Portugal

Flight to Lisbon

Once in Lisbon, board your coach and go to your accommodation to settle in. Lisbon is reminiscent of an amphitheater, facing the Tagus River, where history comes to life through its romantic avenues, Moorish quarters and daring modern architecture. Trams, straight out of another era, run along the cobbled streets and through neighborhoods with a medieval feel. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Explore the three popular districts of Lisbon. Chiado, a popular shopping district, features historical monuments, theaters, cafes and restaurants. Baixa Pombalina, known as “the lower town”, is a very busy area where people like to walk and admire the elegant buildings designed to withstand earthquakes. Bairro Alto, meanwhile, is one of the most picturesque areas of the city with its winding little streets. Bairro Alto is also the trendy corner that comes alive in the evening with its many bars and nightclubs. Meal included: dinner.

In the morning, take a guided tour of Lisbon. Visit the Hieronymites Monastery, erected by King Manuel I to commemorate the return from India of Vasco da Gama, traditionally considered the first European to arrive in India by sea in 1498. Continue to the Tower of Belém, built to protect the entrance to the city. The tower once served as a port for Portuguese explorers, creating Europe’s first trade with China and India. Also visit the Monument to the Discoveries, commemorating all Portuguese sailors from the 15th and 16th centuries. Do not miss to taste a “pastel de Belém”, a pastry typical of Portuguese cuisine whose recipe comes from the nuns of the Hieronymites monastery. Then, visit St. George’s Castle, located in a dominant position on the highest hill in the historic center. Fortified ramparts, medieval royal quarters and one of the most beautiful views over the city and the sea awaits you. After lunch, visit the Luz Stadium, the largest stadium in Europe and home of SL Benfica, the Lisbon soccer team. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

After breakfast, depart by coach for Praia de Guincho Beach and Cabo da Roca. The westernmost point of the European continent, once considered the end of the world. Take the road back now to Sintra, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place will give you the impression of entering a romantic kingdom with its typical streets and its many palaces each more admirable than the other. Take a guided tour of Quinta da Regaleira Palace and Pena Palace, two of the city’s must-sees. Now hop on the bus to Óbidos, one of the best examples of a walled town in Portugal. Stroll through the narrow, winding cobbled streets of this magnificent medieval village, surrounded by ramparts with its white houses traditionally painted with hints of bright colors. Settle in for the night in Caldas da Rainha, a small town near Óbidos. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Take the road to Nazaré, this small fishing village operating according to the oldest traditions of the fishing arts. It is dominated by a promontory, the Sítio, which will offer you a breathtaking view of the lower town and of the immense beach occupied by boats and nets. Enjoy free time at the beach or take a walk by the sea before lunch. Then, continue your road towards Mira de Aire to visit the caves. The entrance to the Mira de Aire Caves is at an altitude of 300 meters and inside, the depth reaches 180 meters. Its formation dates back 150 million years, and dinosaur footprints are still visible today. The magnificent galleries are lit by around 3000 lamps of various colors, which amplifies the magical character of these caves. Transfer at the end of the day to your accommodation at the Thermal Station of Curia, one of the most prestigious resorts in the country, located in the Bairrada region. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Depart by coach to Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Discover this elegant city on a panoramic guided coach tour. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace, a neoclassical building classified as a national monument. Then explore the city on foot and discover one of the most sumptuous and traditional cafes in Porto, “Le Majestic”, which tells the story of Porto in the 1920s. Continue on Santa Catarina, a shopping street full of street vendors and various traders. It will take you to Porto-Säo Bento central station, known for its 20,000 azulejos (decorated earthenware typical of Portugal). You will pass by the Clerigos Church and its tower, the tallest in Portugal. A masterpiece by Nasoni, Italian painter and architect. Also take the rua das Carmelitas: You will discover the Lello & Irmão bookstore, opened in 1906 and considered as “a pearl of the Art Nouveau” by its beautiful facade, its neo-Gothic tablets and its red spiral staircase. After lunch, visit one of the famous Port wine cellars with a tasting of this precious nectar for students 18 years and over. Then, take a boat trip on the Douro, a river of nearly 900-kilometer that originates from the mountains of Spain. Return to Curia for the night. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Today, explore Aveiro. A lakeside city, Aveiro charms all travelers with its canals spanned by small bridges and its “moliceiros”, graceful traditional colored boats reminiscent of Venetian gondolas. Discover its city center and its many Art Nouveau buildings. Admire its central canal, the São Roque, partially bordered by patrician residences. Stop at the train station to admire the facades decorated with magnificent azulejos panels, depicting the monuments of Aveiro and its region in particular. Visit Oficina do Doce, a typical confectionery of the city where you will participate in the making of “Ovos moles de Aveiro” pastries (Aveiro soft eggs) that you will taste afterwards. Then, you will have the chance to take a boat trip on the Aveiro canals before lunch. Finally, discover the small town of Costa Nova with its typical colored wooden houses, which were originally barns, warehouses and shelters for sailors and boats. Stroll along the promenade and enjoy some free time to roam the city streets and lounge on the beach. Return to Curia at the end of the day. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Get back on the road now to Coimbra. Dominated by the tower of its old university, this former capital of Portugal delights travelers with its green hill plunging into the Mondego river. Visit one of the oldest universities in Europe, the only major university hub in the country until the 20th century. Visit the Baroque-style Joanina Library, considered one of the most beautiful historical libraries with its magnificent decorations and “optical illusion” ceilings. Then walk down to the river, walking through the streets of this old town, lined with vintage houses. Now to the Roman ruins of Conímbriga. On site you will see the 2nd century House of fountains and the atrium. Also, visit the museum where many objects found during excavations are on display. Continue on your way to Fátima for a visit to the sanctuary, one of the most famous in the world, built to commemorate the appearance of Our Lady of Fátima to three young shepherds in 1917. Meals included: lunch and dinner.

For this last day in Portugal, head by coach to Batalha, a small peaceful town which hosted the most important battle in the country, in 1385. To celebrate this victory, the king of the time had a monastery built there, which was never completed even after more than 100 years of work. It is considered to be the most beautiful in the country, and a real treasure of Portuguese architecture. Then take the road back to Lisbon and visit Christ the King, sanctuary and religious monument representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The sanctuary is located 133 meters at the top of a cliff overlooking the Tagus River. Its 28-meter-high statue represents Christ the Redeemer with open arms, inspired by the statue of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Then let students take advantage of the rest of the day to make their own discoveries of the city. Finally, experience a Fado (Portuguese musical genre) evening: dine in a typical restaurant while admiring a performance of popular songs with a melancholy theme, accompanied by folk dances of the country. Finally, check into your Lisbon accommodation. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Flight back home