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Centred in Peniche, a pleasant interesting little town. Very good hotel. Birds, butterflies, flowers, trees, crops, mountains. Fascinating geology. Dinosaur remains and reconstructions. Different locations each day, one to a Natural History protected island. The option of a pre-breakfast walk and a post supper walk every day. Very good varied food. Fernando Romao knew the area intimately, and well beyond. He was very interesting about the histories of the locations and features. He produced an excellent picnic lunch every day. Glyn Evans was also a great person to be with, with a good sense of humour, and massive natural history knowledge.
J.C. Avon, May 23
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Go Slow in Portugal
Tour Code: PRT13A relaxing 8-day holiday to Portugal’s ‘Silver Coast’ in search of the region's birds, butterflies and flowers.
8 days
from
£1,895
£1,895
Land only price
from
£1,595
£1,595
Highlights
Travel to this tour by train
Travelling by train reduces the carbon cost of travel by up to 90%
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Summary
Just an hour north of Lisbon lies the Costa de Prata, Portugal’s 'Silver Coast', with its endless miles of wide, sandy beaches, hidden coves and Atlantic rollers. It’s a perfect holiday location, but without crowds of tourists, and it also offers a delightfully rich, eclectic range of wildlife experiences. A ferry trip to the Berlengas Islands, 10km offshore, provides the chance to see seabirds such as Cory’s Shearwater. Inland, the Natural Park of Aire and Candeeiros Mountains simply brims with butterflies and wild flowers, while the marshes and lagoons of the coast are excellent for birds such as Flamingoes. Meanwhile, the remarkably well-preserved footprints of dinosaurs remind us that this place was also good for wildlife over 100 million years ago.
- Relaxing holiday on unspoilt 'Silver Coast' north of Lisbon
- Visit by ferry to the Berlengas Islands for endemic plants
- Rich coast for seabirds, such as Shearwaters and Gannets
- Chance of seeing highly localised Carbonell’s Wall Lizard
- Excellent variety of butterflies and flowers inland at Natural Park of Aire and Candeeiros Mountains
- Wetlands nearby hold Flamingoes and Purple Swamphen
- See dinosaur footprints
- Led by expert local guide
The coastline to the north of Lisbon is known as the ‘Silver Coast’ and is a most rewarding region to explore, especially for those enjoying both wildlife and scenic landscapes. On this holiday we will be based just outside the historic city of Peniche, a base that offers the all-round naturalist an exciting and varied holiday – one that we will enjoy at a leisurely pace. The city is built on a granite peninsula which juts dramatically out into the Atlantic and is fringed by white sandy beaches and rolling surf.
Our tour will be led by Fernado Romão, an expert local naturalist who has a great passion for his region’s wildlife. With him, we will enjoy relaxed daily outings in search of a wealth of birds, butterflies and flowers. One such excursion will be to the Berlengas Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where Cory’s Shearwaters and Madeiran Storm-petrels breed and such endemic plants as Armeria berlengensis and Pulicaria microcephala can be found. The Carbonell’s Wall Lizard may also be seen here ... and when not totally absorbed by the natural history, we can savour the impressive views around us and the ancient Baptista Fortress. Inland, the Aire and Candeeiros Natural Parks offer botanically-rich limestone ridges which hold a wealth of flowers and butterflies. Arabis sadina and Narcissus calcicola are just two of the special plants to be found here, while Iberian Marbled White and African Grass Blue will be amongst the butterfly species we'll look for. Booted Eagle, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole breed locally, and lagoons hold Greater Flamingoes and Spoonbills. At nearby Tornada's Marsh, Black-winged Kite and Purple Swamphen are both possible and Bluethroats are sometimes seen during migration.
This region is also famous for its palaeontology, and in the Lourinhã Museum we may learn a little of the notable dinosaur discoveries made here. Whatever your interest in the natural world, there is sure to be much to enjoy in this area, and with wonderful scenery, excellent local cuisine and time to unwind, we are sure you will enjoy a fascinating, yet relaxing, Portuguese holiday.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Lisbon
Day 2/7
Explore the 'Silver Coast'
Day 8
Fly London
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 15th May – Fri 22nd May
SPACES
£1,895
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£295
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Fernando Romão
Tour Leader: Fernando Romão
Since an early age, Fernando has been interested in wildlife, with a special interest in birdwatching. Fernando has more than 20 years of tour leading experience, in which he's focused on Portugal and Spain's wilderness areas. He's been involved with several important projects relating to ecotourism, nature conservation and photography. Fernando has now led many successful tours for Naturetrek, and although he specialises in birdwatching, he's an excellent all-rounder, with interests extending to butterflies, wild flowers and mammals and history. His in-depth knowledge and passion for nature make him a very popular leader!
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
