Saudade is the only Portuguese word that has no direct translation. Its definition is challenging because it expresses a primal emotion, a blend of nostalgia and sadness, better understood by delving into the history of the neighborhood where fado was born: Alfama. Portugal thrived through its great navigators who sought the best trade routes across the Atlantic, invented the caravel, and, with the wealth acquired from their expeditions, saw the magnificent Manueline-Gothic construction of the Jerónimos Monastery rise on the remains of an ancient hermitage to commemorate Vasco de Gama’s return from his 1499 expedition to India.
- Special Trip for Blind or Visually Impaired Individuals
- Duration:
7 days/6 nights - Price:
Consult for rates - Group Trip
Min 4 / Max 6 participants including companions - Date:
Consult for upcoming departures - Customized trips available.
PROGRAM
Day 1
Arrival in Lisbon
Transfer from the airport to the city of Lisbon, approximately 7 km away, and check-in at the hotel.
To begin getting to know and understand Portuguese culture, there’s nothing better than visiting the Lisbon Story Centre, a museum that narrates the city’s major events from the past to the present.
This day may vary depending on the arrival time of the travelers.
Dinner and accommodation.
Day 2
Sintra
Travel to the beautiful Sintra by train, located 25 km from Lisbon, an area of hills filled with palaces of kings and nobles. Lunch.
Explore the town of Sintra, where palaces and castles seem to emerge from the mountains, the chosen summer residence of the Portuguese court.
Visit the Quinta da Regaleira, owned by a wealthy mining magnate from Brazil who was fascinated by secret religious orders such as the Knights Templar and Freemasons. He had his palace and extensive gardens with secret passages, towers, and an initiatic well built, resembling an inverted tower with a spiral staircase adorned with arches for descent.
Free time for lunch in the area.
In the afternoon, ascend to the Castelo dos Mouros, built in the 9th century by Arabs from North Africa as a fortified observation point to oversee the entire territory. Today, visitors can stroll through its walls, battlements, and defensive towers.
Return to Lisbon by train. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 3
Belém and Alfama
Portugal was the world’s first global empire, and it all began in the charming neighborhood of Belém.
The vessels departed from these ports to sail into the unknown, challenging the dangers of the oceans. Lunch.
Belém is considered one of the most beautiful parts of Lisbon, with its historic buildings such as the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and monuments that marked significant milestones in Portugal’s history, such as the Monument to the Discoveries, shaped like a caravel and sculpted on both sides with 33 prominent figures like Vasco de Gama and Magellan.
In the afternoon: Alfama, the heart of Lisbon, where fado was born, situated between São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River. The history of this neighborhood is deeply intertwined with the city’s own history. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 4
Historic Districts of Lisbon: Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto.
Transfer to Faro
An intense day to explore the most representative areas of Lisbon from one end to the other. With the guide on a general, non-private tour, we will explore Lisbon’s most representative neighborhoods, learning about the history of key figures who influenced the city and important events such as the famous earthquake of 1755, the Battle of Aljubarrota, and the Carnation Revolution, while visiting iconic landmarks.
After the tour, we will have lunch and take a train or bus in the afternoon to the south of Portugal, to the Algarve region, with its 150 km of coastline, a blend of nature and cultural heritage.
Day 5
Marshes and Faro
In the morning, by boat, we will cross the marshes that separate the town from the Atlantic within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, leading us to Ilha Deserta, a sandbar that borders the natural park, leaving the Atlantic on the other side. Enjoy a relaxing day on the beautiful beaches. Upon return, after passing by the hotel, we can explore the historic center of Faro.
Day 6
Silves, Sagres, and Cape St. Vincent
By car, this day, we will travel to the town of Silves, further inland with a beautiful medieval center. It was under Arab rule that this town reached its peak.
After lunch, we will head to Sagres on the coast to see its 16th-century fortress, a national point of devotion for the Portuguese due to its key role in the Age of Discoveries. Its walls, barracks, and parish are preserved on the seaside cliffs, an area of cliffs that provide shelter to numerous birds.
Continuing along the coast, a short drive away, we reach Cape St. Vincent, located at the southeastern tip of Portugal, always battered by the wind.
Day 7
Return
Transfer to Faro Airport for your journey back home. This day may vary depending on the departure time of the travelers.
The program for the first and last day may vary depending on the flight schedule.
Travel Form: Tourist package.
Accompaniment: One companion is guaranteed for every 2 travelers and lasts throughout the trip with no time limits. To better ensure our service, we do not rely on volunteers for assistance.
Total participation fee per traveler with shared companion:
Flight Expenses: The flight is not included because, when planning the trip, we do not know from which city the travelers will depart. However, we manage and search for the best fare ourselves if desired.
Upon request, the trip can also be organized for two people.
The price includes:
- 6 nights with breakfast in a double room at a 3-star hotel
- Group accompaniment
- Transfer from/to the airport
- Meals and dinners for companions
- 3 Guided tours with entrance as per the program
- Local transportation, using public transportation
- Train from Lisbon to Sintra
- Train or bus from Lisbon to Faro
- Boat trip
- Car rental in Faro
- Tactile support material
- Medical and luggage insurance
- Technical organization
The fee does not include:
- Car fuel
- Flight approach trip
- Personal meals and dinners
- Municipal tax
Any extras and anything not specified in the “fee includes”
Information:
- The established price includes accommodation in double rooms, and if different accommodations are desired, the higher-priced one will be borne by the customer.
- Availability and rates of services are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- Any changes to the program are subject to availability.
For more information or to make a reservation, send an email to hola@vive4all.com
If you have a destination you would like to visit, let us know, and we can organize a customized trip for you.