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Online Program

Adventures Online: The Best of Portugal From Lisbon to the Sea

Program No. 24188RJ
From the comfort of your home, discover the best of Portugal as you learn about its medieval history, its connection to the sea and the fascinating cities of Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon.

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At a Glance

“Bem-vindo” (“welcome”) to Portugal! On this online exploration through Lisbon, Porto and along the Mondego River region, immerse yourself in the culture and history of Portugal during virtual field trips, expert-led lectures and even a performance by local musicians. Under the tutelage of your local expert, learn about Portugal’s connection to the sea as you hear about its early maritime explorations, including those of Vasco de Gama, and gain insight into the local fishing industry and how seafood is incorporated in regional cuisine. Trace history from medieval times to modern day during online field trips through Porto, Coimbra (the former capital city) and Belem, Lisbon’s most notable neighborhood. Along the way, enjoy insightful lectures and group Q&A sessions that allow you to bond with your fellow Road Scholars, all while you enjoy Portuguese music, art and culture.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Through virtual field trips and lectures, explore Porto, Coimbra and Belem, Lisbon’s most important neighborhood and the point where Vasco de Gama set sail for the New World.
  • Learn about Portugal’s connection with the sea during a presentation by your Group Leader and enjoy a virtual field trip to a local market and learn how a “barbecue” of sardines is prepared in a Portuguese home.
  • Enjoy a virtual field trip along the Mondego River to learn why rice production is so important in this region, then enjoy explorations of a local castle and tile collection, both known for their exquisite artworks.

General Notes

You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.
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.
A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire, 2-Volume Set
by A. R. Disney
The Last Crusade: The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama
by Nigel Cliff
Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light, 1939-1945
by Neil Lochery
The First Global Village: How Portugal Changed the World
by Martin Page
Circumnavigation of the Globe
by Laurence Bergreen
Message
by Fernando Pessoa
The Portuguese: The Land and Its People
by Marion Kaplan
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire
by Roger Crowley
The Lusiads
by Luis Vaz de Camões





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.