Around 150 Km, about 1h30 drive)
Drive South to Condeixa-a-Nova, on the way enjoys the area with its beautiful landscape.
Aveiro – The Portuguese Venice, with the many canals and the distinctive and colourful “moliceiros” boats that are used to collect seaweed. The town is basically a mixture of neat fishermen’s cottages and Art Nouveau mansions with a few historic buildings. The small houses lining the beach area are most attractive with their distinct colourful facades of different painted colours.
Coimbra – looks out over the river Mondego, visit the Roman ruins at Conímbriga; Romanesque Cathedral, the Santa Cruz Church, the Monastery of Santa Clara and the University buildings that is one of the oldest in Europe. Overnight in Pousada Santa Cristina in Condeixa-A-Nova, close to Coimbra. 2 Km from the preserved Roman ruins at Coinimbriga.

CONDEIXA-A-NOVA / LISBON 1 NT (Around 200 Km, about 2 hours drive)
Drive South to Lisbon and stay the last night in Lisboa, to explore the capital of Portugal, Lisboa.
Lisbon, beautiful town, visit its monuments, the medieval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, walk along the typical streets of Bairro Alto and Madragoa and take the opportunity to dinner in one typical Fado Restaurants of the area and enjoy this unique experience.
Suggest a visit to the new area of Lisbon ``Parque das Nações`` where the Expo 98 took place, enjoy the riverside landscape and all the structures built for the Exposicion - the Lisbon Ocean pavillon with the magnificent Aquarium Overnight: Hotel Lisboa Regency Chiado in Lisboa.

LISBON - Return your car either to meet your return flight or extend your holidays

Package includes:

• 1 night in Pousada D. Maria / Queluz

• 2 nights in Pousada do Castelo / Óbidos

• 2 nights in Pousada Santa Marinha / Guimarães *

• 1 night in Pousada Santa Cristina / Condeixa-a-Nova *

• 1 nightt in Hotel do Chiado / Lisboa

• Car -hire Grp A (Peugeot 107 or similar) - 1 week P/U + D/O from Budget desk at Lisbon Airport including unlimited mileage, CDW and taxes (Airport pick up fee Euro 25 + road tax 1.20 euro per day paid locally )
  
  * In the period 01Nov09-15July and 12Sept-31Oct10 the saturday night have a supplement of Euros 14 per passenger
  NOTE: New years / Easter 01-04April 10 supplements apply! Amount to inform with booking confirmation.

Price (1Nov'09-31Oct'10):