Portugal's Silver Coast 2 - Overview - Sights and Soul Travels

Portugal

Portugal's Silver Coast 2 - Overview

September 24 - October 3, 2025

DATES & COST

September 24 - October 3, 2025
10 Days / 9 Nights
This tour starts in Lisbon and ends in Porto

$5,880 per person/double occupancy
$1,740 optional single supplement
$420 additional nights, single or double room, including airport transfer
Includes all fees and taxes

SPACES AVAILABLE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

3 nights in an upscale hotel in the center of Lisbon; 2 nights in a historical hotel in Coimbra; 4 nights in a luxury urban hotel in Porto
9 breakfasts, 6 dinners, 3 lunches - traditional Portuguese or vegetarian menu, including drinks
Private airport transfers on arrival and departure and all transportation in Portugal
Privately guided tours of Lisbon, Belem, Sintra, Cascais, Obidos, Batalha, Coimbra, Aveiro, Porto, Douro Valley, Braga and Guimarães
Sights and Soul Travels' Tour Director, all sightseeing fees and admissions
All restaurants', guides' and drivers' gratuities
All cultural activities, admissions and guided tours at sights as per the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED

Additional/optional costs may include: optional single supplement, optional travel insurance, additional accommodations, early hotel check-in, porterage, meals not listed in the itinerary, any required Covid-19 related testing, optional Tour Director's gratuities, telephone charges, room service, minibar charges, laundry, personal expenses.

The tour cost does not include airfare to and from the tour’s location.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dramatic beaches rimmed by burnished-gold color cliffs
Rustling palm trees and coral-colored hibiscus flowers
Hills topped with Moorish castles and walled towns
Enchanting old fishing villages and cosmopolitan seaside resorts
The impossible stone lace of Manueline architecture
Buildings and walkways lined with blue and white azulejo tiles
The Douro Valley and port wine
Baroque palaces and medieval convents
Warm and passionate locals

I have taken three tours with Sights & Soul. Patricia was by far the best tour director and guide. It really makes a difference having a resident of the country as a director. Her love of country, passion and enthusiasm were contagious. The cities and sites we saw were well chosen and offered much variety. I had an excellent time.
Kim H. from Wisconsin (Portugal 3 2024)

The Sights and Soul trip to Portugal in October 202 was amazing! The group of women was friendly, supportive and cohesive. Patricia Baetsle, the travel director and guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, supportive and an enjoyable member of the group. She was good at teaching the history and culture of Portugal without lecturing. Long before the end of the tour she felt like a friend. The hotels where we stayed were comfortable and accommodating. The restaurants were good, the food was fantastic and the individual tours we made to smaller cities were enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this tour. It rated highly among the other S&S tours I have taken. I will definitely travel with Sights and Soul again.
Katharine from Minnesota (Portugal 3 2024)

A PERFECT 10! Exceptionally well organized and it unfolded like a dream: A tour leader with exceptional knowledge of the country, it's people and little known facts! And somehow she was attuned to each of our special requirements. Each day was better than the one before: tours on rivers, through acres of beautiful gardens, through monasteries whose architectural features and artwork stopped our breaths; rides up hillsides with vistas of vineyards opening up at every hairpin turn; meals of exceptional quality, all accompanied by gracious service. Two Fado musical concerts, one followed by a Port wine tasting. I fail to see how any tour could top this one. "Sights and Soul Tours " is a first class organization from top to bottom, and there is no way that this tour, Portugal 3, could be improved!!
- Sandra S from Florida (Portugal 3 2024)

I could not have chosen a better tour group for this adventure. The accommodations were first class and lovely. The group of women were delightful and a good mix. The restaurants that were chosen - delicious! I felt the itinerary was very comprehensive giving all of us a real taste of Portugal in the various cities. My only suggestion would be one free afternoon that we could explore on our own and go shopping or just sit at a cafe and people watch! Our guide, Patricia, was not only a wonderful and educated guide, she is a beautiful soul. Her love for history and Portugal was very evident. I have traveled all over the world with different guides and can attest to the fact that Patricia is one of the best! We just adored her. I hope to join another Sight and Soul tour in the near future and would highly recommend this tour company.

- Susan from California (Portugal 2, 2024)

Best tour I have ever taken. I have cruised and traveled with (numerous tour companies, names omitted). The Sights and Soul tour of Portugal was far superior to all. - Lynne from Idaho (Portugal ONE 2024)

The tour was terrific! Lisbon and Porto were beautiful areas. I loved the people on the tour - we had a wonderful group of women. - Sheli from Pennsylvania (Portugal 2 2023)

I felt very well taken care of throughout. Lovely hotels, excellent restaurants, comfortable transportation. - Jabe from Maryland (Portugal 2 2023)

I just want you to know that I had a wonderful time visiting Portugal with Sights and Soul Travels. I made new friends, had many, many laughs while enjoying the sights. Patricia was wonderful. She is so knowledgeable and accommodating as well as the ultimate professional. I look forward to joining Sights and Souls on future trips! - Leslie from Massachusetts (Portugal 2 2023)

It was GRAND, the tour, the women, the layered majesty of Portugal and Patricia....an amazing and extraordinary guide and human. It was my 2nd journey with S&S, hope to many more!! - Lynn from Maine (Portugal 2 2023)

The tour of Portugal was fantastic from start to finish. Our tour guide, Patricia, shared her extensive knowledge, passion, and love for Portugal and its people. She made the history come alive. From the tour of Lisbon to medieval cities, to vineyards and beautiful Porto, I don't see how it could have been any better. As always, it was a wonderful group of women to travel with. It amazes me how quickly we bond on these trips. I'll treasure my memories of Portugal. - Connie from Massachusetts

I have arrived to Portugal with a little knowledge of the country and left impressed by its beauty and achievements. The itinerary was excellent, including the cities and locations that had to be seen and could have been enjoyed by anyone. All the historical sight were impressive. Once again, as I had experienced on previous tours with S&S , the hotels and restaurants were carefully chosen for their location and quality. The transportation throughout the country was efficient and comfortable. Overall, I liked the Portugal tour with S&S and found it well worth it. - Alena from California

I was very happy with all aspects of the trip. The best experiences were the unexpected moments, hearing a street violinist in Lisbon, walking into a church in Obidos as they were preparing for a wedding, sunsets, etc. I was pleased with the quality of the hotels, wineries, food, etc. The buses were very comfortable and Patricia is a wealth of knowledge. – Sherry from Texas

The home hosted farewell dinner was the best experience. – Char from Nevada

The people on the trip were the best. It was also my birthday on our last night. We went to Angela’s sister’s home for a traditional dinner. We had a fantastic night with her family, their hospitality and helping to celebrate my birthday. It made me very proud of my Portuguese heritage. Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to my next one. – Maureen from Massachusetts

Learning the history of the area was the best experience during the tour. – Lisa from Texas

Excellent tour – never thought Portugal would be such a beautiful country. Patricia, the local tour guide, was excellent. I could understand her very well. She’s a keeper for future tours. Christ the King and Lisbon Bridge were wonderful to see. The Tile Collection Museum was excellent!! – Kathy from Wisconsin

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to sign up, but I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, along with all the wonderful ladies I met. I hope to travel with Sights and Soul again! – Christine from Ontario

The whole trip was wonderful. I enjoy these trips as everything is planned for me, and I see the things that should be seen at that destination. Portugal is a beautiful country to see. - Tiffany from Wisconsin

Most women only tour groups offer Portugal with Spain. For those of us who have traveled extensively one country in depth is preferred. So this tour was perfect. The lovely dinner with Angela and her family was truly special. Angela, the tour leader, was organized, efficient, but not bossy or overreaching. She was available and treated each person with kindness and respect. She is the best tour leader I’ve had. - Valerie from New Jersey

Angela was wonderful! Kind, patient, but kept us organized and on time. She is very generous, and I enjoyed her personal comments on her experiences. Patricia, the guide, delivered fabulous information with great insight and great knowledge of Portugal. I was also extremely pleased that there were only 2 hotels with several nights at each. “Hotel hopping” would have ruined a tour. Private transfers from and to the airport are a real stress reliever, too. I forgot to mention getting to meet other women! Great fun in a small group! - Naomi from Vermont

This was my second tour traveling with Sights and Soul and I can’t rave enough about how well the tour was organized. The People of Portugal, the food and the hotels were all wonderful. I enjoyed listening to our local guides explaining the history of Portugal and Angela was wonderful, well organized and very helpful in making suggestions for places to visit during the free time. Wonderful tour, can’t say enough of this! - Sonia from New York

I really enjoyed all 3 tours: wonderful guides, great food, everyone got along well, a memorable experience. So glad I did these 3 (Morocco, Spain, Portugal) in a row. In many cases, history just flowed and connected from one to the other. Marta, Kerry and Angela were all great tour leaders, each with a different personality and style of leading, but all equal in greatly enhancing their trip. - Andrea from Nevada

Every day was a new and wonderful discovery of Portugal’s history. Portugal is a beautiful place to visit: it’s clean, people are friendly, and the historical sights are astounding. I tell everyone about Sights and Soul. Got 2 people to sign up already. It is absolutely the best women’s tour group around. They take care of planning everything perfectly. Thanks Angela and staff. - Deborah from New Jersey

Lots of variety and something for everyone: fado music, wineries, religious sites, castles, seafood, cliffs and sandy beaches, shopping. How could you ask for anything more? - Donna from Texas

The tour was very well run and informative. Angela has a wonderful spirit. Her enthusiasm is contagious. - Gayle from Oregon

I am sad to leave Portugal! I have had a wonderful time visiting and exploring the history, delicious seafood and my favorite custard tarts (Nata!). Angela was a lovely host and I had a very relaxing time! The quaint coastal town of Cascais was my favorite! I could live there. Portugal was definitely the hidden gem which exceeded all my expectations in a vacation destination! Muito Obrigada! beijihno and besos - Julie from California

Another perfect trip. Amazing sights, hotels in perfect locations, just the right group size, super food, terrific leader who comes from the region and speaks the language, etc., etc. Thanks Sights and Soul for giving me a chance to do what I like best - travel. I thought that that part of my life died with my husband, but thanks to Sights and Soul it didn't have to. You will never know how much it means to me and people like me. Thanks again. - Lynda from New Jersey

I loved visiting your home country. It is beautiful. I hope your other trips go as well as this one did! It has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you. - Michelle from Maryland

This is my second tour with Sights and Soul and once again found it to be well planned and lots of fun. It is so much easier to relax when all the hard work is done for you. Yolanta does a great job. Thanks for loving what you do so well. It shows. - Janet from the Netherlands

The tour was well organized and I enjoyed that about both Sights & Soul tours I've taken. We visit the spots that are promised, the company is good and the suggested reading is on target. - Suzanne from Texas

It was an excellent tour. I enjoyed everything about visiting Portugal, there was a lot variety, the meals were great and all of the sightseeing was interesting and different. - Lynne from Michigan

I have fallen in love with Portugal! The place is just amazing and the people are so friendly. The entire trip from start to finish was just perfect, but my favorite was how we got spoiled when we stayed in Obidos. I loved how they brought fresh fruit and fresh flowers to my room every day and how they lit the candles on the patio at night. I really needed this trip to regain my footing, and now I am moving on with my life. - Sarah from Oregon

Tour Director: Patricia Baetslé

The journey through Portugal offers magical landscapes of sandy beaches rimmed by burnished-gold cliffs, the impossible stone lace of Manueline architecture, fairytale walled towns, enchanted fishing villages and cosmopolitan seaside resorts, Baroque palaces and medieval convents, and golden hills topped with windmills and Moorish castles. The dramatic history of the monumental Portuguese discoveries is softened by the coral-colored hibiscus flowers, rustling palm trees and purple wisteria wrapping around centuries old stone walls, elegantly painted ceramic tiles, exquisite Portuguese porcelain and the soulful Fado music.

Portugal is a blissfully undiscovered destination with glorious beaches, bewitching grandeur of baroque palaces, superb cuisine, amazing wines and warm locals. This tour will allow you to not only create lifetime memories of a beautiful, yet meaningful place, but also create lasting friendships with like-minded women travelers.

We'll spend the first 3 days in Lisbon, exploring the city's historical center, medieval Belem with the Belem Tower and the Monastery of Jeronimos, romantic Pena Palace in Sintra, the enchanting seaside resort of Cascais and we'll attend a Fado music concert.
We'll spend 3 days in Coimbra, touring its university, the Joanina Library, and the Fado Center; we'll see Obidos, marvel at the Manueline architecture in the Battle Abbey of Batalha, tour a Portuguese porcelain factory, take a boat ride on Aveiro's canals and relax on the beaches of Costa Nova.
We'll spend 4 days in Porto, touring its medieval Old Town and taking a boat tour under its 6 iconic bridges; we'll spend the day touring the port wine vineyards in the Douro Valley and another exploring the baroque Braga with its masterpiece of Bom Jesus do Monte and medieval Guimarães.

Throughout the tour, we'll dine a la carte in carefully selected fine dining restaurants, getting to know Portuguese cuisine, especially its seafood and its terrific wines.

Click on the image to enlarge the map

WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR SPECIAL

Two live fado music concerts
Staying at upscale, historical hotels
Lisbon, Belem, Sintra and Cascais
Obidos and Batalha
Coimbra, Aveiro and Costa Nova
Exclusive visit to Biblioteca Joanina
Port wine touring in the Douro Valley
Porto, Braga and Guimaraes
Experienced bilingual Tour Director and guide
A la carte dining, including drinks in upscale restaurants
No forced shopping

What the Media Says About Us

Portugal's Silver Coast: The Perfect Women-Only Tour
"The food and lodging were just unbelievable," says Jackee Swartz of Pennsylvania, who took the Silver Coast tour. "At Obidos we stayed at the queen's castle. It just had enough rooms for the people on the tour, so we occcupied the entire castle." During each ten-day tour, S&S travelers stay at only two hotels, eliminating the need to pack and unpack. Barnes says staying in a town for four or five days makes visitors feel more familiar with the community. "It feels good when the owner of a small grocery store recognizes you and smiles at you," she says. The castle at Obidos has ten rooms, with balconies or terraces (one is a tower) overlooking the red roofs and white walls of the town."