Fly to Faro, meet your tour manager and transfer to Albufeira and your hotel. Settle in and enjoy your first evening, perhaps heading into town before dinner.

Today you're free to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and its surroundings, perhaps venturing the short distance into Albufeira, to enjoy the atmosphere of the celebrated 'Gateway to the Algarve'. Albufeira started life as a fishing village, and the daily catch is still landed in the harbour and brought straight to the colourful market most mornings. Wander through the narrow streets of the Moorish Old Town, take a seat in a cafe in the main square, or hunt out bargains in the great selection of shops. Close by, several wonderful beaches vie with the hotel pool as places to spend leisurely hours in the sun.

Today you'll take the motorway north to explore the wonderful Portuguese capital, Lisbon, on an included guided excursion.

Standing on the River Tagus, from whose estuary explorers set sail for the New World on their Journeys of Discovery, the city is a joy to behold. Don’t miss the extraordinary ornate Manueline architecture of the Belem quarter, or the Baixa, a grid of wide tree-lined avenues fringed with cafés and restaurants as well as strikingly modern new buildings. Bustling Rossio Square is filled with street-sellers and pavement artists. For a hint of the past, stroll the narrow streets of the Alfama district, with its steep stairways leading up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, or St George’s Castle.

After a wonderful day, you’ll return to Albufeira this evening.

Today’s full-day optional excursion will take you inland, through the Algarve woodlands to Monchique. You’ll stop in Silves – the old Moorish capital of the Algarve – before continuing east, through the stunning mountain scenery of Monchique, to Foia, the region's highest point. The varied countryside and stunning views make for a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

On today’s hugely enjoyable included excursion, you’ll cross into Spain and head to the historic Andalusian city of Seville, the great City of Flamenco. Explore this city, where almost every street seems to be lined with orange trees and filled with echoes of its rich and colourful history. See the 300ft Giralda Tower and the 'tomb' of Christopher Columbus at the magnificent cathedral. Visit Plaza de Toros, Spain's oldest bullring. Stroll through the courtyards of the Moorish Alcazar to the Jewish Quarter (Juderia), and stop in Plaza de Espana to soak up the atmosphere of this gorgeous city of great buildings, grand boulevards and maze-like Old Quarters where narrow streets open on to tree-lined squares.

You'll return to the hotel this evening.

Enjoy a day of rest and relaxation at your hotel or in Albufeira, or join our optional excursion to the beautiful Western Algarve. Highlights of this thoroughly absorbing day will include the splendid maritime town of Lagos – with its walled fortifications, famous golden church and stunning coastal views – historic Sagres – former home of Prince Henry the Navigator – and the wild promontory of Cape St Vincent, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean at Europe’s most south-westerly point.

Our final optional tour heads east along the coast to the colourful fishing port-town of Olhao. Stroll through the historic central quarter, past its Moorish houses, and around seafront promenade and bustling fish market, and perhaps enjoy a coffee in one of the many pavement cafes.

You’ll also visit the elegant and historic town of Tavira, and see its castle and Roman bridge, before heading back to the Algarve capital, Faro. Spend a couple of hours exploring the cobbled streets and hidden squares of Faro's fascinating Cidade Velha (Old Town), and its colourful marina, before returning to Albufeira for a last evening at your hotel.

Your tour of the Algarve ends today, as you return to the airport, and check in for your flight home at the end of a thoroughly enjoyable stay.