Guimarães
Wednesday 5th - Sunday 9th May 2027
Full details and pricing below - availability limited
Guimarães is where Portugal itself began — the birthplace of the nation, with a medieval centre that carries that history in its cobbled streets and the 10th-century Castelo de Guimarães still watching over it. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s beautifully preserved, with a lively centre filled with museums, cafés and tascas.
Over four days, you’ll get to know Guimarães one conversation at a time. Structured classes build the Portuguese you need, and activities around the city put it straight into practice: exploring the history of the old town, getting hands-on in a ceramics painting workshop, and finishing with a vinho verde tasting at a local quinta.
Here's what we've got planned...
Before the trip:
Use our pre-trip guide and study pack to prepare 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 heading out. In the afternoon, a local guide takes you through the medieval heart of Guimarães: inside the Castelo de Guimarães, up the teleferico to Monte da Penha, and through the streets where Portugal began — all in Portuguese.
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Day 4: Market Visit and Wine Tasting at a Quinta
Start the day at the local market, where interactive games get you talking to the people behind the stalls. In the afternoon, head to a local quinta for a guided vineyard tour and wine tasting — learning about the story of vinho verde in Portuguese.
Day 1: Arrivals and welcome meal
Check in to the hotel and meet the group over a set-menu dinner in the historic centre of Guimarães.
Day 3: Conversation Lessons and Ceramics Painting Workshop
Morning conversation classes again, building the vocabulary and confidence you’ll need — then an afternoon at a local ceramics studio for a hands-on painting workshop. You’ll learn different painting techniques before decorating your own plate and cup — no experience needed. Your pieces are fired and glazed in the studio and handed back to you before the end of the trip.
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 Guimarães and it's historic centre at your own pace.
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 Guimarães
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?
The trip works best for learners with an approximate level of A2 - you're past the absolute basics but not yet comfortable in real conversation. You understand more than you can say, and speaking to strangers still takes courage.
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.