Well, it’s here! Our 2020 tour of Portugal. This will be my first “private tour with GoAhead and I couldn’t be more excited. What a private tour means is that  the tour will be limited to only those who are members of the Art of Wander. One of the benefits is we can keep the group small. All I need is for 14 members to sign up for the tour to make it happen. If I don’t get 14 I will have to cancel this tour and have us join a larger group of 38. Trust me, I would much prefer the smaller group. The trip dates are May 17, 2020 – May 26, 2020. I decided to do the trip in May because temperatures can be exceedingly hot in the summer in Europe. Paris has reached 109 degrees at times. So  we can enjoy visits the many beautiful cities of Portugal I thought it best to do it in Springtime. To hold your spot on the tour requires a $350 deposit. The cost of the tour will be $3,143 and there is a $440 single supplement for single rooms.  PORt_2019_US_DBD

Our meeting on Saturday, August 3rd will be to answer questions about the tour and for those of you who wish to travel with us you will be able to complete the reservation for and to leave your deposit. If I receive deposits from 14 travelers the trip will be on and I will submit your reservation form.  You can download the form here: Groups Travel Reservation Form_US_With Payment Info_032917 (1) 

For those of you who want to sign up for the tour but are unable to join us on August 3rd  you can mail the for to me at Marie Labbancz, 24 Chadwick Court, Robbinsville, NJ 08691. Your credit card will not be charged and I will not be submitting the forms to GoAhead unless we have 14 member sign up. I will have to cancel this private tour and most likely set it us as a large tour open to others. The larger group would be for 38 people. (Not as fun)  Let’s hope we get the 14. You can email me at afoodie2@optonline with any questions.Please note, your credit card will not be charged unless we get the 14 travelers for a group tour.

Below is the schedule for the tour:

Overnight Flight | 1 NIGHT

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Porto today.

Included meals: dinner

Included meals: breakfast

 

Porto | 2 NIGHTS

Day 2: Arrival in Porto

Welcome to Portugal! Settle in to your hotel in the heart of this 2,000-year-old,

UNESCO-listed city. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome

dinner.

 

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Porto

Get to know Porto like a true tripeiro (Porto resident) as you follow your local guide.

• Wander through the medieval lanes of the Old-World Ribeira district and along the

picturesque Douro Riverfront

• Pass citywide icons, such as the Baroque-style Clérigos Tower, the Gothic São

Francisco Church, and the wrought-iron Maria Pia Bridge

• Step inside the city’s famed neoclassical Stock Exchange Palace

Enjoy a free afternoon in Porto or add an excursion.

+ Douro River Cruise & Port Wine Cellar

Included meals: breakfast

Évora | 1 NIGHT

 

Day 4: Évora via Coimbra

Drive south and stop to explore Coimbra on a guided walking tour of the city’s chapel

and the country’s first university. Later, settle in to your hotel in Évora.

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Included meals: breakfast

The Algarve Region | 2 NIGHTS

 

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Évora & transfer to the Algarve Region

Before making your way to the sun-soaked Algarve region, follow a local guide as you

stroll through the streets of UNESCO-recognized Évora, one of Europe’s oldest

continuously inhabited cities.

• Take in the region’s whitewashed homes and intricate tilework
• Pass the remains of the Roman temple and enter the Chapel of Bones
• Stop at the Alentejo Cork Factory for a tour to get a closer look at the way corks are

made

Continue on to the Algarve region and sit down for an included dinner.

 

Day 6: Lagos, Sagres & Cape St. Vincent

Discover the white-sand beaches, dramatic coastline, and small towns of the Algarve

region, southern Portugal’s beachy hot spot.

• Visit the seafaring towns of Lagos and Sagres, as well as Cape St. Vincent
• Admire stunning views of the sea from Sagres Fortress

Included meals: breakfast

 

Lisbon | 4 NIGHTS

Day 7: Transfer to Lisbon & sightseeing tour

Get to know the Portuguese capital on a tour with a local guide.

• Admire views of the city from Eduardo VII Park, then pass the Plaza del Marqués de

Pombal and the Mouraria District

• Discover the city’s maritime heritage at the Monument to the Discoveries and Tower

of Belém

• Enter Jerónimos Church, which was built to honor voyagers
• Walk through Chiado square to the Baixa district in the heart of the city

Enjoy a free afternoon in Lisbon or add an excursion.

+ Fado Dinner & Show

 

Day 8: Free day in Lisbon

Spend a free day exploring Lisbon or add Sintra & the Portuguese Riviera

Later, celebrate your trip with your group am included dinner.

 

Day 9: Free day in Lisbon

Enjoy another free day in Lisbon or add the Religious Heritage of Tomar & Fátima

I will definitely be going to Fatima. One can never have too many miracles in their life!

 

Day 10: Free day in Lisbon

Spend the day exploring at your leisure or add  Old World Portugal: Medieval Óbidos and Nazaré

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group

members.

 

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

If you would like to sign up for the tour please download the form below. You need to complete the information and include your credit card information or a check made out to GoAhead Tours. The deposit amount is $350 to secure your spot on the tour. If you are unable to attend our meeting on August 3rd you can mail the for to me at Marie Labbancz, 24 Chadwick Court, Robbinsville, NJ 08691. I will not be submitting the forms to GoAhead unless we have 14 member sign up. I will have to cancel this private tour and most likely set it us as a large tour open to other. Let’s hope we get the 14. Please note, your credit card will not be charged unless we get the 14 travelers for a group tour.

Groups Travel Reservation Form_US_With Payment Info_032917 (1)