From Bermuda to Portugal: The Joys of Learning With Road Scholar in a Private Group
The members of the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) at Bermuda College had long dreamed of exploring what lay just across the Atlantic, curious about the lands and cultures waiting on the other side of the ocean. When the opportunity arose to travel together with Road Scholar as their own private group, they knew this was the perfect moment to embark on that adventure. In June, they set off for Portugal, eager to uncover the country’s rich beauty, history, and cuisine — and to experience it all alongside one another.
Porto, Portugal
Heather W. was lucky to secure a spot at the last minute on this Road Scholar private group learning adventure. “A participant had to drop out at the last minute, in mid-May,” says Heather, a member of the voluntary board of the Lifelong Learning Centre. Dr. Sylvia Shorto, the executive director of the LLC, was the catalyst for Heather joining the journey. “She knew I was keenly interested in this learning adventure in Portugal, and on May 23, she gave me the heads-up about this opportunity,” says Heather.
“All credit goes to Sylvia,” says Heather. “She worked with Frania Monarski, director of Group Sales at Road Scholar, and our local travel agent to transfer the reservation to my name.”
The group departed from Bermuda on June 8 for The Best of Portugal: From the Age of Exploration to Today. “We had a great group and got along well,” says Heather. “I already knew a few people from the Lifelong Learning Centre, and it was an opportunity to make new friends.”
Group leader, Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes
“Our group leader, Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes, was phenomenal,” observes Heather. “She exuded high energy and enthusiasm every day!” Luisa shared her extensive knowledge of her home country’s culture and art with us, and the group loved her. At the beginning of their week, the group presented her with the Bermuda flag as a gift. Group members found their driver to be fantastic — always pleasant and able to skillfully navigate narrow streets and curves.
During her 10-day learning adventure, Heather was impressed with the level of detail that Road Scholar put into planning this experience. “From having subway tickets ready for us ahead of time to prepaying for our use of the public restrooms to having a rain plan ready, Luisa had everything planned,” says Heather. “It was the little things like that that made a difference — the organization was absolutely perfect.”
Having worked in the Bermuda government as the director of Community and Cultural Affairs for 21 years, Heather shared that she was very familiar with project planning, since that was part of her job. She appreciated the amount of care Road Scholar placed in, ensuring that every aspect of the program went smoothly and was enjoyable and educational for all the participants.
Iglesia de Santiago, Óbidos, Portugal
After a day exploring Lisbon, the group had dinner at a traditional fado house, where they dined on a four-course meal as they listened to this form of traditional Portuguese guitar music marked by its “saudade,” or longing. This genre was placed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011. “It was a brilliant night,” says Heather. “Stellar!”
The next day, group members boarded their motorcoach and headed north to the historic walled fortress city of Óbidos on the Atlantic Ocean. “This tiny village was stunningly beautiful with narrow, cobblestone paths, shops and churches,” says Heather. Afterward, they visited the Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, they continued north to Figueira da Foz, where they enjoyed a private presentation at the University of Coimbra. Founded in 1290, the university is one of the oldest in the world.
Group members found Porto, their last stop, more cosmopolitan. “We walked through this capital city with Luisa,” she says. The next day, they traveled to the Douro Valley, where they stopped at Quinta da Aveleda to see gardens and taste their wines. While not a wine drinker, Heather enjoyed learning about grapes and the wine-making process. “Walking through the gardens at Aveleda was spectacular and allowed us to capture the beauty and majesty of the tall trees and stunningly beautiful hydrangea flowers,” says Heather.
For their last day of adventure, the private group walked through the historic center of Old Porto, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. “The Douro River cruise was spectacular,” says Heather.
Heather noted, “We felt safe. We also bonded well as a group — traveling and eating our meals together. Our experience fostered a sense of community. We were like a family by the end of our 10 days together. Eating together is a wonderful way to develop community.”
Heather did not want her Portugal adventure to end. “It was a truly special moment in my life, filled with camaraderie and enjoyment,” she says. “I hope to travel again with Road Scholar. Sylvia plans to work with Road Scholar to determine when and where we go next!”
Learn more about private group initiative programs with Road Scholar by contacting Frania Monarski, Road Scholar’s Private Group expert, at (877) 209-4634 or by email at groups@roadscholar.org.