Tour Dates: April 25 May 6, 2015 The Essence of Portugal 2015 My Essence of Portugal Tour provides a laid-back and worry-free experience while connecting the major destinations and landmarks in Portugal. There is a lot to see and do, but the travel distances are not far, the people are friendly, and the culture and ambiance are unmatched anywhere in Europe. We will visit the saltly capital of Lisbon and connect its history with great explorers and navigators. Then we will get out into the countryside and seaside to learn about Portugal, its people, and its rich history that transformed the ancient world into the new world. Your Adventure Starts Here! TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1: A TASTE OF SPAIN Let s plan to gather at our Sevilla hotel at 5:00 p.m. for introductions and a welcome drink. Then we will set off on an orientation paseo including the Bario Santa Cruz and the Cathedral. We will finish up with a typical tapas dinner at a favorite restaurant. Sleep 1 night in Sevilla. Dinner. DAY 2: THE ALGARVE COAST Today we leave Spain and head west to Portugal s sunny Algarve coast. We will setup in the fishing village of Salema, a perfect place to recover from your jetlag and recharge your body. There is not much to see or do here except wander the small little village, take a hike on a beach, bask in the sun, and feast on the tasty fresh seafood. After settling in we will meet later for a beach-front dinner. Sleep 2 nights in Salema. Dinner. DAY 3: CAPE SAGRES From here, out on the far west coast of Europe, Prince Henry the Navigator founded his navigator s school and sent sailors farther and farther into the unknown. Today, we will visit Cape Sagras and do a little exploring of our own. You will visit both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal waters, take a look at typical Portugal pottery making, and get a look at Henry s school for want-a-be navigators. Later, we will return to Salema for an event-free afternoon and evening. DAY 4: LISBON We will make a beeline from the Algarve coast to Lisbon. Upon arrival, we will take an extensive walking tour visiting three of Lisbon s neighborhoods including a jawdropping panoramic view from the Castle Sãn Jorge. We will cap off our day with dinner and a performance of fado, the soulful traditional singing of ancient Portugal. Sleep 2 nights in Lisbon. Dinner. DAY 5: BELÉM Belém, just three miles from Lisbon, offers a look at a few important sights from Portugal s dynamic Age of Discovery. Enjoy a waterfront stroll past the gigantic Monument of Discoveries constructed in 1960 to commemorate Portugal s famous explorer Prince Henry the Navigator. Nearby, the Belém Tower stands all bright and white still welcoming sailors to the harbor as it has done for 600 years. Across the street, we will take a
look at the impressive Monastery of Jerónimos constructed by King Manuel in the 1500 s commemorating Portugal s early explorers. Then, for a sweet treat we will pop into a nearby bakery to sample the famous pastries of Belém. Returing to Lisbon, you have the remainder of the day and evening to do some exploring on your own. DAY 6: NAZARÉ AND FATIMA Leaving the city, we will head to the countryside to visit Fátima and laid-back Nazaré. In Fátima, a pilgrimage site, we will learn how three children shared a vision of the Virgin Mary in May 1917 calling for the end of WWI and world peace. Then we will head up the coast to the delightful seaside town of Nazaré where after a little orientation you ll have a chance to explore the town. We will meet tonight for dinner high on the cliffs in the nearby village of Sitio. Sleep 1 night in Nazaré. Dinner. DAY 7: COIMBRA Coimbra is a fun town loaded with a maze of cobbled streets, a 700 year old university, and an unusual library dating from the 18 th century. We will begin with an orientation walking tour of the town and then you ll be cut loose to enjoy dinner and make more discoveries on your own. We will meet later tonight for a special fado demonstration and lesson on Coimbra s unique fado style. Sleep 1 night in Coimbra. DAY 8: WINE AND THE DUORO VALLEY - We will drive to Portugal s famous wine making region and learn about the art of making porto, the famous after dinner wine from this region. You ll have a chance to visit an old family estate, learn about growing vines and making porto, and get to taste it, too! Later, we will arrive at our hotel where we will enjoy a dinner together. Sleep 1 night in the Duoro Valley region. Dinner. DAY 9: PORTO After a lazy morning, we will travel through the lush terraced wine country to the rough and rugged port town of Porto. We will tour several neighborhoods including the port and downtown. After setting up at our hotel, you have the remainder of the evening to do some exploring on your own. Sleep in Porto for 2 nights. DAY 10: PORTO - Enjoy a scenic cruise on the Duoro River this morning. After lunch we will take a walk around the riverfront district including a look at the Stock Exchange Palace and the Church of Santa Clara. After an afternoon of making some discoveries on your own, we ll meet for one final dinner celebrating Portugal, new friends, and a great tour experience. Dinner. DAY 11: TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST Your tour guide will be happy to assist in making transportation connections to the airport or train station. Enjoy your journey!
WHAT S INCLUDED Transportation provided by coach, minivan, and boat from your Sevilla hotel to your final hotel in Porto. 10 nights accommodation in centrally located hotels, guesthouses, and B&B s. All rooms have private en-suite bathes. All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant and hotel staff. Guaranteed Extra Small Group consisting of no more than 12 travelers. All breakfasts and six of your dinners or lunches. Traditional and gourmet dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority and you ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best the locale has to offer. Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights: Guided orientation walking tours in Sevilla, Salema, Lisbon, Belém, Nazaré, and Porto Entrance and/or local guided tour of the following sites: Lisbon Castle Sãn Jorge, the Monastery of Jerónimos in Belém, fado events in Lisbon and Coimbra wine and porto tasting in the Duoro Valley and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change). A fulltime Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations. David s printed tour handouts detailing each day s historical and cultural experiences. Free luggage tags and David s custom designed drawstring backpacks. Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that once locked in, will never change. Comprehensive Travel Insurance providing full coverage for emergency medical, baggage loss, and trip delay from the moment you depart for your tour. $50 Tour Alumni discount for each McGuffin tour you ve taken prior to 2015. $100 discount if making all payments by check, cash or bank draft. The $400 initial deposit may be made by credit card and still qualify for this discount. Single rooms for solo travelers are available for an additional fee. Please note You are responsible for the cost of your drinks at all group dinners and for any additional costs incurred while sightseeing on your own.
CONTRACT ITEMS Airfare: This tour price does not include airfare. However we can suggest flight itineraries and travel agents to help with planning. Tour Price Guarantee: Because of unpredictable currency rates, the tour price is subject to change without notice. However, your price will be locked and guaranteed the moment we receive your deposit. Current tour prices may be found at davidmcguffin.com or by giving us a call at 1-800-570-1351. Tour price: $3798 per person sharing a twin/double room. Limited Single Supplements- please call or email for details. $100 Discount if making all payments by check or bank draft. $50 Alumni Discount per previous McGuffin tour (see website for details). INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THIS TOUR: Sightseeing tours led by an Exploring Europe guide and local guides when appropriate; admissions to sights seen as a group; all breakfasts and many dinners and/or lunches as noted in the specific tour itinerary (you will always pay for your own drinks at lunch or dinner); many traditional and gourmet dining experiences at David s personal favorite restaurants; accommodations each night in clean and safe European-style hotels with en-suite bath facilities, centrally located in the city or village (twin or double bedded rooms); all transportation from the first hotel to the last hotel of the tour (this does not include optional activities or independent travel); all tips to guides and drivers; David McGuffin s tour handouts and daily travel information (distributed on tour); a reasonable all-inclusive price and payment plan; an insurance plan which covers tour interruptions, emergency medical, and baggage lost/delay expenses occurring while on tour. Anything not listed above is not included in the cost of your tour. PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND PROCESS To reserve a seat on this tour you must agree to these Tour Conditions and provide us with a deposit of $400 per person. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and PayPal for all tour deposits and payments. Additionally, we accept personal checks (US banks only), bank drafts, and money orders made payable to David McGuffin s Exploring Europe (in US dollars). Your final tour payment is due in our office at least 90 days prior to the start of the tour. The due date is noted on your tour confirmation letter and invoice. Missing the final payment deadline may result in you being removed from the tour! If you sign up for a tour less than 90 days before its departure, the entire tour price must be paid, and the deposit portion ($400) is non-refundable. We offer a $100 discount if all payments (beyond the initial $400 deposit which may be paid with a credit card) are made by check, cash, bank draft, or money order.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS Deposits for tours are refundable for two weeks from the date we receive it in our office. Deposits received in 2014 for any 2015 tour departing after April 1 are 100% refundable through January 5, 2015. After these dates, deposits are not refundable for any reason and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation. All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellations will be effective on the date the written notification is received by David McGuffin s Exploring Europe, Inc. by mail, e-mail, or fax. SPECIAL FEATURES: Small Group of only12 or fewer passengers. Cultural dining events that capture the essence of the locale. Wine tasting opportunities. Traditional fado musical concerts A sample of Spain on your first night in Sevilla. Jet Lag recovery day at the seaside. Comprehensive Travel Insurance included at no extra cost Discounts for McGuffin Alumni Discounts for cash/check payments