WESSEX FINE ART STUDY TOURS

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1 Great Buildings & Gardens of Portugal 5-10 November 2018 led by Barbara Peacock MA FRSA WESSEX FINE ART STUDY TOURS Introduction This tour will explore many of the architectural and artistic delights of Portugal, for this small country has an astonishing richesse of great buildings: castles dramatically perched on rocky outcrops, magnificent churches, abbeys and monasteries, a wealth of picturesque towns and many beautiful period gardens. The mediaeval period is represented by 13 th century Alcobaça, one of the most complete and beautiful Cistercian abbeys in Europe, whilst Batahla monastery is a supreme expression of European Late Gothic. The mediaeval Royal Palace at Sintra displays Moorish influence in its dazzling geometric tiles, decorative wooden ceilings and cool fountained courts, whilst Obidos, dominated by its great castle, is one of the most picturesque of Portugal s medieval fortified towns. Portugal produced its own version of the Renaissance known as Manueline, a unique combination of classical forms enriched with decorative motifs influenced by the country s great seafaring tradition. Outstanding examples are Belém Tower and the great monastery of Jerónimos in Lisbon, and the magnificent Convent of the Order of Christ at Tomar. The huge wealth of the country in the 17th and 18th centuries encouraged the building of Baroque and Rococo palaces and villas, whilst Lisbon, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755, produced one of the most important European examples of Neo-classical town planning. We shall enjoy a private visit to the aristocratic Baroque Fronteira Palace in Lisbon and visit the exquisitely decorated Rococo royal palace at Queluz. Both have outstanding early formal gardens, enriched with sculpture and beautified by azuelos, the coloured pictorial tiles, which are such a traditional feature of Portuguese art. The 19th century is a period of revivals, and we shall conclude with an astonishing neo-moorish palace and its gardens at Monserrate. Barbara Peacock is founder and director of Wessex Fine Art Study Courses and has led numerous successful study tours both in Britain and abroad. She lectures internationally for organisations such as the Arts Society, the Art Fund and the National Trust. She was formerly: Assistant Keeper in the Department of Fine Art, Birmingham City Art Gallery; Adult Education Tutor in Fine Art, Southampton University, and co -founder of The Friends of Czech Heritage. In 2015 she was awarded the Czech Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2017 the Prime Minister s Points of Light award. Hotels In Lisbon you will be based at the charming 4* boutique Hotel Lisboa Plaza in the heart of Lisbon, just around the corner from Lisbon s main avenue Avenida da Liberdade. It has a private terrace with views over the city, library and fitness suite. In Batalha you will stay at the comfortable 4* Hotel Lis Batalha in the historic centre with excellent views of the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, situated opposite.

2 Provisional Itinerary Day 1 / Monday 5 November London-Lisbon 8.40 Check in for flight Flight TP339 departs London Gatwick 1.15 Flight arrives in Lisbon Depart by private transfer and orientation tour by coach and on foot, beginning with views from Edward VII Park. Drive through Praça Marques de Pombal to see the statue of Pombal. Arrive at the great Neo-classical square, the Praça do Comércio which is a good introduction to Lisbon. Go up the lift to the Arch of Augustus which gives fine views of the square, the Pombal layout, the castle and cathedral Walk up Rua Augusta and see exterior of Elevador de Santa Justa. Arrive Rossio Coach pick up and return to Hotel 6.45 Introductory lecture: Great Buildings and Gardens of Portugal by Barbara Peacock 8 Dinner in the hotel Day 2 / Tuesday 6 November Jerónimos Monastery, Arte Antiga & Fronteira Palace 8.30 Depart by coach Visit the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries (exteriors only) 10 Visit the Jerónimos Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage site) 11 Depart by coach for the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga 12 Visit the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: we begin the tour at this magnificent museum with the Portuguese collection: superb early mediaeval sculpture, Renaissance paintings and furniture 1.15 Lunch at a café nearby 2.15 Continue the visit at the Museo with a focus on wider European paintings, where highlights include works by Piero, Bosch and Dürer 3.30 Depart by coach 4 Private visit to the Palace of Marquises of Fronteira with drinks: perhaps Lisbon s most beautiful garden. The palace, still privately owned, was originally designed as a hunting lodge in the 17 th century and has fine frescoed interiors. The garden walls, canal and fountains are superbly decorated with colourful 17 th and 18 th century azuelos (tiles), a characteristic feature of Portuguese art 6 Depart for the hotel (arrive 6.30) 8 Dinner with Fado, traditional Portuguese music

3 Day 3 / Wednesday 7 November Sintra: Palaces & Gardens (UNESCO World Heritage site) 8.30 Depart hotel 9.30 Visit Sintra Royal Palace: this was the royal hunting palace of the Portugese kings and is famous for its lavish interiors. It has Moorish origins and was given a Manueline twist in the 16 th century. Arabesque courtyards, stunning geometric tiles, among the oldest in Portugal, and many splendidly decorated ceilings are among the highlights Coffee in town 11 Depart Visit Monserrate Gardens: the romantic folly of Sir Francis Cook lies in a beautiful 30-hectare park and was inspired by Moorish designs. The landscaped gardens are beautiful (Please note walking is not easy in the wider gardens with steep steps and climbs) Independent lunch at the café in the gardens 1.45 Visit the House 3 Depart 3.30 Visit Seteais Royal Palace: an 18 th century neoclassical palace, now a hotel, and see the gardens. (included) Return to Lisbon hotel Independent dinner Day 4 / Thursday 8 November Queluz, Obidos & Alcobaça 9 Depart hotel by private transfer 9.30 Visit Queluz Royal Palace: an exquisite Rococo palace which served as the official royal residence during the 18 th century with glorious interiors. Continue our visit in the splendid gardens with themes of classical mythology 12 Depart by private transfer 1.30 Arrive at Obidos: one of the most picturesque Portuguese towns Perambulation in mediaeval Obidos and an independent lunch 3.30 Depart by private transfer 4 Arrive at Alcobaça and visit the great 13 th century Cistercian abbey; a masterpiece of Cistercian Gothic art (UNESCO World Heritage site) 5 Continue by private transfer 5.30 Arrive in Batalha and settle into the hotel 8 Dinner together locally Overnight at Hotel Lis Batalha

4 Day 5 / Friday 9 November Great architecture: Tomar & Batalha (UNESCO World Heritage sites) 9 Depart hotel by private transfer 10 Arrive at Tomar. on arrival Visit the magnificent Convent of Christ: built over five centuries, the building provides a remarkable illustration of the various chapters in Portuguese architecture Visit the Renaissance chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição 1 Lunch together in the town 2.30 Return to Batalha 3.30 Visit the Monastery: this 15 th century building is a gem of late Gothic and one of Portugal s most beautiful architectural works. It is one of the few buildings in the country that retains its original stained-glass windows and was a major centre for the production of stained glass 4.30 Return hotel on foot 8 Farewell dinner at restaurant Burro Velho Overnight at Hotel Lis Batalha Day 6 / Saturday 10 November Lisbon-London 9 Depart the hotel by private transfer 11 Check in for flight at Lisbon airport 1.05 Flight TP342 departs 3.45 Flight arrives End of services by Art Tours Ltd Prices and Booking Price: 2,265 per person Single Room Supplement: 125 Price without flights: 2,065 Price Includes: 3 nights accommodation in Lisbon at the Hotel Lisboa Plaza 4* in standard rooms, including breakfast and taxes 2 nights accommodation in Batalha at the Hotel Lis Batalha Mestre Afonso Domingues 4* in standard rooms, including breakfast and taxes Private transportation in executive coach as per itinerary, including arrival and departure transfer The services of lecturer and art historian Barbara Peacock Tour manager and local English speaking guide throughout daily programme, including one night during the Fado Dinner Private visit to the Fronteira Palace with welcome drinks All entrance tickets to museums and visits included as per itinerary Four dinners with three courses including wine, water and coffee Two lunches with two courses including wine, water and coffee Audio headsets for clear group listening All tips and taxes Full support from the Art Tours Office including personalised itinerary booklets, sightseeing notes, restaurant bookings and an emergency contact number

5 Price Excludes: Dinner on day 3 & Lunches on days 1, 3, 4 and 6 s with exception of Seteais Palace Any personal expenditure How to Book Please contact: Carly Dollman on +44 (0) or carly@arttoursltd.com or by post: ART TOURS LTD, 2 Ordnance Mews, London, NW8 6PF. Carly will send you our booking form and will be delighted to answer any questions. If you would like to join the tour, please complete and return our Booking Form and send a 20% non-refundable deposit. Booking Forms can be returned by post or by and must be returned to us with your signature before you travel. Your place is not confirmed until we have received both booking form and deposit and places are confirmed on a first come first served basis. Deadline for bookings: Please note we must receive all bookings by the 1 April Payment Payment can be accepted by Visa and Master Card. Deposits can also be made by cheque [made out to Art Tours Ltd ] or by bank transfer into our sterling account. Our bank account is with: C. Hoare & Co, Account Number: , Sort Code: Swift Code: HOABGB2L IBAN: GB53HOAB Please make sure you include your surname and the tour reference in this case Portugal Wessex with your payment. Please Note Tours are subject to a minimum and maximum number of participants. While we endeavour to run all tours, if the tour cannot go ahead due to insufficient numbers, or due to other factors beyond our control, then your deposit will be refunded. Please see our website and booking form for our full terms and conditions. Please note that we cannot refund the cost of flights that you have booked independently. British Airways flights are often subject to schedule changes and we will inform you as soon as possible of any changes. We will be delighted to book and/or advise on alternative travel arrangements before, during or after the tour and will help with upgrades, changes or extensions to your itinerary. Please note that the cost of alternative arrangements must be met by you in full and is subject to a service fee. You must have a valid passport and take out full travel insurance to cover all aspects of your holiday and it is part of our terms and conditions that you do so. This insurance should be activated from the point of holiday confirmation and should cover all emergency and medical care, cancellation and repatriation costs and ideally your luggage and personal possessions. ART TOURS LTD Art Tours Ltd is a leading specialist in cultural travel design for museums, art collectors and friends and family coming together for the trip of a lifetime. We create bespoke itineraries sourcing the finest experts, providing exceptional experiences and offering new and thrilling perspectives. Art Tours Ltd is based in London and was founded in 2008 by Oxford graduate and Courtauld trained art historian James McDonaugh. James and his team look after a select group of clients worldwide. Travel with the Experts