Apr 23 - May 4, 2025
Spain/Portugal/France/England
A Voyage Through History: Lisbon to London on the Ocean Albatros
Program No. 24889RJ
The coasts of Portugal, France and England are yours to explore on this exciting Floating Campus! Board the Ocean Albatros to trace history from the Neolithic to modern ages.
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DATES & PRICES
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12 days
11 nights
28 meals
10B 8L 10D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Porto, Historic Porto
At Sea
7
Douarnenez,France, Quimper
At Sea
9
Fowey, UK, Charlestown
At Sea
12
London, Program Concludes
London
At a Glance
From prehistoric Stonehenge to medieval Brittany to the modern cities of Lisbon and London, voyage through time on the expedition ship Ocean Albatros, part of our Floating Campus! Experience examples of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic art and architecture firsthand as you visit cathedrals and castles, including the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the Quimper Cathedral, located in the oldest city in Brittany. History and art go hand-in-hand with natural treasures like the Tresco Abbey Gardens, featuring lush flora and local fauna. Onboard instructors offer lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions to expand on your experiences in port. In true campus style, you’ll also have opportunities to participate in onboard activities, live performances and getting to know other Road Scholars who love learning — and voyages — as much as you do.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
This program offers two activity levels to choose from on every departure date: one that has more walking and standing and one at a less active pace. Walking up to 3 miles per day over various types of terrain; walking up stairs unassisted, getting in and out of motor coaches.
What You'll Learn
- Visit the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the finest examples of both Romanesque and Baroque art.
- Explore Cornwall, the southernmost coast of the UK, with its beautiful scenery and rich cultural history, which is the setting of the famous historical novels (and drama series) Poldark.
- Learn about the Neolithic history of the area of Portland with a visit to the prehistoric landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge.
- Spend a night in your starting and ending cities of Lisbon and London, allowing you extended opportunities to explore these bustling and historic cultural centers.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take in private lectures, unique field trips and take part in educational onboard activities on this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 150 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy onboard activities, live performances and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars!
Suggested Reading List
(22 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.
A Voyage Through History: Lisbon to London on the Ocean Albatros
Program Number: 24889
The Story of England
Beautifully illustrated with color pictures, chronological charts, royal genealogies and maps, this popular history of English politics, economics and culture from the Neolithic Age to the 1990s is an excellent travel companion.
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.
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empirer
This epic narrative history by bestselling author Roger Crowley (City of Fortune, MED185) chronicles the rise of Portugal as the small nation forged a dominant share in the global spice trade. His cast of characters (the ambitious King Manuel I, marauding governors and intrepid seamen) built a trade monopoly with the ferocity of a holy crusade, forever shifting Europe's center of power from the Mediterranean to Western Europe.
Spain, A History
An authoritative overview of Spain through the ages by one of the world's leading scholars on the history of Spain, Sir Raymond Carr.
Londoners
Drawing on the unforgettable stories of nearly 100 Londoners, Taylor provides a rich and vivid kaleidoscopic view of modern-day London through the diverse voices of those who, regardless of whether they love or hate it, capture the heart and soul of one of the world's greatest cities.
London, A History
A brief, evocative meditation on the rich and varied history of England's capital city by the prolific British writer, critic and historian. Wilson examines London through several lenses, using humor and insight to discuss art, architecture, politics and culture.
A Traveller's History of London
The story of London, from the Romans to Tony Blair, tailored to the traveler.
Ghosts of Spain
Tremlett captures the Spanish character, history and modern politics in this masterful portrait, interweaving the story of his love for the country (where he has lived for 20 years) with interviews, anecdotes and observation.
London, A Literary Anthology
Ranging from the 15th century to the present day, the British Library’s generous selection of poems and novel excerpts evokes the spirit of London through the ages. Full-color works of art from the library's collection are interspersed throughout.
Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light, 1939-1945
Despite Portugal's neutrality during WWII, the city of Lisbon endured untold amounts of pressure, propaganda and espionage from both the Allies and the Axis powers. Lochery's well-researched chronicle is sheathed in a cloak-and-dagger atmosphere as he uncovers sordid and fascinating accounts of the backstage role the Portuguese capital played in the conflict that raged on all sides.
Alentejo Blue
These short stories set in the Alentejo province of Portugal star a range of colorful expats and locals, including Teresa, a beautiful young girl from the village engaged to a suitable man, who yearns to see the world, and Vasco, a cafe owner losing business to the new Internet cafe down the road.
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.
The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis
This nuanced novel, written in Saramago's smooth style, follows Ricardo Reis, one of the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa's invented characters, around the rainy streets of Lisbon. Pessoa has just died, and Saramago builds his plot around the premise that characters live on nine months after their author's demise
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.
Eyewitness Guide London
This superb guide to London features color photography, dozens of excellent neighborhood maps and a district-by-district synopsis of the city's attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry.
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.
DK Eyewitness Top Ten Lisbon
A compact illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions.
The Book of Disquiet
When the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa died in 1935, he left behind a trunk full of unpublished writings. Culled from those unclassifiable papers, this book is a unique collection of short, aphoristic paragraphs comprising the "autobiography" of Bernardo Soares, one of Pessoa's many alternate selves (he called them "heteronyms"). Part intimate diary, part prose poetry, part descriptive narrative, this melancholic masterpiece is captivatingly translated by Richard Zenith.
The Spanish Inquisition
This documents the events leading up to the Inquisition, the torment that spread from Spain to Portugal and the New World -- a fascinating exploration of the roots of the Inquisition and its effects on the country.
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.
Culture Smart! Portugal
A concise, well-illustrated and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Lisbon, A Cultural and Literary Companion
One in the excellent series, both a walking guide and history of the city.
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