Portugal

Upon arrival in Lisbon, we will meet our program leader and transfer to our hotel to drop our luggage and settle in after the overnight journey. Once refreshed, we will begin with an introduction to the city through a guided exploration of Baixa, Chiado, and Alfama, the historic neighborhoods that reveal Lisbon’s layered identity through plazas, viewpoints, tiled façades, and winding medieval streets. To help ground the group in the city’s history before we dive into the rest of the week, we will visit the Lisbon Story Centre, then continue on foot to some of Lisbon’s most iconic public spaces and miradouros. After our morning walk, we will head for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will continue exploring the historic center, discussing how Lisbon’s urban form reflects trade, empire, migration, and resilience after the 1755 earthquake. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to rest before gathering for our first group dinner.

Today we focus on Portugal’s Age of Discovery and the global reach of the Portuguese empire. We will travel to Belém, the riverside district from which many maritime expeditions departed, and begin with a visit to the Jerónimos Monastery , one of Portugal’s most important architectural and historical landmarks. We will then walk the waterfront and visit the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) , where we can discuss both the ambition and the consequences of maritime expansion, including colonialism, trade, religion, and cultural exchange. We will also stop to view Belém Tower from the outside and discuss its defensive role in Lisbon’s riverfront system. After our morning visits, we will head for lunch at a local restaurant in Belém and, of course, sample the neighborhood’s famous pastry tradition before returning to central Lisbon. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner together and reflect on how Portugal’s imperial history still shapes the city today.

This morning we turn to oceanography and marine conservation with a visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa , one of the city’s signature educational attractions. With an educational add-on or guided visit, students will explore marine ecosystems, biodiversity, climate pressures, and the relationship between Lisbon and the Atlantic. After the visit, we will head for lunch nearby before making our way to the coast for an afternoon focused on environmental stewardship. At the beach, we will take part in a service-learning beach cleanup and coastal ecology discussion, using the shoreline as a living classroom to think about marine debris, human impact, and local responsibility. Weather permitting, we'll spend the afternoon at the beach. We'll close the day with sunset dinner on the beach before heading back to Lisbon.

Today we leave Lisbon for a day trip to Sintra, where architecture, landscape, and monarchy come together in one of Portugal's most visually striking settings. Traveling by rail from Lisbon, we will make our way into the Sintra hills and visit the Pena Palace and Park , whose romantic architecture and dramatic setting offer a very different vision of Portugal from the riverfront monuments of Lisbon. As we explore, we will discuss architectural style, royal patronage, and the way natural landscape shapes cultural identity. After our visit, we will head for lunch in Sintra’s historic center, then enjoy time to walk the town and observe the built environment at a slower pace before returning to Lisbon for dinner. After dinner, we'll go see live Samba music, offering a glimpse into the lively Brazilian diaspora living in Lisbon.

Today is our craft and local-making day. We will begin with a walk through Lisbon neighborhoods known for their tilework and decorative details, discussing the role of azulejos in Portuguese visual culture and public space. Because the National Tile Museum is currently closed for works, we will shift the focus from museum interpretation to direct making and local interaction. The centerpiece of the day will be a tile painting workshop , where students will learn about the history and symbolism of Portuguese tiles before creating their own piece with guidance from local artists. After the workshop, we will head for lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon can include additional neighborhood exploration and time to notice how craft traditions remain visible in everyday Lisbon. We will gather for dinner in the evening.

Our final full day in Portugal will connect contemporary Lisbon with food, creativity, and local identity. In the morning, we will join a street art walking tour through neighborhoods where Lisbon’s walls tell stories about migration, politics, identity, and public space. This will provide an especially useful point of comparison for students interested in the Atlanta BeltLine and the role of art in shaping neighborhoods. After the tour, we will head for lunch at a local restaurant before turning to Lisbon’s culinary traditions with a hands-on Pastéis de Nata baking workshop , where students will learn the history and technique behind one of Portugal’s most iconic foods. The afternoon will leave time for some final exploration and packing before we come together for a farewell dinner . After dinner, we will hold our final reflection , looking back on the week’s themes—empire, architecture, oceanography, craft, art, and food—and considering how Lisbon reveals Portugal’s global past and contemporary identity.

This morning we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home.