Become immersed in the joys of Lisbon by visiting the capital city’s most well-known attractions and neighborhoods, watching a traditional Fado performance and exploring palaces in the nearby foothills.
DAY 1
Following disembarkation from the ship in Lisbon you will pass through some of Portugal’s most inspiring countryside on the way to Mafra. Here, at the revered Palace of Mafra, which was constructed of local limestone and marble in the 18th Century, you will behold priceless art and period furnishings that were characteristic of the royal lifestyle. At one time, the palace also served as a Franciscan monastery.
After visiting the extraordinary palace, you will continue even deeper into the countryside to the winery “Adega Mãe”: a temple built to honour wine. During the visit, you will know the production process of both white and red wines and be able to take a peek into the greatness of the storage and fermentation vats, the lab and go through the Time Room, where wines rest and aromas mix with the scent of the French oak barrels. At the end of the tour enjoy a tasting on the cellar’s noble room, with wide windows that provide an unforgettable view of the mountains of Socorro and Archeira.
Following lunch at the winery, you will drive to your hotel along a spectacularly scenic coastal route. After check in, the remainder of the day and dinner will be on your own to enjoy as you please.
DAY 2
After departing from the hotel, you will enjoy a scenic Tuk Tuk drive (motorized rickshaw with 3 wheels) towards the Belem Quarter, where you can admire the Monument of Discoveries, the Tower of Belém and Jeronimos Monastery. Continuing on to downtown Lisbon, you will pass lovely Liberdade Avenue, the elegant shopping area of Chiado and the heart of the commercial area, Praça do Comércio and Alfama. Stop to taste the traditional pastry - pastéis de nata.
Note: each tuk tuk has a local driver and seats for four guests. This mode of transport enables guests to see some of the narrow streets in the city’s most typical neighborhoods.
Alfama takes its name from the Arabic Al-hamma, meaning fountains or baths. It contains many important historical attractions and traditional Fado restaurants along its narrow and winding streets. The medieval Castle of São Jorge overlooks the Alfama and offers one of the best views of the city.
One of the highlights of this comprehensive city tour is visiting the Lisbon Cathedral, also known as the Sé. Although it looks like a medieval fortress, the interior is glorious and includes the font where St. Anthony of Padua was supposedly baptized in the 12th Century.
By midday, you will return to the hotel to either relax or grab some lunch (on own). Enjoy the amenities of your luxurious resort, which was once the private residence of the Count of Valencas. Lapa Palace Hotel is conveniently located within easy reach of Lisbon’s attractions.
Your river and garden view room in the hotel’s garden wing will have a balcony that presents views of Lisbon’s downtown, the Tagus River and the hotel pool and garden.
The entertainment for the evening will be at the “Café Luso”, here, you will enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner and watch a Fado show. Fado is Portuguese folk music that is melancholy by nature and usually played on guitars and mandolins. The lyrics tend to be poetic and involve themes such as love and sadness.
Following this authentic cultural experience, you will return to the hotel for the evening.
DAY 3
After departing from the hotel, you will drive to Sintra, a beautiful town nestled in the forested foothills of the Sintra mountains. Your experience here begins with free time to wander about the atmospheric streets, enjoy the sweeping views and thoroughly relax.
Not far away, you will find Pena Palace, a landmark that was built in the 19th century to be a royal summer home. Inside and out, it looks like an eccentric mix of different castle styles and features. Now hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders, the flamboyant palace exemplifies 19th-century Romantic architecture, inside and out.
Following your tour of Pena Palace, return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
DAY 4
Following breakfast and check-out you will be transferred to the Lisbon International Airport for your flight home. Transfers will be set up based on the flight details provided. Check out time at the hotel is at 12:00pm. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship in Lisbon
9:30am Departure for Mafra to visit the palace and convent
11:30am Wine tasting at Adega Mãe
1:30pm Lunch at Adega Mãe
3:45pm Proceed along the coast passing by Cascais and Estoril
5:30pm Check in at your hotel
8:00pm Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Olissippo Lapa Palace hotel or similar hotel
DAY 2
7:30am Buffet breakfast
9:00am Departure for Lisbon highlights – Tuk Tuk ride
10:00am Visit Belem quarter and sample a traditional pastry (pastéis de nata)
10:45am Stop at Principe Real, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio, Baixa and Mouraria, Graça passing by Castelo
12:00pm Continue to São Vicente, Alfama and a stop at the Sé cathedral
12:30pm Return to your hotel, time at leisure, lunch on own
8:00pm Depart for dinner and Fado show at restaurant
11:00pm Return to hotel
Overnight at the Olissippo Lapa Palace hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3
7:30am Buffet breakfast
9:00am Departure for Sintra
10:30am Free time in Sintra
11:00am Visit Pena Palace (National Palace)
11:30am Coffee break at Café Paris
12:30pm Scenic drive along the coastline passing by Estoril
1:00pm Drive back to Lisbon and return to your hotel
Afternoon and evening at leisure. Lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Olissippo Lapa Palace hotel or similar hotel
DAY 4
From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Hotel check out
TBA Transfer to the Lisbon International Airport based on your flight details
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather: In May and June the weather is mild with temperatures around 24° Celsius (75° F). In the summer months you can expect it to typically be 30° Celsius (86° F) during the day. In October the temperatures can drop down to approximately 20° Celsius (68° F) and finally in November the temperature will be approximately 15° Celsius (59° F) with expected rain showers.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes and a jacket or sweater for cooler temperatures. Casual smart dress for dinners. An umbrella in case of rain.
Local Currency: The Euro
Electricity: 220 volts. We recommend bringing a travel adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements: A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel
Rua do Pau da Bandeira, nº 4. ZIP Code: 1249-021
Lisbon, Portugal
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified in advance. If you are not notified of changes before departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, 24 hours a day. You may also enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and steam bath free of charge.
Program Includes for guests:
•3 nights at the Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel or similar – River-garden view room
•Buffet breakfast at hotel’s main restaurant
•Pastel de Belem with one soft drink
•Dinner on day 2 at typical Fado restaurant including ½ bottle of white or red wine per person, mineral water, soft drinks, tea or coffee
•Lunch on day 1 at Adega Mãe or similar winery in Mafra including ½ bottle of white or red wine per person, mineral water, soft drinks, tea or coffee
•Wine tasting on day 1
•Pena Palace fast track entrance fee
•Coffee break at Cafe Paris
•Whisper headsets for groups of ten guests or more
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Personal expenses
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Meals or beverages not mentioned above
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Price: $1,999 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
