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

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

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A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on August 30, 2026

Meet the group at HF Fenix Urban in Lisbon

Start of Trip:  3:00 p.m. hotel check-in, 6:00 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: Airport transfers — from the arrival airport to the first site on the program arrival date, and from the last site to the departure airport on the program departure date — are included at no extra cost if you have booked your airfare through Road Scholar. Participants who purchased their airfare through Road Scholar and are arriving EARLY are eligible to join the included airport transfer(s) from the arrival airport on the program arrival date. Participants interested in this option need to notify Road Scholar no later than 30 days prior to departure by calling (800)-454-5768, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. ET.” Program Only Participants (POPs) must make their own way to the first hotel at their own cost. For participants making their own arrangements, the easiest way to get to your program hotel is by taxi. Taxis are readily available at the Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) and cost approximately 25 to 30 euro. The ride should take anywhere from 10-15 minutes depending on time and traffic patterns. We do not recommend using the buses, unless you are capable of easily handling your own luggage and are comfortable navigating the system in Portuguese. Uber from the airport is not recommended as it is not a very reliable service in Portugal. Don't accept any taxi ride offers from anyone touting for business inside the airport buildings. Go to the official taxi rank located outside the terminal building.

Getting to the site by train or bus: We do not recommend using the buses, unless you are easily capable of handling your own luggage and are comfortable navigating the system in Portuguese.

Your trip ends on: Monday, September 7, 2026 in Porto at Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown

End of Trip: 10:30 a.m. after breakfast. 12:00 Noon hotel check-out. Airport transfers beginning at approximately 3:00 a.m.

Getting to the airport: A departure transfer to the included airport is organized for all participants who purchased an air inclusive program and depart on the group departure date. Transfer vehicles vary by group. Participants who purchased their airfare through Road Scholar and are departing LATE are eligible to join the included airport transfer(s) to the departure airport on the program departure date. Participants interested in this option need to notify Road Scholar no later than 30 days prior to departure by calling (800)-454-5768, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. ET.” Program Only Participants (POPs) and participants extending their stay must make their own way to the Francisco Sa Carneiro airport in Porto (OPO) at their own cost. Taxis from the hotel to the airport will cost between 30 euros and 35 euros depending on time of day and subject to differing costs. We do not recommend using the buses, unless you are capable of easily handling your own luggage and are comfortable navigating the system in Portuguese. The ride should take anywhere from 15-20 minutes depending on time and traffic patterns. The hotel and/or your Group Leader can help you arrange a taxi transfer.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.