Embark on a 6-day romantic escape through Portugal's Serra da Estrela and 12 Historic Villages. Enjoy regional cuisine, Tuk Tuk tours, and a couples' massage.
Summary Description
Highlights
- Local Gastronomy: Enjoy meals featuring regional dishes and beverages in each village.
- Tuk Tuk & Cheese Tour: Scenic Tuk Tuk ride in Covilhã with a visit to the Museu do Queijo.
- Couples' Massage: End your journey with a relaxing couples' massage at the hotel spa.
- Self-Drive Flexibility: Navigate the tour at your own pace with a self-drive itinerary.
- Romantic 6-day escape in Portugal.
- Explore Serra da Estrela & historic villages.
- Panoramic views of rugged landscapes.
- Local gastronomy with regional dishes.
Description
Embark on a 6-day romantic escape through Portugal's Serra da Estrela and 12 Historic Villages. Starting in Covilhã, your gateway to the mountains, explore quaint villages like Marialva and Trancoso, each steeped in rich history and unique traditions.
Enjoy curated experiences like a Tuk Tuk ride, a visit to the Cheese Museum, and kosher dining in Belmonte.
The journey offers stunning panoramic views of the rugged mountain landscapes. Cap it off with a couples' massage for a truly unforgettable experience.
Day 1: Arrival and Check-in in Covilhã
Arrive in Covilhã, the gateway to Serra da Estrela. Check into your hotel and prepare for the adventure ahead. Enjoy a delightful dinner at the hotel's restaurant, featuring regional flavors.
Day 2: Marialva | Trancoso | Linhares
Begin your day in Marialva, a village that takes you back to Portugal's deepest roots. Move on to Trancoso, a medieval village with a rich history. After lunch in Trancoso, head to Linhares da Beira, a 12th-century medieval village, to explore its unique architectural heritage.
Day 3: Covilhã | Belmonte | Sortelha
Start with a Tuk Tuk ride in Covilhã, leading to a visit to the Cheese Museum. Then, explore Belmonte's rich Jewish heritage and historical landmarks. After a kosher lunch, visit Sortelha, one of Portugal's oldest and most beautiful villages.
Day 4: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo | Almeida | Castelo Mendo
Visit Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, known for its medieval references. Then, explore Almeida, a fortified village with a unique 12-pointed star shape. After lunch, head to Castelo Mendo, a village with two fortified areas, the Citadel and the Barbican.
Day 5: Penha Garcia | Monsanto | Idanha-a-Velha | Castelo Novo
Discover Penha Garcia, a village rich in legends and traditions. Move on to Monsanto, considered the most Portuguese village in Portugal. After lunch, visit Idanha-a-Velha, an ancient Roman city, and end the day in Castelo Novo, a mystical village in the Serra da Gardunha.
Day 6: Relaxing Massage for Two | Check-out | Departure
After breakfast, indulge in a couples' massage to unwind and reflect on your journey. Check out from the hotel and prepare for your onward journey.
This itinerary offers a blend of historical exploration, culinary delights, and relaxation, all set against the backdrop of Portugal's stunning landscapes. Your stay will be at the Puralã - Wool Valley Hotel & SPA, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern amenities for a memorable experience.
Contact us and embark on this unforgettable journey to explore, discover, and fall in love with Portugal's historical villages.
Included / Excluded
- 5 Nights Accommodation: Stay at a 4-star hotel with breakfast included each morning.
- Special Dining: Experience kosher dining in Belmonte and a couples' massage at the hotel spa.
- Experiences: Visit nine historical villages, a cheese museum, and take a scenic Tuk Tuk ride in Covilhã.
- Meals: Enjoy 5 lunches and 5 dinners featuring regional cuisine and beverages.
- Self-Drive Tour: Complete flexibility to explore at your own pace.
- 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock travel assistance for a worry-free journey.
- Transportation: Self-drive tour means car rental or fuel costs are not included.
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, additional snacks, or optional activities.
- Travel Insurance: Not included but highly recommended for peace of mind.
- Entrance Fees: Some historical sites or museums may require separate admission fees.
Start / End Locations
Start Location: Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Accessibility
- Infant seats available
Commentary
Guide : English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- The tour includes walking through historic villages, often on uneven and hilly terrain. If you have mobility concerns or prefer a less physically demanding experience, consider whether this tour is right for you or contact us to discuss possible accommodations.
- You will stay in locally-owned guesthouses that offer a charming and authentic experience. If you have specific needs or preferences, such as room configurations or particular amenities, please communicate them when booking to ensure your stay meets your expectations.
- The tour features local Portuguese cuisine, with meals that reflect the traditions of each village. If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, it’s essential to inform us at the time of booking so we can arrange suitable meal options for you.
- Serra da Estrela can have diverse weather conditions, particularly due to the altitude. Be sure to pack layers, comfortable walking shoes, rain gear, and sun protection to stay comfortable throughout the tour.
- Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and historical sites. Additionally, carry essentials such as a reusable water bottle, a small daypack for personal items, and any necessary medications.
- Ensure you’re in good health and ready for moderate physical activity. It’s also advisable to have travel insurance that covers any medical needs, especially if you plan to participate in all activities, including the more physically challenging ones.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 days
Cancellation Notes: Generally, full refunds are available for cancellations made more than 30 days before departure. Cancellations made closer to the departure date may incur a fee or be non-refundable. Please review the specific terms during the booking process.
Options and Pricing
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Points of interest
- Linhares da Beira, Portugal
- Castelo Mendo Almeida, Portugal
- Museu do Queijo, Peraboa, Portugal
- Marialva
- Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Garden, Largo Serpa Pinto, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
- Casa de Castelo Novo, Rua de Nossa Senhora da Graça, Castelo Novo, Portugal
- Sortelha, Sortelha, Portugal
Terms and Conditions
Cancellations & Refunds
Flexible and Family-friendly Policy
In case the reservation is rescheduled to a later date, the amount already paid is guaranteed but also the rescheduling of the reservation will not have any additional cost.
In case of cancellations made up to 24 hours before the starting time of the Van Tour, a refund of 100% of the amount paid is guaranteed.
In case of no-show or cancellation made less than 24 hours before the starting time of the Van Tour, there will be no refund.
Your Tours Portugal – Tour Operator
Your Tours Portugal is a company specialised in the design of private tours, guided tours and self-guided tours, personalised and tailor-made programs, as well as other Cultural Touring activities in Portugal and is legally registered with charter and certification by the Tourism of Portugal as Tourism Animation Agent RNAAT 347/2016 and as Tourism Operator with the registration RNAVT 9902. This certification can be consulted at any time at Turismo de Portugal or directly on the RNT platform (National Tourism Register). We invite you to check our quality and standards, through customer feedback on various platforms for travel recommendations, such as Tripadvisor or yourtours.com.
Clean & Safe | Safe Travels Protocols
Your Tours Portugal guarantees the best conditions of comfort and safety required and holds the Clean & Safe Certification Seals (Touristic Animation), Clean & Safe (Guides-Interpreters) and also the Safe Travels Seal - WTTC, result of the company and its team's investment on specific trainings. The partners of Your Tours Portugal follow the hygiene and prevention standards required in the services provided, working, the first one, only with partners that comply with the recommendations and mandatory requirements of their respective sector.
Insurances
All tours, packages and services of Your Tours Portugal, as well as its clients and collaborators, are fully covered by the mandatory insurance required by law for this activity, including (but not limited to):
Liability Insurance, Vehicle Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Workers Accident Insurance.
Other notes/information
Your Tours Portugal is not responsible for the change of routes, delays and/or the non execution of the natural sequence of the tours, packages or any services acquired from the company, for reasons beyond its control (adverse weather conditions, accidents, ongoing works on the roads, among others).
Your Tours Portugal will not be held responsible for speculative, false or fraudulent travel reservations made by the customer, for faults in the execution of the agreement attributable to the customer, for faults attributable to a third party not involved in the supply of the planned services, for faults that are unforeseeable and unavoidable and for situations due to force majeure.
Learn more at: https://yourtoursportugal.com/terms-and-conditions/
Additional Information
Not wheelchair accessible.
The tours are subject to local traffic, visit schedules and other external factors.
Specific nutritional or dietary food restrictions must be informed in advance.
Infant seats are available on request. Please advise in advance.
FAQ
What is included in the 6-day Serra da Estrela package?
The package includes guided tours of the 12 historic villages in the Serra da Estrela region, accommodation for 5 nights, breakfast, transportation during the tours, and entrance fees to various attractions. It also includes select meals as specified in the itinerary.
Who is this tour suitable for?
This tour is ideal for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those interested in exploring rural and authentic Portuguese culture. The tour involves moderate walking, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
What should I pack for this trip?
We recommend packing comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing (layers for the varying temperatures), a hat, sunscreen, and a small daypack for daily essentials. A camera is also a good idea to capture the stunning landscapes and historic sites.
Is the tour available in different languages?
Yes, the tour guide can offer commentary in several languages, including English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Please confirm your preferred language when booking to ensure availability.
What type of accommodation is provided?
Accommodation is provided in charming, local guesthouses and small hotels within or near the historic villages. These accommodations are selected for their comfort, hospitality, and proximity to the attractions.
What is the cancellation policy for this package
The cancellation policy varies depending on how far in advance the cancellation is made. Generally, full refunds are available for cancellations made more than 30 days before departure. Cancellations made closer to the departure date may incur a fee or be non-refundable. Please review the specific terms during the booking process.
