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 PORTUGAL

 Lisbon, Sintra, Algarve, Porto, Évora, Aveiro, Douro Valley

MOROCCO

SAHARA

PORTUGAL

ANDALUSIA

BARCELONA

PROVENCE

Natural beauty, breathtaking beaches and ancient villages await you.

Immerse yourselves in the amazing culture, sights, colors, and people of Portugal. From the small mountain towns down to the seaside villages and through the winding streets of the cities, this trip has it all. We will see almost all of what this quaint European country has to offer, as we travel by private car while stopping at amazing destinations along the way. There are opportunities for amazing photographs around every corner, as we visit some of Europe’s oldest castles, breathtaking beaches, and stepped vineyards where Port Wine was born. In addition to the spectacular landscape that Portugal has to offer there will be many opportunities to meet and photograph some of the kindest and most interesting people in Europe.

We begin in the energetic city of Lisbon where we will spend our first two days. Just outside Lisbon is the romantic and historic enclave of Sintra, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. We dedicate a full day to Sintra. From here we move south to the wonderful cities of Évora, Beja, Sagres and Lagos, capturing the countryside along the way. We will explore and photograph the breathtaking southern coast, better known as The Algarve, along with Portimão and Carvoeiro. The landscape and seascape are simply stunning. And finally, no trip to Portugal would be complete without a stop in Porto, in the north. Porto is one of Europe’s oldest urban centers and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

In addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our week together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas and great fun. Portugal is perfect, and another one of our amazing destinations to express your creativity.

We begin in the energetic city of Lisbon where we will spend our first two days. Just outside Lisbon is the romantic and historic enclave of Sintra, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. We dedicate a full day to Sintra. From here we move south to the wonderful cities of Évora, Beja, Sagres and Lagos, capturing the countryside along the way. We will explore and photograph the breathtaking southern coast, better known as The Algarve, along with Portimão and Carvoeiro. The landscape and seascape are simply stunning. And finally, no trip to Portugal would be complete without a stop in Porto, in the north. Porto is one of Europe’s oldest urban centers and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

In addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our week together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas and great fun. Portugal is perfect, and another one of our amazing destinations to express your creativity.

Group Size

4-8 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
  • Busy schedule
  • Travel by car or minibus
  • Moderate elevation changes and lots of walking
  • (non-photographers also welcome)

Weather | Sun

June – Temps 78/61 F  25/16 C  Sunrise 6:12 | Sunset 9:00 (21:00)
September – Temps 75/61 F  24/16 C  Sunrise 7:23 | Sunset 7:37 (19:37)

Includes

  • 9 Days
  • Travel, landscape, seascape, architecture, nature, street and people photography
  • Professional photographer | guide
  • Photo walks & discussions
  • Small group size (4-8 guests)
  • Fine hotel accommodations
  • Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners
  • Local transportation

Travel Information

Arrival Airport: Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) – Transfer time to hotel 25min
Departure Airport: Lisbon, Portugal (LIS), or Porto, Portugal (OPO)
Note: On the last day the group will depart Porto for Lisbon in the early morning.
If you are departing from Porto, the group will bid you farewell at this time.
Our adventure begins at 11 AM on the first day and ends at noon on the last day.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality. Go to Visa Map to find out.

Accommodations

Lisbon – EPIC SANA Marques Hotel, The Vintage House, Bairro Alto Hotel, Avenida Palace or similar
Algarve – EPIC SANA Algarve, Salgados Dunas Suite, Vivenda Miranda, Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa or similar
Porto – Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel, Pousada Porto – Rua Das Flores, Pestana Palácio do Freixo Hotel or similar

Helpful Links

> How to See Portugal in 9 Days – by Ian Robert Knight

Portugal Prices & Dates

Photographer Leader

Photographer Leader

Roman Martin

May 18-26, 2024
August 24 – September 1, 2024
May 17-25, 2025

*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

PORTUGAL 9 DAYS

Day 1 | Lisbon

We meet in the morning at our hotel in Lisbon. We start the day off discussing PWA’s “10 Guiding Principles of Photography” as well as our “The Art of Seeing” photographic technique. During a group lunch, we have informal discussions on what the guests are trying to achieve in their photography, subject matters, styles and techniques. From here we will set out for a day of photography throughout this amazing colorful port town. You will come across all sorts of sights as you walk through the winding alleys of one of the oldest cities in the world. 

In the early evening we will celebrate the groups arrival with a “Welcome Dinner” at one of our favorite Portuguese restaurants. (D)

 

Day 2 | Lisbon

Today we rise early for some low-light photography of Lisbon. We’ll explore several of the city’s neighborhoods. There is a lot to see and capture in Lisbon, but it is also a difficult city to navigate because of the up and down nature of its seven hills. We will use local transportation to transfer from one neighborhood to another.

After lunch we check out the colorful and fun photographic opportunities at Lisbon’s LX Factory. What do you get when you introduce an old strip of factory buildings to restaurants, cafés, and creative minds? You get one of the coolest hangout spots in the city. Lisbon has accepted a role as a technological center and startup headquarters, attracting more entrepreneurs in the process, and the LX Factory is one of many fruitful initiatives.

In the evening we will take a short trolley car ride to Belém, which boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Both the Jerónimos Monastery (built in 1495) and the Belem Tower (built in 1513) are humbling sites, and photograph very nicely as well. We won’t let you forget to visit Pastéis de Belém, famous for their pastries of the same name, they make for a delicious dessert. And finally, as the sun is about to set, we will shoot the newly created MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology). This will be a wonderful place to wrap up the day before we head back to our hotel. (B)

 

Day 3 | Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais

We depart in the early morning for Sintra, which is located just outside Lisbon. We will spend the day exploring the amazing castles that seem to be around every corner in this small town. The many retreats, estates and castles that dot the hills, some dating back to the 8th century is why Sintra is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After a wonderful lunch in one of the many cafes, we will tour the Moorish Castle, that sits atop the highest point in the town. The grounds and the view make for some of the best photographs one could ask for. Sintra will provide us with the perfect opportunity to discuss architecture photography as we travel from one amazing structure to another. As the day gets late the colorful buildings seem to come to life with the warm evening sun beating against them. They pop out of the lush green hills providing some beautiful contrast in order to photograph this incredible landscape.

Our objective is to give you a taste of Sintra. You could literally spend a week exploring this magical enclave. So if you fall in love with Sintra, which you very well may do, you will certainly want to return! After Sintra we will explore the beach community of Cascais. Cascais (kush-kaish) has rocketed from sleepy fishing village to much-loved summertime playground of wave-frolicking lisboêtas ever since King Luís I went for a dip in 1870. Its trio of golden bays attracts sun-worshipping holiday makers, who come to splash in the ice-cold Atlantic. (B)

 

Day 4 | Lisbon - Évora - The Algarve

After an early breakfast, we depart Lisbon and head south to The Algarve, the stunning southern coast of Portugal. We will drive through beautiful farmland, rolling hills, and charming villages as we head toward some of the most beautiful coastal beaches in the world.

On our way, we will visit the city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we’ll explore the Sé de Évora Cathedral and St Francis Church. Évora is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, and an enchanting place to delve into the past. Inside the 14th-century walls, Évora’s narrow, winding lanes lead to striking architectural works: an elaborate medieval cathedral and cloisters; the cinematic columns of the Templo Romano (near the intriguing Roman baths); and a picturesque town square, once the site of some rather gruesome episodes courtesy of the Inquisition. Aside from its historic and aesthetic virtues, Évora is also a lively university town.

Once we arrive Algarve we will explore the world renowned Ponta da Piedade cliff and Praia da Rocha beach in Portimão. At sunset we will attempt to capture that iconic Algarve sunset shot, followed by dinner. The stunning coast of the Algarve is known for its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, sea caves, scalloped bays and sandy islands. But ‘sun, surf and sand’ is far from the end of the Algarve story; there’s no shortage of photographic opportunities on this breathtaking coast. (B)

 

Day 5 | The Algarve - Sea Caves - Faro - Carvoeiro

Today, we will be up early to explore the Algarve’s dramatic Sea Caves by boat, including the famous Benagil Sea Cave.

Later we will drive to Faro, the capital of the Algarve where we will have lunch in the old town. Here we will walk the cobbled streets of Old Town Faro and encounter centuries-old architectural sights, Roman passages, cozy cafes, and a museum with archaeological findings. The site features the oldest horseshoe arch in Portugal and a 16th-century convent. Note the many houses decorated with flowers as well as the meandering paths and alleys; take a stroll down the shopping lane at the town’s center.

In the evening we will visit Carvoeiro, a small fishing village within walking distance of our hotel. Here we will explore the town’s center, where there are beautifully colored boats stacked against whitewashed homes with accents of color. The towns center ends at a stunning beach, protected on both sides by huge cliffs. Just meters from the village is Algar Seco, an incredible natural site, where ocean erosion has carved out grottos, islets, and water chimneys. This is the perfect place to capture some of the most amazing landscapes and seascapes in the world. Here you will have the time to practice photographing the local people and calm Mediterranean culture. (B)

 

Day 6 | The Algarve - Tomar - Aveiro - Porto

On day six we depart early for our drive to Porto in northern Portugal. Along the way we will make a brief stop at Tomar before arriving in Aveiro. Enchanting and brimming with fascinating history, Tomar makes for a great stop while exploring Portugal. Located in the center of the country, it’s surrounded by forests, fields, and other charming rural towns, and although it’s a sleepy town at first glance, there is plenty to see and photograph in this incredibly pretty town with epic architecture. 

Next we arrive at Aveiro. Hugging the edge of the Ria, a shallow coastal lagoon rich in birdlife, Aveiro (uhvey-roo), whose name might come from the Latin aviarium (place of birds), is a prosperous town with a youthful, energetic buzz. It’s occasionally dubbed the “Venice of Portugal” thanks to its high-prowed boats, humpbacked bridges and small network of picturesque canals. We’ll explore by foot or aboard a moliceiro – the traditional seaweed-harvesting boat now converted to tourist use.

Upon our arrival in Porto, we will check in to our hotel and we will turn our focus on the old city and all the spectacular sites it has to offer. Located between the mouth of the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean. Porto is one of Europe’s oldest urban centers and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)

 

Day 7 | Porto

Today we will immerse ourselves in Porto (we saved the best for last), exploring the different neighborhoods of this incredible city, while wandering through her ancient streets. The baroque style is perfectly exhibited in the buildings and churches throughout the city. We will have lessons in street, people, cityscape and architectural photography, as well as long exposures using ND filters.

While walking around we will have a wonderful time photographing the people, culture, and sites of one of Europe’s oldest cities. Photographing this port city at sunset and twilight is best done from the banks of the Douro River. For this you will need your tripods and ND filters. Here we will focus on the old town. (B)

 

Day 8 | Porto - Douro Valley

On our final full day we depart Porto for a day trip to one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions (since 1756). The Douro Valley showcases steep terrace vineyards carved into mountains, granite bluffs, and whitewashed Quintas (estates) and 18th-century wine cellars that draw in visitors from around the world. We’ll be tasting the ports and wines, traveling winding scenic roads, visiting postcard-pretty villages and enjoying excellent regional restaurants.

Upon our return to Porto, we will freshen up at our hotel, and return to the banks of the Douro River for a wonderful Farewell Dinner at one of our favorite Portuguese restaurants. (B) (D)

 

Day 9 | Porto - Lisbon

On day nine, we will have our final group discussion, review our past week’s photos, trade contact information and say goodbye, as we head back to Lisbon. NOTE: If you are departing from Porto we will bid you farewell in Porto.

We urge you to extend your stay and practice all the photography skills you have learned over the nine days in other towns in Portugal or throughout Europe! (B)

 

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion

 

May all who come as guests... leave as friends®

 

OPTIONS AND BENEFITS

Pricing

All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in boutique hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels which offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. Breakfast is included only if included in our room rates.

Private Guided Adventures

We offer amazing private guided photo adventures, cultural tours and vacations for individuals, couples, families and groups. We can customize any of our published adventures, as well as others, to meet your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests. This may include the finest 5-star accommodations, business-class travel, and private guides and fixers who are able to make the impossible possible. If you are not interested in a photo-centric vacation, but you love our approach to private travel, we will be happy to design and deliver an amazing adventure focused on travel, culture and cuisine. Click here to request a quote. Feel free to call us at 1-888-834-0288 or contact us for more information.

Travel Insurance

We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry.

The cost for travel insurance can be as low as 4% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating. Click here to learn more about why you should consider travel insurance.

Rewards Program

Start earning points today and SAVE $200 - $900 off future trips!
Simply register for one of our amazing photo adventures and begin earning points today!

How The Program Works
For every adventure reservation you make with Photo Workshop Adventures, you earn valuable points which you can redeem on your next trip. This is a great way to save up to 8% off future trips. Our Rewards Program is designed with three tiers: Orange, Gold and VIP Members. Points may be applied towards balance payments on your next trip, or you may choose to accumulate points for a free trip in the future.

ORANGE REWARDS
All guests begin with our Orange Rewards Program (Level 1), which earns 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately after your first trip. A $5,900 spend earns 23,600 points with a value of $236 USD.

GOLD REWARDS
With our Gold Rewards Program (Level 2), you earn 6 points for every dollar you spend. Orange Members who reach 120,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 4-6 trips), automatically move up to Gold Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 35,400 points with a value of $354 USD.

Additional Gold Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers

VIP REWARDS
With our VIP Rewards Program (Level 3), you earn 8 points for every dollar you spend. Gold Members who reach 350,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 8-12 trips) move up to VIP Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 47,200 points with a value of $472 USD, (8+/-% discount).

Additional VIP Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
  • Ability to Gift or Transfer points to others
  • Receive complimentary airport transfers at the destination location*

Redeeming Your Points
Redeeming your points couldn’t be easier. You can always log in to your account to check your points balance. When you are ready to book your next trip, register and pay your deposit. When you go to pay your balance you will be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.

THINK ORANGE Magazine

Subscribe to our Think Orange Magazine and eNews. THINK ORANGE is a wonderful mix of stories and tips related to travel, photography, adventure, culture, art, technology, cuisine, lifestyle, people and more. Our objective is to immerse you in a world you may only fantasize about. Raise your awareness and inspire your creativity. Perhaps even help make you a better photographer. We deliver similar experiential experiences that our guests enjoy on our photo adventures. Like all of our adventures, our blog is “photo-centric”, while also allowing you to experience all the nuances and cultural aspects of travel and adventure. Welcome to our world. We hope you enjoy. Our eNews is a great way to receive information about upcoming photo adventures, exciting new destinations, photography tips, special offers and more. Subscribe today!

Gift Cards

Give someone you know a Gift Card, good toward any of our Photo  Adventures, Photo Tours, Private Guided Tours, Online Courses, Prints or Merchandize. Our beautifully personalized eGift Cards and Certificates are delivered to you electronically. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. They are available in any amount from $100 to $5000. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves photography, travel or adventure. Order now, or email for more information.

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