PortugalFamily Journey Portugal: Lisbon to the Algarve
Welcome to Lisbon–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the journey ahead.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Marques de Pombal
After breakfast, set off to discover the city on a fun and interactive scavenger hunt through the Baixa district of Lisbon. Beginning at the Praça do Comércio, families are tasked with solving puzzles and noting some of the most unique aspects of this vibrant city. Watch for street performers, interesting patterns, colourful street art, and viewpoints, while your guide shares stories along the way. After lunch, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Explore more of the city, grab some tasty local treats and have fun with your family–vamos!
Your Family Journeys Moment: Lisbon Scavenger Hunt
Embark on a fun scavenger hunt through Lisbon! Follow clues to find famous locations like Praça do Comércio and the Rua Augusta Arch. Your journey will take you to a square that feels like a fairy tale. You'll hunt for a quirky shop dedicated to sardines, a historic church, and a beautiful, mysterious ruined church.
Free Time
Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to do as you please with your family. Explore more of Lisbon together or choose to partake in some of the locally offered optional activities.
Accommodation
Marques de Pombal
Take in the magnificent sights and sounds on a coastal cycling tour from Cascais this morning. Known as the Portuguese Riviera, the Cascais coast is famous for beautiful beaches, historic towns, and fishing villages turned resort towns. Then, from Praia do Guincho hop onboard a private bus and set off toward Cabo da Roca–the westernmost point of continental Europe before continuing on to Sintra. Take some time for lunch on your own, then bus up the mountain to the jewel of Sintra–Pena Palace. Enjoy the colourful reds and yellows of the palace transformed by King Fernand II in the 19th century and explore the courtyards and gardens and imagine what life was like so many years ago. After, return to Lisbon for one final night in this exciting city.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Coastal Bike Tour
Enjoy a family-friendly bike tour from Cascais to Praia do Guincho on a dedicated coastal path. The easy, flat route offers stunning views of the Atlantic, leading you to a beautiful, wind-swept Guincho beach, famous for its powerful waves and stunning sand dunes.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Pena Palace and Park Guided Visit
Situated in the hills of Sintra, Pena Palace and its surrounding park are one of the greatest expressions of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. With clear Manueline influence and Moorish architectural styles, the palace is built in a such a way as to be visible from any point in the park. Tour the Palace and park and learn about the Palace's origins and influences throughout Portuguese history.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Marques de Pombal
Wave goodbye to Lisbon and set off for a fun and interactive visit to a local cork farm and winery. Climb into a 4x4 and explore the stunning Alentejo countryside to learn about one of Portugal’s most interesting natural resources–cork, an integral part of the wine production Portugal is so famous for. Learn about the industry’s evolution and sustainable harvesting which only takes place every 9-12 years during the tree’s 200-year lifespan. After, sit down and sample some of the local flavours, wine for the grown-ups and juice for the kids–paired with local cheeses, then fill up on a traditional cork farm worker’s lunch at a nearby restaurant. Later, Travel to Évora–a UNESCO World Heritage site and join an orientation walk, stopping at the fascinatingly eerie Chapel of Bones along the way.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cork farm, Winery Visit, and Local Lunch
Join us for a family-friendly 4x4 Jeep tour through a beautiful cork forest at the Maroteira Estate. Journey into a beautiful cork forest where you’ll learn about how this amazing material is harvested. Next, the adults sit down for a wine tasting while the kids sample grape juices before enjoying a delicious three-course lunch. It’s a perfect day for the whole family to explore, learn, and taste the best of the region.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Chapel of Bones Visit
Visit the most famous sight in Évora, the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones. Take care if squeamish – built in the 1500s by a Franciscan monk, the walls are covered with human skeletons as a reminder to fellow monks that life is fleeting.
Accommodation
Vila Gale Evora
After breakfast, travel to the Cromeleque dos Almendres Monoliths, known as the “Portuguese Stonehenge,” for a walk through the ancient site. This 7,000-year-old monument is even older than the famous English henge–approximately 2,000 years older. These ancient stones are said to have been used for religious rituals and as a location to study the stars. Continue on to the Monte da Rocha region for a traditional lunch before transferring to the Algarve, where you’ll call home for the coming days. This popular family beach region is known for its whitewashed fishing villages overlooking sandy coves–perfect for outdoor pursuits or beach fun and relaxation.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Cromeleque dos Almendres Monoliths Visit
Explore the remarkable collection of standing stones, offering a unique window into the distant path. Walk among these ancient monoliths and feel the profound history of a place that has quietly stood for millennia.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk Lagos
Enjoy a brief walk with your Expedition Leader. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Accommodation
Vila Gale Lagos
Wake up in the picturesque Algarve and set off on your choice of included activity. Either spend the morning on the water “catching a wave” with a surf lesson or go with the Expedition Leader to the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade and walk around the cliffs. The afternoon is free for families to continue exploring Lagos, home of popular beaches, a busy marina, museums, and boardwalks. This evening, return to the hotel to freshen up before an included dinner.
Surf Lesson
Don your swim suit and dive into an exhilarating surf lesson. Join a certified instructor who will teach you the basics from paddling and standing up on the board, to understanding the waves. It's the perfect activity for making unforgettable memories together on Portugal's beautiful coast.
Free Time
Get out and explore this picturesque, seaside city with a free afternoon.
Accommodation
Vila Gale Lagos
Set off on a morning boat tour along the Algarve coast stopping at the Benagil Caves, an iconic natural wonder with sea-sculpted arches that give it the appearance of a cathedral. Cruise through the turquoise waters passing stunning grottoes, rocky cliffs, and secluded beaches. Along the way, keep an eye out for dolphins as these beautiful mammals love to call this area home. Head back to the hotel for a free afternoon to explore however you’d like, then join the other families for a cooking class, learning how to make regional specialties. Afterward, get a taste of Portugal as you savour your culinary creation for your farewell dinner–bom apetite!
Algarve Boat Tour
Enjoy an exciting boat tour along the Algarve coast. Explore the stunning sea caves, including the famous Benagil Cave - keep an eye out on the water and watch for playful dolphins in their natural habitat.
Cooking Class Lagos
Uncover the secrets of Portuguese cuisine in a hands-on cooking class. Led by a local expert, learn to prepare some local specialties using fresh ingredients. The experience ends with a shared dinner where you can enjoy your work.
Accommodation
Vila Gale Lagos
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
