Shore excursions program for below cruises

Begin your discovery of Lisbon enjoying a scenic drive around this beautiful city; you will pass “Comercio” Square, still commonly referred to as “Terreiro do Praço” (Palace Square), before continuing along the “Praça de D. Pedro IV”, known as the “Rossio”; a key meeting point in the city since the XIII and XV centuries and still the bustling hub of the city today. We will also pass the “Marques de Pombal” Square, dedicated to the man who was largely responsible for rebuilding Lisbon after the earthquake of 1755. The excursion also includes a stop in a restaurant for a traditional Fado folk show. 2 drinks included.

This tour offers a great opportunity to explore Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, from a unique perspective: on board one of its wonderful, old-fashioned trams, which are not only used by scores of commuters on a daily basis, but have also become a real tourist attraction. After leaving your ship, a short coach ride will first take you from the pier to Estrela Square, from where you will catch your tram. Once on board, you will be served a local speciality known as “pastel de nata” (a succulent little custard tart) along with a glass of “porto” wine to further sweeten your ride up to the hills of Lisbon, passing the elegant Baixa district on your way to the quaint Portas do Sol area. A gentle walking tour then follows through the famous Alfama district for a glimpse of old Lisbon, including Rossio Square and the 12^th-/13^th-century Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major, a building originally constructed in late Romanesque style, but later added to in a variety of other architectural styles. After visiting the Cathedral, you will have some free time to do as you please before boarding a coach for a drive-by tour of Lisbon’s main sights. Look forward to an exterior viewing of Jerónimo’s Monastery, a 15^th-century building, as well as the early 16^th-century Belém Tower on the banks of the River Tagus, both of which are fine examples of Manueline architectural style (also called late Portuguese Gothic) and both of which were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your tour comes to a close with your return to the port and your ship.