The Breukelein Institute

NOTE:  This is a postponement of the program originally scheduled for October 30-November 8, 2021.  New registrations are welcome.

The Breukelein Institute invites you to join members, family and friends of the Brooklyn Oratory's parishes of St. Boniface and Assumption for an exciting journey to Portugal.  This is a customized itinerary based in two historically and culturally rich cities – Oporto and Lisbon.  Our program explores historical, cultural and religious sites in places in and around these centers – such as Aveiro, Tomar, Guimares, Braga, Coimbra, Fatima, Sintra and Evora.  We will enjoy first class accommodations in city centers and learn about Portuguese history with local expert guides.  There are special meals planned that showcase local cuisine and wine.  There is enough free time included to explore Oporto and Lisbon at your own leisure.  The program is being offered as land-only, allowing participants to book their own flights, go early, stay longer and have more oversight of their seating and class of travel.  This is a wonderful program you won’t want to miss!  Come join us.

Program Itinerary

Friday, March 11, 2022

People will make their own flight arrangements in order to arrive in Portugal today and make their way to Porto.  We will check-in to our hotel with a welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant. Hotel check-in time is typically 2:00 p.m. and check out time 12:00 noon.  Should rooms be unoccupied from the previous evening, earlier check-in time may be anticipated.  If rooms are not available, your luggage will be stored at the hotel.

Porto (or Oporto as it is officially known) is a majestic city situated on the banks of the Douro River.  Our hotel is the Hotel Catalonia Porto.* It is located right in the middle of the historical center of Oporto, providing unparalleled access to all of the historical and cultural sites.  It is near the main train station if people choose to get to Oporto via train from Lisbon.  Not far from the hotel is the Ribeira area that is filled with cafes, restaurants, and wine bars. 

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Walking tour of the old city – including the Cathedral (with Mass) and some smaller museums – such as Museu Guerra Junqueiro and the Museum of Sacred Art in the Igreja de Sao Lourenco dos Grilos.  On the other side of the river is the area of the wine lodges.  This is a famous area for showcasing local wines.  We will enjoy a wine tasting and lunch there.  This afternoon we will have free time to explore this fascinating city at leisure.  Overnight Oporto.

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Travel to Aveiro. This is a unique town with canals, small bridges, and colorful boats/barges lined along the banks.  We will begin with a tour of the famous art museum there.  Afterward – we will walk toward the canal district and have lunch in a picturesque area. This afternoon, we will either continue with a walking tour of the area or let people explore at leisure. Return to Oporto – evening at leisure.

Monday, March 14, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Excursion to Guimaraes and Braga. Guimaraes is associated with the foundation of Portugal and includes a historic castle and palace and other centrally located monuments.  We will have lunch in Guimares before continuing to Braga.  Braga is rich in religious heritage with the Bom-Jesus do Monte complex and medieval cathedral.  We return to Oporto after our visits.  Overnight Oporto.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Today, we travel to Lisbon via Coimbra.  This is a striking town – with an upper and lower part.  It also boasts the oldest university in Portugal.  It was founded in the 13^th century in Lisbon, but eventually moved here during the Renaissance.  Coimbra became a center of humanist learning and culture.  We will visit the old town center, university, and the Joanina Library.  We will also visit the Roman ruins at Conimbriga.  These are some of the best Roman ruins in the Iberian Peninsula.  The site was originally a Celtic settlement, then Roman, then fell to the Suevi in the 5^th century.  We then continue to Lisbon for overnight.

In Lisbon, we will be staying in the Hotel Mundial.* It is located in the center of Lisbon in the upper levels of the city.  The location will provide us with easy access to the sites and amenities of Lisbon.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Day excursion to Fatima and Tomar.  Fatima is one of the major Catholic pilgrimage destinations.  We will celebrate Mass in Fatima – and tour of some of the religious sites associated with the three children to whom Mary appeared.  We then continue to Tomar to see the Convent of Christ built by the Knights Templar. This is a fascinating and mysterious site – situated in a  densely settled small town.  We return to Lisbon for overnight.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Day in Lisbon. Guided visits to sites in Lisbon – such as the Alfama area, the Cathedral, and Castle of St. George.  Afternoon/evening free. Overnight Lisbon.

Friday, March 18, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Today we enjoy an excursion to Evora – focusing on the area around the Cathedral, Roman Temple, and the old university (Jesuit).  Evora was originally a Roman town and has retained its walled character since then.  Under the influence of the Moors, the city architecture and urban layout took on decidedly Moorish features which give the town a beautiful and unique feel and look.  This is an immensely enjoyable destination.  On our return to Lisbon, we will enjoy a light dinner.  Overnight Lisbon.

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Early Mass.  Day trip to Sintra – we will visit the Royal Palace and give people plenty of time to explore the antique shops and town center.  Sintra was a summer residence for royalty – situated in an elevated mountainous area.  Today it includes unique castles, a lively town center, and natural vistas.  We will continue to Cascais (overlooking the sea) for a farewell dinner. Overnight Lisbon.

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Breakfast at the hotel.  Our program concludes.

* Please note that hotel information is subject to change.

Inclusive Features:

9-nights accommodations in centrally located 4-star hotels, breakfast daily, three lunches with limited beverages, three dinners with beverages, local transportation via deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, and entrances and guided visits per the itinerary

Land Only Program Prices:

Excludes all airfare and airport transfers
$3950 per person based on double occupancy
$950 supplement for single occupancy

Please note: Pricing is based on a minimum of 20 travelers.

Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Should additional single rooms be requested, hotels may impose a higher supplement for all single rooms of $1200. If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect October 19, 2021—and on 2021 land tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

Fr. Dennis, c.o.
64 Middagh Street,
Brooklyn NY 11201. 
PortoLisbon2020@gmail.com

Step 1: Complete the online Event Registration Form before October 30, 2021.

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Step 2: Submit your full payment per person to illume (236 Lewis Wharf, Boston MA 02110) not later than October 30, 2021.

Checks should be made payable to illume. Please include the program number 21.10538 on the memo line.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

If you are a new registrant, you will receive a Welcome E-mail from illume after October 30, 2021. You will also receive a link to add optional Travel Insurance/Protection to your program at that time.

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Program No. 21.10538