2027 Galloway Discover Lisbon
| Travel Dates: |
February 16, 2027 -
February 23, 2027
Dates are tentative until flight are secured
|
| Group Organizer(s): |
|
| WTT Contact: |
|
| Program Tuition: | $3,990 USD |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 16 2027 | USA - Lisbon | Today the group departs the United States for Portugal on an overnight international flight. Overnight travel. | Airplane |
| February 17 2027 | Lisbon | 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. | Hotel in Lisbon |
| February 18 2027 | Lisbon | 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. | Hotel in Lisbon |
| February 19 2027 | Lisbon | 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. | Hotel in Lisbon |
| February 20 2027 | Lisbon - Sintra | 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. | Hotel in Lisbon |
| February 21 2027 | 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. | Hotel in Lisbon |
| February 22 2027 | Lisbon | 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. | Hotel in Lisbon |
| February 23 2027 | Lisbon - USA | This morning we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home. | Hotel in Lisbon |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Group Flight
Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Swimsuit
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Warmer jacket
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Power Converter
- Debit card/Euros(we recommend about €50-€150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- STUDENT ID
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Hillary Mora
Program Leader
University of Kansas – B.A. Latin American Studies; Global and International Studies, Minor in Brazilian Studies
Jordan hails from Kansas City where he spent his entire childhood. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his first international experience would set the course for the rest of his life. After high school, he traveled to Guatemala where he began learning Spanish and cultivated a deep interest in everything Latin America. In college, Jordan spent almost half of his university career studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Brazil. In 2010, Jordan moved to Costa Rica for six years where he began his professional career teaching Portuguese to Costa Ricans and working with Walking Tree Travel. From Costa Rica he moved to Denver, Colorado and spent seven years traveling the USA and experiencing life as an adult in America for the first time. Jordan is trilingual and has traveled to more than 30 countries around the world. He currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal and enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, biking, spending time at the beach and cooking Middle Eastern food.
Gabriel Duncan
Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO
Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government
While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Portugal website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.
We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.