Lisbon, Portugal - 5 Days in the Capital of the Explorers, 2027

Departure from Sofia Airport on a direct Bulgaria Air flight. Landing at Lisbon airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Half-day panoramic tour of Lisbon (included in the price): Marquês de Pombal Square; the Baixa district, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755; the Rossio, Figueira and Comércio squares, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, considered a masterpiece of Portuguese Manueline art, founded by King Manuel (seen from the outside only). Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Dinner. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Free time or an optional full-day excursion to Queluz and Cabo da Roca.

The National Palace of Queluz (Palácio Nacional de Queluz) is one of the most beautiful royal residences in Portugal. Built in the 18th century as the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family, the palace is a splendid example of Rococo architecture and is often called “the Portuguese Versailles”. It impresses with its richly decorated halls, exquisite ceilings, valuable works of art and magnificent Baroque gardens with fountains, statues and ornamental canals. Today the palace is among the most visited historic sights in Portugal and offers an interesting insight into the life of the Portuguese aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The excursion continues with a visit to Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Europe. On the way back to Lisbon we will visit the terrace of the statue of Christ the King (Cristo Rei), which rises majestically on a 133-metre cliff above the mouth of the Tagus. It was built in 1959, in the time of António Salazar. The statue itself is 28 metres tall - 10 metres shorter than Christ the Redeemer in Rio - but it stands on an 82-metre pedestal, which makes the whole structure more than twice as tall as the statue in Brazil.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Free time or an optional full-day excursion to Palmela, the Arrábida Nature Park and Sesimbra.

We will begin our journey by crossing to the south of Lisbon, with a view of the imposing statue of Cristo Rei rising above the Tagus with its arms outstretched towards the Portuguese capital. We will continue to Palmela - a picturesque hilltop town with panoramic views over the Setúbal Peninsula. Here we will explore the imposing medieval castle, whose walls offer an impressive panorama of the surrounding valleys, the Arrábida hills and the plains between the estuaries of the Tagus and the Sado.

We will continue to the Arrábida Nature Park - one of the most beautiful protected areas in Portugal, where green limestone hills slope down to the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way we will pass through the picturesque landscapes of the Setúbal Peninsula and reach the Azeitão area, known for its wine-making traditions, olive groves and local delicacies. Here we will learn more about the distinctive nature of Arrábida and the rich variety of plant and animal species in the protected area.

One of the most enjoyable highlights of the day will be a visit to a local winery with a tasting of three wines. Among them we will try the famous Moscatel de Setúbal - an aromatic dessert wine typical of the region, with rich fruity tones and delicate notes of honey, orange blossom and citrus. We will learn about the local wine-making traditions that have made the area one of Portugal's established wine regions.

In the afternoon we will head to Sesimbra - a charming fishing town nestled in a beautiful bay between the Arrábida hills and the Atlantic Ocean. There will be time for a stroll along the seafront promenade, past the sandy beach, the fishing boats and the many small restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood. Optionally, we can also visit Sesimbra's medieval castle, a national monument with lovely views of the town and the sea.

Our last stop will be Cabo Espichel - one of the most impressive places on Portugal's Atlantic coast. Here high sheer cliffs rise above the ocean, and the historic sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo and the old lighthouse stand out in the rugged coastal landscape. We will have time to enjoy the wide views of the Atlantic and take photos of this impressive natural scenery. Return to the hotel.

Optional evening programme - a Fado evening with a traditional Portuguese dinner

In the evening you can immerse yourself in one of Portugal's most distinctive traditions - fado. In the cosy atmosphere of a typical Portuguese restaurant we will enjoy dinner with local specialities, accompanied by live performances of this famous music, which is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Fado is much more than a musical genre - it tells stories of love, parting, hope and nostalgia. At its heart lies the Portuguese notion of “saudade” - a special feeling of longing for a person, a place or a moment gone by, which is hard to translate exactly into another language. To the sound of the Portuguese guitar and the heartfelt voices of the singers, we will touch one of the most emotional sides of Portuguese culture.

After dinner - transfer back to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and check-out. Transfer to Lisbon airport. Departure for Bulgaria on a direct Bulgaria Air flight. Arrival at Sofia Airport.