Online Program
Adventures Online: The Best of Portugal From Lisbon to the Sea
Program No. 2418860MEADV-1116-60
From the comfort of your home, discover the best of Portugal as you learn about its medieval history, its connection to the sea and the fascinating cities of Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon.
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
5 days
1
Introduction to Portugal, Lisbon & Belem
The comfort of your own home
2
Fado, Coimbra, Universidade
The comfort of your own home
3
Portugal’s Geography & Art, Montemor o Velho, Delft Tiles
The comfort of your own home
4
Present-day Portugal, The Coast, Sardinhada
The comfort of your own home
5
Porto Ribeira, Napoleonic Invasion, São Bento, Farewells
The comfort of your own home
At a Glance
“Bem-vindo” (“welcome”) to Portugal! On this online exploration through Lisbon, Porto and along the Mondego River region, immerse yourself in the culture and history of Portugal during online field trips, expert-led lectures and even a performance by local musicians. Under the tutelage of your local expert, learn about Portugal’s connection to the sea as you hear about its early maritime explorations, including those of Vasco de Gama, and gain insight into the local fishing industry and how seafood is incorporated in regional cuisine. Trace history from medieval times to modern day during online field trips through Porto, Coimbra (the former capital city) and Belem, Lisbon’s most notable neighborhood. Along the way, enjoy insightful lectures and group Q&A sessions that allow you to bond with your fellow Road Scholars, all while you enjoy Portuguese music, art and culture.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Through online field trips and lectures, explore Porto, Coimbra and Belem, Lisbon’s most important neighborhood and the point where Vasco de Gama set sail for the New World.
- Learn about Portugal’s connection with the sea during a presentation by your Group Leader and enjoy an online field trip to a local market and learn how a “barbecue” of sardines is prepared in a Portuguese home.
- Enjoy an online field trip along the Mondego River to learn why rice production is so important in this region, then enjoy explorations of a local castle and tile collection, both known for their exquisite artworks.
General Notes
You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.
Suggested Reading List
(9 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Adventures Online: The Best of Portugal From Lisbon to the Sea
Program Number: 24188
The First Global Village: How Portugal Changed the World
Circumnavigation of the Globe
The Last Crusade: The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama
The Portuguese: The Land and Its People
Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light, 1939-1945
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire
The Lusiads
A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire, 2-Volume Set
Message
Program
At a Glance
Duration
5 days
“Bem-vindo” (“welcome”) to Portugal! On this online exploration through Lisbon, Porto and along the Mondego River region, immerse yourself in the culture and history of Portugal during online field trips, expert-led lectures and even a performance by local musicians. Under the tutelage of your local expert, learn about Portugal’s connection to the sea as you hear about its early maritime explorations, including those of Vasco de Gama, and gain insight into the local fishing industry and how seafood is incorporated in regional cuisine. Trace history from medieval times to modern day during online field trips through Porto, Coimbra (the former capital city) and Belem, Lisbon’s most notable neighborhood. Along the way, enjoy insightful lectures and group Q&A sessions that allow you to bond with your fellow Road Scholars, all while you enjoy Portuguese music, art and culture.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Through online field trips and lectures, explore Porto, Coimbra and Belem, Lisbon’s most important neighborhood and the point where Vasco de Gama set sail for the New World.
- Learn about Portugal’s connection with the sea during a presentation by your Group Leader and enjoy an online field trip to a local market and learn how a “barbecue” of sardines is prepared in a Portuguese home.
- Enjoy an online field trip along the Mondego River to learn why rice production is so important in this region, then enjoy explorations of a local castle and tile collection, both known for their exquisite artworks.
General Notes
You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(9 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Day
1
Introduction to Portugal, Lisbon & Belem
Location:
The comfort of your own home
Activity Note
All times noted are Eastern Time. Today’s session will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Your program handouts are available online, located in your account on roadscholar.org. Once you’ve logged in to your Road Scholar account, click on Upcoming Online Programs and you’ll see an option to select this program. You should have received instructions to view these in your pre-program email.
Morning:
11:00 a.m. Our Group Leader and expert instructor will lead an Orientation and welcome meeting (60 minutes) with introductions.
Afternoon:
12:00 Noon. We’ll take a virtual stroll (45 minutes) through Belém, the section of Lisbon with the most significant buildings and monuments associated with Portugal’s golden age of discovery. We will start at the Tower of Belém, built in the early 16th century, that marks the entrance to Lisbon. It has become the symbol of the capital city. We will proceed to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos — Monument to the Discoveries — erected as a temporary exhibit for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition. It was rebuilt nearly two decades later as a permanent monument to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry “the Navigator.” More than 170 feet (52 meters) high, it represents the prow of a ship surmounted by the figures of 33 prominent figures of the time. We will end with a glimpse of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos — Jerónimos Monastery — grand, ornately decorated in the unique Manueline style, and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Inside are the tombs of Portuguese kings; the country’s most important poet, Camões; and Vasco da Gama. 1:00 p.m. Break. 1:30 p.m. Lecture and field trip (60 minutes). , we will have an overview of Portugal, Lisbon, the Belém district, and learn about the “golden age” of Portuguese navigation that began in the 15th century and the discovery of the sea route to India led by Vasco da Gama. We will then have a virtual field trip to explore the Museu de Marinha — Maritime Museum — also known as the Navy Museum, and examine the evolution of Portuguese shipbuilding in this period. We will see models of ships of the time as well as scientific instruments that allowed daring voyages, and learn about the daily life of sailors.We’ll also have a question and answer (Q&A) session. 3:00 p.m. After a short break, we’ll engage in a Q&A session (30 minutes) focusing on how Portuguese people today see this period of their history. 3:30 p.m. Today’s online session ends.
Day
2
Fado, Coimbra, Universidade
Location:
The comfort of your own home
Activity Note
All times noted are Eastern Time. Today’s session will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. The day before each session, the instructor will remind the handouts needed and available online, located in your account on roadscholar.org. She will also recommend any extra reading or background research to complement the day’s themes.
Morning:
11:00 a.m. Fado music has been called the song of the Portuguese soul. In our next lecture (20 minutes), our instructor will introduce fado and Portuguese song, followed by a virtual live performance of Coimbra fado — a distinctive style that developed out of student groups at the famed university — followed by Q&A.
Afternoon:
12:30 p.m. Break. 1:00 p.m. Our next virtual field trip (50 minutes) will take us into the old city of Coimbra. This was the capital of Portugal and residence of numerous kings of the first dynasty. It also houses the Portugal’s oldest university. With a local expert, we will explore the old city and do what many students do: leave the train and walk uphill to the university that overlooks the Mondego river and valley. We will learn about the history of the city, what “republics” are, and see some of the most important monuments in town, before ending at the renowned Universidade de Coimbra that was founded in 1290. 2:30 p.m. Today’s online session ends.
Day
3
Portugal’s Geography & Art, Montemor o Velho, Delft Tiles
Location:
The comfort of your own home
Activity Note
All times noted are Eastern Time. Today’s session will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m. The day before each session, the instructor will remind the handouts needed and available online, located in your account on roadscholar.org. She will also recommend any extra reading or background research to complement the day’s themes.
Morning:
11:00 a.m. Today’s lecture (60 minutes) will address how Portugal’s geographical position and many links with other continents shaped its art. Due to its position in relation to the rest of mainland Europe, artistic movements often took some time to reach Portugal. That same position also ensured that the Portuguese paid close attention to art and artefacts originating from Africa, Asia, and South America thanks to contacts established by great navigators and later by merchants, noblemen, and clergy.
Afternoon:
12:00 p.m. We will have a Q&A session (15 minutes). 12:20 p.m. Open discussion (30 minutes). 12:45 p.m. Break. 1:15 p.m. Our virtual field trip (30 minutes) will reveal Montemor o Velho, a rural municipality on the Mondego River, that derives its livelihood mostly from corn and rice production. Between Coimbra and Figueira da Foz is a huge castle on top of a hill. We will make a virtual stop to learn about its history and visit the local 16th century church that houses some significant art works such as a 14th century pregnant Madonna and 16th century tiles. We will also learn about the local tradition of “ex votos” offerings to saints. 2:00 p.m. We’ll have an expert-led virtual view of what may be the world’s largest collection of Delft tiles at the Casa do Paço in nearby Figueira da Foz. How these 6,700 Dutch tiles came to be here is something of a mystery. 2:30 p.m. We’ll engage an informal conversation (40 minutes) about Portugal with former students from Universidade de Coimbra. 3:15 p.m. Today’s online session ends.
Day
4
Present-day Portugal, The Coast, Sardinhada
Location:
The comfort of your own home
Activity Note
All times noted are Eastern Time. Today’s session will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. The day before each session, the instructor will remind the handouts needed and available online, located in your account on roadscholar.org. She will also recommend any extra reading or background research to complement the day’s themes.
Morning:
11:00 a.m. Lecture (60 minutes). Portugal has faced numerous challenges since 1910, starting with the change from monarchy to republic, seeing the rise of a dictatorship that would last for 48 years, the collapse of its African empire, and adapting to being a member of the European Union. We will analyze these changes and the huge impact they have had on society.
Afternoon:
12:00 p.m. Q&A session. 12:15 p.m. Break. 12:20 p.m. Lecture (30 minutes). Our instructor will discuss the importance of the sea for Portugal with a focus on modernity and tradition. 12:45 p.m. Break. 1:15 p.m. We will have a virtual “sardinhada-market-traineira” field trip (30 minutes) to see and learn how a sardine “barbecue” is prepared in a Portuguese home. 1:45 p.m. We will have an open discussion (30 minutes) on the “Mediterranean” diet and its benefits. Do new generations follow it? 2:30 p.m. Today’s online session ends.
Day
5
Porto Ribeira, Napoleonic Invasion, São Bento, Farewells
Location:
The comfort of your own home
Activity Note
All times noted are Eastern Time. Today’s session will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. The day before each session, the instructor will remind the handouts needed and available online, located in your account on roadscholar.org. She will also recommend any extra reading or background research to complement the day’s themes.
Morning:
11:00 a.m. We will set off on a virtual field trip (45 minutes) that will take us into Ribeira, the old section of Porto that developed in the medieval era. After crossing a 19th century bridge named for King Luis I, we will enter the neighborhood’s narrow streets with houses painted in bright colors or decorated with colorful tiles whose patterns indicated when they were made. In one of the city’s oldest squares, we will see the Praça do Cubo — Square of the Cube — a bronze sculpture that has become a focal point. We’ll than move over the 14th century wall to view the last city gate left from the old ramparts. We will also learn about the 1809 invasion by French troops and the death of hundreds of locals trying to escape from the French who died in the waters of the Douro River. Finally, we will go uphill to the railway station of São Bento with its incredible azulejos — beautiful Portuguese tiles that depict historical and other scenes. We will conclude at a downtown garden to admire the view. One of the finest port wines is produced just across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. 11:45 a.m. Q&A.
Afternoon:
12:00 Noon. We’ll have a demonstration on how to prepare Porto Tonic, a popular libation that owes its existence to bars by the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. We’ll then have a wrap-up session and say farewells. 1:00 p.m. This concludes our program.
Participant Reviews
Based on 37 Reviews
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If you are planning a trip with Road Scholar, please take any courses offered online. The Portugal Lisbon to the Sea online course was very informative, well prepared and definately educational! If you want a leg up on a future trip, please take a course from Road Scholar!
— Review left August 7, 2024
Like many others who have travelled abroad, I'd never been to Portugal nor read much about it. So I took the course and read 2 books. The program is outstanding -- instructors are knowledgeable, warm, engaging and very organized. Great visuals. Had fun 'walking' through the cities, listening to live fado music, going on a commercial fishing boat, then to market, and then to a Sunday Portuguese bar-b-que with one of the instructor's families. Had a good group of fellow travelers who participated in Q&As. Highly recommend.
— Review left February 1, 2024
The online course was terrific. Each day had a different focus. Because the online guide is a real local guide, we got great color on Portugal, not just the sites, but what it is like to live there and the history. This was my first online course….I’m signing up for more!
— Review left January 26, 2024
Group leaders were wonderful and very knowledgeable. It really felt like being there !
— Review left February 20, 2023
Excellent program, next best thing to being there. Nice mix of presentation styles, including lectures, video-taped walks, live musical presentations and Q&A with locals. And, as always with Road Scholar, great presenters and a nice group of actively involved fellow participants.
— Review left February 26, 2022
By its nature, RoadScholar brings together interesting and interested participants with excellent programs with interesting and interested presenters. The dialogue is wonderful, the chemistry expansive, totally amazing.
— Review left February 25, 2022
This was the best zoom class ever! Highly informative. A wide variety of presentations from live speakers to videos. A wonderful tour guide and the next best thing to being in Portugal. I highly recommend this class!
— Review left February 25, 2022
This program allowed me to travel virtually to a country I have long been interested in. The guides and instructors were genuine and professional and shared a depth of knowledge I hadn't expected; and the adjustments to video versions of walking tours and presentations worked extremely well. I appreciated having a Road Scholar tech support person in attendance the whole time in case of glitches. She kept us all in unbroken contact. This was a great experience!
— Review left June 21, 2021
This virtual tour of Portugal was excellent. The presentations were very interesting and the use of zoom was most creative. The instructors were easy to understand and really made a connection with participants. We were sad to leave on the last day.
— Review left June 18, 2021
I signed up for the online adventure, The Best of Portugal from Lisbon to the Sea, because I had never visited this country and really wanted to experience it. My hopes for an engaging and informative tour were met and exceeded. My group coordinator and the local guides gave me such a distinctive flavor of the country that I truly feel I have visited Portugal. Road Scholar's virtual tours are a godsend for people who cannot physically travel for one reason or another. I do hope they continue to provide them.
— Review left April 23, 2021
This was an entertaining and informative program giving a good overview of Portugal's history, culture, products and life.
— Review left April 23, 2021
Just finished Adventures Online: The Best of Portugal From Lisbon to the Sea. Excellent program. The instructors were very knowledgeable and engaging. I learned a lot about Portugal- it's history, culture, the issues the people deal with. Short of travelling there (which I do want to do when able to), this was a great option.
— Review left February 12, 2021
Fantastic program with experienced and engaging presenters.
— Review left February 12, 2021
It would be great to take a virtual trip before actually visiting in person.
Virtually, you learn and see and have time to digest on the information with no distractions...able to focus.
Physically, when you actually take the trip, walk the grounds, smell and touch...you will enjoy the trip on a much richer and deeper level. And you will truly savor the moments.
— Review left January 26, 2021
With the intention of going on the Duoro river cruise program someday, I registered for this program to get some early knowledge of Portugal (and counteract the inability to travel in person right now). The program provided such good information on the history, culture and current aspects of the country. I loved the variety of activities - slides, pictures, videos, live interactions (music concert and discussions with college grads) and the participant connections. The program was technically run to perfection and the leaders kept us engaged. I did miss being able to try the local food like we can in person but it was nice not to have to pack a suitcase! I am signed up for the virtual tour to Antarctica next.
— Review left January 17, 2021
The Best of Portugal from Lisbon to the Sea was an amazing virtual tour! The program sparked a strong interest in visiting Portugal in the future. After taking the virtual tour, I believe the actual trip to Portugal will be a richer experience. I highly recommend this tour. Of course, the tour guides were quite knowledgeable and set the stage for a delightful experience. Thank you!
— Review left January 16, 2021
As long as you can’t go in person, this virtual tour to Portugal is the next best thing. With very personable and competent leaders and carefully planned timing, we walked through old towns, rode on a fishing boat, conversed with natives, listened to fado; all the while learning about the history of Portugal as well as the present day. I highly recommend this trip.
— Review left January 16, 2021
Top quality leaders/lecturers created an open and congenial atmosphere and provided a well organized and interesting picture of historical and contemporary Portugal. Emphasis on the importance of the sea in every aspect of Portuguese history and life, including art. Video presentations were well integrated into talks and field trips along with information from a range of presenters including a Coimbra student, Fado musicians and a family sharing a sardine barbeque. Questions and comments from involved participants were encouraged and never answered in a simplistic way. Learned about rice, fishing, and Mediterranean diet. Excellent experience!
— Review left January 16, 2021
What a fun experience! Road Scholar did such a great job making me feel like I was in Portugal! I loved learning about the history and culture of Portugal. And meeting natives made it such a special experience! I look forward to doing this again.
— Review left January 15, 2021
We just finished the program this morning, and I feel like I've been in Portugal. The presenters, the materials covered, and the way in which they were covered were all marvelous.
— Review left January 15, 2021
The virtual tour of Portugal was a wonderful mix of history, current culture, walking tours, food, music, interacting with locals, great guides and speakers and the technology to enjoy all this was very good. Thank you, Diane
— Review left January 15, 2021
My wife made all the arrangements and contact so I just go along on the program!
— Review left January 15, 2021
This program is absolutely first rate. You will have fun learning about this intriguing country and the program leaders Paula and Luisa and Helena were excellent in so many ways. It was an enriching experience for me and kept me feeling stimulated, hopeful and even happy during this pandemic.
— Review left January 15, 2021
This was an amazing program, by far the best online program I have experienced through Road Scholar or any other platform. Paula and Luisa were truly wonderful. They were fun to be with, and kept us on schedule so the entire group could experience every facet of the program. Prof. Helena Baltazar was also terrific; she is extraordinarily knowledgeable about history, art, and culture of Portugal and extremely engaging. The additional feature of joining an extended family for a visit to the market and a family sardine barbecue was a real treat! The program was truly unique, not only did it include several dozen videos and virtual tours of sites all around the country, but we met four lovely Portuguese citizens who spoke to us in small groups about everyday life in their country and answered many of our questions. The expansive nature of the program using every possible online tool and engaging tour guides made the country come alive while sitting in front of a computer screen. I cannot recommend this program enough!
— Review left January 15, 2021
My trip to Portugal was "A Real Life Experience" thanks to the mentoring of our local Guide. She alternated among "real life" Walks, local experts and friends, historic and current context untiI I forgot that I was only at Home behind my computer and not struggling with my Walker up and down hills. Can't wait for my next Trip!
— Review left December 21, 2020
A wonderful first experience in virtual travel.
— Review left December 18, 2020
The trip to Portugal was so beyond what I could ever have expected.It was superbly organized and seamless. The lecturers Helena and Adriana were excellent. The field trips were extremely interesting. There was a great balance between lectures and field trips and conversations with local people. The group leader created a very warm and friendly atmosphere. I would highly highly recommend this trip.
— Review left December 18, 2020
A lovely way to see Portugal when we can't actually be there. Well done, Road Scholar. Thank you.
— Review left November 3, 2020
I highly recommend this program! Our instructors were outstanding and worked so hard to help us feel we literally were in Portugal. A good combination of lectures and virtual field trips. A live, not recorded, program with opportunities for great conversations with residents who were so eager to share their love for Portugal. A great experience - one you shouldn't miss!
— Review left November 3, 2020
A wonderful way to experience a location (hopefully, but not necessarily) prior to visiting. The leaders were friendly & knowledgeable and the program allowed lots of questions which was an added benefit to a non-live program. Highly recommend.
— Review left November 1, 2020
Adventures Online: The Best of Portugal From Lisbon to the Sea. Isabel Bernay and Paula Fernandes gave our group an excellent and engaging program about the history and culture of Portugal. Their interactive sessions with Portuguese citizens emulated the "true Road Scholar experience" and we felt we were in the country versus Zoom!
— Review left October 31, 2020
This is a wonderful program, full of interesting facts and interactions on Portugal. The instructors had a great series of presentations. I feel like I have been to Portugal. You will not regret taking this class.
— Review left October 30, 2020
I enthusiastically recommend this program. There was obvious quality background preparation for the delivery of content, but the group leaders, instructors and other team members really made this program special. This online adventure is a great replication of a typical Road Scholar program with efforts to travel virtually, to visit and communicate with locals, and to provide interesting historical and cultural information. Now, to visit Portugal in person - it's on my bucket list!
— Review left October 30, 2020
This was fabulous! Along with the 2 Program Leaders/Instructors, there were several other people that we were able to interact with. Everyone was so friendly and informative. There was a good mix of topics, videos, live interaction, and a very thorough handout for us to keep. Almost felt like I actually travelled there!
— Review left October 30, 2020
I highly recommend experiencing a virtual trip. It will really give you a feel for the country; the sites, it's culture & people. You can review your guide book, as I did for Portugal, but there is no substitute for the personal connection. In our program, we had discussions with Portuguese students & working adults, which provides insight you would not have otherwise. Folks, get on with life long learning through travel, even if it is virtual for the present time!
— Review left October 30, 2020
This was my first virtual educational travel experience and I can't wait to do another one! Really got immersed in the country's history and current experience by interacting with locals and great presentations. I appreciated sharing this program with folks all over the U.S.
— Review left October 30, 2020
The group leaders, Isabel Burney and Paula Fernades, were AMAZING! Their program was put together with love and care to give us a slice of Portugal. They had arranged Field Trips for us to see Fado performances and also breakrooms to ask questions of "locals" in the cities we visited. I know this took time and care to put together and it truly shows. I have an in-person trip to Portugal for October 2021 (rescheduled from Oct 2020) and I am looking so forward to it! A few weeks after the course, Isabel and Paula mailed out "Thank You" postcards to everyone!!! Phenomenal!!!!
— Review left October 30, 2020