FATIMA- The 31st Meeting of Portuguese Tourist Guides- 16-17 February, 2012

This year, the theme of the meeting was about the Franciscan Order - Franciscanism in Portugal.

The opening was made ​​by the rector of the Fatima Shrine, Father Carlos Cabecinhas, who introduced the theme of this Pastoral Year: "Are you willing to offer yourselves to God?"
The franciscan Friar Daniel, spoke about the history of the Franciscans and the presence of this order in Portugal.
The second day was dedicated to the city of Coimbra, more specifically to the visit of the two monasteries of Santa Clara: Monastery of Santa Clara a Velha (13/14 cent.) and Monastery of Santa Clara a Nova (17 cent.).
The old monastery was abandoned in the 17 century, when the nuns, unable to continue living in good conditions in the building, successively flooded by the river Mondego, moved to the new monastery, built on top of the hill, by order of King John IV.
The activities of the Meeting ended with a Mass celebrated by the bishop of Coimbra, D. Virgílio.
See you next year!
Cristina and Isabel

                                      The rector of Fátima- father Carlos Cabecinhas

                                          The franciscan Friar Daniel.

The Rector of Fáfima  and the Stations of the Cross

                                        
                                          Basilica

                                     
 Monastery of Santa Clara a Velha partially covered by the waters of the river Mondego.

                                     
     Monastery of Santa Clara a Velha after the archaeological works.

                                      
                            A second cloister remains to be excavated and studied.

the apse of the church

                                         A second level was built to avoid the floods

                                     
                                          The kitchen garden of the nuns.

                                     
                               Typical Portuguese cabbage, used to make a delicious soup.

                                         
                                              Scarecrow in the kitchen garden

                            Monastery of Santa Clara a Nova- 17th century

                                     Queen Saint Isabel, patron saint of Coimbra

                          Bishop of Coimbra and some of the organizers of this meeting.

IATM Golden Convention, Lisbon, 13-16 February, 2012

In February, Portugal was visited by IATM (International Association of Tour Managers Ltd.).
Thanks to Vinitur, I was one of the their tour guides, doing the visit of Lisbon and Sintra .
It was an honor, as a Portugese Official Tourism Guide, to show my country to these Tour Managers, coming from various parts of the world; from U.S. to Italy.
Hope to see you again.
Isabel.

                                          Pena Palace

                                         Pena Palace

Tritan- alegorical creation f the world. Half man half fish.

                                          View from Pena Palace

                                         The 16th c. cloister with azulejos

                             The queen's bedroom inspired on the arab palaces

                                         Arab room

                                         Gate to the palace

                                          Pena Palace and I

                                         A delicious fish kebab for lunch

                                          Fun!

                                          IATM members

Peddy-paper = Fun day!

 “Muito obrigada, Graça e Lisbon4Smile, pelo dia fantástico que nos proporcionaram. Tudo pensado até ao mais ínfimo pormenor. Organização excelente e optima companhia. 3 gerações a interagirem na perfeição. Este Paddy Paper foi uma ótima ideia para (re)conhecer Lisboa com  família e amigos.Venham muitos dias como este!!!"



Colina do Castelo

Nos finais de Janeiro, Lisboa recebeu a visita de um simpático grupo brasileiro, do estado de Minas Gerais.

Ângela trouxe a sua numerosa família até terras Lusas, onde visitaram Lisboa e o Porto.

Na capital portuguesa visitamos, num dia de céu bem azul, o Castelo de S. Jorge, com um panorama maravilhoso. Foi aqui próximo que, a Ângela e a família, ficaram a conhecer um pouco do artesanato português, descobrindo que fazemos toda uma variedade de produtos em cortiça e que o Galo é o símbolo deste país. Pelas ruelas de Alfama, não faltaram excelentes oportunidades para tirar fotos e para sentir o cheirinho das sardinhas assadas, tão típicas de Portugal. Ao almoço, comemos uma excelente mista de peixe grelhado mas a boca também foi adoçada com os famosos Pastéis de Belém, Claro! Conhecem algum brasileiro que nos visite, e não queira provar um Pastel de Belém???

Isabel

Lisbon4Smile