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Lay of the Land | Explore Portugal with Niki

Apr 23 - 29, 2027

Lay of the Land in Portugal

April 23-29, 2027

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Hi! I'm Niki, creator of Lay of the Land, and I'd love for you to join me on a trip to Portugal.

A few years ago, I started making videos to help people feel less anxious about visiting new places.

What began as a way to show people where to park, which door to use, and what to expect has grown into a community of thousands of people who simply want to feel a little more confident exploring the world.

Now, I’m so excited to take that mission beyond Northeast Ohio.

This trip to Portugal is designed for curious travelers who may feel nervous about the unknown. Whether you’re traveling solo, leaving the country for the first time, or just appreciate knowing what to expect. We’ll experience incredible food, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable moments, but we’ll do it at a pace that feels comfortable, welcoming, and low-pressure.

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Trip Overview

+2 nights in Lisbon, 2 nights in Coimbra, 2 nights in Porto
+Trip Extensions available - Just ask our travel manager!
+Breakfast included daily at the hotel, plus 1 dinner
+Free time to explore at your own pace
+Custom add-on activities available

Pricing & Payment Schedule

Single Occupancy (Your Own Room) : $2,595 per person

Double Occupancy (Shared room) : $1,955 per person

Don't have a travel companion but would prefer a double occupancy room? Just send our travel manager a message. Tell her a bit about yourself and what kind of person you'd be willing to room with, and she will see if there's anybody that may be a good fit for you.

You can sign up today for $250, and the remaining balance is due by December 1, 2026

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I really hope you join our small travel group! It would be so nice to have you.

-Niki

Itinerary

  1. Trip Details

  2. Fri, Apr 23: Lisbon

  3. Sat, Apr 24: Lisbon, Portugal

  4. Sun, Apr 25: Lisbon to Coimbra

  5. Mon, Apr 26: Coimbra, Portugal

  6. Tue, Apr 27: Coimbra to Porto

  7. Wed, Apr 28: Porto, Portugal

  8. Thu, Apr 29: Porto, Portugal

Full Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrive at any time to check into your hotel. Your hotel accommodations in Lisbon will be Hotel Roma Lisbon (or similar).

    If visiting the historic district of Belém is on your bucket list, we recommend arriving early on this day to explore its major sites like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Most attractions in Belém are closed on Mondays.

    Meet Your Travel Guide, the others in your travel group, and Niki! Get to know your fellow travelers and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

    Afterwards you may opt to join the group for a local meal.

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  • Day 2

    Day overview

    Enjoy an orientation walk of Lisbon, led by your guide. The rest of the day is free for exploration.

    Some travelers may opt for a day trip to postcard-worth Sintra. Those who prefer to stay in Lisbon may want to take the Santa Justa lift up to the tallest point of the city for incredible views, or sign up for the Lisbon street food tour (additional cost and must be pre-booked). There are plenty of other sites to see too for those who prefer to explore at their own pace! In the evening, enjoy a Fado performance and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods.

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    Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

  • Day 3

    After breakfast at the hotel, Leave Lisbon behind and head north in a private vehicle to the small hill town of Batalha, best known for its ornate gothic monastery built to commemorate Portugal's victory in the infamous battle of Aljubarrota. The elaborate architecture of this UNESCO site is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the region.

    Visit the historic Monastery of Batalha with free time to wander the grounds. Then, continue to the medieval capital of Portugal, Coimbra where you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

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    Accommodations in Coimbra: Hotel Astoria Coimbra (or similar)

    Meals included today: breakfast

  • Day 4

    Enjoy a free day to explore Coimbra. Opt to visit the famous Coimbra University, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013. Explore the winding streets and the riverfront filled with restaurants and bars, or opt for a day trip to the nearby coastal town of Aveiro or the pilgrimage sites of Fatima.

    Other optional activities for the day:
    -See Joanina Library, one of the most ornate libraries in the world.
    -Visit Conimbriga Ruins, the best preserved Roman ruins in Portugal

    Meals included today: breakfast

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  • Day 5

    After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and head to the train station in Coimbra to travel to Porto.

    Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do. Enjoy the scenery on the 1hr 30min train ride to Porto. Upon arrival, you'll enjoy a brief orientation walk with your tour guide. He or she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares and ATMs.

    The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the city at your own pace.

    Your accommodations in Porto will be at Ibis Porto Centro Sao Bento (or similar).

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  • Day 6

    After breakfast at the hotel, you're free to explore Porto as you wish.

    Recommended activity: Opt to take a cruise down the Duoro River!

    For land lovers, head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Bargain at the Bolhao Market, and wonder the city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district. Visit Sao Francisco Church, the palational former 19th-centure stock market Palacio de Bolsa or head to the Clerigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

    In the evening, come together with the group to visit a Port wine cellar to enjoy a tasting.

    Meals included today: Breakfast

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  • Day 7

    Say farewell to your travel mates at breakfast. You may depart at anytime, or extend your stay! For those who wish to continue on to other destinations, your trip manager Kelsey can help you with an itinerary extension.

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  • Booking Schedule, Payments and Conditions

    Pricing & Payment Schedule

    • Single Occupancy (Your Own Room) : $2,595 per person
    • Double Occupancy (Shared room) : $1,955 per person

      Don't have a travel companion but would prefer a double occupancy room? Just send our travel manager a message. Tell her a bit about yourself and what kind of person you'd be willing to room with, and she will see if there's anybody that may be a good fit for you
    • $250 per person payment due at sign up to secure your spot.
    • Remaining Balance is due December 1, 2026
    • All payments are non-refundable - we strongly recommend travel insurance to protect you from losses in unforeseen circumstances.

    Notes & Conditions

    • MINIMUM PASSENGERS - We must have a minimum of 8 passengers for this trip to happen. If the minimum booking number isn't met, we'll need to cancel the trip.
    • FLIGHTS - Travelers should not purchase flights until our trip manager Kelsey confirms that we've met the minimum and collects our final payments. The arrival airport is Lisbon (LIS).
    • ROUTE CHANGES - It is our intention to adhere to the route described but there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary. On occasion it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. Travel can be unpredictable, and the tour guide may make changes to the programing if necessary.
    • TRAVEL INSURANCE - is required to participate. This company is great to work with and you can get a quote in 3 minutes. It is mandatory for all of our travellers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing an all-inclusive plan that covers cancellation/interruption insurance as well. 
    • LOCAL GUIDES - It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides whom are licensed to work in that particular city. As such, the tour leader is only able to provide orientation walks which will show you the lay of the land in each city. However, they are legally unable to share historical facts and figures in public spaces.
    • LUGGAGE - In Europe, it is rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels, or other public places. There are elements of public transportation, and there is a possibility you may need to carry your luggage up and down several flights of stairs. Some hotels may not have elevators. Please pack lightly and bring luggage which is compact and lightweight. Remember - your luggage remains your responsibility at all times, and you must be prepared to carry it.
    • PASSPORT - Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon arrival in Portugal. Visa requirements will depend on your nationality - ask our trip manager if you have any questions.
    • JOINING INSTRUCTIONS ON ARRIVAL DAY - Final joining instructions will be shared with the group before departure. Kelsey will confirm the arrival hotel and provide an airport transfer booking link.
    • PERSONAL EXPENSES - Every traveler's spending habits are different, but we recommend budgeting around $300 for additional meals not included in this itinerary. Please make sure to have access to an additional $300 in case of emergencies or natural disasters.
    • RULES - Illegal drug use and utilizing services of paid sex workers in any capacity is strictly prohibited on this tour. The tour guide has the right to expel any member of the group if they are found to be breaking this rule.

    FAQ

    • WHAT SHOULD I PACK? - Kelsey will provide a recommended packing list once your departure is confirmed.
    • WHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY WHILE TRAVELING? - Kelsey will provide a full list of emergency contact numbers so that you'll fully prepared for travel.
    • WHAT DO I DO ABOUT FLIGHTS? - Each traveler needs to book their own flights. You'll need to arrive in Lisbon (LIS) on the first day of our itinerary. You may depart out of Porto airport, or return to Lisbon by train to flight out of Lisbon.
    • ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS FOR LGBTQ+ TRAVELERS FOR THIS TRIP? - Our guides embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all travelers. Portugal is considered very safe for all travelers, including the LGBTQ+ community.
    • HOW BIG OF A GROUP WILL THIS BE? - Maximum group size is just 16 people.
    • WHAT KIND OF ACCOMMODATIONS CAN I EXPECT? - It is important to note that hotels in Europe may be quite different to other areas of the world you may have traveled. The buildings are generally historical and full of character, but not renovated or maintained to the highest degree. Some walls may be thin (bring ear plugs!). Reception areas and bathrooms will probably be smaller than what you're used to elsewhere. On this trip, expect to stay at locally-run hotels with traditional character. All hotels will be clean, safe, and simple accommodation in convenient locations.

    If you have any other questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to Kelsey, our trip manager!

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    See you in Portugal!

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Your Advisor

Kelsey Caballero

Vacationeeze LLC

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kelsey@vacationeeze.com

+1-215-454-2069