- Experience Lisbon like a local as you discover its hidden gems with a clued-up resident-guide
- Swap the city for the coast and spend two nights in a bohemian hotel surrounded by sand dunes
- Spend a day cycling along coastal trails to discover the best beaches of Greater Lisbon
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Route
Touchdown in Portugal
Your Big Short Break to Lisbon begins today with a three-hour flight to Portugal’s vibrant capital. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some down time in the lounge with a few nibbles and refreshments as you await departure. A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your first hotel: a stylish property nestled within the network of tiled buildings that make up the historic centre. After settling in and freshening up, make the most of your first evening and enjoy a celebratory drink at one of our favourite rooftop bars before retreating to your hotel to rest up ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.
Lisbon like a local
Rise and shine, it’s the first full-day for your five-day getaway to Lisbon and there’s not a moment to waste. Today is dedicated to discovering the delights of the capital, which centre around its bohemian atmosphere, arty nonchalance and buzzing tramways. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, you’ll be met by a clued-up local guide, who’ll be taking you on a relaxed and spontaneous walk around central Lisbon. This is a great way to not only soak in the city’s emblematic sights, but also to experience its more authentic side. We’re talking independent art galleries, private mansions, small churches, forgotten convents and old reservoirs… spots that fly under the radar of Lisbon’s regular tourists. Spend this afternoon escaping the hustle and bustle of Lisbon with an escape to Cacilhas, a small and scenic town located a short ferry ride away. Here you can visit the Jardim do Rio for panoramic views across Lisbon, before taking a lift up to a 165ft viewing platform. Savour the views with a dish of grilled fish or sautéed prawns before heading back to Lisbon.
Coast calling
Swap the cosmopolitan charms of Lisbon for the serene coast as you travel an hour and a half in your spacious and comfortable rental car to A dos Cunhados. Located on the beautiful shores of Grande Lisboa (a kind of ‘Greater Lisbon’ if you will), this small seaside resort has long been a prime getaway for city-dwellers. It is surrounded by sea, sand dunes and pine trees, making it the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and recharge your batteries. Your home for the next two nights is a hippie-chic retreat surrounded by beachy wilderness. After settling in and freshening up, head out and spend the rest of today breathing in the fresh sea air as you take a stroll along the town’s stretch of golden sandy beach.
Beach-hopping fun
Today is all about soaking in the vast and varied beaches of this scenic sliver of Portugal’s west coast, starting with a trip to Mexilhoeira beach. Wild and dominated by cliffs, it is the perfect place to take in Portugal’s Atlantic coast. Cycle paths and dirt tracks stretch for miles, winding between beaches lined with pine trees. With a picnic basket full of goodies tucked into the front of your bike, head out and enjoy the coastal wind in your hair. This is great opportunity to check out some local sights, such as the Penafirme Convent, an ancient monastery submerged in the sand dunes. A private surf lesson can be arranged at Santa Cruz beach, or you can simply take in the show of paragliders on Santa Rita beach before reaching Porto Novo, a popular cove where the river meets the ocean. Following your beach outing, take part in an introduction to organic farming with a composting or tree planting session at a local farm. If you’d prefer to stick to the coast, you could instead opt for a fishing trip and cruise to the Berlengas Islands, setting sail from the peninsula town of Peniche.
Farewell Portugal
Sadly the time has come to bid Portugal a warm farewell and embark on the journey home. After one last delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, hop back into your hire car and drive and hour and a half back to Lisbon. Head to the airport, whizz back through security and enjoy some peace and quiet in the airport lounge as you await the departure of your three-hour flight back to the UK.
A la carte
A GOURMET DINNER IN ONE OF LISBON’S BEST RESTAURANTS
Located in the upmarket Chiado district, the setting for tonight’s dinner is a retro restaurant run by a creative Portuguese chef. Revisiting classic recipes from the national repertoire and infusing them with African spices, the dishes here are renowned for their style and flavour. Don’t forget to browse through the small on-site market, which offers delicate dishes, gifts, books and kitchen accessories. There is also a tavern, which provides a more simple, relaxed cuisine based on seafood staplesA SURF SESSION IN SANTA CRUZ
For surfers old and new, those seeking the gnarliest of waves, or for those simply wanting to tick off a bucket list item, Santa Cruz beach is the place for you to put your skills to the test. Located just north of Lisbon, this beach entertains water sport enthusiasts year round, particularly surfers, who enjoy the consistency of the gentle waves.A Rough Idea of Price
The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote.
The average starting price for this trip is £1,700 per person.
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