Secret Lisbon
4-day tour in Lisbon
A city of ancient traditions and monuments, Lisbon reserves a special fondness for the richness of its 18th century interiors, famous for their ornamental tiles and gilded woodwork.
Our excursion, along the banks of the Tagus and up and down the city’s hills, takes us behind the doors of the most notable churches, royal palaces, ancestral houses and glorious gardens of the capital.
Program
On the first day, the Miradouro de S.Pedro de Alcântara –which boasts one of the most stunning views of the city – is the starting point for a tour in which we find the impressive sights provided by the interiors of churches and convents close alongside the bustle of the historic quarter of Chiado. The Convento dos Cardaes showcases the surprise of Portugal’s unique baroque style – an art of gilded woodcarvings and tiles, of which we find more in the fantastic Jesuit church of São Roque, and especially the marble and semi-precious stones of the Chapel of São João Baptista, custom-made in Italy for D.João V.
The second day brings the chance to admire the magical gilded woodcarvings of the church of São Paulo and the church of Menino Deus. In the Espírito Santo Silva Foundation – both a museum of decorative arts and a collection of craft workshops – we will come across a treasury of artisan skills unique in Europe working carefully on the evocative restoration of Portuguese aristocratic interiors of the 18th century.
The afternoon is dedicated to the discovery of the art of tiled murals. First comes the fabulous reproductions of the fables of La Fontaine in the panels of S.Vicente de Fora. This is followed by what will be a memorable visit to the gardens of the Palácio dos Marqueses da Fronteira, where we will be able to marvel at one of the most complete collections of baroque tiles to be found anywhere.
The third day is all about the lives of the royalty of this period. We start at the Palácio da Ajuda, whose neoclassical and romantic interiors are celebrated as one of the most complete testaments of the European decorative arts of the 19th century. This is followed by a visit to the courtly retreat of Queluz and its enchanting gardens. Our lunch here will be served in the palace’s old kitchens, where enormous copper pans guard the memory of royal banquets of the past. The afternoon will be spent visiting rooms and salons where, in golden cascades, the exuberant French art of rocaille flourishes.
Before departure on the fourth day, the grand finale of our tour comes with a visit to the Museu do Azulejo (Museum of Tiles), set within the Convento de Madre de Deus. Here, we crown an unforgettable journey with one more chance to relish some of Portugal’s finest artistic treasures.
On the first day, the Miradouro de S.Pedro de Alcântara –which boasts one of the most stunning views of the city – is the starting point for a tour in which we find the impressive sights provided by the interiors of churches and convents close alongside the bustle of the historic quarter of Chiado. The Convento dos Cardaes showcases the surprise of Portugal’s unique baroque style – an art of gilded woodcarvings and tiles, of which we find more in the fantastic Jesuit church of São Roque, and especially the marble and semi-precious stones of the Chapel of São João Baptista, custom-made in Italy for D.João V.
The second day brings the chance to admire the magical gilded woodcarvings of the church of São Paulo and the church of Menino Deus. In the Espírito Santo Silva Foundation – both a museum of decorative arts and a collection of craft workshops – we will come across a treasury of artisan skills unique in Europe working carefully on the evocative restoration of Portuguese aristocratic interiors of the 18th century.
The afternoon is dedicated to the discovery of the art of tiled murals. First comes the fabulous reproductions of the fables of La Fontaine in the panels of S.Vicente de Fora. This is followed by what will be a memorable visit to the gardens of the Palácio dos Marqueses da Fronteira, where we will be able to marvel at one of the most complete collections of baroque tiles to be found anywhere.
The third day is all about the lives of the royalty of this period. We start at the Palácio da Ajuda, whose neoclassical and romantic interiors are celebrated as one of the most complete testaments of the European decorative arts of the 19th century. This is followed by a visit to the courtly retreat of Queluz and its enchanting gardens. Our lunch here will be served in the palace’s old kitchens, where enormous copper pans guard the memory of royal banquets of the past. The afternoon will be spent visiting rooms and salons where, in golden cascades, the exuberant French art of rocaille flourishes.
Before departure on the fourth day, the grand finale of our tour comes with a visit to the Museu do Azulejo (Museum of Tiles), set within the Convento de Madre de Deus. Here, we crown an unforgettable journey with one more chance to relish some of Portugal’s finest artistic treasures.
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Prices
- 4-day tour in Lisbon
- Price per person frm € 915 Group of 8 people
- Single supplement of € 235
The Tour includes
- 3 nights at Pestana Palace Hotel
- Breakfast daily, 2 lunches & 2 dinners (water, wine and coffee included)
- Private transportation
- Full accompaniment by tour leader
- All entrance fees
The Tour does NOT include
- Air travel tickets
- Beverages not included in the meals
- Meals not shown in the price panel for each tour
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls, laundry, etc)
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Visa cost where applicable
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