LISBON - CHRISTMAS MARKET

30.11.2024 Bucharest – Zurich – Lisbon - Panoramic and Walking City Tour

Arrival at Bucharest-Otopeni Henri Coanda Airport at 04:30 AM and boarding flight LX1887, departing at 07:00 AM towards Zurich. Landing in Zurich at 08:35 AM, passing through the transit area, and boarding flight LX2086 to Lisbon, departing at 09:10 AM local time. Arrival in Lisbon at 11:45 AM local time (-2 hours compared to Romania). Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the OLISSIPPO MARQUES DE SA 4* hotel, located a 10-minute walk from Marques de Pombal Square and Eduardo VII Park, where Lisbon's largest Christmas market opens. Departure for a panoramic city tour of Lisbon (4 hours), including a visit to the Belem District with the most beautiful historical monuments from the 15th-16th centuries, a short stop at the Belem Tower – part of the UNESCO World Heritage, and at the Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of the “Manueline” style. There will be a brief stop to visit the monastery's church and to buy a coffee “uma bica” and a “pastel de nata” – a traditional Portuguese dessert, after which we reach the Alfama District, where we will visit Se Cathedral and the Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon, who is also known as Saint Anthony of Padua. The tour includes the most important squares in the city: Praca Rossio, Praca Restauradores, Praca do Comercio. In the evening, a walking tour to the Christmas markets in the center of Lisbon.

01.12.2024 Lisbon – Happy National Day Romania and Portugal – Optional Excursion to Sintra–Cabo da Roca–Cascais–Estoril – Optional Fado Evening

Breakfast. A special day, as both Romanians and Portuguese celebrate National Day. Optional excursion (8 hours) to Sintra-Cabo Da Roca–Cascais-Estoril. The tour starts with a visit to Sintra, the former summer residence of the royal family, visiting the National Palace (optional entrance) or, if time permits, a visit to Pena Palace – located on a hilltop and being the most beautiful and colorful palace in the area. Explanations are provided outside the museums. The tour continues to Cabo de Roca – the westernmost point of mainland Europe. The route continues to Boca do Inferno and the famous Cascais – a fishing village with beautiful bays guarded by cliffs, offering a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. In Estoril, you can admire the largest casino in Europe, the birthplace of the James Bond character, agent 007. Optional Fado Evening “in resonance with the soul music of Portugal.” You have the chance, in a serene atmosphere, to immerse yourself in the hearts of Fado singers, heirs of Queen Amalia Rodrigues. The price of the optional includes 2 local drinks of your choice (Port wine, white or red wine) and the show. Accommodation in Lisbon at the 4* hotel.

02.12.2024 Lisbon – Optional Excursion to Obidos – Nazare – Fatima

Breakfast. Optional day trip (8 hours) to Obidos - Nazare – Fatima. Visit the medieval town of Obidos, with its white houses and wrought iron balconies, where you can taste the famous ginghinha (cherry liqueur) in small chocolate cups, then continue the journey to Nazare – a fishing village famous for the layered skirts of the locals. The highlight of the excursion is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima – the most famous pilgrimage site in Portugal, where several apparitions of the Virgin Mary took place in 1917. Accommodation in Lisbon at the 4* hotel.

03.12.2024 Lisbon – Optional Excursion to Porto or South of Lisbon: Azeitao-Sesimbra-Setubal with Wine Tasting

Breakfast. Optional day trip (10 hours) to Porto, the northern capital of Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the historic center starting with Se - the Cathedral, Sao Bento Station, one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in the world. Visit to a winery-shop, with tasting, followed by a 50-minute mini-cruise on the Douro River, to admire the six bridges, including the Dom Luis I Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel. The second option is an optional excursion to the southern region of Lisbon. Visit Sesimbra – a typical fishing town, guarded by the medieval castle from the 12th century. Not far from Sesimbra is Cape Espichel. The journey continues through the Arrabida Mountains and the city of Setubal, where you can admire stunning views of the ocean. The city is full of parks and restaurants, and one of the most interesting buildings is the Church of St. Julian. On the way back, there is a stop at a famous winery, where you can taste the old "Muscatel" wine. Accommodation in Lisbon at the 4* hotel.

04.12.2024 Lisbon – Bucharest

Breakfast. Check-out at 12:00 PM. Free morning for last-minute Christmas shopping and transfer to Lisbon airport. Arrival at the airport at least 3 hours before departure and boarding flight LX2085, departing at 3:25 PM to Zurich. Landing in Zurich at 7:15 PM local time, passing through the transit area, and boarding flight LX1886, departing at 8:50 PM to Bucharest. At 00:10 local time, on 05.12.2024, landing at Otopeni Henri Coanda Airport.

Optional Excursions

- A Fado evening in Lisbon – 3 hours. The price includes 2 local drinks of your choice (Port wine, sangria, or white wine, red wine), the show, and transfers to/from the restaurant: 55 €/person min. 10; 50 €/person min. 15; 45 €/person min. 20 participants.

- Obidos-Nazare-Fatima Excursion – 8 hours. The price includes a Romanian-speaking guide and transportation: 75 € minimum 20 participants.

- A day excursion (10 hours) to PORTO – 130 €/person min. 20 paying participants. For fewer participants, the price will be recalculated.

- A day at Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais, and Estoril – 8 hours. The price includes transportation, a guide, without entrance fees to the attractions, which will be paid directly and are not included in the price: 65 € min. 10 paying participants; 60 € min. 15; 55 € min. 20 paying participants.

- Optional 6-hour excursion to Azeitao, Sesimbra, and Setubal, with wine tasting. The excursion price (includes a Romanian-speaking guide, transportation): 55 €/person plus 8 €/person for the entrance to the winery for presentation and tasting, min. 20 paying participants; 60 €/person plus 8 €/person for min. 15 paying participants.