Portugal
The Best of Portugal: From the Age of Exploration to Today
Program No. 20983RJ
Discover the unique history of Portugal from a local perspective as you examine its architecture, heritage, universities and traditions of port wine on expert-led walks.
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.
Read More.
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
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
8B, 3L, 5D
)
2 expert-led lectures
16 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
8 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 nametag.
Day
2
Arrive Lisbon, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome 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
Portuguese History, Cascais, & the Coast of Lisbon
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 Queluz and Cascais. You will encounter winding or hilly roads as well as cobblestone streets and sidewalks
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
To begin our day, we'll board a motorcoach and visit the Palace of Queluz. Built in the 18th century, it was used by the royal couple Pedro III and Maria I as a retreat; following Pedro's death, Maria's mental state deteriorated, and she would use the palace to hide from the outside world. Here, we'll observe the Rococo architecture and impressive gardens. We’ll then drive along the coast to the elegant town of Cascais. From there, we'll continue the drive to Lisbon, back to the city center for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll join our Group Leader on an orientation walk of downtown Lisbon, after which we’ll have some independent time. At 6:00 p.m. a historian will give a lecture on the history of Portugal. In the Middle Ages, Portugal was the vanguard of the “Age of Discovery” due to its success in maritime exploration. Navigators including Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias helped to establish Portugal as the first world power through its discoveries of India, Japan, and Brazil – the latter of which was a Portuguese colony for three centuries – and subsequent intercontinental trade. The country’s economic fortune began to decline in the 17th century, culminating in Brazil’s 1822 declaration of independence followed by Portugal’s transition to a parliamentary monarchy. Following the lecture, we will adjourn for the evening.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Lisbon City Exploration, Free Time
Location:
Lisbon
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
HF Fenix Urban
Activity Note
Moderate walking and extensive standing; cobblestone streets and sidewalks, steps without railings. Comfortable and sturdy footwear is required. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. IMPORTANT NOTE: The National Tile Museum is subject to ongoing refurbishment and if closed may be substituted for another museum.
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 visit the Lisbon's Belém neighborhood from where the Portuguese navigators set sail on their expedition and “discovery” of India. While here, a local expert will expand upon Portugal’s seafaring history with mention of great Portuguese navigators. We will stop at the Monument of the Discoveries from where the Belem Tower and the Church of Jeronimos (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) can be seen.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy local cuisine.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
We’ll head to a traditional fado house, where we’ll dine as we listen to a form of traditional Portuguese guitar music marked by its “saudade,” or longing. In 2011, fado music was placed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Evening:
We’ll return to the hotel late in the evening after listening to more of the fado performance. If you wish to stay for the full performance, you can take a taxi back to the hotel. Please ask your Group Leader for more details. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Obidos, Alcobaca Monastery and Figueira da Foz
Location:
Figueira da Foz
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Sweet Atlantic Hotel and Spa
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 136 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total riding time with stops at sites between Lisbon and Figueira da Foz. Extensive walking and standing in Obidos where you will encounter cobblestone streets, sidewalks, and steps without railings. The visit to Alcobaça monastery has stairs without railings.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and begin driving north by motorcoach. Our first stop is the historic walled fortress city of Obidos. Afterwards, we will make our way to the Alcobaca Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we’ll be led by the Study Leader or a local expert.
Lunch:
On your own in Alcobaça.
Afternoon:
We will continue our drive north to Figueira da Foz to check in at the hotel. Later in the afternoon, we will enjoy a lecture about contemporary Portugal.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
The University of Coimbra, Meet Locals
Location:
Figueira da Foz
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Sweet Atlantic Hotel and Spa
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 54 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking 4 miles, approximately 1-3 hours at an even pace with extensive standing; cobblestone streets and sidewalks, steps without railings between the University and downtown.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer to Coimbra where we will have a visit and private presentation from the Study Leader or a local expert at the University of Coimbra. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy an expert-led walking discovery of Coimbra's old town followed by a musical performance with an opportunity to chat with the musicians.
Lunch:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Afternoon:
We will return to Figueira da Foz. From the hotel, we will start a short walk with a local to learn about life in a small town in Portugal. Later we will rejoin locals for a chat.
Dinner:
After the chat with locals, we’ll enjoy dinner at a downtown restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
7
Montemor o Velho, Porto
Location:
Porto
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 99 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2-3 miles, approximately 1-3 hours at an even pace with extensive standing; cobblestone streets and sidewalks in the castle of Montemor and in Porto. Comfortable and sturdy footwear is essential. IMPORTANT NOTE: The school may be closed during holidays and is subject to substitution for another site visit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we will begin with a visit to a local school to learn about education in Portugal. IMPORTANT NOTE: The school may be closed during holidays and is subject to substitution for another site visit. Afterwards, we will continue to Montemor o Velho, where we will enjoy an expert-led visit to its historic fortress and the Santa Maria da Alcáçova Church within.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will depart for Porto, the spectacular capital of northern Portugal and a city famous for its nearby vineyards. Enjoy a walk with our Group Leader through downtown Porto. We will then check in at the hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
The Douro Valley
Location:
Porto
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 177 miles, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time with stops at sites between Porto and the Douro Valley; winding or hilly roads. Extensive walking in the Garden of Aveleda and extensive standing in the winery.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach on an exploration of the Douro Valley. Our first stop will be in Quinta da Aveleda where there will be an expert-led visit to its gardens followed by a tasting of their wines. Then we’ll proceed to a vineyard for lunch and a visit.
Lunch:
At a wine estate in the heart of the Douro Valley.
Afternoon:
We will return to Porto through the town of Régua.
Dinner:
Dinner on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Discovering Old Porto
Location:
Porto
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown
Activity Note
Walking 4 miles, approximately 3-4 hours at an even pace with extensive standing; cobblestones, hilly streets, sidewalks and steps without railings. Getting on/off a boat; cruising under 1 hour. Getting on/off a bus.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will go on an expert-led walking field trip in Old Porto. The city is one of the most beautiful in Europe and still retains its charm and beauty. We will explore the tiles at São Bento station and its old streets and squares. Afterwards, we will enjoy a cruise on the River Douro, passing under the six famed bridges of Porto.
Lunch:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take the afternoon to pack or to discover more of the city on your own. Later in the afternoon, we will meet with our Group Leader for a program wrap-up session.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our last dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning
Day
10
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Location:
Porto
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. Airport transfers beginning at approximately 3:00 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 join 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.