Lisbon Music Festival

Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next six days. Lisbon is a charming capital city with a rich cultural heritage. The city is a striking mix of old and new, whose laid back pace welcomes visitors to this European capital. For the next six evenings we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Lisbon hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant. We will enjoy either a day or night tour of Lisbon. Arrival day sightseeing subject to final air confirmation.

Explore the Castle of Sao Jorge, the nucleus of the original city, inhabited by the Phoenicians and subsequently by every other conquering culture. Take a Walking tour of Belem to explore Portugal’s former glory, expressed in the areas imposing and exuberant buildings. During our walk we will view the Praca do Imperio, the Archeological Museum, and the Palacio de Belem. Tour the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a monastery ordered by Manuel the Fortunate to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. The monastery is one of Portugal’s finest examples of Manueline architecture that combines flamboyant Gothic and Moorish influences with elements of the nascent Renaissance. The church features tombs of many of the great figures in Portuguese history, including Vasco da Gama. Visit Torre de Belem, built by King John II as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon commemorating Lisbon's integral role in during the 15th -17th centuries.

Your concert performance will be today. Venue options include The Sé Cathedral and the Mosteiro de Santa Maria in Belém. Additional possibilities include the richly decorated Church of São Roque, the Belém Cultural Center, Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, Centro Cultural de Belém, Museu Nacional dos Coches, Museu Nacional da Música, Palácio Foz, Auditório Vianna da Motta (Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa), Aula Magna da Reitoria, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and Lisbon Cathedral - Sé Patriarcal de Lisboa). Subject to final confirmation. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Today we will enjoy a day trip to Sintra and Cascais. At only half an hour from Lisbon, the beautiful town of Sintra is dotted with historic palaces and surrounded by wooded hills. The town which was once the favourite summer residence of the Kings of Portugal, has been internationally acclaimed by poets and artists over the years and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site for its Cultural Landscape in 1995. Visit the spectacular Palace of Peña, built in the 19th century as King Ferdinand’s summer home. King Ferdinand loved art, nature and new inventions, which is reflected in the interior of this enchanting palace that is filled with oddities from all over the world. Explore the park that surrounds the palace. Explore the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, the city’s royal palace featuring unique architectural styles, including a heavy Moorish influence. Our visit will include the Sala dos Brasoes, the domed majestic room; the Sala dos Cisnes, the banquet hall; and the Sala das Pegas, the gossip room.

We will drive to the westernmost point of Continental Europe, The Cabo da Roca. The Cabo da Roca is commonly known as "The End of The World." Cascais is a beautiful coastal town in Portugal and is known as a cosmopolitan suburb of Lisbon. A former fishing village, it was made very popular when Portugal's royal family began to spend summers there in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Now it is an extremely popular vacation spot for the Portuguese and visitors alike. We will enjoy a walking tour of this seaside town. Visit the Castro Guimaraes Museum. The Castro Guimaraes museum is housed the most architectural interesting building of Cascais. The exterior of the once grand residence is an elaborate mixture of mock gothic, classical Portuguese elements and Arabian stone work and arches. The complex appears much older than the 1902 construction date and was commissioned by the Irish tobacco millionaire Jorge O'Neil whose private art collection is displayed within the museum. We will then continue on with a walk along the beach to see the Boca do Inferno. The Boca do Inferno, translating to the the Mouth of Hell, is a chasm located in the seaside cliffs close to the Portuguese city of Cascais, in the District of Lisbon. The seawater has access to the deep bottom of the chasm and vigorously strikes its rocky walls. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Today we will enjoy a day trip to Óbidos and Batalha. Óbidos is the classic Portuguese fortified town, and is one of the most picturesque locations in Portugal. Óbidos radiates Portuguese charm, from the narrow cobbled streets, the quaint houses, through to the imposing medieval castle, which once guarded the region. The region surrounding Óbidos is as equally fascinating, there is the working fishing port of Peniche, the pristine beaches of Lagoa de Obidos and even Europe's largest collection of Buddha statues at the Buddha Eden. Óbidos is a great base from which to exploring this enthralling region, and the town is rapidly becoming a popular destination for holidays or longer stays. This article will provide an introduction to Óbidos, either as a day trip from Lisbon or for a holiday. A small town amidst the hills of the Leiria area, Batalha only became a place of any significance upon the building of its magnificent monastery, now honoured with UNESCO World Heritage status. This gigantic pearl of Gothic architecture occupied Portugal's most accomplished tradesmen under Royal command for the best past of two centuries. It was built to celebrate the Portuguese victory over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, thus keeping a vow made by King João I to the Virgin Mary prior to the momentous conflict. The illegitimate brother of the dead, heirless king, João's right to the throne of Portugal was challenged by the then Spanish king Juan. Outnumbered and ill equipped, he feared the worst and prayed for assistance from the Virgin. Once victorious, he built and named the monastery in her honour - Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória.

Your concert performance is today. Venue options incluse the Mosteiro da Batalha. Venue subject to final approval. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Today we will enjoy a day trip to Évora. Évora is the capital of Alto Alentejo, a Roman city under Julius Caesar (Liberalitas Julia) and one of Portugal's finest and most delightful towns. It is a true open-air museum with a large number of wonderfully preserved monuments and buildings of public interest. Take a Walking Tour through historic Évora, where we will view 16th and 17th century houses, many with tile patios, cobblestoned and labyrinthine streets, squares with bubbling fountains and a profuse display of Moorish-inspired arches that help characterize the town. Our walk will be highlighted by the Praça do Giraldo, the city’s main square, the remains of the Roman Walls and the Roman Temple.

Today is your concert performance. Venue options include The Praça do Girald, Teatro Garcia Resende, and Sé Catedral de Évora. Venue subject to final approval. We will enjoy our evening meal together in a local restaurant.

Today we will have some options for activities. We could have a beach day and see Palmela, have a Masterclass, Workshop, or Wine Tasting (not available for all groups). Today we will enjoy a day trip to Arrábida. Arrábida is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Portugal. Surrounded by some of the clearest waters, this areay truly embraces the Mediterranean Charm. Some of the most famous sites here are Palmela Castle, Cape Espichel, and Sesimbra. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day. Please note that the sightseeing content may be amended or eliminated in order to facilitate the best possible concert arrangements for your group.