LISBON, PORTUGAL

A hilly city with cobblestones; Lisbon’s sights are best enjoyed from the comfort of a coach. Our tour takes in many famous city sights, among them an ornate bullring where fights are held but the bulls are not killed.

A hilly city with cobblestones; Lisbon’s sights are best enjoyed from the comfort of a coach. Our tour takes in many famous city sights, among them an ornate bullring where fights are held but the bulls are not killed. We will also enjoy the magnificent view of the city and harbour from Alto Do Parque Belvedere. Rossio square is the Piccadilly Circus of Lisbon, and here the mile long Avenida da Liberdade leads to the statue of Pombal, who rebuilt the city after the earthquake of 1755. We will drive by Lisbon’s oldest quarter ‘Alfama’ and continue onto the April 25th Suspension bridge, where we have the opportunity to enjoy a superb view of the city of Lisbon from the coach.After re-crossing the bridge back into Lisbon, our tour continues with a visit to the church of the Jeronimos Monastery, a 16th century architectural masterpiece designed in the Gothic-Manueline style. After this visit we will walk to the western section of the former monastery where the Maritime Museum is now housed, an obligatory visit for those who love the sea. The museum illustrates the history of the navigation boats and larger reproductions, as well as original maps and nautical instruments.Nearby we will see the lavishly decorated Belem Tower, where Portuguese explorers were given a rousing send-off, and the Monument to the Discoveries, built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry – the mastermind navigator behind Portugal’s voyages of exploration and subsequent fantastic wealth.As we return to our ship via Avenida Brasilia, we will see, stretching across the River Tagus, the April 25th Bridge – sister to the Golden Gate – and the towering Christ The Kind Statue on the far side.Please note that this tour involves some walking. On Mondays, the Maritime Museum and the Church of Jeronimos Monastery will be closed, therefore a visit will be made instead to the Ajuda Palace and our guide will give an explanation outside the Church of Jeronimos Monastery.