Costa Rica Expedition 2025

COSTA RICA EXPEDITION

Exploring All the Natural Wonders.

In the Footsteps of the Crypto-Jews

Portugal Expedition (Porto) 2025

July 1 – 7, 2025

Portugal, once a great seafaring nation, boasts a proud history and rich cultural heritage. Much of its landscape remains unchanged, preserving beautiful traditions. From rolling vineyards and grand historic structures to magical waterscapes and engaging vistas, Portugal’s charm gradually seeps into your consciousness, leaving you in love with its enchanting valleys and welcoming villages.

Jewish Portugal: At its peak, Jewish culture thrived in Portugal, with over 150 Jewish communities. Every major town, village, and port had a Judiaria (Jewish quarter) complete with its own institutions and places of worship. The Inquisition of 1496 forced Jews to either convert to Christianity or leave Portugal. While some converted and others left, many continued to practice their faith in secret. Today, symbolic features and engravings can still be found in old Jewish quarters, recalling the memory of these once-thriving communities.

Our program highlights the magical sights and sounds of Northern Portugal, especially through the Douro Valley, as we explore and adventure in search of the Crypto-Jews of Portugal. Our expert guides will bring over a thousand years of Jewish history and heritage to life, while you also discover the current historical and cultural wonders of the cities and regions we visit. Exciting tours, educational itineraries, and immersive adventures will make this an unforgettable educational experience!

Your Adventure

Day 1 (Tu): Arrival in Porto, Portugal

Arrive at Porto International Airport, where you’ll be greeted by our staff. Transfer to the hotel for an introduction to Portugal followed by dinner.

Day 2 (We): Porto

Discover the magical city of Porto. Its historic center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves many stunning monuments. We’ll walk through narrow streets from the Sé Cathedral—where the first synagogue was built—to Montes dos Olivais, where the Jewish Quarter once stood. Along the way, we’ll experience the beauty of one of the world’s most romantic cities. Jewish Porto: Once, Porto was home to a major Jewish merchant community. The first Jewish settlement in the city was along Rua de Santa Ana. In 1386, King D. John I granted land near the Church of Nossa Senhora da Vitória to the community. The main synagogue was located on Escadas da Vitória, still known locally as “Escadas da Esnoga,” with a plaque marking the spot. Nearby is an ancient Jewish cemetery at Passeio das Virtudes. Many Jewish merchants operated along Porto’s riverfront, in the Ribeira district, and on Rua da Alfandega. Another Jewish community thrived at Rua Monte dos Judeus, where a 15th-century Hebrew plaque was unearthed in 1826. A major recent discovery occurred when the main synagogue of Porto’s Jewish quarter was found during renovations of an ancient building, where workers stumbled upon a 15th-century ark. In the morning, we’ll explore Porto’s secular history with a walking and bus tour. In the afternoon, continue your Jewish exploration with a visit to Porto’s synagogue, “Kadoorie Mekor Haim,” the largest on the Iberian Peninsula, founded by Captain Arthur Barros Bastos in 1938. After dinner, embark on an evening cruise along the Douro River to enjoy Porto’s spectacular sights.

Day 3 (Th): Trancoso & Belmonte

Today, we explore two of the “12 Historical Villages of Portugal” — Belmonte and Trancoso — as part of a special KX-designed tour to discover the hidden Jews of Portugal. Belmonte: Explore the hilltop village of Belmonte, where hundreds of Jews survived the Inquisition by secretly practicing Judaism. These “hidden Jews” (formerly called “Marranos”) are the only known group of hidden Jews in the Iberian Peninsula. Until 1990, they continued to practice their faith in secrecy, but today, they openly embrace their Jewish identity and are warmly welcomed by the Portuguese. Our walking tour will take us through the Jewish Quarter, where we’ll visit the Synagogue and the Museum of Portuguese Jewish History, housed in a repurposed 18th-century Catholic school. Here, we’ll also meet members of the local Jewish community. Trancoso: Trancoso, a medieval hilltop town, boasts a rich Jewish history. In the 15th century, more than 500 Jews lived here, forcing the community to settle beyond the Judaria. Many remnants of this past remain visible throughout the town, including Hebrew inscriptions, Stars of David, and Mezuzot. Our visit includes the Isaac Cardoso Interpretation Centre for Jewish Culture, which honors Dr. Isaac Cardoso, a 17th-century Jewish doctor who fled religious persecution in Spain. The center includes exhibitions and a memorial to the victims of the Inquisition, and in 2013, a Sefer Torah was returned to Trancoso after 500 years. Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.

Day 4 (Fr): Choice Day - Adventure Options

Option 1 (minimum number of participants required): Paiva Walkways & Suspension Bridge and Kayaking on the Douro River Explore the Arouca Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized site, with an 8 km hike along the Paiva Walkways. Cross the 516 Bridge, one of Europe’s longest suspended bridges, offering breathtaking views of waterfalls and the Paiva River Gorge. Douro River Valley by Kayak Paddle through the UNESCO-listed Douro River Valley, known for its stunning landscapes, small villages, vineyards, and riverside beaches. Option 2: Aveiro - The Venice of Portugal Aveiro, with its picturesque canals and brightly colored Moliceiro boats, is often referred to as the Venice of Portugal. Explore this charming town, founded in Roman times, and enjoy a relaxing cruise along the canals in a traditional Moliceiro boat. In the evening, join the local Jewish community of Porto for Maariv services at the Kadoorie Mekor Chaim Synagogue, followed by dinner and a Shabbat celebration.

Day 5 (Shabbat): Porto

Begin the day with Shacharit services at the local synagogue, followed by a Kiddush lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of Porto. After Havdalah and our Maleve Malke, we’ll be treated to a traditional Fado show at a nearby theater.

Day 6 (Sun): Coimbra

Visit the UNESCO-listed town of Coimbra, home to Portugal's oldest university and a city rich in Jewish history. Wander through its charming old town, a maze of narrow streets, and explore its many historical sites. Coimbra’s Jewish community once thrived, enjoying protection from the monarchy and access to education. Even though the Inquisition left its mark, traces of the Jewish presence can still be found, especially within the university, which played a key role in the Age of Enlightenment. In the evening, enjoy a guided walking tour of Porto at night.

Day 7 (Mon): Braga and Guimarães

Explore the UNESCO-listed cities of Braga and Guimarães. Braga: Known as the “Rome of Portugal,” Braga features stunning Baroque architecture, including the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, famous for its grand staircase. We’ll visit the historic center and stroll through the beautiful Santa Bárbara Garden. Guimarães: As the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães is steeped in history. Visit its well-preserved medieval streets, squares, and buildings, including the Santiago and Oliveira squares. Guimarães is an authentic example of a medieval city’s evolution over time. After a full day of sightseeing, return to the hotel for a farewell dinner.

Day 8 (Tue): Departure from Porto

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flights home. We hope to welcome you on another KosherX tour in the future!

Air Booking 

For those who need assistance with booking your air travel, please contact us and we can supply you with the contact information for an outside air agent.  

Gentle Walkers 

Excursions are a mix of both walking and bus touring that require movement over cobblestones or up and down stairs. Therefore, a physically challenged guest will require the services of a responsible adult, as crew availability is very limited in most circumstances and therefore unable to assist. Motorized scooters are typically not suited. Guests have the option of taking taxis and meeting the group at our designated meeting points to cut down on the amount of walking from site to site. Please note that this is at the expense of the individual guest and must be arranged by the guests themselves.

Security: The safety of our guests is something we take very seriously, and we consider it our most important responsibility. Our policy is to be in constant contact with local municipalities regarding our arrival and departure at our various locations. 