Roman temple of Diana in Evora, Portugal, cathedral in background.

Southern Portugal

Slow Travel Adventure

March 15-26, 2025

Immerse yourself in the rich landscape of southern Portugal at a leisurely pace. Beginning with a deep dive into the vibrant neighborhoods of Lisbon, continuing by train to Alentejo province and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Evora. Descending south to the sun-drenched Algarve coastline, the enchanting villages of Faro, and Albufeira invite you into a deeper level of relaxation.

Highlights

  • Time for reflection and relaxtion
    Slow, mindful and restorative travel is at the core of this odyssey. You will have a couple of half days to rest, explore, hike, do whatever inspires you.
  • Almendres Cromlech
    Evora's human history goes back to the 7th century BC when the Celts built megalithic monumnents near Evora, the biggest being Almendres with 100 standing stones, 2000 years older than Stonhenge.
  • Explore Lagos and Sagres
    Enjoy exploring the charming coastal towns of Lagos, Sagres and Cape Saint Vincent,the most south-westerly point of Europe.
  • Boat cruise on Benagil coast
    Experience the breathtaking views of the rock formations and grottos on the Benagil Coast.
  • Ria Formosa Natural Park
    The park has 40 miles of a long series of 6 barrier islands, white sandy beaches, salt pans and marshland with a wide variety of wildlife and migrating birds, including flamingos and storks. We will explore this by boat, sometimes stopping to mindfully walk, observing the many birds and other wildlife.

Cost

Price: $4275

Contact us if interested. A deposit of $500 will hold your place. Credit cards are accepted

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Read and sign Terms of Service

Activity Level

We walk 2-5 miles a day, typically over uneven surfaces, climb and descend stairs and steep hills sometimes. You may have to roll or carry your own luggage, possibly up and down stairs to your room. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Sometimes, you may have to sleep near street noise. Bring ear plugs.

Odyssey Includes

  • * 11 nights lodging
  • * Train, bus, boat, and vehicle transportaion
  • * All breakfasts, meals as indicated on itinerary
  • * Local bilingual guides, BBO staff
  • * Entrance fees to museums, archological sites

What is not included

  • * Round-trip airfare
  • * Travel insurance (recommended) that minimumly covers you for medical expenses including emergency repatriation.
  • * Alcoholic beverages at group meals
  • * optional activites/experiences
  • * meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • * tips for local guides, drivers, etc

Itinerary

After your arrival at the Lisbon Airport, you will be transferred to your small boutique hotel. We will gather for dinner and begin to sample Portugese cuisine. This will also be a time for getting to know each other, perhaps sharing some of your dreams and intentions for this odyssey to Portugal.

In the morning, You will immerse yourself into learning about the famous Azulejo or tiles of Portugal. at the National Tile Museum, Museu Nacional do Azulejo in Lisbon. The famous tiles are housed in a magnificent convent from 1509, with some tiles dating back to the 1400s. They are an artistic expression of Portuguese culture and Arabs from North Africa brought the lovely craft of glazed tiles to Portugal in the 13th century. In late afternoon, you will xplore the undiscovered neighborhoods of Lisbon! Baixa and Mouraria are neighborhoods rich in culture and history with some of the best restaurants and eateries in Lisbon. Our tour takes you away from the tourist traps, to the local and largely undiscovered backstreets of Lisbon where locals spend their days. During this tour, you'll taste some of the most amazing Portuguese foods with wines and beers you won't get elsewhere! As we walk the streets, you'll not only get to know the city through its amazing food and drinks but also gain an understanding of the international influences present throughout the city, from the amazing street art to learning all about the Fado musical genre. B, D

Day trip to Evora and the stone circle, We’ll travel through the Alentejo countryside, taking us to the medieval town of Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2027.Our guide we take us on a walking tour of the town. Romans built the ancient walls around Evora and the Temple of Evora in the 1st century which sits at the top of a hill offering a panoramic view of Evora. It had a tumultuous history but was restored to its current state in 1871 The region of Alentejo has numerous megalithic monuments built by the Celts in 7th century BC. Our guide takes us back in time, discovering the megalithic stones of Almendres Cromlech and the "Zambujeiro", a 6-meter-high tapir, built between the beginning of the 4th and middle of the 3rd millennium BC. B

A train journey from Lisbon to Faro, 3+ hours, departing at 10:03 am. Enjoy a peaceful trip to Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, located on the coast overlooking the shallow lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Faro has an abundance of natural and cultural heritage. Cafes line the harbor. Shellfish is a specialty of the Ria Formosa. Fishing boats wind along the narrow channels of the Ria Formosa towards the open .sea, past dense marshes and deserted islands. The marshes are among Europe’s most important natural habitats and attract an amazing array of seabirds and other wildlife. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the town. B

At 10 am, we will meet the guide taking us on a boat tour of the Ria Formosa. Our guide grew up in a local family of fishermen and shellfish gathers. He will take us on a journey to Desert Island ( the most southern point in Continental Portugal ), The Saint Mary Lighthouse Village, in Culatra Island. Culatra Village is a typical Portuguese fishing community where we will have lunch. You will see a variety of flora, fauna, birds - including flamingos, and possibly dolphins. He will explain the traditions and everyday life of the Ria Formosa. B

The old town of Albufeira has cobbled streets, historic white buildings, and traditional Portuguese restaurants. There is nothing planned for the day after arrival. We can explore the neighborhood restaurants and bars near the B&B. Later walk to Old Town, 20 minutes to discover more. B

9:30 am Tour of Lagos and Sagres, Discover the western part of the Algarve as you embark stunningly beautiful adventure to Lagos and Sagres. You will marvel at the rugged coastal landscapes as we journey to the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. Cape Saint Vincent has been considered sacred ground since the ancient Greeks called the “Land of Serpents,” while the Romans called it the “Promontories Sacrum” (Holy Promontory), the Latin origin of the name Sagres (Sacrum). Romans thought it was the “edge of the world” a supernatural vortex where the setting sun was submerged by the vast, unknown ocean. We will park outside the charming walled town of Lagos and our guide will lead you on a walking tour to the center of town, giving you tips for restaurants as well as places to visit. The town is small, so you can easily cover the most interesting places on foot. The guide will then set a meeting point to collect everyone later for return. We will have lunch here. B B

2pm departure, arrive at marina 1:30, Catamaran cruise along the coast to the Benagil caves, 3 hours After leaving Albufeira Marina, you can just relax and feel the breeze when we start to cruise along the coast towards the Benagil area, where we will enter the most famous caves of the region. You will shown all the special places the coast has to offer and the unique landscape with a contrast of colors between the rocky cliffs and native flora. The captain and crew will give you detailed historical and geographic information about important locations along the coastline. B

Explore the villages of Silves, Monchique, and Caldas de Monchique on this tour from Albufeira. Silves is a beautiful medieval town. It was the capital of the Algarve during the period of Arab rule and is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The town is dominated by its impressive red sandstone castle, which was built by the Moors in the 8th century and later fortified by the Christian kings during the Reconquista. Monchique is a beautiful village, best explored on foot. A walk through streets of the town center is rewarded with views of magnificent hills, and moments of calm in unsuspected corners.The guide will t set up a meeting point for pick up, and from there the customers will have more than 2 hours to enjoy Monchique on their own. B

Open day to choose what you want to do. Wine tours are available. Day trip to Tavira Walks on the beach, Archeological museum, Relax in the B&B courtyard with pool and jacuzzi. B

3-hour train journey back to Lisbon, depart at 2:15pm B