JEWISH HERITAGE: PORTUGAL (SAMPLE ITINERARY)

Transcription

1 JEWISH HERITAGE: PORTUGAL (SAMPLE ITINERARY) 121 West 27 th Street Suite 1201 New York, NY F HTprivatetravel.com Day 1: Upon your arrival at Lisbon s airport, you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and escorted south to Evora, about an hour away. Upon arrival in Evora, in Portugal s Alentejo region, you will check into the Convento do Espinheiro. This luxuriously appointed 5-star hotel was converted from a 15 th century building, and is now considered a national monument. The highlight is the convent s chapel, which has been impressively preserved. You will be staying in a room in a deluxe room in the historic convent wing of the hotel. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel and its amenities. Overnight: Convento do Espinheiro deluxe room in the historic wing. Day 2: This morning, you will meet your expert guide for a private tour of the city of Évora a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your guide, you will discover the legacy that successive empires have left here. You will have a private driver and vehicle at your disposal. You might start at the Roman temple, which dates to the 2 nd century. The Romans also built parts of the city walls. The Moors and medieval Portuguese made later additions to the walls. With your guide, you will explore the evidence of these eras in Évora s cobble-stoned lanes and squares. The town is a living history museum where every corner has its own story. You will say good-bye to your guide and will have the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to have lunch and do some shopping in town. When you are ready, your private driver will escort you back to your hotel. Overnight: Convento do Espinheiro deluxe room in the historic wing. Morocco Spain Portugal Turkey Sub-Saharan Africa

2 Day 3: This morning, you ll depart Evora and head north. Your first stop will be Castelo de Vide. This town clusters around a 14 th century castle. In the Judairia, or Jewish Quarter, you will find the oldest synagogue in Portugal. Although it has not been restored, the 13 th century building gives an impression of how and where medieval Jews worshipped. The neighboring town, Marvão, boasts panoramic views of Portugal and Spain. This remote site has been occupied more or less continually since Roman times. The town museum exhibits local artifacts. Continue north to Belmonte, which is the home of a unique Jewish community. Most Jews in Portugal had left the country or converted to Christianity by the 16 th century. Small and remote Belmonte, however, never suffered the full brunt of the Inquisition. Local Jews continued to practice their faith in private. After the fall of Salazar s dictatorship, they finally identified themselves publicly as Jews. Belmonte now has a new synagogue and rabbi. We will arrange for you to meet (pending confirmation) with a member of the Jewish community, who will discuss their history and renaissance. You may also visit the Jewish Museum in Belmonte. Continue to Marialva where you will check in at the inviting Casas do Coro, a quiet retreat set amongst the rolling hills of the region. The stone façade of the renovated building is typical of the area, while the interior features luxurious, modern furnishings in keeping with the style of Marialva. You will be staying in a superior room. Overnight: Casas do Coro superior room. Day 4: Today, you ll continue exploring the region and its Jewish heritage. You ll begin in Gouveia, which is home to a small, but good Archaeological Museum. Inside you will find a well-preserved Hebrew inscription. Next you ll visit Linhares de Beira, ringed by mountains. Continue to the medieval walled city of Trancoso. Founded by Jewish merchants in the 12 th century, the Jewish population flourished during the 14 th and 15 th centuries as Jews from Aragon and Castile moved into Portugal. Your last stop will be Cabanas do Viriato. Here you will visit the house of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a former Portuguese diplomat to France who was responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of Jews from the Nazis in France. Although at the time, he faced penalties from his government for his heroism, he is finally being recognized today. Overnight: Casas do Coro superior room.

3 Day 5: This morning, you will be escorted south to Lisbon. The drive is about three hours. You will check in at the Bairro Alto Hotel, a project of renowned hotelier Grace Leo-Andrieu. This luxurious design hotel occupies an elegant 18 th century building in the very hip and centrally located Bairro Alto district. You will be staying in a superior room. After you have had time to settle in, meet your expert guide, who will show you a Lisbon that is first and foremost a city of neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is different and offers its secrets to those who allow themselves the pleasure of discovery. As you explore, you may find 19 th century pharmacies still in use; hidden courtyards; sprawling bookstores; local fado bars; rounded storefronts; artisanal workshops; full-to-the-brim antique stores; local bakeries and elegant villas. You will have the opportunity to see both the monuments and the little nooks and crannies known only to the true insider. You will experience the rich variety of architecture and the local flavor that makes Lisbon special. With your expert guide at your side, and in your favorite walking shoes, you will discover the beauty, soul and intrinsic character of Lisbon s neighborhoods, while also enjoying the ever-changing views of the River Tagus. You will travel on foot and by tram. Your tour will focus on some of the most interesting neighborhoods, including Bairro Alto, Baixa and Alfama. It will end at the Crusader Castle of St. Jorge. Overnight: Bairro Alto superior room. Day 6: This morning your expert guide, private driver and vehicle will meet you at your hotel for a full-day tour of the picturesque town of Sintra. You will tour Sintra s narrow lanes with your expert local guide. Traditionally, the Portuguese royals and nobility have maintained residences here. You might visit the Palacio da Vila, originally built as a hunting lodge, and used as a royal summer residence until the 20 th century. You will see the two famous conical chimneys and a remarkable collection of ceiling panels dating to the 16 th century that represent the coats of arms of 71 Portuguese noble families. Lo! Cintra s glorious Eden intervenes in variegated maze of mount and glen. - Lord Byron

4 Day 6 (continued): After lunch on your own, you might visit the Palácio da Pena. Maria II and Ferdinand created this rural retreat in the same outrageous style as their Palácio de Ajuda in Lisbon. Nearby you can visit a similarly fanciful dwelling, the Quinta de Regaleira. Built around the turn of the 20 th century, it features Art Noveau and Rococo features, plus an initiation room inspired by the Freemasons. You will return along the coastal road where you will enjoy wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean and Tagus River. You might wish to stop at Boca do Inferno and Cabo da Roca, where you will find the most western point of the European continent, with impressive cliffs and ocean views. You will stop briefly in Estoril and Cascais, a seaside resort that serves as a popular summer retreat for Lisboetas. At the end of the day, we will arrange a visit to Shaaré Tikvá, Lisbon s synagogue. The congregation was founded 100 years ago by a group of Sephardic Jews from Morocco who returned to the Iberian Peninsula. We will arrange for you to tour the synagogue and meet with some members of the congregation. Overnight: Bairro Alto superior room. Lo! Cintra s glorious Eden intervenes in variegated maze of mount and glen. - Lord Byron Day 7: You will have the day at leisure. Places you might wish to see on your own include: You might start at the Belém Tower. It originally stood in the middle of the Tagus River, but now is just off the shore. For centuries, Portuguese explorers set off from this 16 th century fortress in search of the riches of the new world. After a short walk inland, you will find the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This incomparable monastery epitomizes the Manueline style, a highly decorative form of architecture that emerged during the reign of Manuel I ( ). The ambitious building reflects the confidence that Portugal enjoyed when its explorers roamed the seas. In fact, one of the greatest navigators, Vasco da Gama, is buried in the monastery s church. After your visit, you might stop for pastéis de Belém, the delightful creamfilled pastries that are named for the neighborhood.

5 Day 7 (continued): If you wish, visit the nearby 19 th century Palácio de Ajuda and the 16 th century Church of São Roque, founded by Jesuits in the 16 th century and used until they were expelled between 1759 and At the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, you can admire a unique collection bequeathed to Portugal by a fascinating man. Calouste Gulbenkian was an ethnic Armenian from Turkey; he earned his wealth from a five-percent stake in Iraq s oilfields. He moved to Portugal during World War II, when his role in international affairs compelled him to live in a neutral country. Upon his death, he donated his fortune and his art collection (both of them massive) to Portugal. The items on display range from Egyptian artifacts to Art Deco glass. Painters represented include Rembrandt, Manet, and Renoir. The Museo do Design in Belém houses one of the most significant collections of 20 th century objects in Europe. You can view works by Charles and Ray Eames, Philippe Starck, and Pritzker-winning Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is Portugal s national collection; many of the works were confiscated from religious orders. European artists represented include Bosch and Raphael. You can also see decorative items from the Portuguese colonies in Africa and Asia. The Museu de Artes Decorativas aims to preserve and promote Portuguese crafts. You can admire the antiques in the museum, and then can watch artisans creating similar works in the adjacent workshops. You might enjoy visiting some of Lisbon s more specialized museums. The Museu Nacional do Azulejo focuses on the decorative ceramic tiles (azulejos) introduced by the Moors. In the Museu dos Coches, you will find a collection of royal carriages. Lisbon s oldest church, the Sé Cathedral, resembles a formidable medieval fortress. Not far from the Baixa district, this 12 th century cathedral mixes baroque, neoclassical and Rococo styles and is home to many ancient treasures, as well as a glorious rose window. Overnight: Bairro Alto superior room. Day 8: This morning your private driver and vehicle will drive you to Lisbon s airport. Here you will board your departing flight. Adeus Portugal!

6 Included in your land package: ACCOMMODATION: Seven nights accommodation (double occupancy) in Portugal s charming and atmospheric hotels. Breakfast served at hotel every morning (deluxe or buffet where available). UNIQUE HERITAGE TOURS PRIVATE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES: Castelo de Vide and Belmonte: Private full-day tour focused on Jewish heritage. Trancoso and Cabanas do Viriato: Private full-day Jewish heritage tour including a visit to the home of Aristides de Sousa Mendes. PRIVATE TOURS AND ACTIVITIES: Evora: Private half-day walking tour with expert guide. Lisbon: Private half-day walking tour with our expert guide. Sintra: Private full-day tour with our expert guide. GROUND TRANSPORTATION: Private transfer: Lisbon Airport-Evora Hotel. Full-day private driver and vehicle for touring in Evora. Full-day private driver and vehicle from Evora to Marialva. Full-day private driver and vehicle for touring near Marialva. Private transfer: Marialva-Lisbon. Full-day private driver and vehicle for Sintra excursion from Lisbon. Private transfer: Lisbon Hotel-Airport. In a place where not everything runs like clockwork, it was reassuring to be in the reliable hands of experts like Heritage Tours. - Diversion OTHER SERVICES: All admissions while with expert guide. Value Added Tax and all service charges. Assistance from our in-country office as needed. Restaurant reservations (cost of meals not included). PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: All the intangibles that come with the connections, knowledge, passion and experience of one of the premier travel providers to Portugal. Not included in your land package: Air arrangements. Sightseeing/admissions when not with an expert guide. Meals other than breakfast, unless specified in included list. Transport unless listed above. Gratuities. THE ABOVE ITINERARY IS ONLY A SAMPLE. ANYTHING CAN BE MODIFIED TO FIT YOUR WISHES. PRICE IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND VARIES BY THE NUMBER OF TRAVELERS AND TIME OF YEAR.