Jun 8 - Jun 17, 2024
Starting at
2,749
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.
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800-454-5768
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jun 15 - Jun 24, 2024
Starting at
2,749Aug 31 - Sep 9, 2024
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2,749Sep 7 - Sep 16, 2024
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2,749Sep 14 - Sep 23, 2024
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2,749Sep 21 - Sep 30, 2024
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2,749Sep 28 - Oct 7, 2024
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2,749Oct 12 - Oct 21, 2024
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2,749Oct 19 - Oct 28, 2024
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2,749Oct 26 - Nov 4, 2024
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2,749Nov 2 - Nov 11, 2024
Starting at
2,599Nov 9 - Nov 18, 2024
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2,599Mar 29 - Apr 7, 2025
Starting at
2,799DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jun 8 - Jun 17, 2024
Starting at
3,269Jun 15 - Jun 24, 2024
Starting at
3,269Aug 31 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
3,269Sep 7 - Sep 16, 2024
Starting at
3,269Sep 14 - Sep 23, 2024
Starting at
3,269Sep 21 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
3,269Sep 28 - Oct 7, 2024
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3,269Oct 5 - Oct 14, 2024
Starting at
3,269Oct 12 - Oct 21, 2024
Starting at
3,269Oct 19 - Oct 28, 2024
Starting at
3,269Oct 26 - Nov 4, 2024
Starting at
3,269Nov 2 - Nov 11, 2024
Starting at
3,059Nov 9 - Nov 18, 2024
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3,059Nov 16 - Nov 25, 2024
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Mar 29 - Apr 7, 2025
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10 days
9 nights
17 meals
8B 3L 6D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Lisbon City Tour
Lisbon
5
Obidos, Alcobaca Monastery and Figueira da Foz
Figueira da Foz
6
The University of Coimbra, meet locals
Figueira da Foz
8
The Douro Valley
Porto
9
Discovering Old Porto
Porto
10
Program Concludes
Porto
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
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- 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 trip experts
Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes
Luisa Gomes graduated with a degree in Tourism from the Superior School of Tourism of Lisbon and has been working as a National leader since 1992. Her interests range from art history and languages to geography and religious studies. She continues to take many courses at various universities and cultural centers in Lisbon to further her knowledge. Luisa is fluent in French, English, and loves to travel throughout her home country, bringing her course work and expansive knowledge to every program she leads.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
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.
Isabel Burnay
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Isabel Burnay is an experienced group leader with more than 25 years in educational travel. In addition to her specialized knowledge leading groups in Portugal and beyond, she is constantly taking culture, history, and other courses to update her knowledge and stay in touch with the latest trends in the educational travel world. Isabel has worked for local as well as international travel companies leading groups from the five continents. She is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes
View biography
Luisa Gomes graduated with a degree in Tourism from the Superior School of Tourism of Lisbon and has been working as a National leader since 1992. Her interests range from art history and languages to geography and religious studies. She continues to take many courses at various universities and cultural centers in Lisbon to further her knowledge. Luisa is fluent in French, English, and loves to travel throughout her home country, bringing her course work and expansive knowledge to every program she leads.
Ana Maria Mayordomo Cunha
View biography
Ana Maria was born in Porto to a Spanish mother and a Portuguese father. She has lived most of her life in Lisbon. Ana Maria has been a yoga teacher since 2003, and was for a time the head of the travel department of the Portuguese Yoga Confederation, organizing group travel to Spain, Italy, Peru, the UK, India and Egypt. She has been involved with Road Scholar as a Group Leader and as a speaker. Her interests include trekking and sustainability/environmental protection initiatives.
Mary-Anne de Freitas
View biography
Mary Anne de Freitas is an experienced group leader and international courier with over 18 years in the travel industry, leading groups in Portugal and overseas. In addition to her master's in tourism management and planning as well as other education in tourism, she regularly participates in conferences to update her knowledge on the latest trends in the travel industry. She has worked for both local and international travel companies. Mary Anne is fluent in Portuguese, English, Dutch and French.
Ileana Alves
View biography
Ileana Alves was born in Angola, a former Portuguese colony in Africa. She now lives in Portugal, where she studied tourism information and promotion, and for the last 25 years has worked in the business of helping create amazing travel memories. Ileana is grateful every day to have the world as her office. As a Group Leader, she finds herself in her element.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
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.
The Best of Portugal: From the Age of Exploration to Today
Program Number: 20983
A Small Death in Lisbon
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.
Baltasar and Blimunda
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.
28 Portuguese Poets
A Traveller's History of Portugal
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.
Jesus Christ Drank Beer
Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook
A handy pocket phrasebook for Portuguese basics, covering pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon
A House in Darkness
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire
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 Painter of Birds
Journey to Portugal, In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture
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 Maias
Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
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.
Prince Henry "the Navigator," A Life
A complicated, rewarding portrait, and the first biography of this empire-minded Portuguese prince in more than a hundred years.
Night Train to Lisbon
Obsessed with a book, Raimund Gegorius abandons his old life and travels to Lisbon in search of the truth about writer Amadeu de Prado.
Grape Harvest
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.
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