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Historic Villages of Beira Baixa
Itinerary: Belmonte | Sortelha | Sabugal | Idanha-a-Velha | Monsanto | Penha Garcia
The Historic Villages of Beira Baixa itinerary unveils the rich cultural and natural heritage of the region. In Belmonte, the birthplace of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the Jewish community and castle stand out. Sortelha and Sabugal offer medieval castles and landscapes that evoke ancient times. In Idanha-a-Velha, Roman ruins and walls reveal the history of one of the oldest towns in Portugal. The route passes through Monsanto, with houses carved into the rock, and ends in Penha Garcia, where the Fossil Route and charming watermills can be found.
PROGRAM
Day 1: Belmonte
Morning: Departure from the starting point. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: The tour begins in Belmonte, a village with profound historical and cultural significance. Visit to Belmonte Castle, once the stronghold of Pedro Álvares Cabral's family, offers a chance to explore their role in the Age of Discoveries. The Synagogue and the Jewish Museum tell the story of Belmonte's Jewish community, which survived the Inquisition in secrecy and continues to preserve its traditions. Finally, visit to the Discoveries Museum, which explores the global impact of Portuguese maritime voyages.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 2: Sortelha | Sabugal | Idanha-a-Velha
Morning: Discover Sortelha, with a visit to its Castle and Pillory. Located at the heart of the main square, it offers a glimpse into the village's past legal and administrative history. The tour continues to Sabugal, with a visit to its Castle and Clock Tower, providing insight into the administrative organization of the villages in this region of Portugal. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to Idanha-a-Velha, one of the oldest villages in Portugal, founded by the Romans. Visit the Cathedral, which reveals the religious and architectural layers of the village, and the Roman Walls, which highlight the strategic importance of this site in antiquity.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3: Monsanto | Penha Garcia
Morning: Explore Monsanto, known as the "Most Portuguese Village," where granite houses sculpted between giant rocks form a unique landscape. Visit the Castle and the Chapel of São Miguel, with its isolated location and historical importance. The journey continues to Penha Garcia, with a visit to the Fossil Route, a trail where visitors can observe rock formations millions of years old, as well as fossil footprints. Along the route, the ancient Water Mills, used by generations of local inhabitants, complement the picturesque landscape. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Return to the starting point.
PRICE PER PERSON*:
In a double room: 2 people, with a double bed. | 375 € |
In a twin room: 2 people, with separate beds. | 375 € |
In a single room: 1 person. | 465 € |
PRICE*: The prices presented are an estimate based on: 40 participants, a 50-seat bus departing from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, accommodation in a 4* standard hotel during the mid-season, and meals with a full menu. Prices may vary depending on the prices at the time of booking and the group's preferences. To receive a personalized quote, please fill out the Group Reservation Form.
Deposit: 100€
Bookings up to 30 days before departure
The prices include:
Bus tour in a tourist coach
5 full-menu meals (Appetizer or Soup, Main Course, Dessert, Coffee, Wine, and Water with meals. Some restaurants may provide juices and soft drinks in the menu)
A tour guide accompanying the group as a representative of the company
Local guides for visits and activities
All entries and visits mentioned in the program
Accommodation in a 4* hotel or 3* hotel with breakfast
Civil liability and personal accident insurance
SEATS ON THE BUS:
Seats on the bus are pre-assigned based on the order of boarding and the seniority of the reservation.
PACE: Medium
To participate in this itinerary, you should:
Be comfortable with several days of visits and an itinerary that alternates between bus journeys and short walks through the villages visited.
Be able to keep up with a group at a moderate pace on sometimes uneven terrain with possible stairs.
Be able to follow a medium-paced program, which may require early mornings and arriving at the hotel only at the end of the day for dinner and rest.
Be comfortable following a guide and respecting all instructions given.
Tolerate some changes in temperature and unstable weather.
ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation is planned in a 4* or 3* hotel.
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VISITS INCLUDED:
Belmonte Castle | Synagogue | Jewish Museum | Discoveries Museum | Sortelha Castle and Pillory | Sabugal Castle and Main Church | Cathedral and Roman Walls of Idanha-a-Velha | Monsanto Castle and Houses Sculpted in Rock | Fossil Route and Water Mills of Penha Garcia.