ARTZ Philadelphia
Lisbon : Where Arts and Minds meet
“Art is the greatest asset to mental health I have; it has this amazing ability to go under the radar and it goes down little pathways which are un-trodden and yet it’s still a very legitimate way of thinking and feeling and getting on with your life.”
ARTZ Philadelphia is pleased to introduce a unique, arts-centered trip to Lisbon for very special donors, in support of our multi-year Campaign for a Joyful Future.
Lisbon has long inspired artists with its golden light and tiled façades. Its remarkable wealth of museums, from world-class collections to hidden gems, makes it a true art capital. Now imagine experiencing it alongside the combined expertise of ARTZ Philadelphia’s founder and director Susan Shifrin, long-time ARTZ Philadelphia donor and Lisbon aficionado Michael Metelits, and Bliss Travels’ logistics. Embark on an extraordinary journey combining exclusive museum visits, meaningful conversations on how art transforms the lives of people living with dementia, curated local discoveries and unforgettable culinary moments.
ARTZ Philadelphia is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and well-being of people living with dementia and their care partners through joyful interactions around arts and culture. Our evidence-based programs connect people with dementia and those they love with artists, cultural organizations, and each other. We help to build caring, supportive communities that restore and preserve the self-esteem and dignity of our constituents, regardless of their color, culture, where they live, or their economic resources.
About ARTZ Philadelphia
Included in the trip (April 6th - 11th, 2027)
Private car transfer from Lisbon airport upon arrival (one per two people)
5 nights at luxury boutique 5-star hotel attached to one of Lisbon’s museums
Gourmet breakfast daily
Daily custom excursions including privately guided museum visits, historical tours, and wine focused activities. Excursions include private car/van transfer to and from each activity.
Specially chosen speakers on the topic of arts and dementia
Lunch or dinner daily at some of the most exciting, authentic and exclusive places in the Lisbon dining scene. You will experience everything from homestyle Portuguese cooking in a family restaurant to gastronomic treats at a Lisbon hotspot
Private car transfer to Lisbon airport on departure day (one per two people)
All trips include our custom planning, booking and prepayment for all included items. We also provide an on site event planner for all included events. Any additional items travelers book with Bliss Travels will be managed by Bliss Travels.
Not included:
Airfare
Any items not listed under “Inclusions”
ARTZ representative
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Susan Shifrin is the founder and director of ARTZ Philadelphia. She founded ARTZ Philadelphia in 2013.
She is an art historian, curator, educator and arts accessibility advocate. She received her PhD from Bryn Mawr College and has worked on the staffs of a number of large and small museums up and down the East coast. Susan says: “I was inspired to start ARTZ Philadelphia after having hosted a series of workshops and programs for visitors with dementia at the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, where I was the Museum’s educator for a number of years. I was profoundly affected as I watched visitors, many in the later stages of dementia, come to life in the Museum as they looked at and talked about art with each other, with me, their caregivers, and the college students who worked at the Museum. It was so moving to watch this transformation in people who, in some cases, had rarely spoken about or shared their lives with others. Art was their vehicle for expression, interaction, creativity, and mutual respect. And for laughter – plenty of laughter.”
Susan SHIFRIN
IF you wish to donate to ARTZ Philadelphia Click here
Outline of the trip
This outline is a preliminary overview and is not final. What is included and the location of each activity within the itinerary may still change. Its purpose is simply to give you a general sense of the trip.
Tuesday, April 6th
Private transfer (one per 2 people) from Lisbon airport to hotel
Privately guided walking tour of Lisbon Museum quarter or museum attached to hotel
Check-in, time off to relax
Welcome talk and cocktails with co-host and longtime ARTZ Philadelphia donor Michael Metelits
Welcome dinner with gastronomic menu, in a restaurant we believe is the next one in line for a Michelin star.
Wednesday April 7th
Gourmet breakfast at your hotel
Private transfer to Lisbon center
Privately guided tour of one of Lisbon’s historical neighborhoods
Time off in the city
Private transfer to a local museum
Privately guided visit at a museum that houses an astounding collection spanning over thousands of years of global art history.
Specially designed menu at Lisbon’s most charming Portuguese bistro. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere and authenticity of Portuguese cuisine.
Private transfer back to your hotel
Thursday April 8th
Gourmet breakfast at your hotel.
Private transfer to a local museum
Privately guided tour of the museum with special focus on art as a vector for people with dementia and their caregivers
Time off for lunch and afternoon on your own
Gourmet 3-course dinner at a family-run restaurant, celebrating the flavors of the Alentejo.
Private transfer back to your hotel
Friday April 9th
Gourmet breakfast at your hotel
Wine focused activity/tasting with transfer in and out included.
Gourmet 3 course lunch or dinner TBD
Saturday, April 10th
Gourmet breakfast at your hotel
Day on your own in Lisbon with recommendations. You can be accompanied by a member of Bliss Travels team if you wish.
Farewell (drinks and nibbles) at one of Lisbon’s hottest venues.
Sunday, April 11th
Gourmet breakfast at your hotel
Private car/van transfer back to Lisbon airport
This trip is offered by ARTZ Philadelphia through Bliss Travels. There are 3 tiers of packages, each includes a donation to ARTZ Philadelphia. Higher tiers will include upgraded rooms and an additional custom designed private experience.
Joyful Muse: $5,250 per person + credit card fees for the 5 night trip, plus $2,200 per person donation to ARTZ.
Sharer of Joy: $5,625 per person + credit card fees for the 5 night trip, plus $2,800 per person donation to ARTZ. 2 available
Patron of Joy: $5,900 per person + credit card fees for the 5 night trip, plus $4,600 per person donation to ARTZ. 1 available
PRICES
Should the trip reach 10 guests or more, pricing will be revised downward, ranging from $4,800 per person for the Joyful Muse package to $5,400 per person for the Patron of Joy package, plus credit card fees. The donation to ARTZ will remain the same.
Founded on the idea of providing special, hard-to-find experiences for people traveling in France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Portugal and Switzerland, Bliss Travels’ trips deliver just that...unique and immersive, custom vacations and events that cannot be replicated without the special, in depth knowledge of cultural insiders and local residents. Its association with Artz Philadelphia strives for excellence and promises a one-of-a-kind, memory-making experience in Lisbon.
About Bliss Travels
Interested in extending your adventure? Whether it’s a pre- or post-trip to Porto or other iconic destinations across Europe, just let us know — we’re always happy to help you plan the perfect addition to your journey.
