7am early breakfast at the hotel (included) to fuel up for our longest day! The journey to Tomar takes 1.5–2 hours each way, but every moment is worth it.

8am – Departure from Lisbon.

Our private English-speaking guide will collect us for our scenic drive through the Portuguese countryside.

Church of Santa Maria do Olival. Known as the Templar Pantheon, this 13th-century Gothic church served as the principal church of the Knights Templar in Portugal. Within its walls rest the remains of several Templar Grand Masters, including Gualdim Pais, founder of Tomar. The church's simple exterior belies its profound historical significance – it was from here that the Order of Christ planned Portugal's Age of Discoveries.

Convent of Christ (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Prepare to be awestruck. This extraordinary complex began as a Templar stronghold in 1160 and evolved over centuries into one of Portugal's most important monuments. Our guided visit includes:

The Charola: The original Templar round church, modelled on Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This 16-sided structure was designed so that knights could attend Mass on horseback before riding into battle.

The Manueline Window: Perhaps Portugal's most famous architectural detail – an ornate window dripping with maritime symbolism including ropes, coral, seaweed, and navigation instruments. It celebrates Portugal's Age of Exploration and the wealth it brought.

Hidden Templar Symbols: Our guide will reveal the secret symbols carved throughout the complex – from eight-pointed crosses to mysterious geometric patterns that have fuelled centuries of speculation about Templar knowledge and treasures.

For lunch we’ll find ourselves a restaurant for some regional specialities. Although if you prefer, you can take something to go and spend this time exploring the town. The cost of lunch isn’t included, allowing you to decide at the time what you want to do.

Almourol Castle

This is the image you've been waiting for – a fairytale Templar castle rising from a rocky island in the middle of the Tagus River. Accessible only by boat, Almourol was built by the Templars in 1171 on the site of an earlier Roman fortification.

As we cross the water, imagine Templar knights defending this strategic position during the Reconquista. The castle's 10 towers and imposing walls were designed to control the river crossing and protect Christian territory from Moorish raids. Inside, we'll explore the keep, walk the ramparts, and take in breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. You'll see how easy it is to feel transported back 850 years.

After a full day of Templar discoveries, we'll return to our Lisbon hotel.

As the day winds down, the evening is yours to explore or relax. Wander through nearby neighbourhoods, discover a local eatery that catches your eye, or simply relax and reflect on the day’s discoveries.

Meals included: Breakfast

Meet at 7am, for breakfast once again included at the hotel.

8am pick up for our journey into the mystical hills of Sintra.

This UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape has captivated visitors for centuries with its romantic palaces, mysterious gardens, and cool mountain air.

Quinta da Regaleira. Step into a world of esoteric symbolism and romantic mystery. This early 20th-century estate was designed as an initiation ground, filled with alchemical and Masonic symbols that draw heavily on Templar mythology, and inspired my book, the Templar Enigma.

The Initiation Well: We will follow in Eden’s footsteps, descending 27 metres, into the earth through a spiral staircase inside this inverted tower. The nine platforms represent Dante's nine circles of Hell, or perhaps the nine levels of Templar initiation. At the bottom, a compass rose points the way through underground tunnels – an experience both thrilling and slightly unnerving (just imagine walking through these grottoes with the lights off!)

The gardens are a maze of grottoes, fountains, and hidden pathways, each laden with symbolic meaning. Keep your eyes open for Templar crosses, alchemical symbols, and references to the Knights of the Round Table.

Pena Palace

If Quinta da Regaleira is mysterious, Pena Palace is pure fantasy. This vibrant Romanticist masterpiece sits atop Sintra's highest peak, its yellow and red towers visible for miles around.

Built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II, the palace is an exuberant mix of Gothic, Moorish, Manueline, and Renaissance styles. The hilltop location offers spectacular views across the Sintra mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.

We will wind down with cocktails on the terrace, followed by dinner at a local restaurant (which are not included this time). Or if you’re ‘peopled out’ you're more than welcome to find something yourself, or even get something brought to your room. After these two days, you’ll need the rest!

Meals included: breakfast

9am late breakfast together (included)

After two days of early starts, we'll enjoy a leisurely breakfast together. We’ll take a couple of hours to relax after what will have been a busy few days, grab some lunch if needed, or save yourself to pick up snacks around the city.

Lisbon Tuk tuk tour

We'll explore Lisbon's historic neighbourhoods and winding streets by Tuktuk! This will give you an insight into the wonderful city that is Lisbon, and we’ll learn a thing or two along the way. We'll explore charming streets, discover hidden viewpoints, and sample local treats along the way.

Evening – Fado Music and Dinner (included)

This will be a real highlight of the tour. After refreshing at the hotel, we'll venture out for an authentic Portuguese cultural experience. Fado – Portugal's soul-stirring traditional music – is a UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In an intimate restaurant setting, we'll listen to fadistas (fado singers) pour their hearts into songs of longing, loss, and love, accompanied by the Portuguese guitar's haunting melody (dinner is included). It's an emotional, unforgettable way to cap off our Sintra adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

After several days of early starts and adventure-filled exploration, we'll gather for a leisurely final breakfast together. No alarm clocks, no rushing—just good coffee, Portuguese pastries, and the chance to reflect on everything we've discovered.

This is your time to share favourite moments. Was it the boat crossing to Almourol that took your breath away? The descent into Quinta da Regaleira's Initiation Well? That particular fado song that brought tears to your eyes? We'll swap stories, compare photos, and likely debate Templar theories well into the morning.

Meals included: breakfast

What Happens Next

Before we part ways, we'll exchange contact details and make sure everyone's connected through the Adventurers’ Guild community. Many of you will be catching flights home, but if you're staying on in Portugal (highly recommended!), we're happy to share suggestions for extending your adventure.

Walking in the footsteps of the Templars has a way of changing you. You've touched stones laid by medieval knights, stood in places where history was made, and connected with fellow adventurers who share your curiosity about the world's mysteries.

This isn't goodbye—it's "até logo" (see you later), because once you've experienced the magic of discovering history together, you'll want to do it again.