Journeys: Discover Portugal

Set off on a week-long exploration of Portugal, guided by G Adventures in a small group. Begin with Lisbon’s narrow streets and the fado melodies that float through its Alfama district. Sintra offers a shift in pace, where the ornate Palace of Pena rises with unexpected whimsy above pine-clad hills.

In Évora, step inside the Chapel of Bones and visit a cork farm where the bark of this versatile tree is still harvested by hand. Tomar reveals its Knights Templar history with a surprising cluster of medieval structures, while Coimbra invites a tour of its centuries-old university. Conclude in Porto with walks through its Ribeira district and a leisurely boat cruise on the Douro River, enough to hear the worth of the local “river of gold.” The group moves mostly by public transport, carrying luggage between stations and hotels, giving an unvarnished glimpse of Portuguese travel.

This journey, accompanied by a National Geographic Expedition Leader and local guides, accommodates up to sixteen travellers sharing small hotels and pensions, some without lifts. It’s a series of steps into a country shaped as much by the everyday as by its grand narratives.