Fado & Flamenco
Passionate Portugal / Sultry Spain
June 1 - 12, 2006
THE CROSSROADS OF EUROPE
Fado is a type of Portuguese folk music, characterized
by a complex concoction of sadness, pain, nostalgia, happiness and love.
Its origins derive from African slave rhythms with traditional music
of Portuguese sailors. There is an Arabic influence in the mournful
tunes and lyrics, which are often about the sea or the life of the poor.
Flamenco is a folk art of
Spain, specifically from the province of Andalusia. It developed from
the expression of the persecuted Gypsies, Jews and Moors during the
late 15th century when Spanish King Ferdinard V and Queen Isabella decreed
that everyone under their domain convert to Catholicism. While these
two artistic forms could not be more different, they are the result
of a veritable melting pot that has occurred in this part of the world
over a period of many centuries.
The Iberian Peninsula, which today comprises
the boundaries of Spain and Portugal, has long been fought over because
of its prime shipping location. It was also a strategic crossroads into
the continent of Europe. One conquering nation after another would lay
claim to this land and leave its influence long after it eventually
vacated or was itself defeated.
Portugal emerged as a nation-state early
in the 12th Century, making it one of the world’s longest established
countries. In 1143 it was raised to the status of Kingdom. It was from
this little country, situated at the westernmost point of Europe’s
Iberian Peninsula, that Navigator Prince Henry launched sailing ships
to search the boundless seas for unknown lands beyond. His quest led
to the eventual discovery of the New World and forever linked Portugal’s
destiny with the oceans.
Lisbon may be one of Europe’s oldest
cities, but it perhaps the one least familiar to frequent travelers.
Its location on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and
settlers. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural
time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe.
At its heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings,
mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river, Lisbon is an
impressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church
towers and domes.
Lisbon serves as our base of operations
from which we explore the surrounding countryside. To the north, we
visit the medieval towns of Aveiro and Fatima and the impressive Roman
ruins of Conimbriga. To the west, the coastal towns of Sintra, Cascais
and Estoril make up the Portuguese Riviera. Evora, to the east, is an
important UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour includes two days in
the beach resort of Faro in the beautiful Algarve coastal region before
heading into Spain. We conclude with four days of revelry in exotic
Seville, with a memorable visit to the Rock of Gibraltar to bring the
tour to a solid conclusion.
Join the rarified class of seasoned world
travelers who have actually taken the time to get to know Portugal.
This tour is, truly, something to sing and dance about!
ITINERARY
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Departure from the U.S.
Today is a travel day. Depart the United States on an overnight flight,
arriving in Lisbon, Portugal tomorrow morning. We will be happy to arrange
hotel accommodations for you at our centrally located hotel if you would
like to arrive a day or two early to sample more of the wonderful things
that Lisbon has to offer.
Friday, June 2, 2006
Arrive in Lisbon / Welcome Dinner
The tour commences today at our hotel in Lisbon. Since we are not
providing group air travel arrangements to Portugal, everyone is responsible
for making his own way from the airport to the hotel. Transfer options
will be described in your Final Documents mailed prior to departure.
Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Lisbon
this afternoon, providing an orientation to the city and a visit to
the Se Cathedral. Cathedral Se is a large fortress that was begun in
1150 AD by Afonso Henriques, and is where Lisbon’s patron saint,
St. Anthony (the Saint who helps you to find lost items) is buried.
This evening we gather in the hotel’s
bar for introductions, then proceed to a restaurant for our Welcome
Dinner. Afterwards, you may wish to sample some of Lisbon’s nightlife. (Dinner
Included)
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Aveiro / Conimbriga / Fatima
After breakfast at our hotel enjoy a full day tour of three unique
towns to the north of Lisbon. Transfer from our hotel to the train station
for the morning train to Aveiro, once a great seaport as far back as
the 10th century until the end of the 16th century, when strong storms
silted up the mouth of the harbor. Today it has become a center of industry,
but the town’s old harbor still retains much charm, with its many
canals, Art Nouveau mansions, cute fisherman cottages, and colorful
“moliceiros” boats used to collect seaweed. We tour the
city and visit the Cathedral and the Museum which incorporates the Antigo
Convento de Jesus.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue
south through Coimbra, home of the country’s oldest university,
to Conimbriga for a visit to the archaeological site of ancient Roman
ruins dating back to the 1st century B.C. Our last stop of the day is
Fatima, the famous pilgrimage site. Spend time seeing the city and visiting
the Basilica of Our Lady. Returning to our hotel in Lisbon, the evening
is free. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Evora / Lisbon
Today we head east of Lisbon to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Evora. Situated in the Alentejo Province of wide plains to the south
of the Tagus River (Rio Tejo), this site’s prime location made
it a valued prize fought over for centuries and ruled at various times
by Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. The ancient city walls and the variety
of architectural styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, Baroque),
the palaces, the squares and even narrow streets are all part of the
rich heritage of this museum-city. We will visit the Cathedral and its
Museum of Sacred Art, as well as the Roman ruins.
After lunch in Evora (on your own), return
to Lisbon and enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour, including the Belem
Tower and admission to the Jeronimos Monastery. Here we see the tomb
of Vasco da Gama and the monastery cloisters. Returning to our hotel,
the evening is at your leisure. (Breakfast)
Monday, June 5, 2006
Sintra / Cascais / Estoril
Some of our best sightseeing awaits today as we head west of Lisbon
to visit three unique Atlantic coastal towns. Our first stop is Sintra,
described by Lord Byron as “this glorious Eden” and designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we visit the gorgeous National Palace.
Continue on to Cascais, a very fashionable town where we will have time
to stroll the lanes seeing the aristocratic mansions and palaces that
grew up in the 18th century. Our last stop is Estoril, a beach town
known as the Portuguese Riviera, where we will have time to explore
the area or relax on the beach. Return to our hotel in Lisbon for our
final free evening here. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
On to the Algarve
After breakfast we transfer to the train station for our morning train
to Faro on Portugal’s southern Algarve coast. Closely related
to the sea throughout its long history, this region today is primarily
known for its more than 100 sandy beaches along the Mediterranean Sea
to the south, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The town of Faro
is centrally located and serves as a good midway point between Lisbon
and our final stop on this tour, Seville. Arriving at our hotel we head
for the beach and a free evening. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Free Day in Faro
Today is a completely free to do as you please. If you’re the
type of person for whom the beach only holds marginal allure, you might
want to spend part of the day exploring Faro. The old part of the city
is still surrounded by Roman walls dating back to the 9th century. Inside
the main square that once housed an ancient forum, a 13th century Cathedral
faces an 18th century Episcopal Palace. The city’s archaeological
museum is housed in a 16th century convent. (Breakfast)
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Into Andalusia
After an early breakfast we board our motorcoach for the 3½
hour drive through the Algarve into Andalusia in southern Spain. We
arrive in Seville, third largest city in Spain and among the most beloved
places for tourists thanks to its unique ambience and great monuments.
Upon arrival and hotel check-in our guide will give us a brief walking
orientation to the hotel environs, close to the grand Plaza de Espagna
and Maria Luisa Park, and the remainder of the afternoon is free. Tonight
enjoy a Flamenco show with dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Friday, June 9, 2006
Seville
Embark on a full day sightseeing tour of Seville, exploring many of
its major sites. Although today the Moorish influence is architectonically
most evident (Moors occupied Andalusia for about 800 years), it was
a cultural center long before—when the land’s fertility
and mild climate lured Phoenician and Carthaginian settlers and Roman
conquerors. Seville was also home to the legendary Don Juan, and Columbus
started from a port close to Seville to discover a new world. Prosper
Merimée’s fictional creation, Carmen (most famously musicalized
in Georges Bizet’s opera), was a worker in Seville’s old
tobacco factory. Today you will have a chance to visit that factory
in its current incarnation as a university. We also see the Arabian
palace of Alcazar, the Moorish minaret now known as the Giralda Tower,
La Cartuja Monastery, and stroll through Maria Luisa Park and the Santa
Cruz Quarter. (Breakfast)
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Rock of Gibraltar
Looming like some great ship off the southernmost tip of Spain, the
tiny British colony of Gibraltar is a heady compound of curiosities.
To the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was one of the two Pillars of Hercules,
set up by the mythical hero to mark the edge of the known world. Gibraltar
is our destination today in our quest to see one of the most famous
natural landmarks in the world—the Rock of Gibraltar.
The Rock is located in a strategic position
at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It overlooks the Straits
of Gibraltar and is linked to Spain by a narrow isthmus. Gibraltar is
imposing but small, measuring less than four square miles in total.
Gibraltarians, British, Moroccans, Indians and Spanish make up the 30,000
inhabitants. There is also a famous colony of apes, the only ones in
Europe to run free in a semi-wild state. We plan to visit the Apes’
Den, St. Michael’s Caves, the Nature Reserve and the Upper Galleries
on the Rock. Returning to our hotel in early evening, the remainder
of the day is free. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is entirely free for more experiences in marvelous Seville—sightseeing,
shopping, visiting museums, or perhaps venturing out to the Plaza de
Toros de la Maestranza. The bullfighting ring was constructed over the
late-17th and 18th centuries and is one of the most famous venues in
all of Spain to take in a bullfight. It would be worth a look even if
a bullfight is not scheduled for today.
Our group gathers in the hotel lobby this evening,
at which time we proceed to a nearby restaurant to say Adios to
each other and to Spain at our Farewell Dinner. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Monday, June 12, 2006
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. We will assist
with arranging airport transfers for those departing today. (Breakfast)
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