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Day 13 -
Lisbon, Portugal
Portuguese explorers began colonizing parts of Africa and Asia at the beginning of the 15th century. Vasco da Gama set sail for India from Lisbon in 1497, and the city became a center for successful voyages of discovery throughout the East and the New World for the next 300 years. The immense riches brought back by these explorers and navigators ushered in a period of building and expansion that gave birth to the new Manueline architectural style, with its ornately carved decorative motifs. You'll see the best example of this style of architecture in the historic section of Belem. Here you'll see the 16th-century church of the Jeronimos Monastery, containing Vasco da Gama's tomb, the ornate Belem Tower, and the Monument of the Discoveries. Please note: On select dates, the interior of the Jeronimos Monastery may be in use for official purposes and will be closed to visitors - on these dates, only the exterior of the building will be viewed. The rest of the day is yours in Lisbon. Spend some time in the Alfama district, and enjoy the winding alleyways where the city's Moorish heritage thrives. Venture to St. George's Castle, constructed by the Moors on the site of a fifth-century Visigoth fort and once the residence of Portuguese kings. Admire the elegant carpets and crafts at the Museum School of Decorative Arts. Visit Chiado, a fashionable shopping district. Enjoy lunch on your own at Lisbon's wide array of restaurants and cafes. Dinner tonight is included at a local restaurant. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner |
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4/16/18 |
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City
Tour
After breakfast, discover Lisbon on an
included tour. Built on seven hills, Lisbon
has been Portugal's capital since the 13th
century, and the area around the steepest hill,
Sao Jorge, was first settled by Phoenicians in
the twelfth century BC. They were followed
by Carthaginians, Romans, several Germanic
tribes, and Visigoths. In AD 714, the Moors
captured Lisbon, and held it for the next
400 years.