Itinerary: Guimarães | Valença | Monção | Melgaço | Chaves | Bragança | Miranda do Douro | Freixo de Espada à Cinta | Castelo Rodrigo | Almeida | Sabugal | Sortelha | Penamacor | Monsanto | Penha Garcia | Castelo Branco | Marvão | Elvas | Évora | Palmela

Join us on a journey through the history and identity of Portugal. We will explore border towns and villages that played crucial roles in the construction and defense of the Portuguese nation throughout the centuries. From majestic medieval walls to historic squares and fortresses, this trip will offer a complete immersion in the events and characters that shaped the Portugal we know today.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP:

• Explore historic castles and fortresses that played crucial roles in the construction and defense of Portugal.

• Discover places and monuments that celebrate national heroes, historical eras, and events. Each stop offers a unique perspective on the historical and cultural development of Portugal.

• Immerse yourself in the local traditions and rich cuisine of the border regions.

PROGRAM:

Day 1: Guimarães | Valença | Monção

A tour through the historic center of Guimarães: Castle, Santiago Square and Oliveira Square. Discovery of the Valença Fortress, historic center, and Roman milestone. Visit to the Monção Fortress and the Alvarinho Museum.

Day 2: Melgaço | Chaves

Visit to the historical center of Melgaço: Castle, Memory and Border Space, Solar do Alvarinho and Chapel of Our Lady of Orada. Ascent to the Keep of Chaves Castle. Walk across the Roman Bridge of Trajan. Crossing Rua Direita. Discovery of the Roman Baths Aquae Flaviae and the charming Church of Mercy.

Day 3: Bragança | Miranda do Douro

Guided tour of the city of Bragança: castle, church and historic center. Panoramic route to Miranda do Douro. Walking tour through the historic center of the city. "Arribas do Douro" cruise with educational activities and tasting of fortified wines.

Day 4: Freixo de Espada à Cinta | Castelo Rodrigo | Almeida | Longroiva

Guided tour of Freixo de Espada à Cinta: Castle, Parish Church and Duarte d'Armas. Walking tour of Castelo Rodrigo: Castle ruins, Church of Nossa Senhora do Rocamador, Pillory. Visit to the Castle and historic center of Longroiva.

Day 5: Sabugal | Sortelha | Idanha-a-Velha

Discover the historic center of Sabugal on foot: Castle and Museum. Visit to Sortelha Castle, Keep and Beacon Tower, Path of the Walls. Visit to the historic center of Idanha-a-Velha.

Day 6: Monsanto | Penha Garcia | Castelo Branco

Walking tour in Monsanto to discover the Castle, the Parish Church of S. Salvador, and the Lucano Tower. Also included is a walk through the historic center of Penha Garcia, the Fossil House, the Miller's House, and the River Beach. In Castelo Branco, the Episcopal Palace Gardens will be visited.

Day 7: Marvão | Elvas

Visit to Marvão Castle | Ruins of the Roman city of Ammaia | Olive Press Museum. In Elvas, Forte de Nª Sª da Graça, Historical Center, Temple Gate, Amoreira Aqueduct, 17th-century Walls.

Day 8: Évora | Palmela

Walking tour through the historic center of Évora: Cathedral, Roman Temple, Geraldo Square. Chapel of Bones. Visit to Palmela Castle and historic center.