Departure from the Congress Centre by private bus, driving through this remarkable city built nearly 2.500 years ago, passing buildings dating from the 18th Century, and along mosaic paved streets. The first stop will be high above the city at the Castle of Saint George, dating from the Roman period, and from which ramparts one can enjoy a superb view of the old boroughs and of the River Tagus. Next, a small walking promenade through the winding streets of the medieval quarter of Alfama, offering the picturesque flavour of an old popular residential area, with a unique sight of narrow streets, friendly residents and 16th Century buildings. Then the tour will proceed to the historic borough of Belém. Visit to the Church of the Monastery of Jerónimos (Hyeronimite Monks), built in 1502 and the finest example of the Gothic-Naturalist (the naturalist decoration named “Manuelino”). Then drive along the River Tagus bank stopping by the Monument to the Discoveries. Return to the Conference Centre.

Leaving the Congress Centre, our first stop will be at the “Jerónimos” Monastery in the “Belém” district. The building is a perfect example of the extravagant Age of the Discoveries, as the money used to build the edifice came from the spices and gold brought back by the explorers. The monastery was dedicated to Mary of Bethlehem (from which “Belém” takes its name), and the building boasts a façade over 300 metres long. Its grandiose scale and the elaborate work carried out on it make it a superb example of the “Manuelino” style art form and it is the resting place of kings and poets. This remarkable piece of architecture, as well as the whole area, is today classified as a World Heritage site. In close proximity to the Monastery is the world famous Coach Museum of Lisboa, founded by Queen Amélia in 1905 and containing one of the finest collections of carriages in the world. Here are extravagantly carved coaches, some commissioned by King João V, with gild wood figures in the Italian Baroque style and used for the Grand Legation led by Marquis of “Fontes” to Pope Clement XI, among many others.

Departure from the Congress Centre to Sintra, the green and pleasant paradise much lauded by the 19th Century English poets. “Earthly Paradise” and “Glorious Eden” are just a couple of the phrases coined to capture the magic and beauty of Sintra. A world heritage site, Sintra is home to historic palaces, castles and a magnificent mountain range. In the town centre stands the National Palace, built in the fourteenth century and notable for its Gothic influence. During the sixteen century, King Manuel I had a few alterations made, this time with Moorish influences. Atop the Sintra mountains stand a thirteenth-century Moorish castle and Pena Palace. Time at leisure as Sintra is excellent for souvenir and handicrafts shopping. Return to Lisbon passing by Cascais bay, this old fishing village was chosen in the 1940s as residence by the exiled European Royalty.

Departure from the Congress Centre by private bus in direction to the South across the World’s largest cork region, for an exciting journey into the past to Évora, classified as “Museum Town and World Heritage” by the Unesco in 1986. During the medieval times Évora together with Lisbon was ruled by the courts of the Portuguese Kings from 1165 and 1559. We will visit the Roman-Gothic cathedral dating from 1186; the church of St. Francis built in the 15th Century with the singular Chapel of Bones, and the ruins of the Roman Temple of Diana. Lunch with be served in a local restaurant.
Return to Lisboa passing by olive-tree groves and cork-oak woods.

Departure from the Congress Centre by private bus, towards the North in direction of Fátima, which is the most important religious centre in Portugal. Visit the Basilica and the Chapel of Apparitions that marks the spot where in 1917, the three shepherd children had the visions of Our Lady. The tour proceeds to Batalha for a guided visit to the “Santa Maria da Vitória” Monastery, a masterpiece of the Portuguese Gothic architecture. Continue to Óbidos, one of the most charming Portuguese villages, completely enclosed within the ramparts of a Medieval Castle. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. After lunch, a walking tour of this village with its small houses along cobblestone narrow streets and flowerpots on windowsills. Return to Lisboa.

Departure to the World Heritage Town of Sintra, the green and pleasant paradise much lauded by the 19th Century English poets. “Earthly Paradise” and “Glorious Eden” are just a couple of the phrases coined to capture the magic and beauty of Sintra. There we can find two Royal Palaces, a Moorish Castle and a 16th Century Monastery. Visit the National Palace, the fabulous Royal Residence of many Portuguese Dynasties with wings dating from the 13th Century. The architectural styles of different periods with an old Moorish terrace, some interesting painted ceilings and its twin chimneys are some of the main interesting aspects of this Palace.
Time at leisure as Sintra is excellent for shopping souvenirs and handicraft. Lunch will be served in a local Restaurant. The tour proceeds to - CAPE ROCA - the westernmost point in Continental Europe. Visitors have the possibility of getting here a certificate to say they have been there. The tour continues following the coastline and passing by Guincho beach, a surfers paradise “par excellence” and that has already been the venue of several national and international competitions. Return to Lisboa passing by the Cascais bay, filled with fishing boats. The exiled European Royalty chose this old fishermen village in the 1940’s as residence.