Payment of bespoke trip to Portugal | 3rd – 11th of September | 3 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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3rd of September: arrival of your flights to Lisbon airport, private transfers to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure to recover from your journey
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11:15am (Greg): upon arrival of your flight (AF1024 from Paris) to Lisbon airport, collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your personal driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Greg Gallopoulos – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Lisbon.
12:30pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Lisbon and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat in Lisbon during your free time. We will also book tables for you if you like.
4:15pm (Lexi and Joe): upon arrival of your flight (BA518 from London) to Lisbon airport, collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your personal driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Lexi and Joe – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable vehicle to your hotel in Lisbon.
5:30pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Lisbon and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat in Lisbon during your free time. We will also book tables for you if you like.
Overnight in Lisbon: Four Seasons hotel (not booked through Genuine Andalusia).
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4th of September: introductory full day tour of Lisbon finishing with a private visit to the art studio of Portuguese artist Manuel Caeiro
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9:30am: meet your personal local host and a dedicated driver with a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan at your hotel to go on an exploration journey of the city that will allow you to understand, learn about and take in the beauty of the different sections of its old town.
Lisbon is a big metropolis with many different iconic quarters. It spreads out along the Tagus riverfront and up and down its seven hills. In order to get a fair perspective of the city and to understand its past and present you’ll explore with your local expert the quarters of Alfama (dating from the 5th century), Chiado, Bairro Alto, Baixa (the heart of the city) and the plaça do Comércio area (once a thriving trading hub) to finally top up your day with a private visit to the studio of national artist Manuel Caeiro hosted by the artist himself.
Along the way you’ll visit essential landmarks in the city of Lisbon as well as impressive views of the city from selected viewpoints. Also, Halfway along the tour, your personal local host will take you for lunch to a selected local restaurant so you can enjoy Portuguese gastronomy and wines together, learning at the same time how much of the national culture is present in both.
5:30pm: end of your tour at your hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Lisbon: Four Seasons hotel (not booked through Genuine Andalusia).
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5th of September: day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and get on a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated driver to explore the palatial city of Sintra and the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril.
Sintra was the summer residence of the Portuguese monarchs and previously of the Arab princes too. The city is located in a lush and mountainous region north of Lisbon and it features a series of palaces of remarkable beauty erected in different periods. Your day trip to Sintra will take you to explore a selection of them from the outside and to visit the interiors of the oldest royal palace in Portugal, which features an impressive collection of ceramic tiles of Hipanic-Muslim origin.
Then you will be taken to explore the quaint streets of the old town, where you will enjoy a well deserved lunch. Your guide will adapt to your lunch preferences and will suggest a lunch place suited to those.
Then after lunch, you will be taken to enjoy the fishing town of Cascais, where you will be taken on a guided walk of the old quarters.
Finally, from Cascais and maybe after a coffee along its promenade, you will be transferred to Estoril, which has been the preferred exile destination of many aristocrats and monarchs throughout history due to its gentle weather and spectacular coastal location.
During your tour of Cascais, you will be taken to see its most remarkable royal and aristocratic residences while you learn about the history that led to the construction of all them.
5:30pm: end of the tour back at your hotel in Lisbon.
Overnight in Lisbon: Four Seasons hotel (not booked through Genuine Andalusia).
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6th of September: Lisbon behind the scenes and the quarter of Belem
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9:45am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and get in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to get to the Calouste Gulbenkian museum. Along the way, your personal local host will give you an introduction about the life of this iconic art collector.
10:10am: upon arrival to the museum, enjoy a guided tour of the private art collection of Mr. Gulbenkian, which is one of the world’s most important ones.
12pm: after your tour of the museum, take a short walk to a selected local restaurant for a Portuguese lunch there.
12:15pm: arrival to the restaurant and lunch there.
1:45pm: after lunch, be transferred to the quarter of Belem just outside Lisbon to learn about the history of Portuguese discoveries and also to visit an 18th century ceramics and tiles factory.
2:05pm: once in Belem, you will take a panoramic tour along which you will see from the outside the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and the tower of Belem.
The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos was commissioned by Portuguese King Manuel the 1st and donated to the monks of Saint Hieronymus so that they would pray for the King, and pay spiritual assistance to seafarers that left the shores of Lisbon in quest for the new world. Its very rich ornamentation derives from the exuberance typical of Portuguese Manueline art and is symbolically linked to the Age of Discoveries.
The tower of Belém, also known as the Tower of St Vincent, patron of the city of Lisbon, commemorated the expedition of Vasco da Gama and also served to defend the port of Lisbon. The cross of the Knights of Christ is repeated indefinitely on the parapets of this fortress, while the watch towers that flank it are capped with ribbed cupolas inspired by Islamic architecture.
The complex of Belém (Mosteiro plus tower) is one of the most representative examples of Portuguese power during the Age of Discoveries.
3:30pm: finish your tour of Belem and a selected ceramics and tiles factory dating from the 18th century and enjoy a private tour of the factory aimed at learning about the fully artisanal design and production of their exceptional tiles and ceramics.
4:30pm: end of your visit to the factory and transfer back to your hotel in Lisbon.
5pm: arrival to your hotel in Lisbon and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Lisbon: Four Seasons hotel (not booked through Genuine Andalusia).
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7th of September: from Lisbon to Porto and introductory food tour of Porto old town
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9:30am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Lisbon and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to your accommodation in Porto.
12:45pm: upon arrival to your accommodation in Porto, enjoy some free time at leisure to check-in, freshen up and have a light lunch before your evening food tour of the city. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Porto and also of places to eat in your free time.
5:30pm: meet your personal foodie host at your accommodation to go on an orientation tour of the city with a special focus on its local gastronomy and wines.
Along your journey you will experience both the traditional cuisine, which is having a revival in the city at the moment, and also some of the modern trends that are giving a slight modern twist to Portuguese cuisine.
You will also be given an introduction about the history and architecture of the city, while you learn how the city’s past is shaping its future.
Small family owned and family run bars, restaurants and cafes will be the places where your gastronomy and wine discovery will take place and where you will sample an ample selection of regional foods and drinks, together with your local host.
9:30pm: end of the tour and rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight in Porto: Le Monumental Palace Hotel. One Insensee Suite for Greg, one Audacieuses Suite for Lexi and one Audacieuses Suite for Joe. All of them with breakfast included
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8th of September: discovery journey of Porto, Vila nova de Gaia and the fishing town of Matosinhos with lunch in a private home there
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9am: be met by your personal local host and a dedicated driver with a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to enjoy a tour that will take you to visit Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia (the district of Porto across the Douro River) and the fishing town of Matoshinhos.
This tour is aimed at exploring the historical center and the most representative landmarks in the city of Porto: the Church of the Congregates, S. Bento Station, S. Francisco Church and the Cathedral, which is considered the oldest monument in the city (12th century).
Then you will cross the D. Luís Bridge to Villanova de Gaia to take in the atmosphere of the quarter and learn about the history of its iconic Port Wine industry. Also in Villanova de Gaia you will enjoy the gorgeous views of the city from the Serra do Pilar Monastery.
After this exploration of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, you will drive to the town of Matosinhos (just outside Porto) for lunch in a selected private home.
1pm: upon arrival to the house, you will be welcomed by the owner and his friend. Born and raised in Porto, to very traditional and well known families in Porto, Catarina and Jorge are two friends who share the same passion for entertaining, cooking and appreciating and sharing with friends the charms of Portuguese cuisine, in a relaxed, and familiar atmosphere. Catarina is a creative soul who explores her passion for Portuguese gastronomy mostly in the kitchen but also by enjoying great food out with friends. She has worked in several restaurants and gastronomic events, both in Porto and Lisbon. Jorge is a natural born host who loves to entertain at his beautiful home that he is very proud of. He is a serial (and serious) entrepreneur that a few years ago acquired this old traditional building dating from the end of the 19th century (formerly an elementary school) that he has remodeled to his own taste while still maintaining the original architectural features of the house. He has a keen eye for art and decoration so he has made the decor very original with very tasteful, eclectic and unusual decorative features. Its high ceilings and granite stonework play with a refined vintage mid-century style showcasing big and impressive pieces of contemporary art in most walls.
4pm: after lunch with your hosts in Matosinhos, be transferred back to your hotel in Porto.
This will make a complete full day immersion into the city of Porto and the surrounding areas after your introduction to the city the previous evening.
5pm: end of tour back at your hotel.
Overnight in Porto: Le Monumental Palace Hotel. One Insensee Suite for Greg, one Audacieuses Suite for Lexi and one Audacieuses Suite for Joe. All of them with breakfast included
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9th of September: from Porto to Lisbon via Coimbra and Tomar (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
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9:30am: meet your personal driver at your hotel and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to Coimbra old town.
10:45am: upon arrival to Coimbra old town, meet your personal local guide and enjoy a private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on its old university and on how much it influenced the transmission of knowledge and particular architectural models in the Portuguese-speaking world.
Situated on a hill overlooking the city, the University of Coimbra influenced educational institutions of the former Portuguese empire over seven centuries and received and disseminated knowledge in the fields of arts, sciences, law, architecture, town planning and landscape design.
In Coimbra the city’s architecture and urban planning reflects the institutional functions of the university, creating a particular model that was reproduced in several other universities in the Portuguese world.
Along your tour you will visit some selected university buildings such as Paço das Escolas, St. Michael’s Chapel, and the Joanina Library.
After visiting the university you will be taken to the lower part of town to enjoy a selection of its most iconic buildings and areas such as the New and Old cathedrals and the old Moorish and Jewish Quarters.
1:15pm: after your tour of Coimbra enjoy a well deserved lunch. Your private guide will take you to a selected local restaurant suited to your taste and will help you order a selection of regional dishes that will allow you to deepen into Portuguese gastronomy.
2:45pm: after lunch, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the town of Tomar.
3:40pm: upon arrival to Tomar, enjoy a private walking tour of the city aimed at learning about its important Jewish history and about the influence the Jews of Tomar had in the Portuguese expansion in the New World. Another highlight of your tour will be the convent of Christ, an architectural ensemble featuring the Templar Castle of Tomar, the convent of the order of Christ, the Immaculate Conception Hermitage and the conventual aqueduct also known as the Pegões Aqueduct.
5pm: after your tour of Tomar, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your hotel in Lisbon.
6:30pm: arrival to Lisbon and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Lisbon: Hotel Bairro Alto. 3 deluxe Junior Suites. All of them with breakfast included
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10th of September: departure from Lisbon for Lexi
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8:30am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Lisbon airport.
9:05am: arrival to Lisbon airport on time to take your flight (BA 0501)
Overnight in Lisbon: Hotel Bairro Alto. 2 deluxe Junior Suites. All of them with breakfast included
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11th of September: departure from Lisbon for Greg and Joe
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(Greg) 3:10am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Lisbon airport.
3:40am: arrival to Lisbon airport on time to take your flight (AF 1125)
(Joe) 8:30am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Lisbon airport.
9:05am: arrival to Lisbon airport on time to take your flight (BA 0501)
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private group of 3 people (only 2 people the last night) is 19340 Euros
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This price includes
– 4 nights’ accommodation with breakfast included (3 nights for Lexi) as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver.
– All private tours and travel experiences mentioned above led by a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive fully licensed guide.
– All entrance tickets and admissions during all your guided tours and travel experiences.
– A tapas and wines’ style dinner in Porto on your arrival date including all food and drinks.
– Lunch during your stay in Matosinhos hosted by a local art collector and his chef friend including all food and drinks.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat during your free time.
– 24h support throughout your trip.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights.
– Any meals not mentioned right above (during your guided tours in Lisbon and in Coimbra, your personal local host will take you to a restaurant suited to your taste but the cost of lunch is not included).
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this bespoke trip we require a 20% deposit of the grand total no later than the 26th of June 2023 via credit/debit card. The final 80% must be paid via the same method no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
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Grand total of this bespoke trip: 19340 Euros
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20% deposit needed no later than the 26th of June 2023 to confirm the trip: 3868 Euros
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Final 80% needed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip: 15472 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel your trip more than 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge the 20% deposit only.
– If you cancel your trip between 30 and 15 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 35% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 65%.
– If you cancel your trip between 14 and 4 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 50% of the grand total of the trip and will refund the remaining 50%.
– If you cancel your trip 3 days or less prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 100% of the full cost of the trip.
(*) Genuine Andalusia strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our US guests buy their travel insurance from MedJet.
