Pre-Historic Rock Art in Portugal

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.

ITINERARY 

Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Porto, and transfer by coach to Braga 
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
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
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 on the 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
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
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.  

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Tour Grading: This tour has been classed as Demanding due to the amount of walking involved at each site, and limits involved with visiting the sites, for example paths may be uneven and slippery underfoot, with steep inclines. There will be limited places to sit during visits. On day 2, access to Prazo ruins is on foot, approximately 2 km from the centre of the village to the ruins. On Day 3, Foz Côa Valley Archaeological Park guided visits will be on a 4x4 vehicle and on foot, with some challenging walking routes. At Ribeira de Piscos, there is a walk of 1.1km to the site.  

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 24 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Gatwick to Porto
• Four nights accommodation on dinner, bed and breakfast basis at well located hotels
• Three lunches
• Two lectures
• Coach transfers and tours
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Dr David Saunders throughout
• Local tour Manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement - £220
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTELS

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.
Hotel Website

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. 
Hotel Website

MORE INFO 

Your Lecturer - Dr David Saunders

David 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.