FEEL THE DIVERSITY OF THE PORTUGAL BEACHES
Exuberant Portugal
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What's included
- All meals included
- Professionally guided tour
- Personal expenses
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips to guide and driver
Glory of the Past
Discover the treasures of Egypt on this 8-day tour featuring Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and a luxury Nile cruise. Explore the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings & more. Book your adventure today!
Overview
Ancient temples, bustling souks, timeless cities, and sun-drenched shores—**the Egypt experience is many things. From standing in awe before the Great Pyramid of Giza and the iconic Sphinx, to exploring the treasures of Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Museum, every moment echoes with history.
Journey through the Giza Plateau, home to the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and marvel at the ancient engineering of the Solar Boat Museum. In Aswan, discover the grace of Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the scale of the Aswan High Dam, and the dual dedication of the Temple of Kom Ombo. Sail to Edfu to explore one of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries, dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
In Luxor, walk through the Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and stand before the towering Colossi of Memnon. The vast Karnak Temple complex and the majestic Luxor Temple offer unforgettable insights into ancient grandeur, while the Statue of Ramesses II stands as a timeless guardian of Egypt’s legacy.
Back in Cairo, discover the medieval marvel of the Saladin Citadel, and delve into Egypt’s rich religious heritage at the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga), and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Conclude your journey at Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where centuries of tradition come alive through sights, scents, and vibrant color.
Tour Highlights
- ✨ Sail the Timeless Nile – Spend 8 unforgettable days cruising along the Nile aboard a deluxe river vessel
- 🏛 Stand Before the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) – Marvel at the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World
- 🗿 Discover Ancient Pharaohs – Learn the stories of Chephren and Mycerinus at the Giza Plateau
- ☀️ Step Inside the Solar Boat Museum – Witness the marvel of the reconstructed Sun Boat and enjoy a traditional camel ride around the pyramids
- 🧱 Gaze at the Majestic Sphinx – Get up close to the legendary guardian of the pyramids
- 🏺 Uncover Egypt’s Rich Legacy – Explore the Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of ancient treasures
- 👑 View the Legendary Treasures of Tutankhamun – Including his iconic golden mask
- 🛕 Visit the Temples of Upper Egypt – Discover the enchanting Philae Temple, dual Temple of Kom Ombo, and grand Edfu Temple
- 🎨 Walk Among Tombs in the Valley of the Kings – Admire vivid wall paintings and ancient inscriptions
- 👸 Pay Tribute to a Queen – Drive to the impressive Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
- ⛪ See Sacred Sites – Visit a Coptic monastery such as El Deir el Bahari, nestled in the cliffs of Thebes
- 🏛 Stroll Through Karnak and Luxor Temples – Among Egypt’s most awe-inspiring open-air complexes
- 🗿 Behold the Colossi of Memnon – Two towering statues guarding the Theban necropolis
- 🏰 Explore Islamic Cairo – Visit the Citadel of Saladin and the iconic Hanging Church & Ben Ezra Synagogue
- 🛍 Wander Through Khan El Khalili Bazaar – Enjoy some free time shopping and soaking in the market’s old-world charm
No Egyptian meal is complete without something sweet. From Basbousa (semolina cake soaked in syrup) to Konafa (shredded pastry with cream or nuts), desserts reflect the nation’s love for textures and aromatic ingredients like rosewater and orange blossom.
Hospitality at the Core
Perhaps the most defining aspect of the Egyptian table is its role in hospitality. Guests are always welcomed with generosity, and it’s customary to offer more food than one could possibly eat—an expression of warmth, respect, and cultural pride.
- Day 1-4
- Day 5-9
- Day 10-14
Lisbon
Lisbon is a vibrant, walkable city…that’s if you’re ok with steps and hills. Lisbon is on a serious gradient but with so many charming cafes there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the local food and drink.
The city has become quite popular because of its old-world European architecture, historic sites, great food and wine and plenty of public transportation options to help you get around when your legs tire of the sloping streets.
Lisbon has a number of attractions to see depending on your interests. No matter which you choose, keep in mind how fun it is to just walk around exploring Lisbon’s neighborhoods. Stopping for small bites and something to drink a few times a day is the perfect way to balance a day of sightseeing. The food is light (lots of seafood) and delicious. The hills are a great workout. And, quaint cafes are aplenty. Can you think of a better combination for touring a new city?
Sintra
Pena Palace is a must on a Sintra day trip. It sits on a hill looking like it hopped from the pages of a fairytale. It’s romantic style, brightly colored exterior, ornate interior, and closeness to Lisbon make it many Sintra visitors first stop. Visiting, I couldn’t help but think of the charming Peles Castle in Romania
From the Pena Gardens, you can make your way to Pena Park. From there, walk a bit back up the hill to reach the entrance to the Moorish Castle. The stepped stone ramparts leading to the castle’s perch takes you back in time to Portugal’s Moorish years and offers unobstructed views of Pena Palace and the surrounding area.
When your visit is done, take the bus back down to Sintra’s historical center. While it’s possible to walk back from here, you’ll want to maximize your time.
For the rest of your day in Sintra, choose between the National Palace of Sintra or Quinta da Regaleira in order to have time leftover to enjoy the cute little city that Sintra is. You’ll want to grab a bite, try some port and snap a few great shots before your trip back to Lisbon.
Porto
Porto has gained quickly in popularity. It’s the second largest city in Portugal, sprawling and perched on top of a huge hill along the Douro River. While you could plan a Lisbon to Porto day trip, the city is in the heart of wine and Port country and is well worth a 2-day visit as part of your Portugal itinerary.
After you’re settled in, the Ribeira and the Douro River area should be at the top of your Porto activities list. Dating back to Medieval times, it has the tiny, maze-like streets with old, colorful houses you’d expect and along the way, there are plenty of cafes and shops to discover. It’s a great area to wander on foot.
Walk through Ribeira Square, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the square is popular with tourists, but historically, it was Porto’s marketplace where merchants sold bread, fish, and other items.
From the Douro River, you’ll see the two sides of Porto connected by the Ponte Luis I Bridge, the Riberia side and the Vila Nova de Gaia side.
More about Sinai
More about this tour
In the southwest corner of Europe lies Portugal, one fifth of the Iberian Peninsula it shares with Spain. Portugal has its own language, the 6th most spoken in the world (think Brazil-Portugal’s former colony), its own culture and cuisine. Portugal’s shape is rectangular, the longest north-south distance is 349 miles/561 km and widest east-west distance is 135 miles/218 km. It’s roughly the size of the U.S. state of Indiana. the country’s modest dimensions make it easy to visit when time is short. Portugal is divided into regions, each offers unique features , history, scenery and cuisine. The regions are from south to north: Algarve, Alentejo, Lisbon and Lisbon Coast, Estremadura and Ribatejo, the Beiras, Douro and Tras-os-Montes and the Minho.
Portugal Climate
Portugal’s climate is mainly Mediterranean. The southern regions are dry and sunny with warm/hot summers and mild/rainy winters. Traveling north, the weather pattern becomes cooler and wetter, especially in winter. Snow is possible in the mountains of the northeast. Overall, Portugal enjoys an enviable climate which explains why it’s so popular with northern Europeans looking for relief from their too often less comfortable weather.
The Azores Island have a moderate Marine climate with year round mild temperatures and rain. Madeira and it’s neighbor island, Porto Santo, are subtropical with normally dry weather year round.
Cuisine
With a coastline of 586 miles/943 kms, it’s not surprising that seafood is front and center of Portuguese cuisine. It’s said that there is a cod dish, dried and fresh, for each day of the year. Regional specialties abound. In the Algarve, Cataplana , a fish and shellfish dish named for the cookware used, is a treat. Caldeirada, a fish stew with potatoes, is also popular. An unusual combination hailing from the Alentejo is a combination of pork and clams. Lisbon offers a range of cosmopolitan restaurants but you may wish to try Frango Piri-Piri (chicken with chili) and be sure to indulge in a local pastry, Pasteis de Nata, delicious custard-cream tarts. In the north, Feijoada, a stew of beans and cured meats is popular as well as Rojoes, a spiced pork stew in wine and garlic. We suggest dining in local restaurants to experience true Portuguese cuisine. Portions are generally huge but many restaurants offer half portions.
The Azores islands have a more simplistic cuisine but it’s also based on the sea. A local favorite from the island of Sao Miguel is Cozido nas Caldeiras, a stew made from sausages, meats and vegetables cooked in containers lowered about 1 meter into the steaming ground around Furnas lake, a volcanic crater. There it cooks gently for about 7 hours.
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