-Day 1 Overnight Flight to Portugal (Lisbon)
Day 2 Olá Lisbon
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Details: Walking tour of Belem
Take a Walking tour of Belem to explore Portugal’s former glory, expressed in the areas imposing and exuberant buildings. During our walk we will view the Praca do Imperio, the Archeological Museum, and the Palacio de Belem.
Day 3 Lisbon
Belem Tower ascent
Lisbon cathedral visit
Praca do Comercio
Details: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos visit
Tour the Jerónimos Monastery, a monastery ordered by Manuel the Fortunate to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. The monastery is one of Portugal’s finest examples of Manueline architecture that combines flamboyant Gothic and Moorish influences with elements of the nascent Renaissance. The church features tombs of many of the great figures in Portuguese history, including Vasco da Gama.
Details: Lisbon choir performance
Potential venues include (but not limited to): Basilica dos Mártires, St. Dominic's International School, the Lisbon Coliseum, the Marques de Pombal Foundation, and the Theatre of the Spanish Institute of Lisbon - "Giner de los Rios". Subject to final confirmation.
Day 4 Lisbon--Guarda area
Travel to Guarda via Coimbra
Details: Coimbra University guided visit
History, tradition and charm. The University of Coimbra is the oldest Portuguese university and for centuries was the only university in Portugal. In June 2013, UNESCO classified it as World Heritage Site and during your time on campus you’ll quickly understand why.
Details: University Library visit
Built between 1717 and 1728, the University Library is also known as the Baroque Library in honor of King John V (1707-1750), who sponsored its construction and whose portrait, made by Domenico Duprà (1725), dominates the ornate space.
Details: Royal Palace visit
The original chapel dates back presumably to the 11th century, built right after the conquest of the city from the Moors in 1064, just before the foundation of Portugal. It is dedicated to St. Michael, like all Portuguese Royal Chapels, because of his role in defeating the forces of evil.
The Royal Palace. Purchased by the University from the Royal Family in 1597, the Royal Palace is where the most iconic rooms of the University are located, and where the most important traditional academic ceremonies take place.
Day 5 Guarda area--Madrid
Travel to Madrid via Salamanca
Salamanca tour director-led sightseeing Details: Casa de las Conchas
Visit the Casa de las Conchas, currently a public library. The building, constructed in the late 15th century, is covered with 300 carvings of scallop shells, the symbol of the famous pilgrimage The Camino de Santiago.
Details: New Cathedral
Visit the Catedral Nueva (New Cathedral), one of the two cathedrals in Salamanca. During a 1992 restoration, some unusual carvings were added to the façade, including a faun eating ice cream and an astronaut.
Details: Old Cathedral
The Catedral Vieja de Santa María (also known as the Old Cathedral) was built in the 14th century. It is joined to the new cathedral.
Day 6 Madrid
Details: Madrid city walk
Life in Madrid is centered around talking, toasting and tapas-eating. In a walk through this crowded and social city, your Tour Director will help you get to know the lay of the land. Then stroll over to the Puerta del Sol, the bustling city center. Next, you'll relax at the Plaza Mayor, a grand square where every sort of human drama has taken place—trials of faith, public burnings of heretics, royal marriages, the canonization of saints, and countless balls and bullfights. End at the Plaza de España for a stop at an outdoor café.
Details: Plaza de España
The Plaza de España is a popular place to gather in Central Madrid. It features a large monument to Miguel de Cervante, author of Don Quixote.
Details: Puerta de Alcalá
See the Puerta de Alcalá, the ceremonial gateway to Madrid commissioned by Carlos III. The Neo-classical structure is located in the Plaza de Independencia and is named for the old path leading from Madrid to nearby Alcalá de Henares.
Details: Cibeles Fountain
The Fountain of Cybele, one of the most recognizable fountains in Madrid, depicts Cybele, a Phrygian earth and fertility deity.
Details: Madrid choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repertoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 7 Madrid
Details: Segovia full day excursion
Segovia is a beautiful and romantic city that has inspired the work of artists and architects over the centuries. Roman, medieval, and Renaissance influences can be seen throughout the city, and its relaxed way of life makes it difficult to leave.
Details: Gothic Cathedral
See Segovia Cathedral, the last Gothic church built in Spain. It stands on the Plaza Mayor at the spot where Isabella I was proclaimed queen of Castile, and is often referred to as la dama de las catedrales.
Details: Segovia Alcázar visit
A castle fit for a king! This stone fortification rises up imposingly from a rocky crag in the old city of Segovia. See its towering round turrets, spindly spires, luxurious throne room and fully stocked armory.
Details: Segovia choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repetoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 8 End tour
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare and other transportation described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in three- or four-star hotels in twin (or occasional triple) rooms with private facilities guaranteed throughout
- Plentiful daily breakfast to start the day energized and ready to go
- Appetizing, culturally representative, three-course dinner daily
- Full time, multilingual, WorldStrides tour director who is LEAP-trained in experiential education
- Local guide at sites and on city tours as described in the itinerary
- All of the venue arrangement fees and promotional costs for included concert performances
- LEAP! Learning through Exploration and Active Participation; trademarked immersive approach of learning by doing
- Entrances and transportation to sites and activities described in your itinerary
- Local guide and local bus driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
- Basic Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation Insurance during trip
- 24/7 On Tour Emergency Support
- Up to three college credits upon course completion (grades 9-12) or high school credit (grades 6-12)
- Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, costs for rental, transport of instruments or music stands, any passport or visa fees, or tips for the Tour Director or multi-day bus drivers. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid tips, or other customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
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