RMC Travel & St. Frances Cabrini present …
LISBON
Wednesday, April 21 to Monday, April 26, 2010
Hosted by Father Charles Ehrhart
LISBON is one of the most delightful and unspoiled capitals of the world. Like Rome, it sits on seven hills with unparalleled vistas. Influenced by the great sea expeditions, it is a mixture of Northern Gothic elegance with southern exuberance reflected in the Manueline style of architecture. Plus, there are echoes of the Moorish presence where you will see tiled walls contrasting with the richly styled Baroque architecture. Wander through the city’s beautiful gardens and fill your soul with the magical sounds of guitars playing “fado”. Shop for great bargains in embroidery, pottery, ceramics and fine art. Hit the casino in nearby Estorial. Or just relax at one of the outdoor cafes. There is so much to do in Lisbon. The Highlight of our tour to Portugal will be our visit to Fatima, the place where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace, as well as a stop in Santarem, where one of the oldest cities in the world is located and the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle occurred in St. Stephen’s Church.
Tour Includes:
•Round-trip coach transportation to JFK
•Round-trip jet flights to Lisbon
•Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels
•First Class accommodations
•Airline & hotel taxes
•Service charges at the hotel
•Portage
•Daily breakfast
•Additional meals as indicated
•Sightseeing tour as per itinerary
•Sightseeing entrance fees
Special Features:
•Welcome Reception
•Special tour to Fatima and Santarem
•Sunday Morning Mass in Lisbon
•Optional dinner and Fado evening
•Optional half-day tour to Sintra and Cascais
•Coverage in RMC Travel’s $1,000,000.00 travel Errors & Omission insurance program
•A Special Farewell Dinner
•Plus a Contribution to St. Frances Cabrini Scholarship Fund
Our Itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
1st Day, Wednesday, April 21: To Lisbon
Depart for Lisbon
2nd Day, Thursday, April 22: In Lisbon
Morning arrival in Lisbon. After clearing customs, we transfer to hotel, time to rest and get accustomed to the time change before having our “Welcome to Lisbon” Reception in the evening. Dinner on your own at one of the many great Lisbon restaurants.
3rd Day, Friday, April 23: In Lisbon (B)
This morning’s sightseeing tour highlights the best of Lisbon as we drive down the Liberty Avenue to Rossio, the very heart of the city, to Black Horse Square before crossing over the Tagus River to the Belem Tower and Monument of Discoveries. Then we’re on to the famous Jeronimo’s Monastery, considered to be a marvel of stone lacework. Our tour ends at St. George’s Castle to have a glimpse of the Old Quarters including Alfama, the oldest and most picturesque. From here, we have the balance of the day free. Wonderful sights delight walkers at every turn in this culturally rich and charming part of Lisbon, which through its architecture reminds visitors of its Visigothic roots. Dinner on your own. Or take an optional “Lisbon by Night” tour for dinner and a typical local restaurant and an evening performance of Fado.
4th Day, Saturday, April 24: Full day tour to Santarem and Fatima (B/L)
After breakfast depart Lisbon for Santarem, where one of the oldest cities in the world is located. We will walk through its narrow streets to the Church of St Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269. Continue to Fatima where you will experience the beauty of this spiritual town. Upon arrival, we start our tour with a Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. We will see the Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Experience Christ's love as you walk and follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way), culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Don't forget your white handkerchief for the Adeus farewell, when pilgrims wave a loving farewell to the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous well. There will be time for private devotions before returning to Lisbon in the late afternoon. This evening, why not head up to Estoril for dinner and try your luck at the Casino? The Estoril Casino is the largest in Europe. There is a great deal of entertainment here, including different types of gambling and nightly cabaret and music hall shows in a sophisticated atmosphere.
5th day, Sunday, April 25: In Lisbon: Morning Mass. Optional Afternoon Excursion to
Sintra & Cascais (B/D)
Morning Mass will be celebrated with Father Charles. Afterwards you have the rest of the day for independent exploring in this wonderful city. Lisbon can be summed up in one word: variety. From the 12th-century Se Cathedral to the modern bridges spanning the Tagus River, from the 18th-century Aguas Livres aqueduct to the futuristic Oriental Station, Lisbon traverses the ages. The city's many neighborhoods include Moorish Alfama, home of the city's tallest hill, and 17th-century Bairro Alto, with its hopping nightlife. Go to the brooding Moorish Castle dominating the city from its vantage point atop Lisbon's highest hill for a wonderful view, along with Museums, castles, open-air markets, funiculars and more. Or, take an optional afternoon tour outside Lisbon to two of Portugal’s beautiful areas. First stop is Sintra, one of the most delightful places to be found in Portugal and called "a garden of the earthly paradise". The Serra de Sintra offers stupendous views of the coastline with its impressive beauty, We will tour the Old Town, described by Byron as "the most pleasing in Europe", but also see archaeological remains from the Roman period, ancient manor houses, and wonderful churches. We continue to Cascais with it charming surroundings and yachts bobbing on the water. The Praia da Ribeira is a picturesque spot and still a traditional fishing harbor. The beaches with names like the "Pescadores", "Marchioness" and the "Queen", remind us of the time when it was the "Land of Kings and fishermen". Portuguese kings and many exiled kings have lived in Cascais over the years and its 16th century fortress was built to protect the Bay of Cascais. On our return to Lisbon, we stop a the Parish Church of Oeiras with its altars of beautiful marble and decorated panels, paintings by Cotrim and the exquisite 18th century organ, recently restored. Return to Lisbon for a free afternoon. This evening our final dinner is in a special place in a small village called Setubal.
6th Day Monday, April 26: To USA (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to New York and then back to home.
Note: Itinerary correct at time of printing and subject to change for circumstances beyond our control.
Our Hotel
In Lisbon: The Lisboa Plaza Hotel
This charming hotel opened in the early 1950's and was extensively renovated in 2000. The architect’s as well as famous Portuguese interior designer Graca Viterbwas theme was to create a hotel offering “practical solutions which promote a sense of well-being”, and the present owners have continued to maintain this dream. Located in the heart of the capital city, the Lisboa Plaza is now considered to be a classic amongst Lisbon hotels. All the bedrooms and suites are individually decorated and, as with the public rooms, great attention has been paid to detail. Muted colors, marble floors scattered with traditional rugs, fine pieces of furniture and comfortable seating, all contribute to the ambiance. The Hotel Lisboa Plaza has 12 suites and 94 bedrooms, all individually decorated and, all with marble bathrooms. The bedroom windows are double glazed and have air conditioning.
