Flight to Porto

Arrive at the airport. Transfer to hotel, with room access upon arrival. In the afternoon, take a short sightseeing tour of Porto and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Carrís Porto Ribeira Hotel 4*

Guided tour of Porto: São Bento Railway Station with its azulejos (tin-glazed ceramic tiles), Do Bolhao Market and the Ribeira neighbourhood. Visit to the famous Vila Nova de Gaia caves where Port wine is aged, followed by a tasting. Afternoon at leisure or opportunity for a mini-cruise on the Douro ($). Cocktail and welcome dinner. (B-D)

Head to Costa Nova, a village renowned for its colourful fishermen’s houses. Stop in Aveiro, the “Venice of Portugal.” Take a moliceiro (boat) ride on the Ria de Aveiro, amid canals and salt marshes. Sample ovos moles, a local specialty. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Coimbra and take a walking tour of the city, known for its centuries-old university. Have dinner on your own in Fátima, with an opportunity to visit the sanctuary. Steyler Fátima Hotel 4* (B-L)

Stop in Batalha for a self-guided tour of the Manueline monastery church. In Nazaré, funicular ride up to Sítio, perched on a 110m-high cliff commanding extraordinary views of the city and beach. Afternoon stroll to Óbidos, a fortified medieval town. Tasting of wood-baked bread served with chorizpan, a chorizo sauce. Onward to Ericeira, a characteristic harbour town and part of the World Surfing Reserves. Hotel Vila Galé Ericeira 4* (B)

Tour of the Baroque palace of Mafra, largest in Portugal, with its impressive collection of works of art. Crossing of the Tagus River on the 25 de Abril Bridge. Exploration of the Arrábida natural park’s coastal route. In Setúbal, tour of the old quarter with its narrow streets. Dinner. Melia Setúbal Hotel 4* (B-D)

In Arraiolos, on the Alentejo wine route, visit to a winery with wine tasting. Continuation to Évora and guided tour of the historic quarters of the old town, including Giraldo Square and the Roman temple of Diana. Onward to the Algarve. Hotel Vila Galé Cerro Alagoa 4* (B)

Day at leisure or optional excursion ($): Cape Saint Vincent, Sagres, Lagos, and Ponta da Piedade. (B)

Free day or optional excursion ($): Benagil caves. (B)

Leave for São Brás de Alportel to learn the secrets of how cork is processed in a family-owned factory. Continue on to Lisbon. Stop for photos at the 110m-high statue of Christ the King, erected in 1959. Take a sightseeing tour of the city centre, the Park of Nations, and the Belém neighbourhood where you’ll taste pastéis de Belém, world-renowned creamy pastries. Hotel WC by The Beautique Hotels 4* (B)

In the morning, take a guided walking tour of the old district of Alfama, with its narrow streets, quaint squares, and old houses. Stop at the Santa Luzia lookout for a beautiful, sweeping view of Old Lisbon. Spend the afternoon as you please. Enjoy a farewell dinner and fado performance. (B-D)

Departure for Sintra for a visit to the Pena Palace, towering over one of the peaks of the Serra de Sintra. Sampling of queijada, a local cheese tart pastry. In the afternoon, drive to the cliffs of Cabo da Roca. Return to Lisbon by the coastal route, passing through Cascais, a bustling seaside resort, and on to Estoril. (B)

Transfer to airport and return flight to Montreal. (B)