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Some ways to tour Portugal

Pousadas of Portugal. Magnificent locations, places of contemplation and discovery, and temples of gastronomic delight await all those who journey through the Pousadas of Portugal.

The secrets of an ancient art are revealed in the best traditional cuisine, together with the most genuine Portuguese wines. The Pousadas are the largest network of Traditional Restaurants in Portugal. The Pousadas are ideal places to hold business meetings, special events or simple thematic tours. The Pousadas are located throughout the country.

Explore Without Borders LDA can provide you with tours of the Pousadas. These can be TOURS all over Portugal, daily tours in Lisbon and surrounding localities, or TOURS that will be specifically developed with you.

You may also obtain information from Manor Houses of Portugal by completing the form on any page of their site.

Pousada Holidays

The following are two suggested itineraries featuring the Pousadas of Portugal. These tours can be tailored to individual preferences and time frames. Car rental or driving is suggested so that you can make the most of your trip. The daily driving distances have been calculated to give you a relaxed ride and also provide you with the time necessary to explore all the points of interest.

Rent a Car Click here

For further information about the booking conditions, please visit this site.

You may also obtain information from Manor Houses of Portugal by completing the form on any page of their site.

Algarve

10 Days

Day 1 - 3	Hotel Tivoli	Sintra
The town of Sintra is a short distance from the Lisbon airport. From here you may not only enjoy Sintra but also visit Lisbon, Estoril and Cascais, which are in a short driving distance. Lisbon is only 50 minutes away from Sintra by electric train. Cascais and Estoril are about 23 km away from Sintra. It is a short pleasant drive.

Day 4	Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel	Estremoz
Drive south over the 25^th de Abril suspension bridge. Stop at the Pousada São Filipe, near Setúbal, for lunch, then on the way east stop at Arraiolos, home of the cross-stitch hang rugs. From here Estremoz is a short distance. (Approximate travel distance 189 km).

Day 5	Pousada dos Lóios	Évora
Drive south to Évora the City Museum of Portugal. (Approximate travel distance 104 km).

Day 6 - 7	Pousada de São Brás	São Brás Alportel
Leave Évora and proceed through the flat lands of the Alentejo with olive trees, grain fields and cork trees. (Approximate travel distance 217 km). Explore the Algarve, the towns of Vila Real San António, Tavira, Faro or just for a relaxing day at the beach. (Approximately 80 km).

Day 8	Pousada do Infante	Sagres
Drive west passing through Albufeira and continue on to Lagos and Sagres. Visit the nautical school of Prince Henry and stop at Cape São Vicente, one of the most western points of Europe. (Approximate travel distance of 147km).

Day 9	Pousada de Palmela	Palmela
It's time to turn north toward Lisbon. Lunch suggested at the Pousada in Santiago do Cacém. Continue on to historic Palmela. The scenery from this hilltop castle is magnificent. If time permits you should take a quick drive out to Sesimbra. The Serra da Arrábida area is magnificent. (Approximate travel distance of 221km).

Day 10	Early departure Lisbon Airport
Early morning departure for the Lisbon Airport.

Costa Verde

13 Days

Day 1 - 3	Hotel Tivoli	Sintra
The town of Sintra is a short distance from the Lisbon airport. From here you may not only enjoy Sintra but also visit Lisbon, Estoril and Cascais, which are in a short driving distance. Lisbon is only 50 minutes away from Sintra by electric train. Cascais and Estoril are about 23 km away from Sintra. It is a short pleasant drive.

Day 4	Pousada do Castelo	Óbidos
Leaving north from Sintra you will drive through Ericeira, a summer resorts beach town and surfers paradise. Proceeding to Mafra, a visit to the convent is suggested. Continue on to Óbidos a walled village. The Pousada is located in the towers of the castle. Approximate travel distance 178 km.

Day 5	Palace Hotel	Bussaco
Continue north to the fishing village of Nazare. Also the village of Caldas de Rainha, popular for its ceramic art and the town of Alcobaca and its monastery. Pass through the university city of Coimbra and stay at the magnificent Palace Hotel do Bussaco (5 star). Approximate travel distance 193 km)

Day 6	Pousada Santa Marinha	Guimarães
Take the freeway A1 to Porto, the most industrial city in the country. Take time to visit the wine cellars here and also enjoy the shopping. Approximate travel distance 169 km.

Day 7	Pousada D. Dinis	Vila Nova de Cerveira
Continuing north you will pass through the picturesque town of Viana do Castelo. After lunch your next stop is Vila Nova de Cerveira at the margin of the Minho River, a natural border between Spain and Portugal. Approximate travel distance 119 km.

Day 8	Hotel Reys Católicos	Santiago de Compostela
Enter Spain through Tuy. Look at Spain's busy Atlantic harbor of Vigo. Continue on to Santiago De Compostela, the city that never fell into Moorish dominance. Lodging at the Parador Reys Catóicos (5 star)considered the oldest hotel in the world. Approximate travel distance 152 km.

Day 9	Parador Nacional Monterey	Verin
It is a beautiful drive from Santiago De Compostela to the Spanish border town of Verin. Stop for lunch and visit the town of Orense. Approximate travel distance 221 km.

Day 10	Pousada Barão de Forrester	Alijó
Back to Portugal through the wine region, green seas of vineyards all over, one of the most luscious areas of the country. Approximate travel distance 146 km.

Day 11	Pousada de S. Lourenço	Manteigas
The contrasting scenery of the interior of the country with rivers, valleys and mountains will be with you for sometime. Stop in the laborious town of Guarda and continue on to Manteigas. Approximate distance 197 km.

Day 12	Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel	Estremoz
Continue south driving through small villages and unspoiled nature after passing Portalegre and Elvas to the town of Estremoz in the province of Baixo Alentejo. Approximate distance 260 km.

Day 13	Hotel Mundial	Lisboa
After one hour of driving south, visit Évora the city museum of Portugal. Drive north to Lisbon passing Setúbal to Palmela and cross the Tagus River suspension bridge staying in a hotel near the airport. Approximate distance 165 km.

For further information about the booking conditions, please visit this site.

You may also obtain information from Manor Houses of Portugal by completing the form on any page of their site.

Important Tips

Late Arrival

If you arrange a Pousada tour, the Pousadas, Paradores and Hotels throughout your trip will have been prepaid. If you plan to arrive after 6:00PM please call and inform them. The telephone number will be provided in your itinerary. You may also take advantage of the call to make dinner reservations. Dinner is usually served after 8:00PM.

How to get there

Pousadas and Paradores are government owned establishments of Portugal and Spain. On approaching the Pousada or Parador, official signs are often seen on the road, indicating the distance in kilometers remaining before your destination. I've driven in most of Portugal. The main highways are very well marked and the Pousada signs will permit you to find you destination without any problem. To me renting a car, leisurely driving from Pousada to Pousada, is one of the best ways to see Portugal and meet the people. We have done this many times and have never had any problems.

Plan it safe

Before you depart, makes a routine check, of your vehicle: tires, oil and engine. If you gas tank reader shows half a tank, we suggest that you fill up at the next gas station

Time Change

If you are traveling into Spain, please be aware that Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal's time.

Detailed information on the Pousadas of Portugal

Map of Tourist Regions

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