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  • Business and Culture in Portugal

    Portugal

    – Sample Itinerary –

    © CEPA Study Abroad / Terra Education. All Rights Reserved
  • Academic Field(s)

    Hospitality and Tourism

  • Destinations

    Lisbon

  • Duration

    9 days

  • Accommodation

    3-star hotel in Lisbon

This 9-day immersion program provides students with a firsthand look into Portugal’s vibrant hospitality, tourism, and business sectors. Based in Lisbon, students will explore the region’s rich cultural heritage, local professional landscape, and winemaking traditions through guided winery tours, academic lectures, and iconic site visits. By experiencing Portuguese culture, gastronomy, and commerce up close, participants will build a specialized, real-world knowledge base to advance their future careers in the global hospitality and tourism industries.

  • DAY 1

    • Overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal (group flight can be booked separately)

  • DAY 2-5: LISBON

    Stay 7 nights at a 3-star hotel in Lisbon

    • Arrive at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
    • Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator
    • Welcome dinner at a Portuguese restaurant
    • Guided walking tour of Lisbon to get a first insight into the city and learn more about Portugal’s capital. During the tour you will see Alfama, the medieval section of Lisbon with narrow streets, the Bairro Alto and Chiado, two quarters where artists traditionally met, and many other sights
    • Admission to the Belém Tower in Lisbon. The fortified tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and played an important role in the Portuguese maritime discoveries during the Age of Discoveries.
    • Admission to the Jerónimos Monastery. The monastery is part of the Portuguese culture and identity and is one of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon.
    • Free afternoon in Lisbon
    • Visit a winery in Lisbon e.g., Adega Belém, for a cellar tour with one of their winemakers and a tasting afterwards. During your tour, you will learn about the different winemaking approaches and how terroir and technology impact the final taste.
    • Guest lecture at a local university about the Portuguese business and professional landscape. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the different sectors and industries in Portugal, the career paths and opportunities available, and the skills and qualifications that can help you enter the business world.
    • Classroom available in the morning for near or at your hotel for a class session with your faculty leader(s)
    • Cooking class, during which you will prepare the famous Pastéis de Nata, a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, optionally dusted with cinnamon. The dish is popular also in countries with historical ties to Portugal.
    • Admission to Casa Fernando Pessoa. This 3-story building was once the house of the famous poet and writer where he lived in his later years. Now, it showcases the life and works of Fernando Pessoa with personal items, manuscripts, books as well as his legacy and his many heteronyms.

  • DAY 6-8: LISBON-SINTRA

    • Audio-guided tour of the Lisbon Story Center, an interactive museum that will share with you the history of the city of Lisbon from its Greek time to the present time. Afterwards, you will have the chance to have a privileged view from the top of Arch Rua Augusta and observe how Lisbon’s streets are designed and spot famous landmarks and the Tagus river.
    • Admission to the National Tile Museum, a captivating institution that celebrates the artistry and cultural significance of Portuguese tiles, known as azulejos. This unique museum houses a remarkable collection of tiles spanning centuries, showcasing their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and historical evolution. Through its exhibitions, the National Tile Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Portugal’s rich tile-making tradition, allowing them to appreciate the beauty and storytelling power of this unique art form.
    • Transportation by private bus during the day
    • Admission to the Parque e Palácio Nacional da Pena in Sintra. Located in the Sintra hills, the Park and Palace of Pena are the fruit of King Ferdinand II’s creative genius and the greatest expression of 19th century romanticism in Portugal, denoting clear influences from the Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture.
    • Audio-guided tour to the Quinta da Regaleira. Quinta da Regaleira is a grand estate located near the historic center of Sintra. It is renowned for its romantic architecture, lush gardens, underground tunnels, and enigmatic structures like the Initiation Well.
    • Stops in Cabo da Roca and Boca do Inferno on your way home to Lisbon. Cabo da Roca is the wild and rugged headland that marks the westernmost point of continental Europe. Take a moment to enjoy the view of the windswept cliffs and barren lands which were believed to be the edge of the world up until the 14th Boca do Inferno, or “Hell’s Mouth,” is a dramatic chasm in the coastal cliffs where powerful Atlantic waves crash into the rocky formations, creating a spectacular natural display. The site gets its ominous name from the roaring sound and foamy spray that emerge as the sea rushes into the cavern below. It’s a mesmerizing spot for nature lovers and photographers alike.
    • Admission to the Fado Museum, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Fado, the traditional Portuguese music genre known for its emotional, melancholic melodies. The museum explores the history and evolution of Fado, its cultural significance, and its role in Portuguese identity. It showcases exhibits featuring famous Fado musicians, instruments, and costumes, as well as multimedia displays that highlight the genre’s development from its roots in the 19th century to its modern-day forms.
    • Use your last afternoon in Lisbon for final discussions and reflection
    • Farewell dinner incl. Fado show at a restaurant in Lisbon to wrap up the program

  • DAY 9: LISBON

    • Departure from Lisbon-Portela Airport (LIS)
  • What’s included in this sample itinerary:

    Academic and professional excursions with special presentations • cultural excursions and field trips with local, bilingual guides • entrance fees and reservations • accommodation in 3-star hotel (twin rooms for students; single room for the faculty) • daily breakfast • welcome and farewell dinner • local transportation by private bus as needed • public transportation passes in Lisbon • on-site coordinator during excursions • orientation sessions • time to study, instruct, and explore

Programs require a minimum of 12 participants.

Your custom quote will be tailored to several key factors, including:

  • travel dates
  • final group size (including faculty leaders)
  • program duration
  • specific excursions
  • your preferred accommodation and meal plans
  • other specific requirements

Interested in running a similar program or building one from scratch?

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