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A PORTUGUESE IDYLL
April 8-12, 2012
Continue as we visit another ancient land, Portugal, one of the oldest countries in Europe, with outstanding monuments, castles and churches, and with traditions and architecture stretching back over centuries. Stop first in the heart of the Alentejo, a region dotted with charming towns and villages, monuments and historical sites in beautiful landscapes.
Spend the first night in Évora, an enchanting walled city, with a unique atmosphere and streets filled with restaurants, handicraft shops, a lovely cathedral and houses with bright white arcades and wrought iron balconies. Like only a handful of other beautiful world cities, captivating Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is one of Europe's most unspoiled cities. It is blessed with a unique light that enhances its beauty and dignity of its monuments and its scenic setting on the Tagus River.
Electric trams rumble through the narrow cobblestone streets of the city’s old quarter carrying passengers to shops, wide boulevards, resplendent squares and lovely river panoramas. Glamorous Cascais, a royal summer retreat, is a short way from Lisbon, and just beyond that, the magical hills of the town that has always enchanted the more romantically-inclined, dreamy Sintra. Join our Portuguese Idyll, and experience for yourself the wonders of this small, fascinating, land.
Itinerary
Sun, Apr 8: SEVILLE – EVORA. Depart Seville for Évora, a walled city since Roman times. The town is rich in Moorish architecture and layout, with narrow alleys cut by arches, whitewashed houses, hanging gardens, terraces and balconies with tiled patios. Lunch of regional tapas with local wines at a traditional restaurant. After lunch, walk through the town’s historical center on a guided tour of the “Bones Chapel” (with bones and skulls of 5,000 people); Roman Temple (2nd C. AD), lovely St. Francis Church and the massive 12th-13th C. Cathedral with a fine dome and beautiful cloisters. Check in to our hotel, with time to stroll the narrow streets on your own. Dinner at the hotel is recommended tonight but not included. (B,L)
Mon, Apr 9: EVORA–ARRAIOLOS-LISBON. Depart Evora for the Corlheiros Wine Estate for a private visit, briefing and tasting. Lunch al fresco at the estate owner’s home. After, continue to Arraiolos, a charming village perched on a hill, famous for its vibrantly-colored wool carpets and for its sausages. Time for a leisurely walk in the walled town, perchance to shop for a carpet! Depart for Lisbon to check-in at our hotel. Evening free. (B,L)
Tue, Apr 10: LISBON. Morning sightseeing in Lisbon’s Belem area visits the Belem Tower and Monument of the Discoveries. On to the Hieronymite (Jeronimo) Monastery, including beautiful St. Mary’s Church and wonderful Cloister. Lunch is followed by afternoon touring in the Alfama district, the best-preserved of Lisbon’s quarters, built on the hillside rising up from the Tagus River to St. George’s Castle, first by the Visigoths (5th C.) and then by the Moors (9th C.). Visit to the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Decorative Arts Museum to help with restorations. Evening free. (B,L)
Wed, Apr 11: LISBON-SINTRA-CASCAIS-LISBON. Drive to Sintra, the favorite summer residence of the kings of Portugal. Private visit to the lovely Pena Palace, a notable example of Portuguese Romantic architecture. Time free to stroll through Sintra’s historic center before lunch. On the return to Lisbon, stop at Cascais, a lovely fishermen’s village. Farewell dinner tonight at one of Lisbon’s famous fado show houses. (B,L,D)
Thu, Apr 12: DEPARTURE Transfer to the Lisbon Airport for departures home, or extend your stay in Portugal or other parts of Europe. (B)
Tour Costs
All costs per person based on double occupancy.
| CASH DISCOUNT | CREDIT CARD PRICE | |
|---|---|---|
| Double | Double | |
| ANDALUCÍA IN EASTER WEEK | ||
| Basic Tour | $3,595 | $3,745 |
| Single Supplement | $995 | $1,050 |
| Airfare Nice-Granada (approx) | $350 | $350 |
| A PORTUGUESE IDYLL | ||
| Basic Tour | $2,595 | $2,700 |
| Single Supplement | $595 | $620 |
Tour prices based on 20 participants, on tariffs/exchange rates in effect at printing. Prices may increase with fewer people or with changes in exchange rates or tariffs.
*Transfers
Airport-Hotel Transfers in Toulouse included for those arriving on flights from 9:00-10:00AM or 2:30-3:45PM on Monday, March 19, 2011. Those arriving at other times/days are responsible for their own transfer. Departure transfer included to Toulouse rail station and from the Nice rail station to the Nice hotel. Airport-Hotel Transfer in Lisbon included for flights departing between 10:25AM and 12:05PM. No transfers are included in Seville, and are at passenger’s own costs.
Tour Costs Include
- 7 Nights’ Hotel in Spain and/or 4-Nights’ in Portugal
- American breakfast daily
- 5 Lunches in Spain; 4 Lunches and 1 Dinner in Portugal
- Sightseeing with English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees to museums and sites in the itinerary
- Wine tasting (Spain and Portugal), Sherry tastings (Spain)
- Gala Fado Show Farewell Dinner (Portugal)
- Deluxe motor coach for touring.
Not Included in Tour Costs
- International Airfare
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Meals and beverages except as noted above as included
- Travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature (such as laundry, mineral water, telephone and Internet charges, etc.)
- Transfers to/from airports for those on independent air arrangements
- Airfare between Nice Granada
- Anything not specifically listed above as included.
CONDITIONS
TOUR COSTS:
Prices based on the minimum numbers of passengers noted for each tour, and on tariffs in effect at time of printing. Tour costs are subject to change at any time, whether due to currency fluctuations, failure to achieve minimum group size, or other factors not within Frosch’s control. Airport-hotel-airport transfers in Toulouse and Nice are included only for those passengers whose trans-Atlantic tickets were issued by Frosch Travel and who arrive/depart at times noted in the brochure for each tour; transfers for Granada are included only for those arriving from Nice on designated group flight. Transfers can be arranged at additional cost for those making their own travel arrangements. No transfers are provided in Seville.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person required at booking for the Nice Worlds 2012 package. Additional deposits of $750 each are required for each optional pre- and post-tour package requested. Payment Schedule:
1st Deposit of $1,500: At Time of Booking, plus $750 per tour for each pre-/post-tour.
2nd Deposit of $750 pp: by October 1, 2011, plus $500 per tour for each pre/post-tour.
Final payment (balance) due by January 6, 2012.
CANCELLATION FEES:
All cancellations must be in writing, and take effect when they are received in our office. Cancellations received between the following dates are subject to following per person penalties:
From deposit to through September 30, 2011: $1,250, plus $250 for each pre- or post-tour cancelled.
From October 1, 2010, until January 5, 2012: $2,000, plus $500 for each pre- or post-tour cancelled.
From January 6, 2012 until or after departure: 100% of all tour costs.
The amount that you have paid to us as deposits will be refunded to you less the above cancellation penalties. To protect against cancellation charges, we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance, available through Frosch TRAVEL. No refund made on any unused services once the trip begins.
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR COSTS:
International or domestic U.S. airfare, airfare from Nice to Granada, rail fare from Toulouse to Nice; items of a personal nature (e.g., laundry, liquor, mineral water, etc.); excess baggage; travel insurance; expenses incurred due to flight delays caused by strikes, bad weather, or uncontrollable irregularities; gratuities for tour guides or motor coach drivers.
