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.
Once you have registered for the trip, you will be able to register for the Extension to the Douro Valley. Click here for more details.
Art & Culture 
Active 
Expert Scholar 
Food & Wine 
Heritage 
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Sun. Oct 15, 2028
- Depart the United States and begin your journey to Portugal, setting out on an adventure filled with history, culture, and Jewish discovery.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF DISCOVERIES
Mon. Oct 16, 2028
- Touch down at Lisbon International Airport and receive your first welcome to Portugal.
- Gather in the hotel lobby, meet your J² Expert Educator and local guide, and launch your journey with purpose and curiosity.
- Explore the Belem district of Lisbon, located on the River Tagus, from where many of the great Portuguese explorers embarked on their momentous voyages.
- Stop at the Monument to the Discoveries to pay tribute to the Portuguese Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries.
- Pass by the impressive Jerónimos Monastery and learn about the story behind its impressive walls.
- Savor the legendary Pastéis de Belém, enjoyed warm and fresh, made from a closely guarded recipe unchanged for generations.
- Return to the hotel to check in and take time to settle after a full first day.
- Celebrate your arrival with a festive welcome dinner at a local wine bar, reviewing the journey ahead, sharing themes and narratives, and setting personal and group intentions together.
Overnight: Lisbon
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
JEWISH LIFE IN LISBON
Tue. Oct 17, 2028
- Dive into Lisbon’s vibrant core as you explore Rossio Square, Baixa, and Praça do Comércio, then climb into the atmospheric streets of Bairro Alto, where centuries-old traditions meet bohemian flair and panoramic views spill over the city.
- Enjoy free time for lunch on your own at the Time Out Market, sampling flavors from across Portugal in a lively, modern setting.
- Continue into the storied Alfama Quarter, winding through steep alleys, hidden churches, and sweeping vistas of the Tagus River. Stand at the site of the 1506 Lisbon Massacre and trace the powerful tensions between tradition and modernity.
- 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 more about the local Jewish community today.
- Spend the evening at leisure, exploring Lisbon’s rich food scene and vibrant neighborhoods on your own.
Overnight: Lisbon
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
THE MAGIC OF SINTRA
Wed. Oct 18, 2028
- 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 the grounds of Pena Palace and its surrounding park, taking in colorful towers, lush gardens, and sweeping views of the countryside below.
- Stop at Cabo da Roca: Overlooking the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, stand at the western-most point of mainland Portugal and continental Europe.
- Enjoy free time for lunch in the charming seaside town of Cascais, known for its beaches, cafés, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
- Return to Lisbon for a relaxed afternoon to rest, explore, or enjoy the city at your own pace.
Overnight: Lisbon
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
JEWISH TOMAR AND THE TEMPLARS
Thu. Oct 19, 2028
- Check out of the hotel and begin the journey northward, leaving Lisbon behind.
- Stop in the historic city of Tomar, once a center of Jewish learning and Templar power.
- Enter the 15th‑century synagogue and the Abraham Zacuto Luso-Hebrew Museum, followed by a heartfelt communal musical moment within the ancient sanctuary.
- Break for lunch on your own in Tomar’s welcoming town center.
- Visit the Convent of the Order of Christ, originally a Templar stronghold built in the 12th century and one of Portugal's most important historical and artistic monuments. The Convent is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Continue onward to Belmonte, nestled in the mountains of central Portugal.
- Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner together.
Overnight: Belmonte
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
JEWISH HISTORY IN BELMONTE
Fri. Oct 20, 2028
- Depart the hotel and begin a morning of discovery in Belmonte.
- Walk through the historic Jewish Quarter. Observe the narrow streets and traditional houses, and see the sites where Jews lived and practiced their faith in secret.
- Discover the synagogue in Belmonte, still active to this day and meet with local community members, descendants of the Anusims of Portugal.
- Spend time at the Jewish Museum, which showcases the history of the Belmonte Jewish community since the Middle Ages.
- Enjoy lunch at a Jewish-owned hotel, supporting local Jewish life and heritage.
- Travel north to Porto, one of Portugal’s most vibrant and historic cities.
- Arrive in Porto and check into the hotel.
- Welcome Shabbat with Porto’s growing Reform Jewish community through a special musical service, followed by Shabbat dinner with community leaders.
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
THE CRADLE OF PORTUGAL
Sat. Oct 21, 2028
- Drive to Guimarães, widely known as the birthplace of Portugal.
- 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.
- Drive to Guimarães, widely known as the birthplace of Portugal.
- 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.
- Return to Porto and remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
- Mark the close of Shabbat with a meaningful Havdalah ceremony, transitioning from sacred time back into the week.
- Conclude the day with a traditional Fado concert, experiencing Portugal’s soulful musical tradition.
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
PORTUGAL’S MEDIEVAL CAPITAL
Sun. Oct 22, 2028
- Visit the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue, the largest synagogue in the Iberian Peninsula.
- Enjoy a scenic stroll along the riverbanks of the picturesque Porto de Gaia riverbank, home of the most famous Port wine cellars.
- Break for free time at a local market, enjoying lunch and soaking in everyday Porto life.
- 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.
- Participate in a ceramic workshop, including a taste of local port. Learn with local artisans about this important Portuguese heritage and paint Porto tiles yourself using traditional techniques.
- Return to the hotel to refresh.
- Start your evening with an immersive visit to a traditional port wine cellar, where you’ll taste the iconic fortified wine that has shaped Porto’s global reputation for centuries. Discover why port is central to local culture, learning how generations of craftsmanship, aging traditions, and the historic lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia helped define the soul of the region.
- Continue on to a separate venue for a festive farewell dinner, celebrating your journey with great food, shared stories, and the lasting warmth of Portugal’s most celebrated wine.
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Mon. Oct 23, 2028
- Check out, carry your memories with you, and fly back to the U.S.—inspired, connected, and changed by Portugal’s stories.
OR
Continue your adventure with an optional extension into the legendary Douro Valley, where you can explore one of the world’s most breathtaking wine regions.
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
20+
Cost p/p in double room
$6,405
Cost p/p in single room
$7,755
Or similar hotels: Registration open
Lisbon: Lumen Hotel
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Standard room
- Hotel Website
Belmonte: Convento de Belmonte
- Nights: 1
- Room Category: Run of House
- Hotel Website
Porto: Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Run of House
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
VOYAGER PLUS
popular
- Guaranteed room category upgrade.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- Private airport arrival transfer.
- 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.
- Private round-trip airport transfers.
- 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
- 7 nights' accommodations.
- 7 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and a local guide, in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- 1 Group arrival transfer at the Lisbon airport.
- 1 Group departure transfer to the Porto airport.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 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.
- Early check-in or Late check-out.
- 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.
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- 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 $675 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 130 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 130 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 129 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.
Stuff.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
The J2 App
available on the App Store & on Google Play.
