LEARN more. EXPLORE more. DREAM more.
Enrich your vacation with Vantage's collection of deluxe optional tours, designed
exclusively for our guests. You’ll discover a world beyond the landmarks and gain
immeasurable insight into the culture and people of your destination. So join us
… and make the most of your journey!
Approximate Cost:
$75 USD per person
Espetada Evening with Folklore Dancing
Madeira, Portugal
Evening tour
Approximate Time:
4.5 hours
Enjoy a fun evening of Folklore at a typical
Madeira restaurant with the Madeira typical
Espetada. Espetada is a four foot skewer of
chicken or tender cubes of beef, rubbed in rock
salt and marinated in garlic and bay leaves,
cooked over a wooden fire. During dinner you
will be entertained with a live performance
of Madeira folkloric dancers. Madeira’s traditional dance reflects the burdens of rural
patterns of work, the carriers dance. The
dancers bend beneath the weight of imaginary
stacks of sugar cane or baskets of bananas as they carry them along the island's steep paths. The
rhythmic stamping of the dancers' feet reflects
the custom of crushing grapes for wine. Some dances date back to the time of
Moorish slavery, while others were introduced
to the island of immigrants from the north of
Portugal.
Approximate Cost:
$99 USD per person
Madeira Island Tour and Botanical Garden
(Extension only)
Madeira, Portugal
Full day tour, Day 4
Approximate Time:
8 hours
This is a great opportunity to see several faces of Madeira! Your first stop will be at the Botanical Gardens, where you will have the chance to see wonderful examples of the fantastic flora from Madeira (weather permitting). You will proceed to climb “above the clouds” to Pico do Arieiro, the third highest peak (5,430 feet above sea level) with breathtaking views. Then, you will descend to Ribeiro Frio to visit the trout hatchery, located in a valley amongst lush greenery. Continue your descent to the interior of the island towards Faial, where we invite you for a typical Portuguese lunch. After lunch, enjoy a drive to Santana. You will then proceed to Machico, a fishing village located in southeastern Madeira, where a short stop will be made before returning to our hotel in Funchal.
Approximate Cost:
$129 USD per person
Lisbon By Night
Lisbon, Portugal
Evening tour with dinner
Approximate Time:
4 hours
Welcome to a journey in touch with Lisbon at
its best —steeped in a tradition of fado music.
Fado is invisibly shaped by the tradition that
does not have translation and we invite you
to feel the sounds of the Portuguese soul.
You’ll be entertained — and well fed — on
this memorable evening in Lisbon. Pass the
night away at a local fado restaurant, enjoying
the sounds of live music after you dine. The
traditional Portuguese musical form, fado is
known for its melancholy words and sweet
string sounds, often being referred to as the
Portuguese blues. This evening’s fado show
features both old and new forms of fados by
some of the country’s best performers. The
music will begin after dinner and keep flowing
well into the night. In fact, new talents and
rising fado stars are sometimes invited to
perform later in the evening. Tonight you will
not only just listen to fado, but you will also feel
fado.
Approximate Cost:
$99 USD per person
City Tour of Guimarães
Half-day Tour
Approximate Time:
4 Hours
The origins of Guimarães date back to prehistory, but the city’s reputation is strongly related to its prominence during the middle ages. In the 10th century, the Countess of Mumadona built a mixed convent on the city’s current location. The construction brought new people to the area, which led the Countess to build the still prominent castle. Guimarães — and specifically the castle — played an important role in founding an independent Portugal. By the end of the 11th century, Herinque, a noble from Borgonha, married and Guimarães was the dowry. Their son would eventually battle his mother for control of Portugal and the right to sovereignty, which he achieved in 1128. The history of the city is the history of Portugal, as Guimarães was the center of Portugal for many decades. Now, Guimarães is a busy and yet small city, where traditions and modern life live together in harmony. In December 2001, the city centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Approximate Cost:
$99 USD per person
Montserrat Tour
Barcelona, Spain
Half-day tour
Approximate Time:
5 hours
On this wonderful tour, you'll discover the majestic Montserrat Mountain, marvel at the amazing surroundings, and visit the famous Royal Basilica. After driving through picturesque little villages, you'll arrive at the mountain, which rises to an impressive 4,051 feet. Your next stop will be the Royal Basilica of Montserrat, which holds the famous 12th century Romanesque carving of Virgen Moreneta, the Black Virgin. The Royal Basilica has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain for hundreds of years, and you'll step inside to visit the museum, the audio visual room, and participate in a tasting of typical regional liquors. On some days, the children's choir sings in the monastery at midday — if you're lucky, you may be fortunate enough to catch one of their delightful performances!
Please Note: All prices are per person and subject to change.
All optional tours are offered by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Descriptions and
scheduling are subject to change. Minimum tour participation is required to operate
optional tours. Optional tours cancelled by passengers within 48 hours of the excursion
are non-refundable.
