Travel > Portugal

Passport to Portugal: A Women’s Retreat
Dates: March 17-24, 2025
Prices (in US dollars):
- $5,250 – per person (land only, based on double occupancy)
- $875 - single supplement
Join us for an extraordinary week in Portugal, where wine, history, meditation, and community blend into a transformative retreat. We’ll begin our journey in Lisbon with a warm welcome and a group dinner, setting the stage for exploration and connection.
Each day offers opportunities for mindful reflection and learning, yoga, or meditation sessions guiding our inner journey. In Lisbon, we’ll explore Portugal’s rich Jewish heritage, visiting historic synagogues and learning about the inspiring Jewish women who helped shape the country’s history, such as Dona Gracia Mendes Nasi.
After time spent in Belem, Tomar & Coimbra, we’ll travel to Porto, where we’ll experience the warmth of the local Jewish community and celebrate Shabbat with heartfelt traditions, joining Cantor Linda Kates and founding members of the progressive HaMakom Synagogue.
On our final day, we’ll indulge in the beauty of the Douro Valley, where we’ll enjoy wine tastings and a hands-on cooking workshop, immersing ourselves in the region’s flavors before concluding our journey with a final dinner and shared reflections.
Through meditation, discussions, and storytelling, we’ll connect with the legacies of remarkable Jewish women, explore Portugal’s culture, and forge bonds that will last a lifetime. Leave this retreat not only with unforgettable memories but also with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.
- Begin Each Day with Purpose: Start your mornings with a meaningful activity, whether it’s engaging in reflective learning sessions, meditation, or yoga, setting the tone for a day of exploration and connection.
- Inspiration from Remarkable Jewish Women: Delve into the lives and legacies of extraordinary Jewish women like Dona Gracia Mendes Nasi, whose stories will inspire and connect us throughout the retreat.
- Explore Portugal’s Historic Jewish and Cultural Sites: Discover key landmarks such as the Shaare Tikva Synagogue in Lisbon, the Abraham Zacuto Synagogue in Tomar, the Kadoorie Synagogue in Porto, and the historic Joanina Library in Coimbra. Also, explore the Jewish Museum Hatikva and the Old Jewish Quarter in Belém, deepening your understanding of Portugal's Jewish heritage and cultural richness.
- Cultural Immersion with Fado Music: Experience the soulful sounds of traditional Fado music during a special group dinner, soaking in the cultural heart of Portugal through music and storytelling.
- Wine and Cheese at the home of Cantor Linda Kates in Porto: Join us for an intimate wine and cheese gathering, where you’ll hear about her role in founding the Progressive HaMakom Synagogue and connect with other founding members.
- Culinary Adventure in the Douro Valley: Immerse yourself in a hands-on cooking workshop at a local winery in the picturesque Douro Valley, followed by a tasting of exquisite Portuguese wines.
Passport to Portugal: A Women’s Retreat
Reflection & RenewalMarch 17-24, 2025
(Itinerary subject to change)
Day 1: Monday, March 17, 2025
Arrival and Welcome
- Welcome and Opening Session: Arrive in Lisbon and join us at the hotel for a warm welcome and introduction to the journey ahead. Connect with fellow travelers as we set the stage for a week of exploration and community
- Opening Group Dinner: Gather for our first meal together at a charming local restaurant, where we’ll savor the rich flavors of Portuguese cuisine while sharing meaningful conversation. It’s the perfect way to begin our journey, fostering connection and setting the tone for the transformative experiences ahead.
Overnight: Altis Avenida Hotel, Lisbon
Day 2: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Nurturing the Spirit: Jewish Heritage and Mindful Exploration
- Breakfast at the hotel
- A peaceful, retreat-style session at the hotel to start our day with intention
- A short stroll to a yoga studio-loft for a rejuvenating guided yoga class
- Visit the Shaare Tikva Synagogue, a symbol of Lisbon’s enduring Jewish history, where we’ll reflect on the resilience and legacy of the Jewish community
- Lunch at leisure
- Explore Lisbon’s vibrant city center on a guided walk, wandering through iconic spots like Rossio Square and the winding alleys of the Alfama district
- Return to the hotel for an afternoon retreat session
- Evening at leisure to enjoy the magic of Lisbon at your own pace
Overnight: Altis Avenida Hotel, Lisbon
Day 3: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Discovering Legacy: Embracing History and Culture in Belém
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning retreat session at the hotel, continuing our journey of reflection and connection
- Gentle yoga nidra/restorative session at a serene yoga studio-loft
- Transfer to Belém, home to Portugal’s Age of Discovery. We’ll explore the famous Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the Jewish Museum Hatikva and the Old Jewish Quarter
- Lunch at your leisure, enjoying the rich history of this iconic neighborhood
- Return to the hotel
- In the evening, immerse yourself in the soulful sounds of Fado music during a special dinner, experiencing Portugal’s cultural heart through song and storytelling
Overnight: Altis Avenida Hotel, Lisbon
Day 4: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Walking Through Time: Jewish History and Portuguese Tradition
- Breakfast and checkout at the hotel
- Travel to Tomar, where we’ll visit the historic Abraham Zacuto Synagogue, a precious remnant of Portugal’s Jewish past
- Lunch at leisure in the picturesque town of Tomar
- Continue to Coimbra, known for its ancient university and rich academic traditions. We’ll take a guided walking tour to soak in its unique atmosphere and visit the famed Joanina Library, time permitting.
- Arrive in Porto and enjoy an intimate cheese and wine gathering at the home of Cantor Linda Kates, who helped found HaMakom, a Progressive Jewish community in Porto. We’ll experience Portuguese hospitality and learn about the vibrant, growing community she continues to nurture.
- Check-in at the hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure
Overnight: Hilton Porto Gaia, Porto
Day 5: Friday, March 21, 2025
Welcoming Shabbat: Reflection, Tradition, and Connection
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Visit the stunning Kadoorie Synagogue, the largest synagogue in the Iberian Peninsula, rich with history and stories of the Jewish community in Porto
- Visit the Nossa Senhora da Vitória Home for the Aged, where remnants of a secret synagogue ark, once used by conversos, was uncovered.
- Return to the hotel to freshen up for Shabbat
- Celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and enjoy a meaningful Shabbat together at the hotel, filled with warmth, reflection, and connection with Linda, and other members of the local community.
Overnight: Hilton Porto Gaia, Porto
Day 6: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Shabbat Vayinafash: A Day of Rest, Learning, and Renewal
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Spend Shabbat together, embracing the day with learning, rest, and spiritual connection
- Group lunch to share and reflect on our thoughts and experiences
- Late afternoon retreat session at the hotel, followed by a beautiful Havdallah ceremony to close Shabbat
- Evening at leisure to enjoy Porto
Overnight: Hilton Porto Gaia, Porto
Day 7: Sunday, March 23, 2025
The Taste of Tradition: Exploring the Douro Valley and Portuguese Cuisine
- Breakfast at the hotel
- A scenic bus ride through the breathtaking Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards and peaceful landscapes await
- Enjoy a hands-on cooking workshop at a local quinta (winery), learning the secrets of Portuguese cuisine, followed by a delicious lunch
- Return to the hotel
- Gather for a heartfelt farewell group dinner, reflecting on the meaningful moments we’ve shared throughout the week
Overnight: Hilton Porto Gaia, Porto
Day 8: Monday, March 24, 2025
Parting with Purpose: Carrying Forward Our Shared Experiences
- Breakfast and checkout at the hotel
- Private transfer to Porto airport for your departure, filled with memories and connections from our week together
The Melton tour to Portugal will be led by Melton educators Andrea Gardenhour and Rabbi Rachel Bovitz. Melton Travel is open to adults of all ages.
While Melton oversees the educational aspects of our tours, it's important to note that we are not a travel agency. For the logistics of this trip, our travel partners in Portugal will be responsible.
Please note that Melton is not liable for any financial loss due to reasons beyond our control, such as health-related cancellations. We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation and health-related issues, including COVID, within a few weeks of paying your nonrefundable deposit.
Thank you for your interest in travelling with Melton. We eagerly await the opportunity to learn and explore together with you.
The Melton Travel Team
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Price Includes:
- 7 nights' accommodation/7 days of touring
- Touring via deluxe air-conditioned coach
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners
- All tips (except for housekeeping)
- All educational programming and entrance fees
- Audioguides
- Porterage
- 2 bottles of water daily on the bus
- Tips for local service providers including guides, drivers and wait staff
Hotels:
- Lisbon: Altis Avenida Hotel, R. 1º de Dezembro 120, 1200-360 Lisboa, Portugal. Tel: +351 210.440.000
- Porto: Hilton Porto Gaia, R. de Serpa Pinto 124, 4400-307 Vila Nova de Gaia. Tel: +351 222.449.200
Note: We will do our best to assist you with extensions both before and after the seminar.
Not Included:
- Air Travel
- Travel Insurance
- Transfer to/from the airport
- Tips for housekeeping
- Personal expenses
Need to Know
- Group rates are per person and a minimum of 20 fully paying participants. Should the number of participants drop below the minimum listed above, we may adjust the cost of the trip to reflect the additional expense of operating the program.
- Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides, drivers, and the tour guide/educator are included.
- A nonrefundable deposit of $1250 per person is due upon registration. If the trip is cancelled, the registration fee will be refunded. Final balance will be due 100 days prior to trip start date: December 8, 2024.
- Participants who reserve a double room and are sharing with a friend or family member will be subject to the single supplement if that person cancels prior to departure if final payment has not been paid.
- There will be no refunds for unused services. All cancellations must be submitted in writing.
- Hotel Accommodations: The tour price includes all hotel accommodations, in hotel rooms with private bathrooms. Our standard is to provide the best available hotels while considering value. Although the level of the accommodation may differ slightly from hotel to hotel, we are committed to your comfort.
- Meals are kosher style and included as indicated in the itinerary. Participants may order Glatt kosher meals at prices set by our local vendors upon request.
- A Melton scholar & educator will be with the group throughout the tour.
- All gratuities are included.
- Baggage: Melton shall not be held responsible for any damage to or loss of luggage/personal items. All damage/loss must be reported at time of incident and documented in writing by local authorities for submission to the insurance company.
- About airline baggage allowance, different carriers have different regulations for business and coach, please check with your individual carrier with regard to permitted number of pieces, weights and dimensions. The tour operator is not responsible for fees levied by any air carrier for the transport of personal belongings of any kind.
- Porterage at hotels. Please note that room service is not included.
- Activity level: Please note that Portugal has hilly terrain. If needed, participants are welcome to use Ubers for easier transportation, with costs covered individually.
Not Included
- Air Travel
- Travel Insurance
- Transfer to/from the airport
- Tips for housekeeping
- Personal expenses
Melton Travel recommends Forbes Advisor for the most up-to-date travel insurance comparisons. Consider travel protection for:
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
- Trip Delay
- Baggage & Personal Effects
- Baggage Delay
Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days (about 3 weeks) from the time you make your initial trip deposit, the entire non-refundable amount of the trip must be insured, and you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. However, the travel protection plan itself can be purchased any time prior to departure.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures: Your name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket, or you may be denied boarding. If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification are required for that airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items.
Holidays and Museum Closures: Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or state and local holidays observed in the destinations being visited.
Photography During Tours: We will occasionally use photographs taken by fellow guests or your trip director for promotional purposes. If you prefer your photo not used in any marketing activities, please notify us at the start of your tour.
For more information, please contact us here.
Or call: 1–646–921–0747, Ext. 4