New Year's Lisbon Holiday

December 28, 2008 -January 3, 2009
sponsored by the Newark Museum




Join the Newark Museum’s New Year’s holiday to Lisbon. This trip includes round-trip airfare, 5 nights accommodations,  breakfast daily, 4 dinners and 3 lunches and a gala New Year’s Eve of entertainment.



Enjoy five nights in the captivating capital of Lisbon, a legendary city with over 20 centuries of history, which has blossomed into a cosmopolitan city.  Its narrow cobbled stone streets and medieval tile covered buildings contrast with modern architecture. Its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, makes it one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe.






1.  Sunday, December 28     
Our TAP (Portuguese airlines) non-stop flight #104 departs Newark airport at 615pm.  Dinner is served on board.



2.  Monday, December 29     
We arrive in the early morning at the Lisbon airport where our local guide meets us and provides a panoramic overview tour of the city.  You’ll see the Belem Palace, the residence of Portugal's president, built in the 16th century.  Nearby is the Jeronimos Monastery, the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery which commemorates where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal before leaving for India.  After lunch we check-in at the Hotel Tivoli Jardim for a five night stay. Totally remodeled, this welcoming 4 star hotel with modern amenities is ideally located in the center of the city, but set back in a quiet corner. (L/D)



3.  Tuesday, December 30     
This morning we see the city sights. We begin in the Alfama District which is a step back in time. It is a village within a city still made up of narrow cobbled streets, tiny squares, churches, and whitewashed houses with wrought-iron balconies.  There is a flea market and the Old Jewish Quarter, one of the oldest in the city.   At the top of the area , Castelo de São Jorge, Saint George's Castle,  can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Its oldest parts date from the 6th century.  We visit the Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo, in the 17th century Azurara Palace.  This brilliant museum gives a picture of aristocratic life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The interior of the palace itself is beautiful, with its original 17th century wooden floors, painted ceilings, and panels of blue and white tiles making it an ideal setting for the exceptional furniture and tapestries. Alongside the museum are workshops where artisans reproduce antiques and practice traditional crafts like gilding, wood-carving, and bookbinding.  After lunch we tour the Museu de Arte Antiga which contains 14th to 20th century European works by artists such as Bosch (whose "Temptation of St. Anthony" is one of the museum's most valuable treasures), Dürer, and Raphael. Tonight we have dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)



4.  Wednesday, December 31     
In the morning we visit  the Tile Museum which displays centuries of decorative ceramic tiles or azulejos, tracing the history and production of the art form. Its collection is the only of its kind in the world, and contains a splendid array of tiles from as early as the 15th century along with displays on how they're made.  We see the Nations Park area where the futuristic architecture of Eastern Lisbon is a complete contrast to the city's old quarters. Most of it was built by innovative architects for Expo 98, the World’s Fair that took place in Portugal's capital in 1998. are free for lunch and afternoon. You can remain here and visit the main highlight, the state-of-the-art Oceanarium, hailed as the world's most impressive aquarium or return to the hotel and explore the nearby shops. Tonight we plan a  fun evening celebrating the arrival of the New Year  with dinner and entertainment including traditional Portuguese fado songs. ((B/D)  
 



5.  Thursday, January 1     
In the late morning we depart for a relaxing day along the beautiful coast.  We stop in Mafra to see the extravagant colossal baroque Palace and Basilica, visit the cosmopolitan resort town of Estoril and have lunch at an oceanfront restaurant in the lovely port town of Cascais.  Tonight dinner is on your own.  Our guide will have suggestions. (B/L)



6.  Friday, January 2     
In the morning we tour the Gulbenkian Museum, one of the world's great museums and one of Europe's unsung treasures. Part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it houses a magnificent collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Asian, and European art along with paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Cassat.  
You are free or lunch.  In the afternoon we tour the Berardo Museum which has one of the world's most acclaimed modern art collections, with works by Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, among others representing dozens of modern movements. It was amassed by Portuguese magnate Joe Berardo, who for many years had wanted to create a museum for his vast collection. Cities like Paris and Miami were interested in buying it, but the Portuguese government made sure it was kept in Lisbon and agreed to provide space inside Lisbon's Belem Cultural Center.  Tonight we have a farewell dinner with local wine including roundtrip transfer. (B/D)  
 



7.  Saturday, January 3     
After breakfast we depart for the Lisbon Airport.  Our non-stop TAP flight #103  departs Lisbon at  11:50 am , and arrives Newark at 200pm.





This engaging experience includes:

  • Round Trip air transportation on TAP AIRLINES (from Newark )
  • 5 nights in the 4 Star Tivoli Jardim Hotel
  • Breakfast daily
  • Porterage in the hotel
  • Private bus according to above mentioned itinerary
  • Local tour guide for tours
  • 4 dinners including New Year’s Eve Gala with entertainment
  • 3 Lunches
  • Entrances as per itinerary
PROGRAM PRICES  
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $3150  
Single Supplement: $600