France & Portugal in 16 Days • 14 Nights in Destination

Arrive at Paris airport and transfer to your hotel. Paris is the capital of France and a great place to discover the city’s most famous tourist sights, the local culture and cuisine. Overnight stay in Paris.

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city’s most famous tourist sights and monuments on a Half Day City Tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Marvel at Paris's best-known sights: Place Vendôme Square, the Opera House, the Pantheon, the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens, the Orsay Museum, Place de la Concorde Square, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Invalides. End your tour in the city center. Why not grab a bite to eat in one of the many cafés or do a spot of shopping in this shoppers haven. The rest of the day is free to explore Paris at your leisure. Overnight stay in Paris.

After breakfast, meet your english-speaking tour leader and depart Paris by coach towards the Loire Valley and its wonders of the Renaissance period. First stop is the capital of the Centre-Val de Loire region, Orleans. The history of this lovely city on the banks of the Loire River is inseparably bound with the history of Joan of Arc. While exploring the city independently, try not to miss the 13th century Sainte-Croix Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, displaying around 700 artworks. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to The Chambord Estate * one of the most emblematic castle examples of Renaissance architecture in France. Free time to stroll at your own pace in the heart of the castle and its gardens. Following this visit, transfer to the historic city of Tours. Overnight stay in Tours.

* Only entrance included with the possibility to book an audio-guide on the spot. 

After Breakfast at the hotel, explore the magnificent Castle of Chenonceau*. The two-story gallery stands upon a graceful arched bridge that crosses the Cher River which gives the impression that the castle is floating on water. Also known as "The Ladies’ Castle", it was initially constructed in 1513. Equalling the beauty of the interior, the Château's Renaissance French Gardens are perfectly landscaped with decorative pools and flower beds and are an important destination for garden lovers from all over the world. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Château of Amboise, an emblematic monument of the Loire Valley. The palace was built above the river, with landscaped gardens stretching from the earth to the sky, offering one of the most remarkable panoramas of the Loire. Overnight stay in Tours.

* Only entrance included with the possibility to book an audio-guide on the spot. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Tours heading towards the world-renowned Mont Saint Michel, a Unesco World Heritage site. The car park stands approximately 1.5 miles away from the island. On leaving the coach, head for the Place des Navettes, where shuttle buses called Passeurs transfer to the mount itself. The Mount was consecrated to St-Michel from the year 708. The Benedictine Abbey* presents a grand panorama of medieval architecture from the XI-XVI centuries. Spend some time exploring the village built on the slopes in the shadow of the fortifications. Overnight in the surrounding area.

* Only entrance included with the possibility to book an audio-guide on the spot. 

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of WW-II’s major sights. Visit, learn about and pay homage to Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and Colleville-Sur-Mer Cemetery, of the Allied Forces. Also a visit to the Memorial de Caen*, a museum and war memorial commemorating World War II and the Battle for Caen, is included. Overall the museum is dedicated to the history of the twentieth century, mainly focusing on the fragility of peace. Overnight stay in Caen.

* Only entrance included with the possibility to book an audio-guide on the spot.

After breakfast, learn more about the best food and drink that this rich region of France has to offer, starting with a visit to the Village du Fromager. See all stages of cheese production and enjoy tasting the different types of cheese on offer. After the visit, head to Honfleur in time for a lunch break. This small city and harbour dates back to the Vikings invasion in the 11th century. After a couple of hours exploring the city, continue eastwards until reaching Paris. Overnight stay in Paris.

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lisbon. Ready to discover the spectacular cities and landscapes of Portugal? Touch down in the capital city of Lisbon, known for its dramatic coastline and pastel-colored buildings. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Why not explore the oldest parts of the city to admire the ornate architecture or simply enjoy the views of the River Tagus from one of the many riverside cafes and bars. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

* Depending on the flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a tour of Lisbon for an eye-opening overview of this incredible city. Begin with a fascinating walking tour of Alfama, one of the oldest areas in the city, perched upon the hillside with spectacular views across the sprawling cityscape. End your morning tour at the church of the Monastery of Jeronimos, home to the tomb of Vasco da Gama and the famous poet Camões. Stop for a moment to contemplate the incredible Belem Tower before heading to the Pasteis de Belem for a mouth-watering pastry tasting session. Be sure to try a delicious Portuguese Tart, perhaps the most famous pastry in the country. In the afternoon, explore the city center around the Praça do Comércio Square and Rossio Square area before enjoying some free time to discover the city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

*Optional Dinner & Fado Show: Head to the historic neighbourhood of Alfama to indulge in an evening of traditional Portuguese cuisine accompanied by the melancholic sounds of Fado music. Soak up the warm atmosphere and listen to the soft melodies of the Portuguese guitar as you experience the authentic musical heritage of Lisbon for yourself! 

Why not upgrade your trip with our Portugal Highlights package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an excursion to Sintra, an unforgettable town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with 19th-century Romanticist architecture, fairytale castles and exquisite gardens. Here you'll visit the Quinta da Regaleira Gardens and Palace considered the most enigmatic of all the estates in Sintra. The palace is a fusion of ornate and colorful architectural styles but the main attraction is the extensive gardens, filled with symbolism and intriguing constructions. After the tour, enjoy free time in Sintra to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon head to Cape Roca, the most westerly point of the European continent. Here you can soak up the views of the Atlantic Ocean and explore the village of Cascais, once the chosen beach destination of the aristocracy. Return to Lisbon and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the delights of this cosmopolitan city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head to Obidos today, one of the best-known villages in Portugal thanks to its magical cobblestone streets and charming architecture, enclosed within medieval city walls. Next, visit Nazare, a surfers paradise, home to some of the largest waves in the world and the most popular beach destination on the Silver Coast. Finish the day in the historic and fascinating city of Fatima, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Catholics. Sacred sights here include the Capelinha das Aparições, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to local children in 1917, the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with its golden angels, and the modern church of Igreja da Santíssima Trindade. Spend the evening at your leisure, discovering the sights and sounds of this beautiful city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Fatima.

Breakfast at the hotel. Bid farewell to Fatima today as you set for Tomar to visit the famous Convent of Christ complex, once a stronghold of the Templars in the 12th-century. Uncover the history of the Templars in Portugal, including the beautiful medieval chapel and the ornate cloister, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Explore this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site before continuing to the city of Coimbra, once the capital of Portugal and today a student city, home to the oldest university in the country. As the day draws to a close, travel to Porto, in northern Portugal on the banks of the Douro River. With its stunning Old Town, Porto is one of the highlights of any trip to Portugal. Spend the evening at your leisure, exploring the city's atmospheric streets. Overnight stay in Porto.

*Optional Fado and folklore Show with Traditional Dinner:  A fantastic gastronomic show that will highlight the remarkable traditions of the Douro and northern Portuguese culture. This lively evening will combine Folklore songs, traditional dances and an all-inclusive dinner paired with some of the best wines in Portugal. Sing and dance the night away, a true authentic experience to remember.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Porto to see the main attractions of the city such as the exterior of Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the impressive Sao Bento train station and the iconic bridge of Luis I. In the afternoon, soak up the delights of Porto at your own pace, admiring the famous tiled facades or sampling the authentic local port in a cosy cafe. Alternatively, we recommend an unforgettable boat tour on the River Douro.* Overnight stay in Porto.

*Optional River Douro Boat Tour: set off on an unforgettable boat tour on the Douro River to enjoy spectacular views of the city. After cruising on the river, visit a local port wine cellar and enjoy a tasting session of this typical Portuguese drink. 

Please note: Entrance to the Bolsa Palace (10 euros per person) and Church of Saint Francis (8 euros per person) is optional and is not included. 

Why not upgrade your trip with our Portugal Highlights package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Porto this morning, headed for the charming coastal city of Aveiro where you can enjoy some free time to explore its picturesque canals and colorful architecture. In the afternoon, return to the capital of Lisbon and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to soak up the ambience of this lively city or do some last-minute shopping. Overnight stay in Lisbon.