Programme
Friday 29 September
Depart Heathrow airport 0830hrs
Arrive Lisbon airport 1100hrs.
On arrival at the airport, we will be met by our English-speaking guide and transferred to our hotel, where we will able to settle in and have a light lunch.
OUR HOTEL : The NH Liberdade
The NH Liberdade is located in a newly erected building in the very centre of Lisbon, at Avenida da Liberdade. Its superb location allows us to have Lisbon at our fingertips, as we will be in the hub of the historical and commercial area of the Portuguese capital. This boutique hotel boasts a rooftop swimming pool and ultra-modern bar & restaurant.
AFTERNOON : City tour
We will start our visit at the Port Wine Institute of Lisbon. The building in which it is located, a mansion dating from the 18th century, is one of the most interesting and important buildings in the history of Lisbon’s civil architecture.
On arrival, we will be taken into a private room, where we will sample some of Portugal’s most famous wines. We will then proceed to the Belém quarter, the monumental section of Lisbon, including a visit to the Tower of Belém, the Monument of the Discoveries, and the impressive Monastery of Jerónimos. All these monuments represent the “Golden Age” of the Portuguese Discoverers, which began in the 15th century.
Before leaving this area, and returning to our hotel we will stop at the ‘Casa dos Pasteis de Belem’, the most famous pastry house in the city, to sample some local specialities, of pastry, cream and cinnamon.
EVENING : Dinner at Casa do Alentejos
A lovely restaurant housed in a 17th century Moorish Palace where traditional Portuguese food is served in extravagantly decorated surroundings.
|
Saturday 30 September
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
MORNING : Visit to Sintra and the Estoril Coast
We drive the inland road to Sintra, a small village built against the northern slope of the “Serra de Sintra” mountains.
Sintra is well known for its charming narrow roads enveloped in lush greenery, its climbing flowers and the semi-tropical vine-like plants trailing from mossy walls and balconies. Elegant houses and palaces with walled gardens and stately courtyards are scattered throughout the forested hills, enjoying the soft, cool microclimate that the mountain position brings to the town and the surrounding area. In Sintra we will visit the National Palace, distinguished by its twin kitchen chimneys. This national monument is a mixture of architectural styles, combining Gothic, “Mudejar” and Renaissance work, with superb 15th and 16th Century “azulejos” (hand painted wall tiles) in the main halls and chapel. We proceed to Roca Cape - the westernmost point of Continental Europe, and continue along the wild white sandy beaches of Guincho to reach the well-known seaside resort and fishing port of Cascais. We lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant overlooking the sea, with beautiful views over the beaches of Guincho and Sintra Mountain.
AFTERNOON : leisure time for shopping, visits to galleries/museums or just soaking up the atmosphere.
EVENING : Dinner at Kais
One of the newest and most fashionable restaurants in Lisbon. Housed in a former railway company storehouse, this impressive modern restaurant has high ceilings, tall doors, exposed brickwork and huge windows. Large iron candelabra with candles give a special ambiance to the whole bar and dining room. After dinner those who wish can enjoy special access to the adjoining nightclub Skones, one of the most exclusive clubs in Lisbon.
Monday 1 October
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
MORNING AND LUNCH: at leisure
AFTERNOON : walking tour of the Old Quarter of Lisbon
Our guide will take us to the Restauradores Square and then by elevator to the Bairro Alto and Chiado quarters. The Chiado, now an elegant shopping district, became a fashionable meeting place for intellectuals at the end of the 19th century and has many cafes to sit and enjoy watching the people of the city go by. Onward to the Rossio Square and through Rua Augusta to the Praco Comercio, facing the River Tagus, where our private tram will be waiting to drive us through the old narrow streets climbing up to St George’s castle, just as it did in the heyday of the tram during the earlier part of the 20th century. Here we stop to admire the splendid view over the city, before winding our way back down the hill on foot through the old quarter of Alfama with its narrow cobbled streets, leading back to the city centre and our hotel.
Transfer to the airport for our return flight to Heathrow. Flight departs Lisbon 1915hrs and arrives Heathrow 2150hrs. |
