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Portugal

Discoveries Along the Douro: Portugal’s Best-Kept Secrets

Program No. 23416RJ
Sail the Douro River by riverboat to discover hidden gems in the villages and valleys of Portugal with full access to our experts.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Porto
Program Concludes
Porto
Meals
25 ( 9B, 8L, 8D )
Activity Level
Sail along the winding Douro River to the fairy-tale landscapes of Portugal. Along the way, you’ll have full access to our top-notch instructors as you explore medieval towns and Baroque architecture during an in-depth historical discovery. While floating from lively cities to tranquil villages, get a taste of the local viticulture during visits to two renowned wineries. Make the most of your learning adventure by uncovering the best-kept secrets of Portugal from the locals who know it best, revealing a side of this country people seldom see.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore Porto’s historic center during a walking exploration.
  • Learn about regional Port wine during a tasting at a local "quinta."
  • Enjoy a visit to the UNESCO heritage city of Guimaraes.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Paula Fernandes graduated in 1990 from the New University of Lisbon with a degree in anthropology. She began working as a group leader in Portugal in 1984 and since then has been an educational travel director all over Europe. Road Scholar participants enjoy Paula's in-depth knowledge of the culture, art and history of the Iberian Peninsula, and her excellent leadership skills. Paula currently divides her time between homes in Spain and Portugal and can speak Portuguese, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
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.
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.
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.
Joana Nascimento is an artist, art educator, and researcher, focusing on the concept of landscape, bridging art, environment, architecture, and education. She was awarded a scholarship at Akademia Sztuk Pieknych w Krakowie in Poland, where she studied scenography and intermedia. Joana holds a bachelor's in sculpture, master’s in art and design for public space, and Ph.D. in arts education, all from the University of Porto where she is currently a researcher at the Institute for Research in Art, Design and Society (i2ADS).
Pedro Bandeira is a professor at the School of Architecture, Art and Design at the University of Minho and a researcher at Lab2PT. The author of several publications on architectural culture, he was awarded the Critics Prize by the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) in 2015. His design practice includes the Casa Rotativa (Coimbra, 2018), nominated for the European Mies van der Rohe Prize and winner of the Sustainability and Innovation Prize awarded by the Environmental Fund and the Association of Portuguese Architects.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2.5 - 3 miles at a time during shore excursions. Walking will be on cobbled streets, gravel paths, unpaved lanes, steep slopes, and city streets. Ability to stand for up to 1 hour without sitting and climbing stairs is a must.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (10 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.