St Elizabeth’s Portugal and Spain 2024

Day 1, 26 June

Fly from USA to Lisbon

Day 2, 27 June

Settling in with a stroll and a glass of something nice

You are greeted by Joel at the airport. After loading the tour bus and transferring to your hotel it’s “Welcome to Lisbon” as you get straight into the action and a gentle meander around your neighbourhood. Welcome Dinner is included tonight. Hotel Lisbon

Day 3, 28 June

Guided sightseeing of Lisbon and Sintra

This morning you’ll be joined by a local guide who will introduce you to the lovely city of Lisbon with a spin about the major sights. After pausing to enjoy a pastel de nata, an elegantly proportioned mouthful of bliss, you’ll anon to the romantic town of Sintra. The poet Lord Byron called it a “goodly sight to see” and you’ll get a feel for the aristocratic existence of the 19th century jet set by visiting one of the town’s gorgeous palaces. Hotel Lisbon

Day 4, 29 June

The jolly journey begins

Today you’ll commence your encounter  with the rural charms of Portugal with a visit to the “super cute” town of Obidos. Joel will lead a meander through the medieval alleyways up to its imposing citadel. Portugal’s premier destination for pilgrims lies in wait this afternoon, Fatima. The Virgin Mary’s apparition was first detected here by local children in 1917 and the word spread, culminating with the ‘Miracle of the Sun’ witnessed by thousands. This evening you arrive Coimbra. Hotel Coimbra

Day 5, 30 June

Academic matters and mellifluous moments

This morning you will revel in the joys of an old varsity setting. A local expert leads you on a stroll of discovery through the city's old town. Coimbra was the medieval capital of Portugal and its historical buildings are recognised by UNESCO. There’s some free time this afternoon as well as a chance to experience a celebrated aspect of Portugal’s musical heritage with a Fado performance of guitars and singing. Hotel Coimbra

Day 6, 1 July

An encounter with good wine and the ‘Good Jesus’

This morning your peregrinations bring you along to wine country and the home of Portugal’s famed Vinho Verde, a light and slightly fizzy delight. There will be a lunchtime tasting to set you up for an onward journey to the picturesque town of Braga and a religious experience at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. From its super elevated location you’ll be afforded a vista of ecstasy over to the surrounding hills. This evening you’ll cross the border into Spain. Dinner included tonight. Hotel Baiona

Day 7, 2 July

Flirtations with the sea shore and sundry scallops

Located on the rugged and romantic Galician coast, Baiona is queen of the southern Rias Baixas, the low estuaries. Today you’ll enjoy a local excursion to experience coastal culture and importune the odd fisherman. At the island of La Toja you’ll see the curiously carapaced Capilla de las Conchas covered in scallop shells! At O Grove there’s a boat ride  along the Arousa estuary to see how mussels mingle and provide the perfect accompaniment to an ice cold glass of Albarinho. This is the local white wine and a visit to a bodega will round off our day’s frolics. Hotel Baiona

Day 8, 3 July

Good friends, today you hit the pilgrims’ path!

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Celtic Galicia and its historic centre set in four ancient squares and a famed market place constitutes yet another World Heritage site. A local guide will give you precious insights into the rich and complex heritage of a Cathedral city in a Celtic context whose power to draw pilgrims stretches around the world.  After some free time for personal exploration this afternoon, the group moves towards the true end of ‘The Camino’ at the Costa da Morte.  Dinner included tonight. Hotel Costa da Morte

Day 9, 4 July

Rest and Relaxation at the End of the World

After several days of travel and enjoyable activities, today is your chance to recharge the batteries at you Spa Hotel. For those who prefer not to simply idle by the pool there will be the chance to go out for a gentle hike by the coast. For all there will be an evening’s excursion to Fisterra, land’s end and the Monte Facho lookout. You are afforded the possibility of the most spectacular sunset. Hotel Costa da Morte

Day 10, 5 July

Travel to the heart of Galicia along the Ribera Sacra

Those Romans got everywhere in times long gone by and today you’ll visit Lugo with its ancient walls. To feel you’re following in the footsteps of many millions of your fellow flesh and blood in a town where thousands of years of history certainly gets the juices flowing. You’ll enjoy free time here to grab some lunch. Afterwards you’ll delight in the panoramas afforded by a drive along the contours of the Ribeira Sacra; the sacred riverbanks where the vines grow in abundance and monasteries making wine flourish. Dinner is included tonight. Hotel Montforte de Lemos

Day 11, 6 July

Land of bread and wine

Today is devoted to epicurean endeavours in a landscape of rustic grandeur. There is a chance to make bread as well as bake bread at a noted local bakery. Our journey through the countryside by many an idyllic village and the world of Iberian wines, finally brings us to the colour red. There will be a visit to an ever so beautiful winery perched above the vine clad terraces. Hotel Montforte de Lemos

Day 12, 7 July

A gentle river cruise leads serenely towards the trip’s conclusion

The Douro meanders mesmerically back towards the Atlantic Ocean and you shall follow its course by jumping aboard for a couple of hours’ cruise along the river as the fertile hillsides rise precipitously on either side. There is a visit to the riverside town of Regua and a chance to get to grips with this region’s culture at the local museum. A final skirmish with the Bacchanalian aspects of this splendid territory comes in the form of its most celebrated export, port wine. A final tranquil tipple in valleys and a last night’s dinner in fellowship sends you to bed happy and ready for the flight home. Hotel Douro Valley

Day 13, 8 July

Fly home from Porto airport

Joel accompanies you to the airport for your transatlantic flight back to the USA.