Wild Dolphin & Bird Watch, Setubal, Portugal 

We will pick you up at the Cruise Ship pier and take you through the bay side of Lisbon to the 11 mile bridge, the longest bridge in Europe, to the wonderful city of Setubal. In Setubal, the only city in Iberian Peninsula that has wild Dolphins, you will came aboard the 72ft Catamaran, Caribbean style, and sail in the Sado River mouth between Troia Peninsula and Arrabida mountain. You will have the opportunity to take wonderful pictures of the 300-plus species of vertebrate recorded here in the 23,971ha of natural reserve. In the meanwhile our professionals that have the know-how of the Dolphins routines will take you to fall in love at the first sight. Them we will pick you up at the marina and do a very short ride to the restaurant by the beach where you will have a delicious grilled fish lunch by the sea at the sound of Fado, a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal. After lunch we will take you back to Lisbon by the suspension bridge that has similar coloring, it is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and a sightseeing of the statue of Jesus Christ, also compared with the one in Rio de Janeiro.

The 11 mile“Vasco da Gama” Bridge

The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts and range views that spans the Tagus River in Parque das Nações in Lisbon, capital of Portugal. It is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts),with a total length of 17.2 km (10.7 mi), including 0.829 km (0.5 mi) for the main bridge, 11.5 km (7.1 mi) in viaducts, and 4.8 km (3.0 mi) in dedicated access roads. Construction began on February 1995; the bridge was opened to traffic on 29 March 1998, just in time for Expo’98, the World's Fair that celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery by Vasco da Gama of the sea route from Europe to India.

The Dolphins

The species of dolphin that inhabits the SadoRiver is the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiopstruncatus). It is a marine mammal belonging to the order Cetacea, which are identified about 80 different species of whales, dolphins and porpoises. The resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Sado River is unique and rare in the world. Throughout the year, these dolphins can be seen inside the Sado estuary and adjacent marine coast, coast of Troiaand Arrábida. Currently exist in the population of bottlenose dolphins in the Sado 5 pups, 4 juveniles and 18 adults. Are considered young up to the time of separation from the mother, entering a juvenile stage, when they are more independent. From 8 to 10 years of age entering the reproductive age and are considered adults. Can achieve a longevity of about 45 years of age.

The Bird Watch

The Sado estuary has been declared a reserva natural (23,971 ha), Ramsar Convention Site and a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), largely on account of the 300-plus species of vertebrate recorded here. It is a special place for birdwatching, including white storks, herons and flamingos. The great diversity of habitats such as beaches, dunes, scrub, marshes, the stone pine and cork oak woodlands, saltpans, and rice fields plays an important role for the presence of an enormous diversity of birds. The list of species includes the common Wood Pigeon, seen in thousands during winter, and rare species, like the Glossy Ibis or the Great Egret. With some luck, it is also possible to spot the elusive Bittern.

FREE TIME - LUNCH

Because Setubal is a city of fishermen it is here that you can breathe and feel the true nature of the region. In the beginning of the 20th century, Setúbal was the most important center of Portugal's fishing industry, particularly sardines. It can be fascinating to watch the harbor as the brightly painted boats arrive in the morning loaded with fish and as fishermen mend their nets and the brisk auctions take place.

The “25 de Abril” Suspension Bridge

The 25 de Abril Bridge is a suspension bridge the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, to Almada on the left (south) bank of the Tejo river. It was inaugurated on August 6, 1966 and a train platform was added in 1999. Because it is a suspension bridge and has similar coloring, it is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA. In fact, it was built by the same company (American Bridge Company) With a total length of 2,277 m, it is the 23rd largest suspension bridge in the world.

Lisbon Skyline & Sights

You are driven along the riverfront towards the Belem area where you'll see the Monument to the Discoveries, erected in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator and the famous Belem Tower, an elegant Manueline structure guarding the mouth of the Tagus River. Your first stop will be Jeronimos Monastery Church, founded by King Manuel, designed by the architect Boytac, and considered an architectural masterpiece.