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12 Day itinerary in Portugal, Europe

Portugal Self-drive trip

Immerse yourself in a 12 day adventure in Portugal! Starting with kayaking all the way to balloon flight & canyoning! An experience that will be hard to forget!

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Filomena

By Filomena

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Lisbon

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Hiking

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Skiing/Snowboarding

Kayaking

Cycling

Outdoors & Nature

Adventure

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Lagos, a Beach Resort

2

Porto, the unvanquished city

3

The Madeira Island

4

The romantic village of Sintra

Itinerary

Mid-Range Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Welcome to Portugal!

Arrive at Lisboa airport. Welcome at the airport and deliver all the necessary documentation and assistance. Pick up your rental car and start your trip ahead to the south of Portugal, to Algarve Region.

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 2

place Ponta da Piedade

Today you will have a 3h shared group kayak tour to Ponta da Piedade. Rest of day with free time to enjoy and relax at the beach.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 3

place Benagil Cave & Marinha Beach

Today you will have a shared group boat tour to Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach. There are some caves and coves in the Algarve that are not accessible by boat and if you want to be able to view these naturally stunning areas, the best way has to be kayaking. Our kayak tour departs from the Marina of Portimão. During 25 minuts hours aboard on our catamaran Seasiren II, the crew will briefing and prepare you for the kayaking. We will cruise along the coast till Albandeira Beach. After arrive we paddle 1h30m to Benagil, along the way there is the possibility to visit the another beautiful caves of the Algarve and enjoy the golden coast. An experienced guide is on hand to point out local landmarks and to direct you to the very best places such as Albandeira beach, the impressive Captain’s Cave, Barraquinho beach, Baraço Cave, the world famouse Marinha Beach and Benagil cave, you’ll also have time for a quick swim. If you get tired, you can always get back on board for a rest while enjoying the sunshine before heading back to marine. Rest of day with free time to enjoy and relax at the beach.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 4

place Balloon Flight

Today you will enjoy of a 2h balloon flight. Algarve is seductive, be it through the mild climate or an amazing coast of 200-km breathtaking cliffs, welcoming coves, beaches of clear and peaceful ocean, craggy bays and islands of white sand. Fleeing the tourist bustle of the extensive beaches and steep cliffs, overfly the other Algarve of historic villages and mountains where garish green is mixed with earth tones and flowery hills where the sprawling fields are covered with orange groves and fig, carob and almond orchards.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 5

place Trip to Lisboa & Flight to Madeira Island

Today you are going to the Madeira Island. Start your trip back to Lisboa, to the airport and drop off your rental car at the airport. Arriving in Madeira, at Funchal airport and pick up the rental car

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 6

place Horse Riding

Today you will enjoy of a 2h30 horse riding experience. This Horse Riding trail will allow to discover Madeira’s beautiful nature. Riding by the “levada” and through Laurissilva forest, with views over southeastern and northeastern part of the Island. This trail ride is suitable for all levels of experience, including beginners.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 7

place Levada

Today you will have a half day Levada tour. Madeira is unique for its extensive and accessible waterways. "Levada" is a Portuguese word derived from "to carry", which means to carry. The levadas were originally created in the 16th century to transport water from the rainy North of the island to the dry and sunny southern, where sugar crops, bananas and grapes grew. The first settlers dug into the cliffs and tunnels through the solid rock to make channels and tunnels, all with a slight slope so that the water flowed down, toward their destination. To this day, Levadeiro is one of the oldest professions on the island. These men are responsible for opening and closing the wings, called "adufas" that control the flow of the Levadas. In total there are 2,500 km of levadas on the island, many of them being created before the first roads! The walks in the levadas are very popular in Madeira, as the path is free along the canals, making it a relaxing experience taking nature as scenery in its maximum splendor. It also allows access to many parts not accessible to those who drive. A truly iconic and enjoyable experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 8

place Canyoning

Half day shared group canyoning experience. Canyoning is a radical sport based on the exploring of water courses, overcoming various vertical of amphibious obstacles. It’s a very safe sport due to the use of high tech equipment. Emotion and adrenalin are certainly a part of Canyoning, and the fact that one is in permanent contact with nature allows clients unforgettable moments of harmony, freedom and well-being.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 9

place Flight to Lisboa

Drive to Funchal airport and fly back to Lisboa. In the afternoon, you will have a private half day food tour in Lisboa. The food in Lisboa is as appealing as the city and the region. With a foodie, you'll be strolling around typical neighborhoods, learning about the city's gastronomy, tasting some great good and wine, absorbing the bohemian atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 10

place Go Car Experience

Full day GoCar tour. By taking this tour you will have access to amazing viewpoints, museums, authentic/non-touristic neighbourhoods like Alfama, Graça, Mouraria and Lapa, but also the most breathtaking urban layouts, winding streets and plazas in Baixa and Alfama. You can cruise through Bairro Alto, the most bohemian area of Lisbon and Chiado, the trendiest. You can also drive along the city’s shoreline until you get to the area of Belem. Belém is linked to Portuguese Great Age of Discoveries. This district was the site where the famous navigators used to set sail, before they discovered half of the world and started globalization. Belem nowadays is full of amazing parks and monuments that are well worth a visit. Amongst Belém’s Tour attractions there is Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument of Discoveries, Belém’s Tower, Belém Cultural Centre and the world-famous custard tarts of Belem! Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy of a shared group Cooking Class.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 11

place Day tour to Sintra

Full day shared group tour to Sintra. Sintra, the Mountain of the Moon, is a place full of magic and mystery. It's difficult to see all of Sintra has to offer in one single day, so our suggestion goes to one of the most romantic palaces in Portugal, the Pena Palace, a fancy, revivalist reconstruction built in the Romantic period. On the way back to Lisboa, stop in westernmost point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca. Continue your journey towards, Cascais and Estoril, one of the most cosmopolitan and touristic places in Portugal. It’s worth going on a stroll around town, feeling the atmosphere. Later in the evening, you will have dinner at a traditional Fado House.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 12

place Departure Day

Private transfer to Lisboa airport.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • 3* Hotel

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (10)
  • Dinner (1)

Transport expand_less

  • 08 Days of Rental Car
  • Airfare Lisboa-Funchal-Lisboa
  • Private transfer from/to airport

Activities expand_less

  • Cooking Class
  • 3h Kayak in Ponta da Piedade
  • 1h30 Balloon ride
  • 2h Benagil cave boat trip
  • 2h Horse Ride
  • Half day levada tour
  • Half day canyoning
  • Half day food walk tour
  • Full day GoCar
  • Full day tour to Sintra
  • Dinner at a Fado House

Extras expand_less

  • Personalized consulting services
  • Local assistance

Not Included expand_less

  • Personal Expenses
  • International Flights
  • Other Meals/Drinks
  • City Tourist Tax

About Filomena

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Like the poem by Fernando Pessoa: “After all, the best way to travel is to feel. To feel everything in every way”, I use that inspiration to plan my trips. Always with the desire to discover and experience the genuine aspects of each destination.

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