Destinations 
Europe Portugal
Europe Portugal
Portugal
Hi Mirjam, J.A., Singapore
We had a great trip and (etr tour leader) Jorge was fantastic! We were wowed with Portugal!!
Our tour begins in Lisbon, where the riverside Bélem neighborhood tells the story of Portugal’s seafaring history. We’ll explore the Bélem Tower (once a lighthouse for passing ships) and the Maritime Museum, home to more than 17,000 artifacts collected during countless voyages abroad. In Alfama, the imposing São Jorge Castle and citadel offers a window onto Lisbon’s medieval history and a stunning panorama of the city below.
The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, delights visitors with its windswept cliffs, pristine beaches, and sleepy hillside villages. We’ll tour Faro, capital of the region, before venturing out to the inlets and barrier islands of the Ria Formosa lagoon. The inlets of Ria Formosa were initially established to provide easier access to the port of Faro; today the more than 17,000 hectares provide an ideal resting place for migratory birds.
Beyond Faro, we’ll lace up our hiking boots for a walk in the Serra de Monchique, where sea breezes mingle with the scent of eucalyptus, peach and pine. In Sagres, we’ll tour the Fort where a school established by Henry the Navigator once prepared up-and-coming sailors for expeditions abroad. And finally, we’ll stop in Cabo São Vicente, the most southwesterly point of all Europe and a waypoint for ships en route to the Mediterranean. Standing atop salt-sprayed cliffs that rise 75 feet above the Atlantic, we’ll begin to understand why the call of the sea has been so irresistible to generations of Portuguese.
Lisbon Portela Airport is the main international gateway to Portugal and a major European hub. It is one of the largest airports in Southern Europe. It is served by over 30 airlines. etr’s partner airlines such as Air France, British Airways and Swiss International Airlines fly to Lisbon.
etr’s suggested minimum stay would be 3-nights Lisbon only, a program which gives students a thorough overview of this vibrant capital city and Portugal culture. However our groups often combine their trip to Lisbon with one of Portugal’s exciting cities or regions, such as Porto or the Algarve. As you know, all our programs are tailor-made and can be organized according to your requests. A simple email and we can get started…
Southern Portugal, including the Algarve, has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures are high, but moderated by sea breezes. In the north the rain is more common, particularly in winter, with cooler temperatures influenced by Atlantic currents and the Spanish Meseta.
- Wander through Lisbon’s neighborhoods Chiado, Baixa and Alfama and admire the wonderful and unique Azulejos.
- Learn about Portugal’s historic explorers at the Maritime Museum in Belém.
- Enjoy a bacalhau dinner accompanied by traditional Fado music.
- Get a stunning view over the city of Lisbon from the Sao Jorge Castle.
- Head to Sintra to visit the “fairytale castle”, Palácio da Pena.
- Cruise along Porto’s six well-known bridges while taking a boat tour on the river Douro.
- Take an excursion to the medieval walled town of Barcelos, home of Portugal’s symbol the “Barcelos Cockerel”.
- Hike through the Serra Monchique up to Picota.
- Take a dip in the Atlantic and relax at a one of the Algarve’s beautiful beaches.
- Learn the importance of bird immigration while touring through Ria Formosa lagoon.
- Have your picture taken at the most south westerly point in Europe, Cabo São Vicente.
