Lisbon & Tomar – The Knights Templars Heritage – Portugal Group Walking Holidays

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at Lisbon airport

On arrival at Lisbon Airport, we will have a private coach transfer to our centrally located hotel. Depending on our arrival time, we’ll have an orientation walk before dinner.
Dinner included.

Tomar centre, Stroll along the old streets and discover the Synagogue and the many windows with historical and architectural interest.

Day 2 – Bairro Alto and Praça do Comércio

This first day’s walk-in Lisbon will give a wide overview, not only of one of the most picturesque old quarters in the city but excellent views over all the rest.
The Bairro Alto is an old and picturesque neighbourhood in the centre, with narrow, cobbled streets, secular houses, small traditional shops, restaurants, and nightlife venues.
Praça do Comércio, locally known as Terreiro do Paço, is a square in downtown Lisbon, located next to the river Tagus. The dramatic and imposing buildings frame one of the most beautiful and impressive city centres in Europe.
Dinner is not included.

Belem Tower, Lisbon. It is often portrayed as a symbol of Europe’s Age of Discoveries.

Day 3 – Jerónimos – Belém

The monument we visit today goes back to the golden age of Portuguese Discoveries, and to the magnificent creations that were built to celebrate that era.
The Jerónimos Monastery is a royal foundation that dates back to the late 15th century. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site will sweep you away with its majestic display of Manueline opulence portraying the wealth of the crown.
Further downriver, the magnificent tower of Belém, built in 1520 as part of the Tagus estuary defence system, is one of the greatest symbols of Portugal’s Age of Discovery and World Heritage Site.
Dinner is not included.

Jeronimos Monastery Lisboa. A masterpiece of 16th-century architecture in Portugal, the Monastery of Jerónimos is listed as a National Monument and inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage

Day 4 – Batalha & Alcobaça

Transfer from Lisbon to Tomar. En route, we’ll visit the “Batalha Monastery”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s greatest Gothic masterpieces, that was born out of a promise of gratitude for a won battle that granted Portugal its independence.
During the 150 years that it took to be built, the initial project was subjected to numerous changes that resonate with the evolution of architectural styles, from the exclusively Portuguese “Manueline Style” to the Renaissance techniques.
After lunch, a visit to “Alcobaça Monastery” a 12th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. This colossal complex was originally given to St Bernard of Clairvaux the main reformer of the Cistercian Order and built to reflect the “White Monks” principles: austerity, prayer, penitence, hard labour, and constant silence, alongside the ones in need. This monastery is also the burial site of Portugal’s most famous royal lovers and their tragic history – “Pedro and Inês”.
Dinner in a local restaurant.

Batalha Monastery, one of the most impressive religious buildings of Portugal, was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.

Day 5 – Tomar

A day dedicated to Tomar, with a morning introductory walk in the centre passing the main monuments and points of interest. The day will be partly guided to give a full background to the buildings and history of Tomar. After a break downtown, we’ll make our way to the town’s “Piece de Resistance”: “The Convent of Christ”. Built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century, it still reminds us today of the power, knowledge, sacrifice, and history of one of the most famous religious orders of all times – The Knight’s Templars.
In the afternoon there will be free time to enjoy this fabulous town.
Dinner is not included. 

Tomar Zona Ribeirinha. Tomar is an ideal tourist destination if you are interested in Portugal’s history or culture.

Day 6 – Serra de Aires Natural Park

Today we visit the Serra de Aires Natural Park. This range of limestone hills is home to fantastic cave formations and we will visit the best.
The “Santo António Caves” was discovered in the 1950s by a small boy that decided to follow a bird and saw it disappear through a deep hole in the ground. Seventy years later, we are now privileged to witness a part of our planet’s geological wonders.
After lunch, we’ll walk the trails down the valley below the caves taking us through quaint villages, shady paths, and superb scenery as the valley opens out.
Dinner is not included.

River Nabão in  Tomar Portugal. Tomar is the most important place of Templar History in the whole world since it has preserved an imposing castle and church, practically intact.

Day 7 – North of Tomar

Named after “Nabia” – the pagan goddess of rivers and water – the “Nabão River” is a 60km river with luxuriant riverbanks that runs from the northern village of Ansião to the south, eventually flowing into the Zêzere River.
Our walk this morning follows the margins of the river and, at times, our route coincides with the Portuguese Caminho de Santiago.
Later we’ll visit a nearby winery where there’ll be a tour through the winery and wine cellar, with some disclosure of the secrets behind the art of making wine. This visit also includes a wine tasting.
Dinner in a local restaurant.

Tomar window Knights Templar Castel. The castle in the city of Tomar or “Castelo dos Templarios” is considered one of the most important Portuguese military buildings of the 12th century.

Day 8 – Departure

Transfer to Lisbon airport.