Portugal Parks & Gardens - Parks & Gardens of Portugal

Day 1

Lisbon citytour including St Jorge castle to admire the views. Followed by a visit to the tile museum from where we will proceed to the Jardim da Ajuda. Leaving Belém we drive along the Lisbon coast to Cascais where we visit Casa da Pérgola, an english manor house and its delightful gardens. After lunch return to Lisboa, through Queluz, a former royal palace, built in the 18th century and its formal and informal gardens.

Day 2

First stop at the gardens and palace Marquês da Fronteira, built 1670, the only surviving suburban private house and garden from this period and still retains its features in a very portuguese style. Then visit of Jardim Tropical de Lisboa, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to the Estufa fria and Estufa Quente, 2 greenhouses in the heart of Lisbon.

Day 3

Visit of Sintra, the mountain resort of royalty, where we visit the whimsical gardens of Monserrat. After lunch in the historical center, a visit to Quinta da Regaleira. Return to Lisbon by way of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe.

Day 4

Departure of Lisbon heading north to visit the roman ruins at Conimbriga. Already in Coimbra, visit of the University town. Then follows a tour to the University Botanical Gardens. A short distance from Coimbra, lies Buçaco Hotel, surrounded by exuberant vegetation that includes subtropical species from all over the world. Dinner tonight is a culinary delight, featuring the renowned cuisine of the hotel and wine from its wine cellars.

Day 5

Today travel leads to Douro River region, classified world heritage by Unesco. First stop at Vila Real, visit of Solar de Mateus, a baroque style manour house made famous by the label of Mateus rose wines. Port wine tasting in a Quinta. Overnight in the selected hotel.

Day 6

Depart to Penafiel to visit Quinta da Aveleda, with its spectacular gardens. Lunch and sample of wines.

Return to Hotel.

Day 7

Transfer to Pinhão to take a traditional boat to cruise on the Douro river to the town of Peso da Régua. During the journey the beautiful vineyards and Quintas that dot the hills of Douro. Wine tasting and continuation to Porto to visit the Cristal palace, a garden set in the heart of the city and the Casa de Serralves, in the style of Art Deco, from the 1930s. Visit of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Day 8

Today we will tour the Minho region. Stop at one of the most famous shrines in Portugal, The Bom Jesus do Monte, nearby Braga. Lunch is recommended at the Hotel do Elevador nearby. The journey follows to the town of Braga. Visit of the Gardens at the Casa dos Biscainhos and the Santa Barbara Gardens. On the way to Porto, stop at the Paço de São Cipriano, a private garden in a manor house, located nearby Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal first king.