Social Program
Half Day Tour to ARRÁBIDA, PALMELA
and SESIMBRA
Departure to Palmela, to a visit to the
Medieval Castle and Convent of Palmela conquered to the Arabs in 1148,
being later the seat of the Knights of Sant'Iago (St.James).
It was recently adapted to a de-luxe "Pousada". The beautiful
view in all directions can be admired from the ramparts of the Castle.
Continuing by the auto-route to
Azeitão. Stop for a visit to the wine-cellars of
José Maria da Fonseca (JMS), the producers of "Lancer's",
"Moscatel" and many quality wines and visitors will be offered a drink
of the local specialities.
The tour will proceed to Sesimbra a famous
fishing center with the traditional fishing boats moored in the jetty,
also preferred by the sports fishermen due to the famous sword
fish/marlin. All streets of Sesimbra lead to the lovely beach
with calm waters where you may watch the heavy nets being pulled on to
the golden sand.
From Sesimbra the tour proceeds for a scenic
drive by the coastal road along the Arrábida Mountain, a
preserved Natural Park due to its unique vegetation in Europe, and with
a superb view over the mouth of the River Sado and the Atlantic Ocean.
Half Day Tour to OLD LISBON
Departure to Lisbon crossing the
Bridge 25th April over the River Tagus, for a visit to this remarkable
city built nearly 2.500 years ago passing buildings dating from the
18th Century and along mosaic paved streets.
The first stop will be in the historic
Lisbon's borough of Belém.
Visit to the Monastery of the
Jerónimos (Hieronymite Monks) built in 1502 and the finest
example of the Gothic-Naturalist (the ambiental decoration named
"Manueline"). The splendid church with chapels and the main-altar in
Gothic-Renaissance style will be visited.
Then drive along the River Tagus left bank
stoping by the Tower of Belém, an 16th Century fortress and
by the Monument to the Sea Discoveries.
Return to Setubal.
Full Day Tour to QUELUZ, SINTRA, CAPE ROCA,
CASCAIS
Departure
to Queluz, a small town 14 kilometers Northwest of Lisbon where in the
17th Century was built a Summer residence, the Royal Palace of Queluz.
The Royal chambers, the Music and the
Throne-room, the Ambassadors room as well as splendid halls and gardens
are worth visiting due to the beauty of the 18th Century furniture,
decoration, glazed-tiles wall panels and Brazilian wood parquet floors
. Presently the Palace of Queluz is the official residence of all
foreign Kings or Presidents on state visit to Portugal. It is
considered to be a miniature Versailles.
The tour continues to the delightful town of
Sintra, immortalized by the World famous poet Lord Byron as "Glorious
Eden". Located in a slope of the Mountain of Sintra the Royal
Palace was the residence of many Portuguese Kings as from the 14th
Century. Beautiful tiles, painted ceilings and centuries old walls, as
well as an unusually huge kitchen.
Time at leisure as Sintra is excellent for
shopping souvenirs and handicraft. Lunch, will be served at a local
restaurant.
Descending the ever-green mountain on to Cape
Roca, the Western-most point of continental Europe, a stop will be made
by the cliffs over the Atlantic Ocean. Then following the
coast line the tour will pass by Guincho Beach, Boca do Inferno (Hell's
Mouth) an ocean carved spectacle in rock.
Arriving the old fishermen village of Cascais
that in the 1940's was chosen as residence by the exiled
European Royalty, a stop will be made by the lovely bay filled with
fishing boats.
Time at leisure in Cascais, and return to
Setubal via the Estoril coastal road.
FD
Tour ÓBIDOS, NAZARÉ, BATALHA or
FÁTIMA
Depart
to the Northern auto-route to Óbidos one of the most
charming Portuguese villages, completely enclosed within the ramparts
of the Medieval Castle.
Walking visit with entrance by the 18th
Century arch covered in glazed tiles (azulejos), bright white small
houses along cobblestone narrow streets, flower pots on window-sills,
Gothic and Renaissance churches specially the beautiful Church of Santa
Maria reminds the importance of Óbidos past. Local artisans
and craftsmen still using the old techniques show their wares in the
small shops along the streets.
Continuation of the tour to Nazaré,
the most famous fishing town in Portugal. Among the bright coloured
rowing-boats moored on the beach bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, one may
watch the fisherfolk bring in the nets. A superb view is
enjoyed from the "Sítio", a belvedere on top of the hill
while in the streets you may observe women still wearing the
traditional 7 skirted costumes. Lunch, will be
served at a local restaurant.
The tour will proceed to Batalha for a visit
to the superb Monastery of Santa Maria da Victória
celebrating the victory against the Castillians in 1386 in the Battle
of Aljubarrota. This monument built in 1388 is the most
beautiful example of the Portuguese Gothic architecture, later in 1509
were added the Unfinished Chapels and Cloisters in "Manueline" and in
1563 the Renaissance Chapels and Cloisters.
OR
departure to Fátima, the well known Roman Catholic Marian
Shrine. Visit the Basilica and the Chapel of Apparitions that
marks the spot where the 3 shepherd children had the visions in
1917. Time at leisure for individual activities.
Return to Setubal by the new auto-route that
crosses the provinces of Ribatejo and Estremadura.
FD Tour to ÉVORA
Departure from Setubal, passing by Vendas Novas and Montemor on to
Évora.
Classified as "Museum Town and World Heritage"
by the Unesco in 1986, Évora was first known by the Celts as
Ebora, by the first Roman settlers as Ebora Cerealis and in 27 BC as
Liberitas Julia. In the suburbs of Évora there are
cromlechs, menirs and dolmens as well as remains from the Neolithic
3.500 BC.
In Medieval times the town held the courts of
the Portuguese Kings of the 1st dinasty (Afonsina) since 1165 and of
the 2nd dinasty (Avis) up to 1559. The Roman-Gothic Cathedral
dating from 1186, the Church of St. Francis built in 1480
with the macabre Chapel of Bones, the ruins of the Roman
Temple of Diana are some of the places of great interest that may be
visited.
Small streets with Manueline
(Gothic-Naturalist) geminated-windows and porticos as well as the
"Moucharabieh" verandahs of Mudejar influence, lead to the
Praça do Giraldo, the meeting point of Évora's
inhabitants.
Lunch, will be at a regional restaurant.
Return to Setubal driving by olive-tree groves
and cork-oak woods.
LISBON BY NIGHT with FADO
and FOLKLORE SHOW
Departure
to a typical tavern located in an old borough of Lisbon for a full
course Portuguese dinner or drinks only.
While dinner/drinks are being served one
attends a floor show of the traditional Lisbon song the Fado,
which may be a love lament or may describe the beauties of the city and
of her "eternal lover" the River Tagus.
The singer may be male or female and is always
accompained by two guitar players, being one a 12 strings Portuguese
guitar.
A group will also perform the lively
Portuguese folklore dances wearing the traditional costumes.
These heavily embroidered and bright coloured costumes are still worn
in the country on festive days.
This Lisbon by Night tour will enable the
possibility of enjoying both the gastronomy and wines of Portugal as
well as its folklore traditions.
