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Whether you’ve got just a long weekend or two whole weeks to fill, this romantic tour packed with city glamour, beach heaven and magical mountain hideaways, is a winning combination for a special trip.
Start in Lisbon. Portugal’s capital can’t fail to seduce its visitors. Built over seven hills rising from the River Tejo, stunning views hit you at every turn. Explore on foot or by the bright yellow trams. Stay 3 nights in the bohemian Bairro Alto district at the hip Lisbon Boutique Hotel. Choose one of the sumptuous suites for decadent luxury on a grand scale, with vintage roll-top baths for utter indulgence. The area is a mecca for artists and poets and comes to life at night, with trendy eateries, clubs and bars. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colourful cityscape, but the real delight is in losing yourself the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets.
Then join the well-heeled Lisboetas and head west along the Tejo estuary, where you’ll reach Estoril and Cascais, Lisbon’s glamorous and very cosmopolitan beach resorts. Cascais has a youthful, swish air and boasts fantastic golden sandy beaches, designer shops, smart restaurants and bars. Palm-fringed Estoril, its neighbour, is equally chic, and its casino was Ian Fleming’s inspiration for James Bond’s adventures in “Casino Royale”. Stay 2 nights at the Cascais Fort, a show-stopping luxury hotel, right on the sands. Take one of their gourmet picnic hampers down to the beach, or drink in the Atlantic views from the Michellin starred restaurant over a romantic dinner.
Finally, move on to Sintra for your last 2 nights. The town, a fairytale jewel, is set in cool mountain redwoods just north of Lisbon. Crammed with botanic gardens, enchanting castles and whimsical palaces with turrets and intricate spires, Sintra could have sprung straight from the pages of folklore. You’ll stay in our favourite romantic hideaway, The Sintra Manor, set in the grounds of Monserrate Palace, with a quirky and delightfully shabby-chic feel.
Head home from Lisbon. If you don’t want to hire a car, this tour is perfect. All the locations are within an hour of each other and can be reached by easy train rides. If you want to extend the holiday, head north to the beautiful beaches and wine-making country of the Silver Coast and fly back from Porto, or turn south and stay on the breathtaking Alentejo coast or the cosmopolitan Algarve before flying back from Faro.
Don’t forget, all our holidays in Portugal are tailor-made, so you can opt to stay for longer or shorter periods in each place, add other regions to the itinerary or miss out certain parts all together. You can also choose different hotels from our selection in each region if you prefer.
To talk to one of our team about these suggestions, or your own tailor-made holiday or honeymoon in Portugal, please call our Enquiries Line on 08717 500070
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