Portugal
Signature City: Lisbon
Program No. 25611RJ
Masterpieces of Portuguese architecture highlight this exciting adventure. You’ll also immerse yourself in music, art, artisanry and other icons of Portuguese culture.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
6B, 2L, 4D
)
2 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Activity Note
Remember to bring your name tag
Day
2
Arrival&Orientation, Welcome meeting and dinner
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
D
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Orientation: 6:00 p.m. in the hotel meeting room. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. We will have meals in the hotel dining room and local restaurants. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Portugal's History, Discovering Lisbon: Belém district
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Moderate walking and extensive standing; cobblestone streets and sidewalks, steps without railings. Comfortable and sturdy footwear is required.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start the morning with a historian who will give us a presentation on the history of Portugal and its people. Portugal was among the earliest of global empires in what is known as the Age of Discoveries thanks to its navigators and explorers. The empire lasted in some form for almost 600 years until Portugal ceded Macau to China in 1999. Though a little more than 10 million people call Portugal home today, Portuguese is the sixth most natively spoken language around the world due to past colonization, especially in Brazil. After the lecture, we will then drive to Belém. This district to the southwest of Lisbon was originally the shipyard and dock area and the embarkation point for voyages in the 15th century that led to so many discoveries. The great wealth derived from Portuguese colonies supported the construction of exceptional edifices we see today. Our exploration of the Belem area, starts at the Maritime Museum, with a visit through the Discoveries and Peninsular War galleries, followed by the Royal Barges Pavilion. Before lunch, the group will learn about "Pastel de Nata" during a workshop led by a Chef, a relaxed moment where we talk about food and Portuguese pastry culture.
Lunch:
In the canteen of the Navy Museum.
Afternoon:
Our exploration of the Belem area, will continue at the Monument to the Navigators to learn about Henry the Navigator. From there, we admire the tower of Belém and set out on an expert-led walking field trip featuring the Jeronimos Church. At the church, we’ll learn more about Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Explorers Vasco de Gama and Luis de Camoes are both entombed in Jeronimos. At the end we will return to the Hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Gulbenkian Museum, Chiado&Downtown, Fado Performance
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; some cobblestones in Lisbon; walking and standing in museum and at field trip sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Start the morning visiting the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation — founded in 1956 as a bequest from the eponymous British-Armenian philanthropist who lived in Portugal from 1942 until his death in 1955. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life through art, charity, science, and education. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds one of the most important international private art collections that we’ll learn about as your expert leader leads our exploration. At the end join the metro to the square of Marques de Pombal and start a walk through the beautiful Avenida da Liberdade until Rossio square.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Continue exploring Lisbon as a time machine — a journey through the city’s layers of history and imagination. The exploration begins at Largo Camões, crosses Bairro Alto to the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, descends to Largo do Carmo, and continues through Chiado and Baixa, including a visit, before ending at Terreiro do Paço by the river. Along the way, participants will travel through time — from Prehistory to the Phoenician and Roman periods, through Islamic Lisbon, the medieval city, the era of the Empire, the 1755 earthquake, and the April 25 Revolution. At the end return to the hotel with public transportation. Later, we will go to a fado restaurant for dinner.
Dinner:
At a Fado restaurant. As we dine, we’ll experience a performance of Fado, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This multicultural synthesis of music, poetry, and dance is usually performed by a singer with guitars and sometimes other instruments.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Tiles Museum, Setubal Market place, Tiles factory
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles , approximately 1.5 hours riding time each way. Walking up to 1,5 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll go out on an expert-led field trip in Lisbon this morning, starting at the Tiles Museum where we’ll learn from the Study Leader or a local expert about one of the great symbols of the city – the beautifully decorated “azulejos” – and trace their history from the 15th century through to the modern day. Later we will board the coach and cross Vasco da Gama Bridge and drive to Setubal a vibrant coastal city known for its picturesque harbor and market, delicious seafood and stunning views across the Sado River estuary. Before lunch we will have time to explore the local market.
Lunch:
On your own to have the local cuisine of your choice
Afternoon:
After lunch drive to a tile factory to learn everything about the process of making homemade tiles. After the visit to the Tiles Factory drive back to Lisbon across the 25 April bridge.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Palace and Park Monserrate, coast of Cascais
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time with stops at sites like Monserrate and Cascais. You will encounter winding or hilly roads as well as cobblestone streets and sidewalks
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will drive west of Lisbon, by private motorcoach, to the Palace and Park of Monserrate. Riding through the forest of Sintra, which was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1995, we will enjoy the beautiful sights. The Park of Monserrate is 2.5 miles from Sintra’s historic center, which is filled with rich botanical gardens and beautiful Romantic landscapes, bearing witness to the eclectic tastes of 19th century Portugal. In 2013, the Park of Monserrate was awarded Europe's “Best Development of a Historic Park or Garden”. Displaying distinctly medieval and oriental influences, the decoration of the Palace makes it one of the most important examples of Romantic architecture in Portugal. The estate’s appearance was a source of inspiration for the poet Lord Byron, who sang of the beauty of Monserrate in his poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. We’ll then drive into Cascais through a coastal road.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
Discover old Cascais during a walk with your expert leader where each turn reveals pastel houses, hidden cafés, and the endless shimmer of the Atlantic. From Cascais, we'll continue the drive to Lisbon, along the coast.
Dinner:
On your own to have the local cuisine of your choice
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Castle of S George, Alfama district, free time
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Hilly walking and extensive standing; cobblestone streets and sidewalks, steps without railings. Comfortable and sturdy footwear is required.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start the morning visiting the Castle of Saint George one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. It sits dramatically atop the city’s highest hill — the São Jorge Hill — offering sweeping views over the old town and the Tagus River.Following the visit, we will head to the pretty Alfama district for an expert led walk through the southeastern slope of the hill. These historic neighborhoods are known for their maze of steep, narrow streets, winding alleyways and ancient buildings.
Lunch:
On your own to have the local cuisine of your choice
Afternoon:
Enjoy a free afternoon to enjoy Lisbon at your own pace. Our Group Leader will be available to provide information and assistance. Late afternoon, we will gather in the hotel with our Group Leader for a wrap up meeting before the farewell dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes. In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. Airport transfers beginning at approximately 4:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, flight times permitting. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Oct 4 - Oct 11, 2027 Itinerary Differences:
Enroll in this date followed by the corresponding Oct. 10, 2027 departure of "Beyond the Vineyards: Sample Northern Portugal & Spain" (#22812) or with "Paths Less Taken: Hiking Forests & Villages of Portugal" (#25610) to combine two learning experiences in Portugal.