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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.

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At a Glance

In a land known for its explorers, make your own discoveries in Portugal on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. This program combines field trips led by local experts with some time for independent exploration.
Activity Level
Varies by date
Activity level varies depending on departure date: "Keep the pace" or "Let's go": KEEP THE PACE Participants must be able to walk up 2-3 miles at a time and stand for up to 1.5 hours without sitting. Walking up and down stairs and over cobblestone streets is required. Uneven stairs and sidewalks are common. LET’ GO Extensive walking. Participants must be able to walk up 3-4 miles at a time and stand for up to 2 hours without sitting. Walking over cobblestone streets is required. Uneven stairs without railings and cobbled sidewalks are common.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Examine architectural treasures of the Age of Discovery in Lisbon and enjoy a lively evening of music at a fado house.
  • Set off on a trip to one of the world’s oldest universities, the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290.
  • Taste and learn about port wine at the vineyards of the Alto Douro Wine Region.

General Notes

Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions and suggestions for free-time activities.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes
Luisa Gomes graduated with a degree in Tourism from the Superior School of Tourism of Lisbon and has been working as a National leader since 1992. Her interests range from art history and languages to geography and religious studies. She continues to take many courses at various universities and cultural centers in Lisbon to further her knowledge. Luisa is fluent in French, English, and loves to travel throughout her home country, bringing her course work and expansive knowledge to every program she leads.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Isabel Burnay
Isabel Burnay View biography
Isabel Burnay is an experienced group leader with more than 25 years in educational travel. In addition to her specialized knowledge leading groups in Portugal and beyond, she is constantly taking culture, history, and other courses to update her knowledge and stay in touch with the latest trends in the educational travel world. Isabel has worked for local as well as international travel companies leading groups from the five continents. She is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
Profile Image of Paula Bizarro Moreira
Paula Bizarro Moreira View biography
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.
Profile Image of Luisa Gomes
Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes View biography
Luisa Gomes graduated with a degree in Tourism from the Superior School of Tourism of Lisbon and has been working as a National leader since 1992. Her interests range from art history and languages to geography and religious studies. She continues to take many courses at various universities and cultural centers in Lisbon to further her knowledge. Luisa is fluent in French, English, and loves to travel throughout her home country, bringing her course work and expansive knowledge to every program she leads.
Profile Image of Ana Maria Mayordomo Cunha
Ana Maria Mayordomo Cunha View biography
Ana Maria was born in Porto to a Spanish mother and a Portuguese father. She has lived most of her life in Lisbon. Ana Maria has been a yoga teacher since 2003, and was for a time the head of the travel department of the Portuguese Yoga Confederation, organizing group travel to Spain, Italy, Peru, the UK, India and Egypt. She has been involved with Road Scholar as a Group Leader and as a speaker. Her interests include trekking and sustainability/environmental protection initiatives.
Profile Image of Helena Baltazar
Helena Baltazar View biography
Helena Baltazar has a degree in art history from the University of Porto where she also completed a postgraduate degree in museum studies. She then completed her master's thesis in the university’s heritage department. Helena is passionate about her country and has dedicated the past 25 years to lecturing on Portugal’s art and history, participating in projects of museum evaluation and leading educational visits for travelers interested in Portuguese culture, art, and architecture. She also develops programs in Portugal for Road Scholar.
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Miguel Metelo Seixas View biography
Miguel Seixas, Ph.D. is a research fellow at the Institute for Medieval Studies, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, NOVA University of Lisbon, where he teaches Portuguese medieval history. His main interests focus on visual forms of representation of power and the study of images as political and cultural communication devices. He has published around a hundred works – mainly on heraldry and iconography – has participated in several internationally funded research projects, and has been invited as visiting professor at French, Italian, Spanish, and Brazilian universities.
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Rita Nazareth View biography
Rita Nazareth earned her master's degree in tourism and communication from the University of Lisbon. While studying, she became a professional volleyball player. After working in one of the largest Portuguese hotel chains, Rita started doing walking expeditions in Lisbon and working as a group leader in Portugal. Rita is the fourth generation of group leaders in her family. She has traveled to all the continents in the world. Now she is eager to share some curiosities about this small, yet amazing country, Portugal.
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