VOYAGER
- Carefully selected accommodations, offering comfort and quality.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- J² Customer Care available by phone and email.
- $50 travel credit per person for your next J² journey.
Program is tentative and subject to change. Connect with our Customer Care Team by calling: (888) 230-6008 Mon.-Thur. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
Nature Walks 
Music 
Food & Wine 
Heritage 
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Sun. Jun 11, 2028
- Depart Houston, setting out on a meaningful journey to explore Portugal’s rich history, vibrant culture, and enduring Jewish heritage, carrying both curiosity and anticipation for the days ahead.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
WELCOME TO PORTUGAL
Mon. Jun 12, 2028
- Arrive at Lisbon International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with arrival formalities, ensuring a smooth and seamless beginning to your Portuguese experience.
- Meet your J² Expert Educator and local guide, who will accompany you throughout the journey, and transfer together into the heart of Lisbon.
- Discover the historic Belém district, set along the Tagus River, where Portuguese explorers once embarked on voyages that reshaped global history and forever altered Jewish life across continents.
- Pause at the Monument to the Discoveries, rising dramatically over the waterfront, honoring Portugal’s seafaring pioneers while inviting reflection on the era’s complex legacy of exploration, empire, and displacement.
- Pause at the Monument to the Discoveries, rising dramatically over the waterfront, honoring Portugal’s seafaring pioneers while inviting reflection on the era’s complex legacy of exploration, empire, and displacement.
- Sample Lisbon’s most iconic delicacy, the legendary Pastéis de Belém, enjoying the beloved custard tart whose origins connect monastic life, political change, and culinary tradition.
- Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant, offering a first taste of Portugal’s rich and welcoming culinary culture.
- Continue exploring Lisbon’s vibrant center, including Rossio Square, Baixa, and Praça do Comércio, where history, architecture, and daily life intersect.
- Hop on a tuk-tuk and take a tour of the Alfama Quarter, which still shows signs of the Moorish presence in the city. Explore the neighborhood's steep winding alleys, its Jewish history, hidden landmark churches, and breathtaking views of the Tagus River.
- Reflect at the site of the Lisbon Massacre of 1506, acknowledging this painful chapter in Jewish history and its enduring significance.
- Settle into your hotel and take time to refresh before the evening ahead.
- Gather for a welcome dinner with your Expert Educator, featuring introductions, an overview of the itinerary, and a thematic framing of the historical narratives that will guide your experience throughout Portugal.
Overnight: Lisbon
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
THE MAGIC OF SINTRA
Tue. Jun 13, 2028
- Engage in a meaningful meeting with the U.S. or Israeli Ambassador to Portugal, gaining insight into contemporary diplomatic relations and Jewish life in the country today.
- Depart for Sintra, the resort town of Portugal's kings, perched high in the mountains. The town’s picturesque romantic monuments and mountainous vistas serve as the backdrop for unparalleled architectural and natural beauty.
- Wander through the grounds of Pena Palace and its surrounding park, taking in vibrant colors, sweeping vistas, and the blending of architectural styles set amid exotic gardens.
- Enjoy free time for lunch in the charming town of Sintra, offering opportunities to explore local cafés, shops, and scenic viewpoints at your own pace.
- Stand at Cabo da Roca, standing at the western-most point of mainland Portugal and continental Europe, overlooking the vast Atlantic while reflecting on explorers who departed these shores-and the Jewish navigators and financiers who quietly shaped the Age of Exploration.
- Drive along Portugal’s dramatic coastline back toward Lisbon, taking in views that once welcomed sailors returning from distant lands.
- Meet with leaders of the Jewish community at the Shaaré Tikva Synagogue, which was the first synagogue to be built in Portugal after the late fifteenth century and learn about the local Jewish community today.
- Experience the soul of Portuguese culture through an intimate Fado concert, where music expresses longing, memory, and identity.
- Enjoy a free evening to experience Lisbon independently, choosing from lively neighborhoods filled with traditional taverns, contemporary restaurants, music-filled squares, and the city’s celebrated culinary scene.
Overnight: Lisbon
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
JEWISH HISTORY IN BELMONTE
Wed. Jun 14, 2028
- Depart Lisbon and journey inland toward Belmonte, tracing the path of Jewish endurance through centuries of secrecy, survival, and renewal.
- Share a group lunch at a Jewish-owned hotel, offering both nourishment and connection to the living Jewish story of the region.
- Explore the Castle of Belmonte, where you can learn about the town's broader history, including its Jewish heritage. The castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
- Walk through the historic Jewish Quarter, observing the narrow streets and homes where Jewish families preserved their identity in secrecy during the Inquisition.
- Visit the Jewish Museum of Belmonte, which tells the remarkable story of a community that maintained Jewish traditions in isolation for generations.
- Enter the local synagogue and meet members of the community, descendants of the Anusim, whose story reflects resilience, faith, and rediscovery.
- Gather for dinner at the hotel, creating space to reflect on the day’s powerful encounters and the enduring strength of Jewish identity.
Overnight: Belmonte
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
THE CRADLE OF PORTUGAL
Thu. Jun 15, 2028
- Depart Belmonte and travel to Guimarães, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Portuguese nation.
- For a panoramic view, ride the Teleférico de Guimarães cable car. Soar above rooftops, church spires, and terracotta tiles. As you descend, the town unfolds - a mosaic of past and present.
- Wander through Largo da Oliveira, a charming plaza adorned with traditional houses. The centerpiece? A majestic olive tree, symbolizing endurance and resilience.
- Enjoy free time for lunch, offering the opportunity to explore local cuisine and soak in the atmosphere of this historic town.
- Ascend to the Guimaraes Castle, perched atop a hill. Its brooding silhouette tells tales of knights, battles, and medieval intrigue. From the ramparts, gaze across the landscape—the same view that once inspired Portugal’s founder-king, Afonso Henriques.
- Continue onward to Porto, a city known as “The Undefeated,” where tradition and innovation meet along the Douro River.
- Arrive and check into your hotel, settling in for the next chapter of your journey.
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
THE MEDIEVAL HEART OF PORTUGAL
Fri. Jun 16, 2028
- Visit the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, and learn about the revival of Jewish life in Porto in the modern era.
- Romanesque to Romanticism: View the main sites of the city, including: Avenida dos Aliados, Clérigos Tower, which is known as the symbol of the city, São Bento railway station, decorated with 20,000 tiles depicting the history of Portugal, and the Ribeira neighborhood near the riverfront, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Tour of the Porto Old Jewish Quarters: we'll learn about the Jewish heritage in Sepharad Portugal, the Jews of the Middle Ages and the terrible times of the Inquisition, the new Christians of the modern era, and the 20th-century Jewish Renaissance.
- Enjoy free time for lunch, allowing for personal exploration of Porto’s vibrant culinary and cultural scene.
- Participate in a hands-on Portuguese tile workshop led by local artisans, creating a personalized keepsake of Porto’s artistic tradition to bring home to Texas.
- Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat, transitioning from exploration into sacred time.
- Celebrate Shabbat with the HaMakom community, joining in a meaningful service followed by a shared dinner that fosters connection, warmth, and a sense of global Jewish community.
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
SHABBAT IN PORTO
Sat. Jun 17, 2028
- Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure, taking advantage of the hotel’s amenities or simply resting and reflecting.
- Come together for a Shabbat lunch, sharing food, conversation, and community in the spirit of the day.
- Continue your exploration of Porto with a scenic stroll along the riverbanks, beginning at the vibrant Cais da Ribeira for beautiful views of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.
- Tour the historic Taylor’s port wine lodges and warehouses, learning about the production of fortified wines and enjoying a tasting accompanied by a celebratory toast - Saúde!
- Celebrate your journey with a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant, sharing reflections, memories, and meaningful moments from your time in Portugal.
- Ben Kodesh Lechol: Spend time together savoring the last moments of Shabbat with a Havdalah ceremony saying farewell to Shabbat and opening the new week.
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Sun. Jun 18, 2028
- Check out of the hotel and transfer to Porto Airport for your return flight to the US.
- Depart on your return flight to the United States, carrying home unforgettable experiences, new insights, and stories to share from your journey through Portugal.
Meals: Breakfast
RATES & LODGING
Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
participants
35+
Cost p/p in double room
$7,125
Cost p/p in single room
$9,245
Or similar hotel in Belmonte and Porto Registration closed
Lisbon: Four Seasons Ritz
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Superior Room
- Hotel Website
Belmonte: Convento de Belmonte
- Nights: 1
- Room Category: Classic Room
- Hotel Website
Porto: The Yeatman
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Superior Room
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
VOYAGER PLUS
popular
- Guaranteed room category upgrade.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- A signature J² gift awaiting you in your room.
- Priority dedicated Customer Care.
- A personal travel advisor for every detail, pre- and post-trip.
- $200 credit per person for a future journey, separate from this experience.
VOYAGER PREMIERE
- Guaranteed double category upgrade.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- A signature J² gift awaiting you in your room.
- Priority dedicated Customer Care.
- A personal travel advisor for every detail, pre- and post-trip.
- Exclusive access to sought-after dining, ticketed events, and premier performances.
- 10% preferred savings on additional hotel nights, excursions and transportation.
- $400 credit per person for a future journey, separate from this experience.
What to expect
- 6 nights' accommodations.
- 6 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and a local guide, 5 days in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- All arrival transfers from the Lisbon airport.
- All departure transfers to the Porto airport.
- Daily breakfast, 3 lunches & 4 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the hotels.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Portugal.
- Bus/Transportation on Shabbat.
- Kosher food (group meals provided will be Kosher-style).
- Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 20 and more participants traveling to Portugal: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): J² Expert Educator: $14 | Local Guide: $6 | Driver: $2. Amounts are per day per person.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on shared twin room occupancy.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 135 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 135 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 134 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
- Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C's). These T&C's apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
THE J2World
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