5. oktober 2026 – 12. oktober 2026 Portugal Folk High School
Portugal from the inside
On the course we dive into Portugal's fascinating culture and nature together with Rasmus Forman, who lives in the country.
We begin our stay in the charming harbour town of Vila do Conde, just north of Porto. After four days in the Porto area, we move into a lovely country hotel overlooking the beautiful Minho river, which forms the border between Portugal and Spain.
During the week we will also experience Porto, northern Portugal's proud capital, which is one of the country's oldest cities. For centuries, Porto has been the centre of port wine production and trade, and the port wine houses lie side by side on the south bank of the beautiful Douro river. On the north side, the city spreads out in terraces up steep slopes, and along the river we find the picturesque Ribeira promenade with shops and restaurants. We will go sailing on the river – and of course taste the famous port wine.
Each morning we begin with morning singing and a talk before setting out to explore Portuguese everyday life, culture and landscape. Along the way we hear about the relationship with the mighty Atlantic, which has been of enormous importance to the seafaring nation of Portugal, and a source of discovery, trade and worldview. We also hear about the Portuguese relationship with Spain, which historically has been marked by war and rivalry – and we learn (almost) to speak Portuguese!
We also visit a local market, cross the border from Portugal to Spain, enjoy local dishes and Portuguese wine – and of course we will also experience the atmospheric fado singing, described as "Portugal's soul set to music".
In Vila do Conde we have access to wonderful sandy beaches, and at the country hotel a swimming pool awaits with panoramic views over the Minho valley – so remember your swimwear!
The course leader is Rasmus Forman, a Dane who has lived in northern Portugal since 2008. He speaks Portuguese, knows the country intimately and generously shares his knowledge of the country's culture and history and what occupies the Portuguese right now.
Alle kan være med
Du bestemmer selv dit tempo, og programmet tilpasses holdet. Er du i tvivl om noget, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Monday 5.10.2026
08.30 Departure from Copenhagen Airport for Porto, where we land at 11.
Transfer to our hotel in the harbour town of Vila do Conde, which is the setting for our folk high school in the first part of the week. Check-in.
12.30 Communal lunch followed by an afternoon break.
15.30 Welcome, folk high school singing and introduction to Portugal.
17.30 A walk through Vila do Conde's beautiful old streets.
19.00 Communal dinner at a good local restaurant. We do a "who's who?" round during dinner.
Tuesday 6.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 After breakfast there is morning singing and an introduction to northern Portugal's capital: Porto.
10.00 By coach to Porto's historic centre. Among other things we visit the São Bento station, where 20,000 tiles depict the country's history. We then walk to the Romanesque cathedral and enjoy the view over river and city, before reaching the mighty Douro river through narrow lanes.
12.30 Communal lunch on the lively harbour quay.
14.30 After lunch we take a one-hour boat trip on the Douro river beneath the city's six famous bridges. We are dropped off on the south side of the river, where the port wine houses are located. We are given a tour of a local port wine cellar and enjoy life by the river and the old streets.
17.30 The coach drives back to Vila do Conde.
Dinner on your own in small groups. No one eats alone unless they wish to.
Wednesday 7.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 Morning singing. A talk on the Portuguese language. Rasmus' Portuguese wife Sofia tells us about the Portuguese language and social customs. We learn to say: good morning and thank you, and to order the right coffee. We also hear about the basic elements of traditional Portuguese cuisine, and about who is kissed on the cheek and when.
10.30 After the morning gathering we walk along the river out towards the Atlantic. Here we meet Abel, who comes from a fishing family and who tells us about the Portuguese relationship with the magnificent Atlantic.
12.30 Communal lunch at a local fish restaurant.
14.00 After lunch we visit the harbour, where nets and gear are prepared for fishing on the great Atlantic.
15.00 On the way back to the town centre we pass one of the town's many fine beaches. There is a chance for a dip. If you don't go in the water, you can enjoy the view and a coffee at one of the many cafés along the waterfront.
19.30 In the evening we eat Portuguese tapas and hold a cultural evening with a special focus on the beautiful Portuguese song tradition "fado", performed by local musicians. Fado has been described as Portugal's soul sung aloud – melancholy voices, longing and fate woven together.
Thursday 8.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 Morning singing and morning gathering. After the morning gathering, the day is your own:
For those who wish to visit Porto again, we take the metro. Rasmus comes along on the metro and tells us about the options. There is also the option of staying in Vila do Conde and taking a walk along the sea. Or simply enjoying the day in the little streets and visiting the local shipbuilding museum.
In the evening there is the option of a communal dinner and port wine tasting.
All meals are at your own expense today. We are happy to recommend good places to eat!
Friday 9.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 Morning singing + morning gathering. At the morning gathering, Rasmus talks about the Portuguese mentality, which embraces both old rural traditions and a modern European way of life.
10.00 We take the coach to "move to the countryside".
11.00 Along the way we stop at the beautiful Lima river. Here we take a walk and hear about Portuguese flora and fauna and have a picnic in the green surroundings. We have our coffee at a rural café.
14.30 We continue further north and stop at a vineyard that produces Vinho Verde ("the green wine"). We are given a tour of the vineyard and taste the local wine.
17.00 Arrival at our beautiful country hotel, located outside the small market town of Vila Nova de Cerveira. The hotel sits high in the landscape with a magnificent view over the Minho river and neighbouring Spain.
Check-in and the chance to use the pool before dinner.
19.30 Communal dinner at the country hotel. We sing folk high school songs and enjoy ourselves.
Saturday 10.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 After the morning singing we walk to Vila Nova de Cerveira, where the large and colourful weekly market takes place. Here both Portuguese and Spanish people gather to trade, meet and soak up the atmosphere. Rasmus gives an introduction to the market, and afterwards there is plenty of time to explore on your own.
12.30 Communal lunch at a good local restaurant.
14.00 We visit the town's Biennial and gain insight into how a small "remote town" uses art to keep itself alive. Afterwards there is communal coffee and the option of a town walk.
The rest of the day is free. Dinner can be enjoyed either in town or at our country hotel.
Sunday 11.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Breakfast.
9.00 After the morning singing we take the local train along the beautiful Minho river to the border town of Valença. Here we visit the historic old town, hidden inside an impressive fortress. We are given a talk about the relationship between the Portuguese and the Spanish – about differences and similarities, and about how the two countries have gone from wars and disputes to peaceful neighbourliness.
12.30 Lunch can be enjoyed at one of the many good restaurants in the fortress town – or you can take the short trip over to Spain and eat tapas. It's just over one kilometre away!
In the afternoon the train takes us back to Vila Nova de Cerveira. For the keen walkers, there is the option of walking approx. 6 km along the Portuguese camino path.
Back at the hotel there is plenty of time for a dip in the pool or a drink in the bar overlooking the beautiful border river.
19.30 Farewell dinner with communal entertainment and songs from the Folk High School Songbook.
Monday 12.10.2026
After breakfast there is departure to the airport.
Return journey to Copenhagen with SAS at 11.50 – Arrival 16.05.
*Subject to change
Programme
Monday 5.10.2026
08.30 Departure from Copenhagen Airport for Porto, where we land at 11.
Transfer to our hotel in the harbour town of Vila do Conde, which is the setting for our folk high school in the first part of the week. Check-in.
12.30 Communal lunch followed by an afternoon break.
15.30 Welcome, folk high school singing and introduction to Portugal.
17.30 A walk through Vila do Conde's beautiful old streets.
19.00 Communal dinner at a good local restaurant. We do a "who's who?" round during dinner.
Tuesday 6.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 After breakfast there is morning singing and an introduction to northern Portugal's capital: Porto.
10.00 By coach to Porto's historic centre. Among other things we visit the São Bento station, where 20,000 tiles depict the country's history. We then walk to the Romanesque cathedral and enjoy the view over river and city, before reaching the mighty Douro river through narrow lanes.
12.30 Communal lunch on the lively harbour quay.
14.30 After lunch we take a one-hour boat trip on the Douro river beneath the city's six famous bridges. We are dropped off on the south side of the river, where the port wine houses are located. We are given a tour of a local port wine cellar and enjoy life by the river and the old streets.
17.30 The coach drives back to Vila do Conde.
Dinner on your own in small groups. No one eats alone unless they wish to.
Wednesday 7.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 Morning singing. A talk on the Portuguese language. Rasmus' Portuguese wife Sofia tells us about the Portuguese language and social customs. We learn to say: good morning and thank you, and to order the right coffee. We also hear about the basic elements of traditional Portuguese cuisine, and about who is kissed on the cheek and when.
10.30 After the morning gathering we walk along the river out towards the Atlantic. Here we meet Abel, who comes from a fishing family and who tells us about the Portuguese relationship with the magnificent Atlantic.
12.30 Communal lunch at a local fish restaurant.
14.00 After lunch we visit the harbour, where nets and gear are prepared for fishing on the great Atlantic.
15.00 On the way back to the town centre we pass one of the town's many fine beaches. There is a chance for a dip. If you don't go in the water, you can enjoy the view and a coffee at one of the many cafés along the waterfront.
19.30 In the evening we eat Portuguese tapas and hold a cultural evening with a special focus on the beautiful Portuguese song tradition "fado", performed by local musicians. Fado has been described as Portugal's soul sung aloud – melancholy voices, longing and fate woven together.
Thursday 8.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 Morning singing and morning gathering. After the morning gathering, the day is your own:
For those who wish to visit Porto again, we take the metro. Rasmus comes along on the metro and tells us about the options. There is also the option of staying in Vila do Conde and taking a walk along the sea. Or simply enjoying the day in the little streets and visiting the local shipbuilding museum.
In the evening there is the option of a communal dinner and port wine tasting.
All meals are at your own expense today. We are happy to recommend good places to eat!
Friday 9.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 Morning singing + morning gathering. At the morning gathering, Rasmus talks about the Portuguese mentality, which embraces both old rural traditions and a modern European way of life.
10.00 We take the coach to "move to the countryside".
11.00 Along the way we stop at the beautiful Lima river. Here we take a walk and hear about Portuguese flora and fauna and have a picnic in the green surroundings. We have our coffee at a rural café.
14.30 We continue further north and stop at a vineyard that produces Vinho Verde ("the green wine"). We are given a tour of the vineyard and taste the local wine.
17.00 Arrival at our beautiful country hotel, located outside the small market town of Vila Nova de Cerveira. The hotel sits high in the landscape with a magnificent view over the Minho river and neighbouring Spain.
Check-in and the chance to use the pool before dinner.
19.30 Communal dinner at the country hotel. We sing folk high school songs and enjoy ourselves.
Saturday 10.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Communal breakfast.
9.00 After the morning singing we walk to Vila Nova de Cerveira, where the large and colourful weekly market takes place. Here both Portuguese and Spanish people gather to trade, meet and soak up the atmosphere. Rasmus gives an introduction to the market, and afterwards there is plenty of time to explore on your own.
12.30 Communal lunch at a good local restaurant.
14.00 We visit the town's Biennial and gain insight into how a small "remote town" uses art to keep itself alive. Afterwards there is communal coffee and the option of a town walk.
The rest of the day is free. Dinner can be enjoyed either in town or at our country hotel.
Sunday 11.10.2026
8.00 - 9.00 Breakfast.
9.00 After the morning singing we take the local train along the beautiful Minho river to the border town of Valença. Here we visit the historic old town, hidden inside an impressive fortress. We are given a talk about the relationship between the Portuguese and the Spanish – about differences and similarities, and about how the two countries have gone from wars and disputes to peaceful neighbourliness.
12.30 Lunch can be enjoyed at one of the many good restaurants in the fortress town – or you can take the short trip over to Spain and eat tapas. It's just over one kilometre away!
In the afternoon the train takes us back to Vila Nova de Cerveira. For the keen walkers, there is the option of walking approx. 6 km along the Portuguese camino path.
Back at the hotel there is plenty of time for a dip in the pool or a drink in the bar overlooking the beautiful border river.
19.30 Farewell dinner with communal entertainment and songs from the Folk High School Songbook.
Monday 12.10.2026
After breakfast there is departure to the airport.
Return journey to Copenhagen with SAS at 11.50 – Arrival 16.05.
*Subject to change
Beliggenhed & ophold
We start with 4 nights at:
Hotel Brazão in Vila do Conde, a coastal town approx. 30 km north of Porto. From the hotel it is only 900 metres to the beach and the metro respectively. The hotel restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and has a bar serving refreshing drinks.
This is followed by 3 nights at:
Boega Hotel, a four-star hotel arranged around an old manor house, located a few kilometres outside the charming town of Vila Nova de Cerveira. The pilgrim route Camino de Santiago passes right by the hotel, which was originally a manor house built in the 17th century. The hotel is surrounded by large gardens and has a formidable view over the Minho river and Spain on the other side of the river. After its time as a manor house with nobility and servants, Boega Hotel first served as a pilgrim hostel and has since been converted into a 4-star hotel. The hotel has a swimming pool (remember your swimwear!), a pool bar and the restaurant "O Peregrino", which serves well-prepared, typical Portuguese dishes and desserts. Breakfast is a buffet.
Meet your instructors
Rasmus Forman:
Rasmus is your course leader. He is married to a Portuguese woman and has lived since 2008 in Vila do Conde – a charming coastal town just north of Porto – with his Danish-Portuguese family.
He is educated in the history of ideas, multimedia and education, and in Denmark has primarily worked in teaching – including as a folk high school teacher at Grundtvigs Højskole.
Since 2017, Rasmus has arranged trips in Portugal, and he enjoys showing his new homeland to other Danes and telling them about Portugal's rich history, nature and culture. He is also happy to talk about what it is like to be an "individualistic" Dane in a traditional northern Portuguese family.
On the trip you will also have the chance to meet Rasmus' wife, Sofia, and other Portuguese people.
Rasmus is also the tour leader on Annas Højskole's walk on the Portuguese camino.
Praktisk & pris
- Departure with SAS from Copenhagen Airport at 08.30 for Porto, where we land at 11.
- Departure with SAS at 11.50, arriving at Copenhagen Airport at 16.05.
Subject to change
Price includes
- Flight Copenhagen-Porto return
- Transfer to and from the airport
- Accommodation at Hotel Brazão in Vila do Conde and Boega Hotel near Vila Nova de Cerveira
- Danish-speaking course leader
- Talks and lectures
- Transport by coach and train in Portugal
- 5 x communal lunch
- 4 x communal dinner
- Boat trip on the Douro river
- Visit to a port wine cellar and a Vinho Verde vineyard
- Fado
- Contribution to the Travel Guarantee Fund
- Airport taxes and charges
Price excludes
- Drinks
- 2 x lunch
- 3 x dinner
- Port wine tasting on Thursday evening
- Payment:
- On booking, we ask for a deposit of kr. 3000. The balance must be transferred 2 months before departure.
- In special cases it is possible to pay by Mastercard; please write this on the booking form if desired.
Billeder
What our guests say
“Tak for en fantastisk oplevelse, ikke mindst takket være Anna og dig. Du var en inspirerende rejseleder, der gjorde turen til meget mere end bare en pilgrimsvandring.”
“Skøn tur som puttes i rygsækken med fantastiske oplevelser, smukke fotos og den bedste kursusleder Michael Birkkjær Lauritsen. Elsker oplevelser med Annas Højskole.”
“Jeg har netop været på strikkehøjskole på Læsø ved Annette Danielsen. Uanset hvor hårdt jeg anstrenger mig, kan jeg simpelthen ikke finde noget negativt at sige. Annette Danielsen er en fuldstændig fantastisk inspirerende og forrygende formidler. Østergaard B&B er et skønt sted med lækre lejligheder, dejlig og velsmagende mad, og en meget sympatisk og underholdende vært. Vi mødte skønne og inspirerende fortællere i huset og på ture på Læsø. Vi startede dagene med morgensang sammen med Jens Christian, som fint fortalte lidt om de sange, vi sang. Dejlig start på nogle vidunderlige dage. Det har bare været helt igennem en skøn, pragtfuld og fantastisk uge. Føler mig meget beriget.”
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
Kan jeg rejse med, hvis jeg rejser alene?
Ja — rigtig mange af vores kursister rejser alene. Du bliver en del af fællesskabet fra første dag, og du kan vælge eget værelse, hvis du vil have ro omkring dig.
Hvor god en form skal jeg være i?
Alle kan være med! Programmet tilpasses holdet, og du bestemmer selv dit tempo. Er du i tvivl, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Hvordan foregår betalingen?
Du reserverer din plads med et depositum og modtager en faktura pr. e-mail. Restbeløbet betales senest 60 dage før afrejse — også via faktura og bankoverførsel.
Hvad hvis jeg bliver nødt til at aflyse?
Vores afbestillingsregler står i rejsereglerne for pakkerejser, og vi er medlem af Rejsegarantifonden (reg.nr. 3122). Kontakt os hurtigst muligt, hvis noget kommer i vejen — vi finder altid en løsning sammen.
Kan I tage hensyn til allergier og særlige behov?
Ja. Når du reserverer, spørger vi ind til kost, allergier og særlige behov, og vi giver besked videre til køkkenet og værterne på destinationen.
Er der dansktalende værter med på rejsen?
Ja, altid. Der er dansktalende kursusledere og værter med på alle vores ophold.
Join the waitlist
This course is sold out — get notified if a spot opens up.