Pre-Historic Rock Art in Portugal
5 Days Starting in London Gatwick, United Kingdom and ending in Porto, Portugal
Visiting: Braga, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park, Viseu
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 24
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
Further to the huge success of the previous Dordogne and Spanish Cave Art tours we have constructed something completely different to look at prehistoric rock art from Portugal’s Côa Valley. The tour includes visits to the Iron Age fortified city at Citânia de Briteiros; the Foz Côa Museum, which outlines the Côa Valley's cave art from the Palaeolithic era; three sites within the Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park - Canada do Inferno, Ribeira de Piscos and a night visit to the Penascosa site using artificial light; before moving into Spain to visit the Siega Verde Archaeological Park and the Almeida historical village. Previous cave art tours have received rave reviews from clients fascinated by the knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject shown by our expert, Dr David Saunders who will present two lectures, one explaining the various prehistoric periods of Portugal and one concentrating on the style of Portuguese art, identifying areas where the pecking technique became popular.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly From London Gatwick To Porto, And Transfer By Coach To Braga
Location: Braga
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vila Gale Braga
Meals Included: Dinner
On arrival we have free time and lunch at leisure (own expense). In the afternoon we take a guided visit to the Citânia de Briteiros archaeological site, an impressive fortified city dating back to the Iron Age, located between Braga and Guimarães. This evening we enjoy a lecture by Dr David Saunders, followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Vila Nova Foz Côa Village And Freixo Do Numão Village
Location: Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Accommodation Name: Longroiva Hotel, or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Early morning transfer from Braga to Vila Nova Foz Côa. On arrival we visit the site of Canada do Inferno, where the chronology of rock art motifs encompasses all phases of Paleolithic art at Côa as well as some later periods. After lunch in a local restaurant in Vila Nova Foz Côa village, we travel 15 minutes to Freixo do Numão village area. Here we visit the interesting Casa Grande Museum to view Roman remains in the centre of the village and the archaeological site, and Prazo ruins, one of the most interesting and well-preserved examples of the remains of a Roman village that was built using a prehistoric settlement. Return to the hotel for a second lecture by David, followed by dinner.
Day 3: Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park
Location: Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park
Accommodation Name: Longroiva Hotel, or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We spend today at the Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park with guided visits to two sites in 4x4 vehicles and on foot. The morning is spent at Ribeira de Piscos, a rock art site located onthe left bank of the River Côa. The site includes some of the most important examples of Paleolithic rock art in the area, including one of the rare human figures of Paleolithic chronology known in the Park, the famous Man of Piscos. The walk to the site gives us a chance to enjoy the views, fauna and flora. After lunch in the Foz Côa Museum restaurant we have time to visit the Museum, then return to the hotel for dinner. This evening we visit the Penascosa site by 4x4 vehicle, driving on dirt roads along fields planted with almond and olive trees.
Day 4: Siega Verde Archaeological Park In Spain
Accommodation Name: Longroiva Hotel, or similar
Meals Included: Lunch
We drive over the border to Spain today to the Siega Verde Archaeological Park, where we can view more than 440 well-preserved engravings, made on rocks eroded by the river. The were discovered at the end of the 1980s and have survived intact. Most of the engravings here depict animals. We have lunch today in a local restaurant in Almeida historical village.
Day 5: Viseu, Then Return To Porto
Location: Viseu
Today we transfer back to Porto with stop on the way in the ancient city of Viseu. We have free time to explore independently here before travelling back to Porto airport for our return flight to London Gatwick.
What's Included
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Return flights from London Gatwick to Porto
The tour includes return flights from London Gatwick to Porto.
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Four nights accommodation on dinner, bed and breakfast basis at well located hotels
Accommodation for four nights is provided on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis at well-located hotels.
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Three lunches
Three lunches are included in the tour package.
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Two lectures
The tour includes two lectures by Dr. David Saunders.
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Coach transfers and tours
Coach transfers and tours are included throughout the trip.
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Entrance fees as per the itinerary
Entrance fees to various sites as per the itinerary are included.
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Dr David Saunders throughout
Dr. David Saunders will accompany the tour throughout.
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Local tour Manager throughout
A local tour manager will be present throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Double for sole use supplement - £220
A supplement of £220 is required for double rooms used for sole occupancy.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those specified in the inclusions are not included.
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
Accommodation
Hotel Vila Gale Braga: This comfortable four-star hotel in the centre of the historic city of Braga. The historic building dates from 1508 and was originally the hospital of São Marco. Facilities include restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness centre, and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities including TV, telephone, hairdryer, and WIFI. Longroiva Hotel, or similar: Set in the hills of Northeastern Portugal, amid ancient walled towns this four-star hotel is the perfect base, and just 10 minutes from the Foz Coa Park. Facilities include a restaurant and bar, and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities including TV, telephone, air conditioning, hair dryer, mini bar, safe and WIFI.
MORE INFO
Your Lecturer - Dr David SaundersDavid has an interest in all areas pre-historic. He has just completed over 10 years of archaeological excavations at Blick Mead near Stonehenge and undertakes lectures across all periods of prehistory throughout the UK. Following the success of his first book, “The Cursus Enigma”, he has just published his second book, “The Cursus Monuments of Buckinghamshire and the Great Ouse Valley”, which investigates the cursus monuments within his local area. His many tours for Travel Editions in recent years have been extremely well received.David's lectures on the tour will include: one explaining the various prehistoric periods of Portugal giving a slight flavour of what to expect throughout the tour and a second concentrating on the actual art, perhaps explaining how and where creating art using the pecking technique became popular.
Difficulty
Demanding
Mode of Transport
Return flights from London Gatwick to Porto are included. Coach transfers and tours are provided throughout the trip, ensuring comfortable and convenient travel between destinations.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay at the Hotel Vila Gale Braga, a comfortable four-star hotel in the historic city of Braga, and the Longroiva Hotel or a similar establishment in Northeastern Portugal. Both hotels offer modern amenities including TV, telephone, hairdryer, and WIFI.
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Who will be leading the lectures during the tour?
Dr. David Saunders, an expert in pre-historic archaeology, will be leading the lectures. He has extensive experience in archaeological excavations and has published books on prehistoric monuments.
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What kind of activities are included in the Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park visit?
The visit includes guided tours to two rock art sites by 4x4 vehicle and on foot. You will see important examples of Paleolithic rock art, including the famous Man of Piscos, and enjoy the views, fauna, and flora of the area.
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Will there be any free time during the tour?
Yes, there will be free time on the first day after arriving in Braga and on the last day in the ancient city of Viseu before returning to Porto.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes four nights of accommodation on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis, as well as three lunches.
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What is the difficulty level of this tour?
The tour is described as demanding, so participants should be prepared for some physical activity.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs include a double for sole use supplement of £220, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, personal items such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls, as well as porterage and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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Monday - Friday
Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.