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The city of Lisbon lies between two hills, sloping gently towards the
mighty River Tagus, from where the famous explorers set sail. Close to
the shore stand two masterpieces of the uniquely Portuguese Manueline
style: the landmark Belem Tower and the Monastery
of the Jeronimos, with its royal tombs and beautifully-restored
Great Cloister. After admiring the magnificent royal barges and coaches
housed in nearby museums, we walk through the Praça do
Comercio, laid out after the earthquake of 1755, to the Baixa
district. We shall be staying at a hotel on the Avenida da Liberdade,
in the historic centre.
On another day we will explore the evocative alleys of the Alfama.
Here we will be shown the Ricardo Espirito Santo Silva Foundation
with the Museum of Decorative Arts, housed in a 17th-century palace, as
well as the workshops, where traditional craftsmanship is taught. Nearby
is the delightful Museum of Azulejos, with displays of
the characteristic painted tiles arranged in the cloisters of the Madre
de Deus convent.
A highlight of our stay is a visit to the Gulbenkian Museum,
a priceless connoisseur’s collection encompassing ancient Egyptian
and Islamic works of art, European furniture, Impressionist paintings
and Lalique jewellery. Other visits will include the Museu de
Arte Antiga, where Portuguese fine and decorative arts are seen
in the European context, the ornate Jesuit church of São
Roque and the celebrated Baroque gardens of the Fronteira
Palace.
Two full days of excursions are planned. The first takes
us north to the soaring Cistercian church of Alcobaça
and the great Gothic abbey at Batalha, with the tombs
of John I and Philippa of Lancaster, continuing to the fishing village
of Nazaré and the picturesque medieval town of
Obidos. The second features the rococo Royal Palace of
Queluz, set in formal pleasure gardens with a wonderful
tile-lined canal, and the romantic hill-town of Sintra,
summer residence of the Portuguese kings. After lunch at the elegant 18th-century
Palace of Seteais, we return to Lisbon on the coast road.
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PRICE
l £2,120
The cost includes accommodation in a first-class hotel in Lisbon (6 nights);
economy class air travel London (Heathrow) / Lisbon / London (Heathrow)
by scheduled services; ground transport by private coach; all meals except
two dinners; guides; taxes; entrance fees and the services of a lecturer
and a tour organiser.
Price without flights £1,950
l Single room supplement
£280 |
