The Heart of Portugal – Self Guided

	Broad sand beaches backed by dunes and rice fields
	Famous mineral springs and spas
	A slow, traditional pace of life in sleepy backwaters
	Home to a huge variety of birds

Walking tours in Portugal, Madeira and Azores

This 4 night holiday which can easily be extended is based in an old spa village in a beautiful valley just 12km from the Atlantic Ocean. The walks are all very different and allow you to get a real flavour for this wonderful but understated area of Portugal that sees very few visitors. The local area supports 2 very different ecosystems and offers you the chance to see a really varied selection of fauna and flora – indeed this region is home to more than 300 species of birds including blue king fisher, storks and flamingos. Besides the wild life the small local villages offer you a glimpse of traditional life as it has been carried on for centuries.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Transfer from Bifurcaçao de Lares (near Coimbra) to your accommodation

A circular walk from your hotel that takes you through tiny villages, rice fields and verdant countryside. Your walk takes you by a medieval monestary (now abandoned) but fascinating to explore, 10 miles / 16km

Transfer to the famous market town of Louriçal where on a Sunday the market will be in full swing. You then wander back through woodland and fields along country lanes just enjoying the slow pace of life, 7.5miles

Transfer to the Salt museum for a visit to see how local salt is produced before walking back through swamp land (feet do not get wet) home to many birds and forests, 10 miles.

Transfer back to station

If your stay includes a Sunday we will change the order of the walks so that you get to visit and experience Louriçal at market time.

	INCLUDED
	4 nights accommodation in a small hotel in a twin/double room with en-suite facilities and breakfasts
	3 picnics
	4 dinners
	Transfers to and from Bifurcaçao and to the start of walks where stated
	Comprehensive walking notes
	NOT INCLUDED Flights, travel to and from Bifurcaçao and travel insurance

Arrival Point

Airport - Lisbon or Porto. (Coimbra is on the main rail link between both cities where you change for Bifurcaçao - we will give you rail times)

Cost per person:
October to March: £280.00, $560.00 or 400euro
June to September: £320.00, $640.00 or 464euro