loading spinner
Portugal

The Best of Portugal: From the Age of Exploration to Today

Program No. 20983RJ
Discover the unique history of Portugal from a local perspective as you examine its architecture, heritage, universities and traditions of port wine on expert-led walks.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 24 - Mar 4, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Mar 2 - Mar 11, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Filling Fast!
Mar 9 - Mar 18, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Mar 16 - Mar 25, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Apr 6 - Apr 15, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Filling Fast!
Apr 13 - Apr 22, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Apr 20 - Apr 29, 2024
Starting at
2,749
May 4 - May 13, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Filling Fast!
May 11 - May 20, 2024
Starting at
2,749
May 18 - May 27, 2024
Starting at
2,749
May 25 - Jun 3, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Jun 1 - Jun 10, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Filling Fast!
Jun 8 - Jun 17, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Itinerary Note

Private Group - Bermuda College Lifelong Learning Center

Jun 15 - Jun 24, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Aug 31 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Sep 7 - Sep 16, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Sep 14 - Sep 23, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Filling Fast!
Sep 21 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Sep 28 - Oct 7, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Itinerary Note

Private Group - RS Women on Facebook

Filling Fast!
Oct 5 - Oct 14, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Oct 12 - Oct 21, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Oct 19 - Oct 28, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Oct 26 - Nov 4, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Nov 2 - Nov 11, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Nov 9 - Nov 18, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Nov 16 - Nov 25, 2024
Starting at
2,599
Feb 15 - Feb 24, 2025
Starting at
2,649
Feb 22 - Mar 3, 2025
Starting at
2,649
Mar 1 - Mar 10, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Mar 8 - Mar 17, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Mar 15 - Mar 24, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Mar 22 - Mar 31, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Apr 5 - Apr 14, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Apr 19 - Apr 28, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Apr 26 - May 5, 2025
Starting at
2,799
May 3 - May 12, 2025
Starting at
2,849
May 10 - May 19, 2025
Starting at
2,849
May 17 - May 26, 2025
Starting at
2,849
May 24 - Jun 2, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Jun 7 - Jun 16, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Jun 14 - Jun 23, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Aug 30 - Sep 8, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Sep 6 - Sep 15, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Sep 13 - Sep 22, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Sep 20 - Sep 29, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Sep 27 - Oct 6, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Oct 4 - Oct 13, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Oct 11 - Oct 20, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Oct 18 - Oct 27, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Oct 25 - Nov 3, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Nov 1 - Nov 10, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Nov 8 - Nov 17, 2025
Starting at
2,799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 24 - Mar 4, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Mar 2 - Mar 11, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Mar 9 - Mar 18, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Mar 16 - Mar 25, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Apr 6 - Apr 15, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Apr 13 - Apr 22, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Apr 20 - Apr 29, 2024
Starting at
3,269
May 4 - May 13, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
May 11 - May 20, 2024
Starting at
3,269
May 18 - May 27, 2024
Starting at
3,269
May 25 - Jun 3, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Jun 1 - Jun 10, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Jun 8 - Jun 17, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Itinerary Note

Private Group - Bermuda College Lifelong Learning Center

Filling Fast!
Jun 15 - Jun 24, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Aug 31 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Sep 7 - Sep 16, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Sep 14 - Sep 23, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Sep 21 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Sep 28 - Oct 7, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Itinerary Note

Private Group - RS Women on Facebook

Oct 5 - Oct 14, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Oct 12 - Oct 21, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Oct 19 - Oct 28, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Oct 26 - Nov 4, 2024
Starting at
3,269
Filling Fast!
Nov 2 - Nov 11, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Nov 9 - Nov 18, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Filling Fast!
Nov 16 - Nov 25, 2024
Starting at
3,059
Feb 15 - Feb 24, 2025
Starting at
3,169
Feb 22 - Mar 3, 2025
Starting at
3,169
Mar 1 - Mar 10, 2025
Starting at
3,319
Mar 8 - Mar 17, 2025
Starting at
3,319
Mar 15 - Mar 24, 2025
Starting at
3,319
Mar 22 - Mar 31, 2025
Starting at
3,319
Apr 5 - Apr 14, 2025
Starting at
3,419
Apr 19 - Apr 28, 2025
Starting at
3,419
Apr 26 - May 5, 2025
Starting at
3,419
May 3 - May 12, 2025
Starting at
3,479
May 10 - May 19, 2025
Starting at
3,479
May 17 - May 26, 2025
Starting at
3,479
May 24 - Jun 2, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Jun 7 - Jun 16, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Jun 14 - Jun 23, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Aug 30 - Sep 8, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Sep 6 - Sep 15, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Sep 13 - Sep 22, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Sep 20 - Sep 29, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Sep 27 - Oct 6, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Oct 4 - Oct 13, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Oct 11 - Oct 20, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Oct 18 - Oct 27, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Oct 25 - Nov 3, 2025
Starting at
3,479
Nov 1 - Nov 10, 2025
Starting at
3,419
Nov 8 - Nov 17, 2025
Starting at
3,419

At a Glance

In a land known for its explorers, make your own discoveries in Portugal on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. This program combines field trips led by local experts with some time for independent exploration.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2-3 miles per day, many cobblestones, steep slopes and uneven terrain, stairs without railings.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Examine architectural treasures of the Age of Discovery in Lisbon and enjoy a lively evening of music at a Fado house.
  • Set off on a trip to one of the world’s oldest universities, the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290.
  • Taste and learn about port wine at the vineyards of the Alto Douro Wine Region.

General Notes

Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Paula Bizarro Moreira
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Adriana Alves
Adriana Alves View biography
Adriana Alves earned her master's degree in strategic management of travel destinations. Adriana is an energetic and knowledgeable group leader who delights in sharing her experiences as well as cultural, historical information on Portugal with Road Scholar participants. She is fluent in English and her native Portuguese.
Profile Image of Paula Bizarro Moreira
Paula Bizarro Moreira View biography
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Prince Henry "the Navigator," A Life
by Peter E. Russell
A complicated, rewarding portrait, and the first biography of this empire-minded Portuguese prince in more than a hundred years.
Night Train to Lisbon
by Pascal Mercier
Obsessed with a book, Raimund Gegorius abandons his old life and travels to Lisbon in search of the truth about writer Amadeu de Prado.
Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
by Laurence Bergreen
A chronicle of Ferdinand Magellan's sixteenth-century voyage around the world draws on candid first-person accounts and describes his crew's experiences with mutiny, navigation, death, unusual sexual practices, and Magellan's ruthless leadership tactics.
28 Portuguese Poets
by Richard Zenith
Baltasar and Blimunda
by Jose Saramago
This tale of two unlikely lovers in Inquisition-era Portugal is arguably Saramago's masterwork: a philosophically charged, intellectually rigorous historical drama which is also a captivating read.
A Small Death in Lisbon
by Robert Wilson
Set in Lisbon in 1941 and 1999, this award-winning mystery intertwines a present day murder, some unsavory arms production, and smuggling in Nazi Germany. Please note, there are some graphic passages dealing with the horrors of war and concentration camps.
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire
by Roger Crowley
An epic narrative history, this book chronicles the rise of Portugal in the 16th-century as the small nation fought for a dominant share in the global spice trade.
The Maias
by Eça de Queirós
Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook
by Clara De MacEdo Vitorino
A handy pocket phrasebook for Portuguese basics, covering pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
A Traveller's History of Portugal
by Ian Robertson
A lively, admirably concise survey from prehistory to the present, great for travelers to Portugal who would like an overview of the country's history and culture.
The Painter of Birds
by Lídia Jorge
Journey to Portugal, In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture
by Jose Saramago
Jose Saramago's richly detailed account of his journey across Portugal in 1979. He combines his vivid impressions of the Portuguese landscape and people with a dose of history, fiction and meditations.
The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon
by Richard Zimler
Jesus Christ Drank Beer
by Afonso Cruz
Grape Harvest
by Miguel Torga
Miguel Torga's first novel is a tribute to the Douro, its people, and its landscapes. A book for all who love this extraordinary region.
A House in Darkness
by José Luis Peixoto





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.