Skip to main content

Overview

A truly unforgettable adventure

Northern Portugal is a magical place, with stunning landscapes dotted with tiny villages, farms and wineries. And it’s never more beautiful than in the spring when the hillsides bloom with new growth. We’ll walk daily through this bucolic countryside, enjoying farm-fresh picnics and stopping to taste port at a quinta and chat with the winery staff. 

Explore not only the northern mountains and meadows but also the rich history of this mighty nation that sent explorers around the world and  was a European superpower by the 16th century. After a day of adventure, relax in charming accommodations that include a converted 12th-century Cistercian monastery and an old wine lodge on the banks of the Douro River.

Dates

April 29–May 10, 2024

Duration

12 days

Price

From $9,595 per person

Trip size

32 participants

Minimum age

18 years
Reserve(opens new window)

Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Héctor Hoyos

Iberian and Latin American Cultures

Recently the director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Modern Thought and Literature at Stanford, Professor Hoyos researches visual culture and critical theory, as well as comparative and philosophical approaches to literature.

Hector was really first-rate—very informed and passionate about the subjects on which he lectured."

—James L. Austin, Jr., ‘72

Itinerary

A springtime walk through a storied land

Experience Northern Portugal’s history, literature, music, and art through the ages, from 20,000-year-old paleolithic rock art to dazzling and modern Porto. We’ll walk from unspoiled towns and villages past gorgeous granite outcrops and through vineyards, bucolic pastures and thick woodlands. Take in the riveting history and tasty vintages of the Douro region’s port—in its very birthplace.

  • Porto, Portugal / Amares

    Arrive in Porto, Portugal’s second city, and transfer to the village of Amares, where we check in to one of Portugal’s fine pousadas, formerly a Cistercian monastery and our home for the next three nights. Meet fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner this evening.

    Accommodations:

    Pousada Mosteiro De Amares

    Included meal: Dinner
  • Amares

    Today, we drive to the edge of Peneda-Gerês National Park to explore the old Roman road that ran through this high country between what are now the two countries of Portugal and Spain. After the first of our picnic lunches, continue our walk before returning to our hotel by road.

    Accommodations:

    Pousada Mosteiro De Amares

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Amares

    This morning, take a short drive high into the hills to the village of Covide. This is quintessential Portugal high country, with granite outcrops among grassy fields where cattle graze freely. This afternoon we continue our walk through pastures and forest to the pilgrimage church of Abadia, then on to the little village of Amares to our hotel.

    Accommodations:

    Pousada Mosteiro De Amares

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Amares / Guimarães / Pinhão

    Drive south to the beautiful town of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques. Wander the town center, which is delightfully unchanged from its medieval beginnings. Later, drive to the little town of Pinhão, where we spend the next three nights in a former port lodge situated on the edge of the Douro River.

    Accommodations:

    Vintage House Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Pinhão

    Our walks today take us through the vineyards of the Douro region to one of its famous quintas. After a port tasting and lunch, walk down to the valley to board a rabelo, a river vessel that once transported port wine, to make an excursion from Pinhão by boat along the glorious Douro River.

    Accommodations:

    Vintage House Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Pinhão

    We travel north to begin our walk, which leads through the villages near Sabrosa, birthplace of the explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Later we continue our walk before returning to Pinhão either on foot or by road.

    Accommodations:

    Vintage House Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Pinhão / Serra Da Estrela

    Depart Pinhão this morning and travel east to the archaeological site of Vale do Côa, where we see the extraordinary Paleolithic rock art that dates back to some 20,000 years ago. After our visit continue by road to Serra da Estrela Natural Park, where we spend the next three nights.

    Accommodations:

    Casa De San Lourenço

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Serra Da Estrela

    Serra da Estrela is an exceptional highland park that boasts the highest point in Portugal. Our full-day walks today lead directly from the hotel across open countryside punctuated by small tarns and high granite outcrops. After a pause for a picnic lunch (and some of the famous local sheep’s cheese), we continue our walks before returning to our hotel by road.

    Accommodations:

    Casa De San Lourenço

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Serra Da Estrela

    Today’s walks descend to the beautifully isolated valley of the Mondego River and lead us to our lunch on the banks of the river. Return to our hotel either by vehicle or on foot.

    Accommodations:

    Casa De San Lourenço

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Serra Da Estrela / Buçaco National Forest / Porto

    Drive west this morning towards the coast, stopping to visit the centuries-old Buçaco National Forest. This ancient walled and gated arboretum was the site of one of the most important Portuguese battles in the war for independence against Napoleonic forces. Later today drive north to the beautiful city of Porto, where we spend our last two nights.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Intercontinental Palacio Das Cardosas

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
  • Porto

    Our city walk this morning introduces us to the old city of Porto and ends with a trip across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia. There, visit one of the famous port lodges from where this great wine is sent across the world. After a visit and tasting, enjoy some free time to explore the city independently before gathering for a farewell reception and dinner at our hotel.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Intercontinental Palacio Das Cardosas

    Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
  • Porto / Home

    This morning, transfer to Porto Airport for outbound flights.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Join us in Portugal

Have a question for us?

Get in touch with someone at Travel/Study.