Price

$1519

Available: 7+ spaces

Secure your place on this program with a $350 deposit. Final payment is due 60 days before departure.

    Sorry, this program is full. Please provide your information below so that we can add you to our waiting list.

     







       



      We are also offering a March 23rd departure of this program.

      • Hotels: Standard Class

      • 04/06/2025 - 04/12/2025

      • Max Participants: 16

      • 7 Days / 6 Nights

      Overview

      Wander the hilly streets of coastal Lisbon, where you can munch on a custard tart while gazing at sun-dappled architecture. Get your fill of history and culture at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Batalha Monastery, Coimbra University, and the picturesque town of Sintra (optional). End the tour in Porto and majestic Douro Valley. Discover Portugal with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.

      What's Included:
      • Lisbon orientation walk
      • Fado performance with traditional Portuguese dinner
      • Batalha gothic monastery entrance and visit
      • Porto orientation walk
      • Port wine cellars visit and tasting
      • G Adventures Tour Leader throughout
      • 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner – allow $200-$260 USD for meals not included
      • Hotels (6 nts)
      • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities using train and private vehicle
      What's Not Included:
      • International air travel
      • Incidentals
      • Travel health and cancellation insurance
      • Applicable visas
      • Tips or gratuities
      • Airport taxes
      • Beverages
      • Meals not mentioned in itinerary
      • Optional tours and admissions
      • Airport transfers

      Itinerary Download PDF

      You may arrive in Lisbon at any time today. The nearest airport is Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). Due to the potential for flight delays or cancellations—and to give you more time to explore the city—we recommend that you consider arriving in Lisbon at least a day in advance. This will also give you time to adjust to the time difference and overcome any jet lag. We can book extra hotel nights for you in Lisbon before and/or after the trip. Hotel Check-in and Welcome Meeting Please note that check-in at the hotel is usually around 2:00-3:00 p.m. There are no planned activities until an intro meeting around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., usually in the hotel lobby. Check for a sign or ask at the reception desk about the exact time and location of the group meeting. Please make every effort to arrive in time for this meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up tomorrow. After the meeting, you might choose to have dinner at a nearby restaurant with your traveling companions and your tour leader to get to know one another further. Joining Instructions When you arrive at the airport you can either take a taxi or use public transportation. Via Taxi A taxi costs €20 EUR during the hours of 7:00 am to 9:00 pm from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon City Center. During the hours of 9:00 pm to midnight, the cost is €25 EUR. Journey time should be roughly 20 minutes, give or take. Note that prices are estimates only. A surcharge can apply on weekends, bank holidays, and per piece of luggage. *If you need a taxi in order to visit the city during your stay, you can ask the hotel how much it should cost and then deal with the driver. This way, no bad surprises occur with less-than-honest drivers! Via Aerobus Shuttles run every 20 minutes, every day of the week, from 7:45 am to 8:15 pm. The Aerobus (Carris n. 91) runs between the Airport and the city center. Tickets can be purchased on board. Fare is €1.20 EUR for one ride, €3.10 EUR per 1-day ticket, and €2 EUR for a 1-day TAP Voucher. Journey time is roughly a 35-40 minute ride. Use Google Maps to figure out where you should get off the bus. We often use Residencial Florescente hotel. If that is the case, get off the bus at the “Restauradores” stop. Cross the square to the red “Correios” (post-office) building and take the street next to it. This will lead you directly to Rua Portas de Santo Antão. Turn left and you will find the hotel on your left. Accommodation: Residencial Florescente (or similar) * For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

      Enjoy an orientation walk of Lisbon. The rest of the day is free for exploration. See our optional activities section further below for our suggestions on what to do with your time. If you have already explored Lisbon on the previous day, you could opt to take a day trip into the foothills of the surrounding mountains to Sintra. In the evening enjoy a Fado (Portuguese Folk Music) night and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods. Accommodation: Residencial Florescente (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

      Leave Lisbon behind and head north to the small hill town of Batalha. We visit the Bathala Monastery, which was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. The elaborate, Gothic-style architecture of this UNESCO site is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the region. We then continue to the medieval capital of Portugal, Coimbra. Approximate travel time: 2 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Coimbra (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

      Enjoy a free day to explore Coimbra. Explore the winding streets and the riverfront filled with restaurants and bars. Opt to visit the famous University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013 (and also the inspiration for Harry Potter's Hogwarts). Portugal's most prestigious university, the University of Coimbra is a must see landmark. The Joanina Library (Biblioteca Joanina) is one of the most ornate libraries in the world with it's breathtaking frescoes, intricate carvings and gold-leaf touches. Also in Coimbra you will find Conimbriga, the best preserved Roman ruins in Portugal. If you feel you have the time you can opt for a day trip to the nearby medieval town of Óbidos and/or the Templar city of Tomar. Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Coimbra (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

      Continue to the historic and vibrant coastal town of Porto in the afternoon, and take an orientation walk upon arrival. Set aside the Douro River, Portugal's second city is one of the most interesting destinations in Europe. With its Medieval architecture, it's Dom Luis I Bridge and Art Nouveau cafes, there's something for everyone. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by train Accommodation: Hotel da Bolsa (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

      Enjoy a free day to explore Porto. Opt take a cruise down the Douro Valley, or explore the city which gained UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1996. Head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Bargain at the Bolhão Market. Wander the city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district, visit São Francisco church, the palatial former 19th-century stock market Palácio de Bolsa or head to the Clerigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city. We will finish off the day with a tour of the cellars of the region's famed export - Port wine. Learn about the art of Port making and the processes that render its rich taste. Indulge in a tasting and raise a glass to a day well spent. Saúde! Accommodation: Hotel da Bolsa (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

      There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Porto at any time. The nearest airport is Porto's Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). If your departure flight is out of Lisbon, affordable transfer options include a 3-hour train that runs a few times a day or direct flights from Porto to Lisbon; contact us for more information. If you wish to extend your stay in Porto, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off the lesser-value program(s) (up to three programs per year). If you would like to extend your time abroad but don't see another GEEO program that interests you, let us know. We can help you find a trip from our partner tour's much larger catalog. Their tours are open to the general public and not designed specifically for educators, but we can still offer you and your travel companions a discounted educator price on any of their tours, and you would still receive GEEO's fast and attentive customer service. Meals included: Breakfast


      *Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

      Details

      Frequently Asked Questions
      Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.
      Resources to Learn & Teach about Portugal
      Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.
      Terms and Conditions
      It is very important to review our Terms and Conditions before signing up for a GEEO program.
      GEEO Program Confirmation Process
      We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.
      Cancellation Policy
      All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in writing by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105.
      • If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all your program fee payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
      • If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
      • If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

      Trip Notes & Expectations
      Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.
      1. ACCOMMODATION: The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury, however, as our priority is keeping our programs as affordable as possible. Accommodation in Europe is quite different from other parts of the world. You can expect clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations, though customer service may sometimes be imperfect. Due to high demand, hotels can charge a premium and may have little motivation to improve facilities. Important: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.
      2. TRANSPORTATION: We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. Transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
      3. LUGGAGE: In Europe it is very rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels or other public places. We use public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage from platform to platform, in and out of trains and buses etc. and also possibly up several flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on trains and buses. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage which is compact and lightweight, and which you can easily transport. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
      4. ORIENTATION WALKS: The orientation walking tours on this trip are often on cobblestone roads at steep grades and can last several hours. Feel free to opt-out of these walking tours, if you wish to move at a slower pace. In some cases, on the other side of the coin, they may move a bit too slow for you. If you have a map, a travel app, or a guidebook, feel free to go off on your own. GEEO wants you to have the experience you desire, and sometimes that means separating yourself from the group. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
      5. ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE: This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. In the cities, you can split apart from the group to go at your own pace.
      6. LOCAL GUIDES: In Europe, all guiding is based around local guides, all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks that will show you the layout of each town and city, as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable legally to share historical facts and figures in public places. Your tour leader will be able to help you find a local guided tour in each location if you would like one.
      7. GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
      Single Travelers
      Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.
      Emergency Contacts
      Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures UK office (Weekdays 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. GST) +44 20 7243 9870 For absolute emergencies after office hours please contact: +44 7817 262 559 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
      Packing List
      Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Suggested Checklist
      • Raincoat and/or umbrella
      • Personal clothing for warm to hot weather (lows in the 50’s, highs in the 60’s) – we recommend packing 7 days of outfits so you don’t have to laundry
      • Sturdy walking shoes
      • Daypack
      • Sunblock
      • Sunglasses
      • Sun hat
      • Water bottle
      • Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
      • Toiletries – Important: Some hotels do not give you soap and shampoo
      • Camera (or use your phone)
      • First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
      Optional Checklist
      • Travel pillow
      • Money belt
      • Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
      • Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
      • AirTags or Tile trackers
      • Packing cubes
      • Earplugs
      • Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can also buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here
      • Ziplock bags
      • Reading/writing material
      • Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
      • Light fleece top
      Document Checklist
      • Passport (with photocopies)
      • Travel insurance (with photocopies)
      • Airline tickets (with photocopies)
      • EUR/USD cash
      • Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
      • G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
      • Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
      • GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure
      Laundry
      Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary. We recommend packing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry.
      Passports and Visas
      All GEEO programs require the participant to have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Portugal. Non-American participants should check with their government or nearest Portuguese Embassy to find out if they need a visa.
      Money Exchange
      Portugal is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.
      Tipping
      It is customary to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping amounts are entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline:
      • Service providers/Waiters: €1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of a meal bill
      • Local guides and drivers: €3-5 EUR per person per day
      • Tour Guide (CEO): €30-40 EUR per person per week
      Flights
      We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins in Lisbon and ends in Porto. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Lisbon. You may want to arrive in Europe one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart Porto any time on the final day of the program.
      Plugs and Converters
      There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. Portugal has type F outlets for two circular prongs (type C and E plugs also work), and the voltage is 220-240V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.
      Weather
      While April is wetter and cooler than the summer, rain levels tend to decrease as spring emerges. This change in weather can present a golden opportunity to miss the crowds of the warmer months and visit Portugal for some much-needed sunshine. The average high temperature in Lisbon is 69 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature is 53 degrees F. The average high temperature in Porto is 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
      🗣️ Advice From Past Participants
      I think it could be helpful for some to budget more for food. When we ate an evening meal together as a group, we shared the cost of water, bread, and olives. This ranged from 1.50 to 3.00 Euros per person, depending on the meal. You don't know the cost of your portion of those items until the end of the meal, when they divide it up (this is not a problem, you just know that there will be an additional cost to the menu prices you are selecting for yourself). If you like butter on your bread, you pay an extra 1 Euro per pat of butter (personal preference). Each traveler had a personal food preference and budget to work within. I saw some participants order appetizers, entrees, desert, and wine at each meal. That's what worked with their personal budget/preferences. I saw others order a lower priced entree and pay their share of water/bread/olives. That's what worked within their personal budget/preferences. You don't need dessert. You don't need an appetizer. You don't need a beverage besides the shared water. You don't need butter 😉. It is totally possible to balance a lower priced lunch with a higher priced dinner over the course of the day. And, all of the meals can balance out over the course of the week. As adults who budget, we learn how to do these things. I asked for the name of the restaurant ahead of time so I could review the menu, to see if the options met my budget/food preferences. I spoke with a fellow traveler who took fruit from the hotel breakfast to supplement the day. We all get to make choices, and if the group's suggested restaurant is outside one's budget, they can opt to dine separately.

      Costs

      Please keep in mind that this trip offers some free time to pursue activities that interest you. Make sure you look over all of the optional activities and note these additional costs when deciding whether you can afford this program. The prices below are rough estimates for budgeting your trip.
      • Tour Company Fee: See our price in the top right corner
      • Optional Activities: $40-150 USD
      • International Airfare from the United States: Roughly $800-1,800 USD If you require assistance searching for international flights, we would be happy to help you.
      • Airport Transfers: $50-60 USD.
      • Insurance: $79-200 USD Please note: It is mandatory for all of our travelers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing cancellation insurance as an add-on.
      • Tipping: We recommend €30-40 EUR ($35-45 USD) for your G Adventures tour leader, $15 for tipping local guides and drivers.
      • Meals Not Listed in the Itinerary: $200-260 USD
      • Laundry, Drinks, Phone Calls, etc.: Make sure you budget for these types of expenses
      • Souvenirs: Variable. At your personal discretion.
      • Vaccines: Variable. Please consult with your primary care provider.
      • Non-Educator Donation: $100 USD (suggested donation) This is only for non-educator guests traveling with an educator on a GEEO trip. Educators and retired educators should not make this donation.

      Optional Activities

      Most optional activities are booked and paid for locally, sometimes in the local currency, and you do not have to decide in advance which ones you would like to sign up for. The prices listed are based on the latest information we have received from our participants and G Adventures. They are not guaranteed to be accurate. Please use them as a rough guide for budgeting your trip.
      LISBON
      Eats, Street Art and Undiscovered Lisbon: $84 USD per person Explore the undiscovered side of Lisbon that most tourists don’t venture out to see. Still very central, this area of Lisbon is rich in culture and history and hosts some of the best restaurants that Lisbon has to offer. Wander up and down the tile-filled streets in two local neighborhoods: Baixa, which translates to “downtown,” followed by Mouraria, which is the old Muslim neighborhood. Our food tour takes you away from the tourist traps to the traditional and trending restaurants that are loved and frequented by locals. Not only will you try typical Portuguese food and drinks, but you’ll also learn about the international influences in Lisbon and discover some beautiful street art. Get away from the crowds and join us for an unforgettable day of eating, drinking, making new friends, and – above all – having fun! Belém Tower: €8 EUR per person Take a trip to the coastline to see this charming fort, built to protect Lisbon from raiders invading from the sea. Climb up the tower for great views of the ocean and surrounding city. Mercado da Ribeira Market Take a wander through this traditional food market, Lisbon's main market since 1892. The stalls selling fresh produce are open between 6am and 2pm. Rossio Square: Free Stop in this lively square to get a taste of the local hustle and bustle. Santa Justa Lift: €6 EUR per person Take a ride up 147ft from the lowest to highest points of Portugal. Sit back and enjoy the views. Sao Jorge Castle: €15 EUR per person Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River. Alfama District: Free Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal’s traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night. Day Trip to Sintra Get lost exploring the colorful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
      COIMBRA
      University of Coimbra Portugal’s most prestigious university, the University of Coimbra is a must see landmark. Explore the World Heritage Site as you enter through the Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra constructed in the 10th century. Walk through the campus along mosaic cobblestone paths, explore it's botanical gardens and Chapel of S. Miguel and opt to visit the ornate Joanina Library. Conimbriga Ruins: €3 EUR per person Take a visit to the best-preserved Roman ruins in Portugal. Convent of Christ and Templar Castle: Free, not including travel expenses (1 hour outside of Coimbra) Founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, grand master of the Knights Templar, the vast complex of the Convent of Christ is an incredible feat of medieval architecture. Climb up the Templar Castle for great views of Tomar. Óbidos: Free, not including travel expenses (1 hour outside of Coimbra) One of the most picturesque and well-preserved medieval towns in Portugal, Óbidos radiates Portuguese charm from the narrow cobbled streets and quaint houses, to its imposing medieval castle, which once guarded the region.
      PORTO
      Lello Bookstore: €8 EUR per person Take a wander around this incredible, and beautifully ornate bookstore built in 1906. Ribeira Square: Free Take some time to walk around this charming square and get in with the local hustle and bustle. Palacio da Bolsa: €10 EUR per person Join a half-hour guided tour of this neoclassical monument. Sao Bento Railway Station: Free The blue painted tiles on the inside of São Bento railway station makes it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. See for yourself. Clerigos Church and Tower: €8 EUR per person Built by the same architect who constructed the Porto Cathedral, the Clérigos Church and Tower is a beautiful Baroque landmark in its own right. Opt to climb over 200 steps to the top of the bell tower for a panoramic view of the city and the Duoro River. You can pay just a little bit extra for a guided tour. Porto Cathedral: Free The Porto Cathedral (called Sé do Porto in Portuguese) is a National Monument and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Adorned with high ceilings, an exquisite courtyard and light-filled cloisters, the Sé has held deep religious and cultural significance for the people of Lisbon for centuries. Porto Ribeira Cruise: 1h-2h, €20 EUR per person Board a boat down Portugal’s Douro River, or “river of gold”. Float along this ancient route used for centuries as a port wine shipper’s route. Marvel in the beauty of the terraced hills along the way.