Portugal Expedition 2026

COSTA RICA EXPEDITION

Exploring All the Natural Wonders.

In the Footsteps of the Crypto-Jews

Portugal Expedition (Porto) 2026

August 10-17. 2026

Full Solar Eclipse & The Crypto-Jews of Portugal

Portugal was once one of the world’s great seafaring nations, launching voyages of discovery that changed the course of history. Today, its landscapes and traditions still carry that proud, intrepid spirit. Large parts of the country remain almost untouched, as though time itself has slowed, preserving centuries-old rhythms of life. Rolling vineyards cling to terraced hillsides, medieval castles guard cobbled streets, rivers wind past ancient bridges, and villages seem to emerge straight out of another age. The magic of Portugal lies not only in its scenery but also in its atmosphere: a quiet charm that works its way into you slowly and irresistibly, until you realize you have fallen completely in love with the land.

Jewish Portugal: A Hidden Story of Resilience

At its height, Jewish life in Portugal was vibrant and widespread. More than 150 Jewish communities thrived across the nation. Every major town, port, and village had its own Judiaria (Jewish quarter), complete with synagogues, schools, and institutions. This golden age came to an abrupt end in 1496, when King Manuel I issued an edict banning Judaism during the time of the Inquisition. Jews were forced to either convert to Catholicism or leave the country. While some became “New Christians” and others fled into exile, many chose a third path — remaining in Portugal and continuing to practice their faith in secret. These “Crypto-Jews” carefully preserved their identity behind closed doors, passing traditions down quietly from one generation to the next.

Centuries later, subtle traces of this resilience are still visible throughout Portugal. In historic towns and villages, one can find mezuzah slots carved discreetly into stone doorways, Hebrew inscriptions etched into fading walls, and place names that preserve the memory of once-thriving communities. Though synagogues, gates, and public markers may have vanished, the story of Jewish Portugal endures — remembered in oral traditions, rediscovered in archeological finds, and honored in cultural institutions.

A Journey Through Time and Sky

This expedition is both a cultural and natural exploration, designed to immerse travelers in Portugal’s Jewish history and its living traditions. We journey across Northern Portugal and the Douro Valley, visiting medieval towns, historic Jewish quarters, and contemporary communities who proudly carry forward a once-hidden legacy. Along the way, we explore the country’s broader cultural riches — its universities, castles, markets, music, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes.

The highlight of this journey will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026: a full solar eclipse, visible from one of the best viewing locations in the world. To stand in Portugal’s landscape, surrounded by centuries of history, and watch as the skies darken in this rare celestial event will be nothing short of extraordinary. It is a moment where natural wonder and human history intersect, creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Your Adventure

Day 1 (Mon): Arrival in Porto, Portugal

Arrive at Porto International Airport for a warm meet-and-greet before transferring to your hotel. Depending on arrival times, we will enjoy a gentle afternoon activity to begin immersing ourselves in the rhythm and beauty of Portugal.

Day 2 (Tue): Trancoso & Belmonte

We begin our exploration of Jewish Portugal by traveling inland to two of its most historic towns. Belmonte: This hilltop village of fewer than 7,000 people has an extraordinary story. Here, a Jewish community managed to survive the Inquisition by practicing its faith in secret for centuries. Until the 1990s, Belmonte’s Jews maintained absolute privacy, whispering their prayers behind closed doors and keeping traditions alive in hidden spaces. Today, they proudly live openly as Jews, warmly welcomed back into the fabric of Portugal. Walking through the Jewish Quarter, we will see preserved stone houses and visit the synagogue and the Museum of Portuguese Jewish History — located in a re-purposed 18th-century Catholic schoolhouse — where members of the community share their story. Trancoso: Perched high above the landscape, Trancoso was once a thriving medieval hub, with a Jewish population so large it eventually extended beyond the official boundaries of the Judaria. Even today, Hebrew inscriptions, stars of David, and mezuzah slots can be found throughout the town. We will visit the Isaac Cardoso Interpretation Centre for Jewish Culture, named after a 17th-century physician and philosopher from Trancoso who fled persecution and found refuge in Italy. The center is both a museum and a memorial, with exhibitions, a synagogue, and the names of more than 500 Inquisition prisoners. In 2013, it received a Sefer Torah — a symbolic return 500 years after the expulsion, a testament to the endurance of memory.

Day 3 (Wed): Porto & Bragança — Solar Eclipse Viewing

The morning is dedicated to discovering Porto, one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Porto combines history, architecture, and atmosphere in a way few cities can. We will walk through its narrow streets from the Sé Cathedral, where the first synagogue once stood, to the Monte dos Olivais, site of the historic Jewish Quarter. Along the way, we encounter plaques, cemeteries, and recently uncovered remnants of synagogues that shed light on the city’s Jewish past. In the afternoon, we travel to Bragança, where we explore the town before preparing for the centerpiece of our journey — the full solar eclipse. Positioned in one of the most favorable viewing locations on Earth, we will watch as daylight fades and the sun is entirely covered, an awe-inspiring phenomenon that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Day 4 (Thu): Coimbra

We turn south to Coimbra, home to Portugal’s oldest university and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the “Oxford or Cambridge of Portugal,” Coimbra blends academic grandeur with charm. Its Jewish community once played an essential role in scholarship and trade, enjoying royal protections before facing the full force of the Inquisition. As we walk its winding, Arab-influenced streets and explore the old university, we trace how Jewish professors and thinkers contributed to Portugal’s cultural flowering and the Enlightenment. The city’s layers — Roman, medieval, academic, and Jewish — make Coimbra a microcosm of Portugal’s story.

Day 5 (Fri): Choice Day

A day of options allows participants to tailor their experience: Adventure: Hike the dramatic Paiva Walkways through waterfalls, quartz outcrops, and wildlife, and cross the 516-foot suspension bridge before kayaking the UNESCO Douro River Valley. Cultural: Travel to Aveiro, the “Venice of Portugal,” with its bright moliceiro boats gliding along canals, Roman origins, and coastal charm. Scenic: Enjoy a full-day river cruise along the Douro, past vineyards, terraced hillsides, and villages that seem frozen in time. Evening: Shabbat begins with optional Maariv services at Porto’s synagogue, followed by a community dinner.

Day 6 (Sat): Shabbat in Porto

Morning: Optional Shacharit services and Kiddush lunch. Afternoon: A relaxed guided walking tour of Porto. Evening: Experience Fado, Portugal’s soulful traditional music, in an intimate performance.

Day 7 (Mon): Braga and Guimarães

Our final day of touring takes us to two remarkable UNESCO sites: Braga: Known as the “Rome of Portugal,” Braga is rich with baroque churches, elaborate gardens, and sweeping views from the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Guimarães: Considered the birthplace of the nation, this well-preserved medieval town was the first capital of Portugal and the home of its first king. Walking its squares and castle-lined streets feels like stepping directly into the 12th century.

Day 8 (Tue): Departure from Porto

Bid farewell to Portugal with memories of history, community, and the skies themselves.

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. 