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Portugal

Paths Less Taken: Hiking Forests & Villages of Portugal

Program No. 25610RJ
Program
At a Glance
Duration
13 days
Program Begins
Porto
Program Concludes
Porto
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
26 ( 11B, 7L, 8D )
Activity Level
From
5,999
Enroll Early And Save
When it comes to Portugal, most people’s thoughts turn south, to Lisbon. Turn yours north instead, and you’ll be richly rewarded with a side of Portugal most people will never know. Hike through the Douro Valley — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — as you visit renowned traditional winemakers and amble through private forests in the footsteps of Carmelite monks. Continue your trek to the Castle of Sortelha, hike past prehistoric rock art in the Coa Valley and navigate winding wooden walkways connecting mountain villages. That’s only the beginning of your adventures! Enjoy the renowned thermal waters, embark on a train excursion with stunning views of the Douro River, and visit the New Hand Lab in Covilhã, home to some of Portugal’s most impressive young designers, fiber artists and other creators. All along the way, get to know the traditions, the cuisine, the wine and the people who make this region one of the great secrets of Europe!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Set out on exhilarating hikes amid spectacular landscapes, through quaint villages and past ancient castles.
  • Explore the cutting-edge work of young artists and artisans at the New Hand Lab in Covilhã.
  • Take field trips to quintas (estate vineyards) to learn about the winemaking traditions in the Douro and sample their world-renowned products.
General Notes
Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with select dates of "Signature City: Lisbon" (#25611) for even more learning in Portugal! This program can only be combined in the following order "Signature City: Lisbon" (#25611) followed by ""Paths Less Taken: Hiking Forests & Villages of Portugal" (#25610).
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking up to 7.5 miles per day over rocky and uneven terrain including steep ascents and descents. Program will require approximately 43 miles of hiking and 7 miles of walking over 12 days. Sturdy hiking shoes requires; hiking poles are recommended. Due to pacing and hikes, this program is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters, or canes. Please see daily activity notes for specific. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities. Please refer to day to day activity notes for specifics.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
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?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
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.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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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.

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Sustainable Travel

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

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