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

As we meet our staff, we will have a brief overview on how to use Zoom, the program’s topic, guidelines, and the daily schedule.

Our field trip starts at the Tower of Belém, built in the early 16th century, that marks the entrance to Lisbon. It has become the symbol of the capital city. It then proceeds to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos — Monument to the Discoveries — erected as a temporary exhibit for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition. It was rebuilt nearly two decades later as a permanent monument to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry “the Navigator.” More than 170 feet (52 meters) high, it represents the prow of a ship surmounted by the figures of 33 prominent figures of the time. The field trip ends with a glimpse of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos — Jerónimos Monastery — grand, ornately decorated in the unique Manueline style, and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Inside are the tombs of Portuguese kings; the country’s most important poet, Camões; and Vasco da Gama.

We will have time for questions with program staff.

Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.

This lecture will provide an overview of Portugal, Lisbon, the Belém district, and the “Golden Age” of Portuguese navigation that began in the 15th century and the discovery of the sea route to India led by Vasco da Gama.

We will explore the Museu de Marinha — Maritime Museum — also known as the Navy Museum, and examine the evolution of Portuguese shipbuilding in this period. We will see models of ships of the time as well as scientific instruments that allowed daring voyages, and learn about the daily life of sailors.

We will have time for questions with program staff.

We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.

Today's session will end.

Fado music has been called the song of the Portuguese soul. This lecture introduces fado and Portuguese song.

A live performance of Coimbra fado — a distinctive style that developed out of student groups at the famed university.

We will have time for questions with program staff.

Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.

Exploring Coimbra which was the capital of Portugal and residence of numerous kings of the first dynasty. It also houses Portugal’s oldest university. With a local expert, we will explore the old city and do what many students do: leave the train and walk uphill to the university that overlooks the Mondego river and valley.

Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.

We will have time for questions with program staff.

We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.

Today's session will end.

This lecture will address how Portugal’s geographical position and many links with other continents shaped its art. Due to its position in relation to the rest of mainland Europe, artistic movements often took some time to reach Portugal. That same position also ensured that the Portuguese paid close attention to art and artefacts originating from Africa, Asia, and South America thanks to contacts established by great navigators and later by merchants, noblemen, and clergy.

Open discussion on Portuguese artists in present day.

Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.

The field trip explores Montemor o Velho, a rural municipality on the Mondego River, that derives its livelihood mostly from corn and rice production. Between Coimbra and Figueira da Foz is a huge castle on top of a hill. We will make a virtual stop to learn about its history and visit the local 16th century church that houses some significant art works such as a 14th century pregnant Madonna and 16th century tiles. We will also learn about the local tradition of “ex votos” offerings to saints.

We will have time for questions with program staff.

We’ll have an expert-led view of what may be the world’s largest collection of Delft tiles at the Casa do Paço in nearby Figueira da Foz. How these 6,700 Dutch tiles came to be here is something of a mystery

We will have time for questions with program staff.

Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.

Engage an informal conversation about Portugal with former students from Universidade de Coimbra.

We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.

Today's session will end.

Portugal has faced numerous challenges since 1910, starting with the change from monarchy to republic, seeing the rise of a dictatorship that would last for 48 years, the collapse of its African empire, and adapting to being a member of the European Union. We will analyze these changes and the huge impact they have had on society.

We will have time for questions with program staff.

Our instructor will discuss the importance of the sea for Portugal with a focus on modernity and tradition.

Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.

A “sardinhada-market-traineira” field trip to see and learn how a sardine “barbecue” is prepared in a Portuguese home.

Open discussion on the “Mediterranean” diet and its benefits. Do new generations follow it?

We will have time for questions with program staff.

We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.

Today's session will end.

Set off on a field trip that will take us into Ribeira, the old section of Porto that developed in the medieval era. After crossing a 19th century bridge named for King Luis I, we will enter the neighborhood’s narrow streets with houses painted in bright colors or decorated with colorful tiles whose patterns indicated when they were made. In one of the city’s oldest squares, we will see the Praça do Cubo — Square of the Cube — a bronze sculpture that has become a focal point. We’ll than move over the 14th century wall to view the last city gate left from the old ramparts. We will also learn about the 1809 invasion by French troops and the death of hundreds of locals trying to escape from the French who died in the waters of the Douro River. Finally, we will go uphill to the railway station of São Bento with its incredible azulejos — beautiful Portuguese tiles that depict historical and other scenes. We will conclude at a downtown garden to admire the view. One of the finest port wines is produced just across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. 

We will have time for questions with program staff.

How to prepare Porto Tonic, a popular libation that owes its existence to bars by the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

We will recap what we’ve learned over the past few days and say farewell. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

This concludes our program.