I've spent the week getting myself ready for this trip. Following my "process" I've put together from years of experience to get ready for a big trip.
Planning for a big trip like this starts month before for me. Almost immediately after we purchase the trip I start the planning. This time I waited until the new year to start my planning.
It starts with me pulling my template out in OneNote and making a copy for the new trip. I have created this template over the years of travel so that everything I need for my trip is in one spot in OneNote. I can access it on my computer, my phone and my iPad. The template has pages for everything, and when I start putting the new trip plan together I remove the pages I won't need (for example I have a page for shore excursions for a cruise).
My first step is to put the itinerary together. I fill out each day and a description of what we'll be doing/seeing and places we'll be stopping. This is used for the real research - when I start digging into the places and reading on the Interwebs all about the locations, sights, etc. That's one of my favorite parts. Learning about what we'll be seeing.
I then do what I call an "Activity Planner". It outlines each day in much more detail. I usually do that when we get the full description of the itinerary. For Globus, they send us a doc that really does outline everything we'll be doing and seeing in each location. I fill in all the blanks and then put my research there along with it.
I know to most people this sounds like overkill. But honestly, this is part of the fun of traveling for me. The planning. Going and seeing is always fun and I love when the trip finally comes together. But for me the setting it up and learning before we go is really the icing on the travel cake for me.
The planning for this trip has had other issues come into view. I have felt a lot of anxiety leading up to this trip. I've spent a good amount of time digging into this emotion because it's not like me. I'm usually very excited to go and am ready at the drop of a dime to travel. This time, things were different.
I would waver from anxiety and excitement. Some moments I'd be wanting to call Janet and say let's cancel. The next moment I'm so excited that I can hardly contain myself.
What I've finally decided the anxiety comes from the social anxiety I have now thanks to covid about leaving my house. Because I work from home, and because since covid I rarely have to go anywhere, leaving the house takes it out of my sometimes. I hate it. I know full well that once I leave the house, I'll have a great time (and I always do) but getting out the door is sometimes so exhausting.
I need to really work on this anxiety and will deal with that when I get back from this amazing trip. It's always there though, lingering in the back of my mind and I so don't want it to take hold.
If this Portugal trip is like the Scotland trip we're going to be running from the moment we touch down until we head home. I love it honestly. We get to see so much and, in this case, really soo the whole country. I will, of course, blog every night (if I'm not too tired), but here's the plan for the 9 days in Portugal.
DAY 2, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
LISBON
Guided sightseeing includes Jeronimos Monastery and cloister and a photo stop at Belem Tower and the
Monument to the Discoveries. The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Lisbon
is home to the 16th-century Monastery of Jerónimos, with its 100-foot façade featuring images of St. Michael the Archangel
and Our Lady of Belém. See the 16th-century Belém Tower, which served as a fortress but also as an embarkation point for
sailors and was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries pays homage
to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship.
DAY 3, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
LISBON–OBIDOS–NAZARÉ–ALCOBAÇA–FÁTIMA–TOMAR
OBIDOS Take an orientation walk of the medieval town.
NAZARÉ Free time to browse.
ALCOBAÇA Visit the Church of Santa Maria Monastery.
FÁTIMA Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary en route to Tomar.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES The monastery of Alcobaça is a unique masterpiece of Gothic Cistercian art. See the tombs of King Pedro
I and his Castillan lover, Ines de Castro, and hear about the heartbreaking tale of these ill- fated lovers. The king never
stopped loving Ines even after she was murdered, and during his life he commissioned matching tombs that sit together
so that they can look at each other as they rise from their graves.
DAY 4, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
TOMAR–COIMBRA–PORTO
TOMAR Visit the Convent of Christ.
COIMBRA Visit the University. Scenic drive en route to Porto.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The University of Coimbra is distinguished as the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest
in the world, it is also one of the best known and internationally celebrated. With a history of more than seven centuries,
the students at Coimbra University dress in the traditional black capes with ribbons in varying hues as was the tradition
when the school was founded in 1290.
DAY 5, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
PORTO
PORTO Guided sightseeing includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River and the cathedral. Visit the Church
of São Francisco and the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange. Enjoy a Port wine tasting at the famous Sandeman & Co
Port Wine Cellar. Free time this afternoon.
You’re invited to the home of the most internationally recognized Porto wines at the magnificent Sandeman
Wine Cellars. Here, taste centuries of tradition in a glass of Port wine in the city that bears its name. Saúde!
DAY 6, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
PORTO–GUIMARAES–PENAFIEL–VISEU
GUIMARAES Orientation walk through the medieval district.
PENAFIEL Visit the gardens of the Quinta da Aveleda winery and enjoy Portuguese tapas tasting. Take a scenic drive
through the port wine vineyards en route to Viseu.
VISEU Dinner with local specialties and wine at Forno da Mimi restaurant.
LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORY & HERITAGE The history of the Quinta da Aveleda estate spans the centuries and generations who have preserved
the Portuguese traditions of wine making and proud legacy of the Guedes family. The architectural heritage of this cherished
estate is only matched by its wines, produced, and nurtured as the largest Vinho Verde exporter and family-owned winery.
DAY 7, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
VISEU–BELMONTE–CASTELO DE VIDE–EVORA
CASTELO DE VIDE Walk through the Jewish quarter with free time to browse.
EVORA Visit a traditional cork factory.
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Discover the tradition and taste of authentic Portuguese olive oil in a 20th-century olive-oil-factory-turned museum in Belmonte. See the machinery which farmers used to transform olives into oil and taste the delicious fruits of
their labors. Perhaps take home a gift of wine, olive oil, or jam to commemorate your visit. Later, visit a Cork Factory in
Evora to learn about this traditional artisanship of Portugal.
DAY 8, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
EVORA–ALGARVE
EVORA Guided walking tour includes the Gothic cathedral, the Sao Francisco Church, and the Ossuary Chapel. Free time
for lunch.
ALGARVE Free time late afternoon and evening
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Walk back in time to the Roman era of Evora – a city with roots firmly planted in the 16th century
in the home of Portuguese kings. See the white houses, architectural tiles, and embellished balconies with a stroll through
the Gothic sites of the cathedral, church, and chapel.
DAY 9, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
ALGARVE. COASTAL EXCURSION
ALGARVE Join an excursion to the Promontory of Sagres, Cape St. Vincent, and Lagos.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Take in the breathtaking views of the sweeping southern coastline of Portugal in Algarve. Stand on the
Promontory of Sagres and Cape St. Vincent to gaze at the glorious beaches, postcard-perfect fishing ports, and towering
cliffs along the sea.
DAY 10, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
ALGARVE–AZEITÃO–LISBON
AZEITÃO Visit a traditional tile workshop.
LISBON Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARTISTRY Enter a world of authentically handmade Portuguese tiles at the São Simão Arte workshop and gallery in
Azeitão. It is here that distinguished antique collector Antonio Soares Franco creates his ceramic masterpieces by hand
in the style of his ancestors.
DAY 11, SUNDAY OCTOBER 1, 2023
LISBON
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
We're doing three extra excursions throughout too. Just reading this I'm tired. I'd better go to bed so I'm well rested to take on Portugal. Until then...as they say in Portuguese...Boa Noite!!
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