Family Journey Portugal: Lisbon to the Algarve - 8 Days

Itinerary

• Days 1-0: LisbonArrival Day

  Welcome to Lisbon–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the journey ahead.

• Days 2-1: Lisbon

  After breakfast, set off to discover the city on a fun and interactive scavenger hunt through the Baixa district of Lisbon. Beginning at the Praça do Comércio, families are tasked with solving puzzles and noting some of the most unique aspects of this vibrant city. Watch for street performers, interesting patterns, colourful street art, and viewpoints, while your guide shares stories along the way. After lunch, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Explore more of the city, grab some tasty local treats and have fun with your family–vamos!

• Days 3-2: Lisbon

  Take in the magnificent sights and sounds on a coastal cycling tour from Cascais this morning. Known as the Portuguese Riviera, the Cascais coast is famous for beautiful beaches, historic towns, and fishing villages turned resort towns. Then, from Praia do Guincho hop onboard a private bus and set off toward Cabo da Roca–the westernmost point of continental Europe before continuing on to Sintra. Take some time for lunch on your own, then bus up the mountain to the jewel of Sintra–Pena Palace. Enjoy the colourful reds and yellows of the palace transformed by King Fernand II in the 19th century and explore the courtyards and gardens and imagine what life was like so many years ago. After, return to Lisbon for one final night in this exciting city.

• Days 4-3: Lisbon/Évora

  Wave goodbye to Lisbon and set off for a fun and interactive visit to a local cork farm and winery. Climb into a 4x4 and explore the stunning Alentejo countryside to learn about one of Portugal’s most interesting natural resources–cork, an integral part of the wine production Portugal is so famous for. Learn about the industry’s evolution and sustainable harvesting which only takes place every 9-12 years during the tree’s 200-year lifespan. After, sit down and sample some of the local flavours, wine for the grown-ups and juice for the kids–paired with local cheeses, then fill up on a traditional cork farm worker’s lunch at a nearby restaurant. Later, Travel to Évora–a UNESCO World Heritage site and join an orientation walk, stopping at the fascinatingly eerie Chapel of Bones along the way.

• Days 5-4: Évora/Algarve

  After breakfast, travel to the Cromeleque dos Almendres Monoliths, known as the “Portuguese Stonehenge,” for a walk through the ancient site. This 7,000-year-old monument is even older than the famous English henge–approximately 2,000 years older. These ancient stones are said to have been used for religious rituals and as a location to study the stars. Continue on to the Monte da Rocha region for a traditional lunch before transferring to the Algarve, where you’ll call home for the coming days. This popular family beach region is known for its whitewashed fishing villages overlooking sandy coves–perfect for outdoor pursuits or beach fun and relaxation.

• Days 6-5: Algarve

  Wake up in the picturesque Algarve and set off on your choice of included activity. Either spend the morning on the water “catching a wave” with a surf lesson or go with the Expedition Leader to the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade and walk around the cliffs. The afternoon is free for families to continue exploring Lagos, home of popular beaches, a busy marina, museums, and boardwalks. This evening, return to the hotel to freshen up before an included dinner.

• Days 7-6: Algarve

  Set off on a morning boat tour along the Algarve coast stopping at the Benagil Caves, an iconic natural wonder with sea-sculpted arches that give it the appearance of a cathedral. Cruise through the turquoise waters passing stunning grottoes, rocky cliffs, and secluded beaches. Along the way, keep an eye out for dolphins as these beautiful mammals love to call this area home. Head back to the hotel for a free afternoon to explore however you’d like, then join the other families for a cooking class, learning how to make regional specialties. Afterward, get a taste of Portugal as you savour your culinary creation for your farewell dinner–bom apetite!

• Days 8-7: Algarve

  Depart at any time.