MSA CULTURAL TOURS
NEW YEARS IN THE PORTUGUESE ALGARVE,OBIDOS AND LISBON
DECEMBER 28, 2007 TO JANUARY 4, 2008
$1995
OPTIONAL STOPOVER IN AZORES ON RETURN FLIGHT (for an additional charge)
Spend 7 days and six nights in Portugal over the New Years Holiday. There will be two days in the beautiful medieval town of Obidos, two days in the Algarve in Lagos (where we will celebrate New Year's Eve) and two days in Lisbon. For golfers there will be opportunities to golf during the stays in Obidos and in the Algarve. There will also be an optional stopover in the Azores on the return home .
Please see important passport information here.
Day 1. December 28 depart Boston /Logan for Lisbon.
Day 2. December 29 arrive in Lisbon and be transported to Obidos.
Complimentary Welcome Dinner at the Hotel Josefa de Obidos
Hotel Dining Room
The enchanting town of Obidos is filled with whitewashed houses, narrow streets and surrounded by 14th century walls.
Once a coastal town, the lagoon silted-up over the centuries and Obidos now rests 6 miles from the sea. Much of the fame of the town dates to the Reign of King Dinis. In 1248 he visited the town with his young bride Isabel who was so enamored with the town that he gave it to her as a wedding present. Future Portuguese monarchs continued that tradition until the end of the monarchy in 1833.
The town is dominated by the beautiful castle which was converted to a pousada (a state run hotel) in 1950.
Obidos was also the home of one of Portugal's most eminent artists, Josefa de Obidos. Born in Sevilla, she came to Obidos and remained until her death in 1684. Some of her paintings can be found in the Church of Santa Maria.
Nativity by Josefa de Óbidos, 1669, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon (source: Wikipedia)
OVERNIGHT OBIDOS. Hotel Josefa de Obidos
Day 3. December 30 - Obidos.
Morning sightseeing in Obidos. Afternoon excursion to Nazare or Mafra depending on weather conditions.
Mafra Palace
Golfers will have the opportunity to make reservations at the Marriott Praia Del Rey Golf & Beach Resort if they wish to golf in the morning. It is ranked number 13 of the top 100 courses in Continental Europe by Golf World Magazine.
Day 4. December 31 early departure for Algarve & New Years Gala at Hotel Tivoli in Lagos.
The name Algarve derives from the Arabic Al-Gharb, meaning the west. It was the western end of the Arab Empire.
Fought over by Phoenicians, Romans and Moors because of its strategic importance, today the Algarve is one of Europe's leading tourist destinations. In the summer the population grows from 350,000 to a million, as half of Portugal's visitors head for the Algarve. The main attractions are a wonderful year-round sunny climate, beautiful beaches and great golfing.
Lagos is one of the Algarve's most attractive and historic towns with its historic center surrounded by 14th and 17th century walls. It served as the operational center for Prince Henry the Navigator during the Age of Discovery and was the capital of the Algarve from 1577-1756 (much of the town was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755). Following the great earthquake the town went into a long decline and did not recover until the tourist invasion of the 1960's.
Day 5 January 1 Walking Tour of Lagos
During the day we will journey to Sagres (the western most point in Europe), visit Cabo de So Vincent with its lovely lighthouse and walk along the magnificent beaches. There will also be another opportunity for anyone interested in playing golf to do so on some of the best courses in Europe. Discount rates are available for guests of the Tivoli Hotel, Green Fees range from 55 to 100 Euros depending on the golf course.
Day 6 January 2 Morning departure for Lisbon
Afternoon Free in Lisbon.
Day 7 January 3 Free Day in Lisbon
For those interested there will be a guided walking tour of Lisbon. Among the sites to be visited is the 12th Century Cathedral, the Alfama (the old Moorish quarter) the Castle of St. George and the Barrio Alto.
Day 8 January 4. Departure for Azores or return to Boston.
Stopover in Azores. The flight between Ponta Delgada and Lisbon lasts about 2 hours.
Ponta Delgada is the largest and most populous city of the Azores; it is located on the island of Sào Miguel , the largest island in the archipelago and the most heavily populated.
It extends approximately 38 miles from east to west and 10 miles from north to south. It is considered by some to be the most beautiful Azores island, thanks to luxuriant vegetation, a series of magnificent crater lakes, and a landscape that glows in vibrant colors. There are three golf courses on the Island.
The Airline will charge $150 for the stopover in Ponta Delgada.