Amarante
Wednesday 19th - Sunday 23rd May 2027
Full details and pricing below - availability limited
Amarante sits on the Tâmega river, where the baroque Igreja de São Gonçalo overlooks an 18th-century stone bridge. It’s a small, charming town of cobbled streets, riverside cafés and family-run tascas — and it’s famous for convent sweets still baked from the nuns’ centuries-old recipes.
Over four days, you’ll discover Amarante through the language itself. Structured conversation classes build your Portuguese, and activities around town put it into practice — from games at the local market to a painting workshop inspired by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, one of Portugal’s most groundbreaking modern artists. And, of course, there’ll be doce de São Gonçalo and vinho verde along the way.
Here's what we've got planned...
Before the trip:
Use our pre-trip study pack to prepare you for the activities and meet your fellow participants in the pre-trip meeting. Click here for a preview.
Day 2: Conversation Lessons and City Tour
Morning conversation classes set you up for the day ahead — building the vocabulary and questions you’ll need before you head out. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the history and culture of Amarante on a walking tour, delivered in Portuguese.
Day 4: Market visit and Wine blending experience
Start the day at the local municipal market, where interactive games get you talking to the people behind the stalls. In the afternoon, head to a local quinta to become a winemaker for a day: starting in the sensory room, you’ll work through aromas, taste individual grape varieties, then blend your own vinho verde from scratch — before bottling it, corking it, and designing your own label to take home.
Day 1: Arrivals and welcome meal
Touch down, check in to the hotel and meet the group over a set-menu dinner in the historic centre of Amarante.
Day 3: Conversation Lessons and Painting Workshop
Morning conversation classes prepare you for the afternoon, where you’ll join a painting workshop organised by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso’s own great-granddaughter! You’ll learn about his life and bold artistic style, then try your hand at recreating some of his techniques — a uniquely personal window into one of Portugal’s most important modern artists.
Day 5: Departures
Check out and head home. Transfers available to Porto airport and city centre at set times.
Every day also has free, unstructured time built in, so you can rest, recharge, or simply explore Amarante at your own pace.
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What's included?
Intimate learning group of maximum 12 participants
Native-speaker language support throughout
Conversation-based lessons with a qualified teacher
Engaging activities designed to maximise speaking practice
Welcome and farewell meals in local restaurants
Comfortable hotel in the historical centre of Amarante
Pre-trip materials to prepare you for each activity
Optional group transfer to/from Porto Airport or city centre (€40 each way)
Trip Details
How do I join the trip?
Click "I'm Interested" at the top of this page and fill in a short form — it only takes a few minutes. From there, we'll set up a quick call to chat about the trip and make sure it's the right fit for you.
What level do I need to join the trip?
This trip works best for intermediate learners (B1/B2) who can hold a basic conversation but want to push further. If you can introduce yourself, talk about your life, and follow along — but still hit walls with fast speech or unfamiliar topics — you're in the right place.
How much Portuguese will we be speaking?
Every lesson, activity, and meal on this trip takes place in Portuguese, with guides alongside you every step of the way to support you when you need it.
What is the price?
The early-bird price of €1,095 applies to registrations made before 9th November 2026. After that date, the price is €1,195. A single room is €150 extra. A €300 deposit secures your place, with the balance payable in instalments.