Portugal is a profoundly mystical and poetic country whose history is alive in the consciousness and language of its inhabitants, the sacred architecture of its buildings and monuments, and in the lyrics and sounds of its national musical genre, "o fado" (fate). The very name of this country comes from a more ancient word: "Porto-graal," meaning "port of the (Holy) Grail." Founded as an independant nation in the middle of the 11th Century by a group of Christian knights, Portugal occupies a relatively small strip of land surrounded on three sides by Spain and on the 4th by the Atlantic Ocean. Yet its people, language, and traditions are quite distinct from its more populous neighbor on the Iberian Penninsula.
Alan Oken, astrologer, linguist, and world traveler has had a special relationship with this nation since he first came here in 1991. He now resides in Portugal and teaches at Europe's largest astrology school, the Quiron Center, located in the heart of Lisbon. Note: You are invited to travel with him, Margarida Amaro (Portuguese astrologer and fellow Quiron Faculty member,) and Maggie Kerr (Austrailian astrologer and co-director of The Australian Institute for the Development of Consciousness), to some of the most sacred places in this special land. Please read on for a detailed description of what awaits you on "The Goddess and the Knights Templar Tour to Portugal."
September 16—Day 1
Lisbon
6.00PM—Welcome meeting with all participants in the lobby of the Hotel Tivoli Tejo.
7.00PM—Group dinner in the lovely dining room of the Hotel.
9.00PM: Lisbon by night. September nights in Lisbon are usually quite lovely. We invite you to a two-hour tour of some of Lisbon’s most beautiful night-time settings: the illuminated palace of the Kings of Portugal, the gardens of Belém, St. George’s Castle, and more. We will be back at the hotel around 11.
September 17—Day 2 Lisbon
Breakfast 9.30AM—Leave Hotel for a visit to the 12th Century Sé (Cathedral) de Lisboa. Within walls of this ancient church we will find remnants of Templar symbolism carved into its Gothic walls. There is another surprise awaiting us there—the recently discovered remains not only of a Roman village located under what was the cloister garden, but also traces of a 6th century BC Iron Age settlement. This is followed by an excursion to St. George’s Castle, once a Roman stronghold, then a Moorish fortress, and later hilltop residence of ancient Portuguese kinds, the views both inside and out of this huge castle complex are breathtaking. 12.30PM—Return to Hotel where you are on your own to rest, have lunch, or enjoy a walk along the river. |
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7.00PM—We will all meet in the lobby of the Hotel and board our bus that will take us to the Cevejeria da Trindade Restaurant in Lisbon for dinner.
9.30PM—A night cap at the Pavilhão Chines—be prepared to take some time looking through its menu of hundreds of delicious potables—the "Chinese Pavilion" is renowned for its exotic interior and will be our final treat on this wonderful Lisbon day.
11.30PM—We return to the hotel. Boa Noite! (Good night!)
September 18—Day 3—Lisbon/Belem
Breakfast 9.30AM—We leave the Hotel for Belém. 10.00AM—First group gathering and orientation talk with Alan at the Tower of Belém. 11.30AM—Visit to the Monastery Chapel and Cloister of St. Jerónimos. 1.00PM—On your own for lunch. There are many wonderful typically Portuguese restaurants available. We recommend that you visit and have lunch at the Cultural Center, an incredible building with a good self-service restaurant and cafe located right next to the Monastery. |
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3.00PM—Visit to the Coach Museum and the National Palace of Ajuda. A very unique experience! This museum presents a unique collection of horse (and human) drawn vehicles—from a simple 16th century portable "booth" for one person to the ornate gilded carriages of kings, queens, and popes.
5.00PM—Tea, coffee and natas! No visit to Belém would be complete without a stop at one of Lisbon’s oldest cafés. It is here that the absolute best "pasteis de nata" are produced in their thousands. What is a "nata"?—another pleasant surprise awaiting you in Lisboa.
6.00PM: Return to Hotel to rest, relax, and change for dinner.
7.30PM: We will be leaving the Hotel for dinner in the Alfama, the oldest residential area in the city. Here we will dine "al fresco" at a typical Portuguese restaurant, "Pátio 13" where grilled sardines, squid, and octopus are the house specialities along with fresh salads, cheeses, and great table wine.
9.30PM: Our coach will be returning to the hotel, but for those of you would like to make a longer night of it, you are welcome to stay on and take an inexpensive taxi ride back to the hotel when it suits you.
September 19—Day 4—Lisbon
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Breakfast Morning until 2.30PM—You are welcome to sleep in and relax. You may choose to take a cable car ride around the Parque das Nações, enjoying the wide river views of the Tejo (Tegus) or go visit the Aquarium (Oceanario) or the Pavillion of Knoweledge (Pavilhão do Conhecimento), or one of the several other museum-like exhibits that are in the immediate area. You are also free to lunch wherever you choose. |
2.30PM—Astrology Day! We meet in the Hotel lobby and leave as a group for Quiron (the astrology school where Alan and Margarida teach). Please note: Those in the group who choose not to attend Astrology Day can be easily dropped off in the Chiado (one of the most interesting parts of Lisbon), where you are welcome to shop, have lunch, visit museums and otherwise enjoy a lovely afternoon on your own. The astrology students among us will visit the largest astrology school in Europe with over 300 seated students taking a seven-year course of study. Talks will be offered by Maria Flavia de Monsaraz (Director), three faculty members Nuno Michaels, Alan, and Margarida, plus Australia’s own, Maggie Kerr.
7.30PM—We will be holding a group dinner in the Chiado at our favorite vegetarian restaurant, the Oriente, a five minute stroll from Chiron. After dinner, you are welcome to enjoy a coffee at "A Brasileira," an historic outdoor café, and watch the street entertainers.
10.30PM—Our coach will be waiting for us right near the Café and will take those of us who want to leave at this time back to our hotel. A taxi stand is also in front of the Brasileira for any of you who wish to stay out longer and enjoy Lisbon at night.
September 21—Day 6—Sintra
Breakfast
| 9.30AM—We meet in the hotel lobby and take off for an exciting day of special visits. Our first stop will be a shuttle trip up the mountain to visit Pena Palace, a 19th century summer vacation home for the royal family of Portugal. We will also stop by to see the view from the 11th century Moorish Castle. 1.00PM—Margarida has organized a picnic for us as the Parque das Merendas. 2.30PM—Group gathering and sharing/ teaching with Alan and Maggie. 4.00PM—We return to the hotel for a rest. 7.45PM—We meet in the lobby of the hotel. 8.00PM—Our group dinner will take place in the lovely restaurant at the Tivoli-Sintra. |
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September 22—Day 7—Sintra
Breakfast
9.30AM—We take off from the hotel for another adventure.
10:00AM—A visit to the Palace of Monserrate. A teaching will be held in the Palace gardens.
1.00PM—We return to the hotel. The early afternoon is free for you to choose your favorite place for lunch.
3.00PM—We meet in the hotel lobby for a not-to-be-missed experience: a visit to the symbolic gardens, fountains and museum at the Quinta da Regaleira. Here we will walk the physical and metaphysical paths of the Portuguese Masons.
6.00PM—Return to the hotel.
8.00PM—Dinner is on your own at one of Sintra’s wonderful restaurants. (Margarida will be happy to make suggestions.)
September 23—Day 8—Foz do Arelho on the Atlantic Coast
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Breakfast 9.30AM—We leave from the hotel and head for the beach for a day of total rest. 11.00AM—Check in at the Hotel do Facho. 11.30AM—You are on your own. Enjoy a day at the beach—swim, sun and good seafood await you. Sunset—There will be a teaching and meditation at the beach afterwards you are on your on to select your choice of one of Foz do Arelho’s fine seaside restaurants. |
September 24—Day 9—Foz do Arelho/ Óbidos
Breakfast
9.30AM—We leave the beach for a short drive inland and head for a town built completely inside the ramparts of a castle—Óbidos. This is a compact and wonderful small town where strolls atop the castle walls are a must. You may also choose to meander through the winding streets, visit shops and choose a typical restaurant for lunch. Select your own route—there are no cars allowed inside of this town.
4.00PM—We depart from the main square of Óbidos for Foz do Arelho where you will have time to once again enjoy the sunset and relax for a few hours
7.30PM—We gather in the lobby of our hotel and take off for a great seaside dinner organized for our group at the "Cabana do Pescador" restaurant.
September 25—Day 10—Tomar, City of the Knights Templar
Breakfast
9.30AM—We board our coach and take off for Tomar.
11.30AM—Check-in at the Hotel dos Templários.
1.00PM—We will be lunching at the atmospheric restaurant of our hotel.
3.00PM—A visit and tour of the amazing Convento de Cristo, the seat of the Portuguese Knights Templar. Here we will be guided by an English-speaking Portuguse scholars of the esoteric history of Templar Knights.
6.00PM—Return to the hotel where you have the evening to explore the city and choose where you would like to wine and dine.
September 26—Day 11—Fátima
Breakfast
9.30AM—Today is one of the most special on our tour as we had for one of the most important pilgrimage sites to The Mother on earth—Fátima. During our 2.5 hour drive, Alan and Margarida will speak to the group about the history of this sacred place of healing and prayer.
12.30PM—Lunch at the Restaurante Santo António in the town.
2.00PM—We will leave the restaurant on foot and make our way to the Sanctuary. Here we will have three hours for each of us to explore his or her own spiritual journey, meeting up again for the return to our hotel in Tomar.
5.00PM—Return to Tomar. The evening is free.
September 27—Day 12—Évora
Breakfast
9.30AM—We leave Tomar and travel to the beautiful city of Évora.
1.30PM—Our bountiful buffet lunch will be at the Restaurant Jardim do Paço right next door to the Roman Temple of Diana. The ancient Romans also extended their empire to Portugal where the settled and contributed a great deal to Portuguese architecture, language, and customs. They also left behind this temple for our enjoyment and wonder. In addition to this building, we will also visit the "Chapel of the Bones" as well as other parts of the historic center of town. |
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6.00PM—Check-in at the countryside hotel "Horta da Moura" near the walled town of Monsaraz.
7.30PM—Dinner will be served in the hotel’s dining room.
September 28—Day 13—Cromleque das Almendras
Breakfast
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9.30AM—We depart for an incredible site—the Neolithic stone circles at Cromleque, constructed ca. 5,000BC. 1.00PM—Lunch at "Santiago," a typical Portuguese restaurant in Monsaraz; after our meal we will wander through this ancient walled town. 5.00PM—Return to Horta da Moura. 7.30PM—A group dinner will be served at the lovely Monte Branco guest house follwed by a group gathering and teaching with Maggie, Margarida, and Alan. |
September 29—Day 14—Quinta das Vidigeiras
Breakfast
9.30AM—We depart for a visit to the estate of the Counts of Monsarz where Maria Flavia de Monsaraz (whom we met for the first time at Quiron) will receive us at her home. There we will gather for a teaching given by Maria Flavia and Alan.
12.30PM—Lunch at the "Aloendro" restaurant in the town of Reguengos de Monsaraz. In the afternoon we will take a boat trip on the river Alqueva.
8.00PM—A group dinner at the Restaurante Sem-Fim near Monsaraz.
9.30PM—We return for the night to Horta da Moura where we will have a final group sharing.
September 30 —Day 15—Lisbon Airport
Breakfast
9.30AM—We leave Monsaraz and journey about three hours to Lisbon Airport and say "Adeus. Até breve, até sempre." (Good-bye. Until now and until always.)
ADDITIONAL TOUR DETAILS
Meals: Your tour price includes breakfast each day and usually either dinner or lunch, depending on our activities and locations. Please note that on Day 3, afternoon coffee/tea plus pastries as well dinner are offered; on Days 6, 13, and 14 all three meals are included and on Days 7 and 8 only breakfasts will be organized for the group. All alcoholic beverages are to be settled individually with your servers as they are apart from the tour price (unless wine is included at some dinners and so stated on the group menus) as are any extra soft drinks/coffee/tea that you may order that are not part of the various group meal menus.
Tips: Tips at all restaurants are included (although you are welcome to reward any server who has been especially kind to you). Please tip your baggage carriers. The suggested tip is 1 euro per bag. It is customary at the end of the journey to take up a collection for our bus driver.
Communications: At regular intervals before we meet in September, Alan will be sending out group emails informing one and all of further details about the trip as well as good phrases to know in the beautiful Portuguese language. You will also be sent the email addresses and telephone numbers of all the hotels so that you may leave a list of your contact points with loved ones at home.
Trip costs per person (double occupancy):
Euros: €2,375
US: $3,320
AUD: $3,845
UK: £1,675
Those wishing to have their own room, please note the extra cost for single occupancy:
Euros: €470
US: $600
AUD: $850
UK: £360
Deposits and booking deadline information: his tour is being designed for a maximum of 30 people. Only a few spaces remain - please act soon.
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Refunds: The initial administrative deposit is non-refundable. There will be a 100% refund of the balance if cancellation notice is received via email no later than June 1, 2007. After this date, the refund will be 50%. Those of you who wish to do so are welcome to take out traveler’s insurance in the event that for some unforeseeable reason, you may have to cancel your plans. We will be happy to provide you with any necessary documentation should such an event occur.
Please feel free to contact Alan at alanoken@att.net with any questions you may have. You may write to Alan at this address:
6213 Cielo Grande Dr. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144 USA
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