2026 Mid-Year Tours

The NJSBA Mid-Year Meeting will feature a selection of half- and full-day tours and experiences to help our members get the most out of their visit to Lisbon, Portugal. There’s something for everyone – immerse yourself in Libson’s rich culinary history, experience the unique sights of our event, with a Lisbon walking tour journey, or take the only cooking class in Lisbon where you get to learn how to make Portugal’s most famous pastry, the pastel de nata.

All tours are subject to change or be cancelled if minimum registration is not met. Save your place on these special outings today.

Meeting Registration Required For Tours:
To register for the tours below, you must first be registered for the 2026 NJSBA Mid-Year Meeting.

 

 

The Soul of Lisbon ​

Half-Day Tour
Sunday Oct. 11 and Monday Oct. 12

  • 2 – 5 p.m.
  • $125 per person
  • Note: This experience involves a moderate amount of walking on sometimes uneven terrain and may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

Discover one of Lisbon’s most emblematic quarters, the Alfama and Castelo de São Jorge. Meander through its medieval alleys, tiny squares, beautiful churches, and whitewashed houses with tile panels. This area has a life and soul of its own and is considered the heart of Lisbon. The tour includes entrance to the castle and a stop for Ginjinha-Portugal’s famous cherry liqueur- along with dry snacks at Portas do Sol. With a view of the city and river, attendees will take in Lisbon’s breathtaking panorama.

Register – Sunday

Register – Monday

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Sun and the City 

Half-Day Tour
Monday Oct. 12 and Wednesday Oct. 14

  • 1 – 5 p.m.
  • $195 per person
  • Note: This experience involves a moderate amount of walking on sometimes uneven terrain and may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

Discover the three highlights of Portugal and Lisboa: sun, wine and belvederes. Departure from the hotel, exploring the Old Town district walking up to Castelo de São Jorge, the oldest monument in the city and one of the best belvederes. Guests will have free time at the Castle, where they can take photos and, if they wish, explore the surrounding shops outside the castle. Then, go down the hill to the Alfama District, through winding medieval alleyways, to experience a unique wine tasting at Taylor’s Port, a family-run operation established in 1692. The tasting will offer a journey through Portugal’s history and most famous wine — Port.

Register – Monday

Register – Wednesday

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Lisbon’s Flavors – Walking Food Tour 

Half-Day Tour
Monday Oct. 12, Wednesday Oct. 14, and Friday Oct. 16

  • 2 – 5 p.m.
  • $150 per person
  • Note: This experience involves a moderate amount of walking on sometimes uneven terrain and may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

In Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods the smell of the Portuguese cuisine is constantly in the air. Explore the most mouthwatering traditional food shops and restaurants in search of the finest Portuguese delicacies! During this tour, you will learn all about Portuguese culture, cuisine and different specialty dishes while getting lost in a labyrinth of winding alleys that are full of hidden treasures. Sample tasting will include:
• Ginjinha (cherry liqueur)
• Codfish pastry + Vinho Verde (green wine)
• Samosa + Rosé
• Bifana (pork sandwich) + Imperial (beer)

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Pastel de Nata Workshop 

Half-Day Tour
Monday Oct. 12 and Wednesday Oct. 14

  • 2 – 5 p.m.
  • $135 per person

This is the only cooking class in Lisbon where you get to learn how to make Portugal’s most famous pastry, the Pastel de Nata. This workshop offers a hands-on experience that allows you to connect with Portuguese culture in a meaningful way. Uncover the secrets behind the perfect pastel de nata, from the delicate puff pastry to the creamy custard filling. Gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and skill that goes into creating this beloved Portuguese pastry. Finally, you will taste your own pastel de nata accompanied by coffee or tea.

Register – Monday

Register – Wednesday

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Mystic Sintra and Cascais 

Full-Day Tour
Tuesday Oct. 13 and Thursday Oct. 15

  • 9 – 5 p.m.
  • $295 per person 
  • Note: This experience involves a moderate amount of walking on sometimes uneven terrain and may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

Time to visit the mystic village of Sintra, a. UNESCO World Heritage site and a place full of magic and mystery. The tour will include a visit to the enchanting Regaleira Palace, a decorative 20th-century residence that boasts an ornate gothic façade and five floors of treasures. After the palace spend time walking the streets and shops of Sintra and enjoy the classic taste of Queijadinhas de Sintra, a delightful Portuguese pastry made with fresh cheese, cinnamon, and lemon—a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavours that reflect the unique charm of Sintra. Then it’s time to have lunch by the sea at Guincho and spend the afternoon in Cascais, a charming coastal town located just west of Lisbon. It has transformed from a small fishing village into a sophisticated resort town while maintaining its authentic Portuguese charm.

Register – Tuesday

Register – Thursday

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Golden Evora and Herdade do Esporão

Full-Day Tour
Tuesday Oct. 13

  • 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • $295 per person 
  • Note: This experience involves a moderate amount of walking on sometimes uneven terrain and may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

This tour is an ideal introduction to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and to the cultural character of the Alentejo, the area outside of Lisbon consisting of rolling landscapes of cork oaks, olive groves and vineyards. From the hotel, the tour heads to Herdade do Esporão, a winery with origins dating back to prehistoric times. Visitors can learn about the winemaking process, visit the cellars, participate in a wine tasting guided by the estate’s sommelier, and enjoy lunch on the property. After lunch, the journey proceeds to Évora for a guided walking tour. This itinerary covers the city’s main highlights and provides an overview of the places where key moments of Portuguese history took place.

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Nazaré’s Coastal Beauty and Óbidos Middle Age Town 

Full-Day Tour
Tuesday Oct. 13 

  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • $255 per person
  • Note: This experience involves a moderate amount of walking on sometimes uneven terrain and may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

Head north from Lisbon to Óbidos, the charming Medieval town known for its colorful houses and perfectly preserved city walls. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with blossoming bougainvillea. Explore the castle, then stroll along the lively streets filled with handicraft shops showcasing regional products. Afterwards, continue to Nazaré, a picturesque fishing town famous for its traditional seven skirt costumes and the colossal waves that attract surfers from around the world. Enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and delicious seafood that highlight Nazaré’s vibrant maritime culture with lunch at S. Miguel Restaurant, located right in front of the beach. During free time, be sure to capture breathtaking photos of the town and beach from the iconic belvedere “Sítio” viewpoint.

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Belém Quarter, the Discoveries 

Half-Day Tour
Wednesday Oct. 14 and Friday Oct. 16

  • 2 – 5:30 p.m.
  • $115 per person
  • Note: Mostly Walking Tour

Belém, a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, is where Vasco da Gama set sail in 1497 opening a sea route to India. It is a living museum and is perfectly suited for those seeking a deeper connection with Lisbon’s rich maritime history and cultural heritage. During our tour of this historic quarter, we will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém, magnificent monuments commissioned by King Manuel to commemorate the achievements of Portuguese explorers. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos, resembling a caravel, honors the explorers of this golden era and serves as a symbol of Portugal’s expansive history and cultural heritage. But no visit is complete without savoring the iconic Pastéis de Belém, a delicious legacy of the monks from the monastery, along with a tasting of Portugal’s famous Port wine. Finally, during our Belém discovery, the tour will explore the National Coach Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of royal carriages, showcasing the evolution of animal-drawn transport and decorative arts from the 17th to the 19th century.

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Spiritual and Cultural Escape to Fatima 

Full-Day Tour
Thursday Oct. 15 

  • 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • $245 per person
  • Note: Mostly walking

Often called the “World’s Altar,” Fatima is a world-renowned Catholic pilgrimage site 1.5 hours north of Lisbon. The tour will visit the Chapel of Apparitions, where from May to October the apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima to the three shepherd children — Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta — are commemorated. Afterwards, continue to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima. Next, you’ll head to Nazaré for lunch, a traditional fishing town where some women still wear the iconic seven-layered skirts. After lunch, there will be time for wandering and taking in the breathtaking view of the beach and the town from the “Sítio” belvedere.

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

 
 

Mafra and AdegaMãe 

Full-Day Tour
Thursday Oct. 15 

  • 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • $295 per person
  • Note: Mostly walking

The group will depart from the hotel and first explore the National Palace of Mafra, a Baroque monument that houses one of the largest Baroque libraries in Europe, a royal palace and a monastery. After departing from Mafra, the tour will head to AdegaMãe, a distinguished winery nestled in Torres Vedras. AdegaMãe is celebrated for its Atlantic-inspired wines, which are renowned for their vibrant freshness and distinctive minerality. Discover the heart of the wine cellar, and the the process of white and red winemaking. Take a look at the grandeur of storage and fermentation tanks, the laboratory and move on to the Room of Time, where wines ages and the aromas mingle with the smell of French oak barrels. Savor lunch at AdegaMãe, creating a memorable day of exploration and enjoyment.

 

Go back to view the full list of Lisbon tours

Terms and Conditions

Cancellations: Cancellations for tours must be received no later than August 5, 2026 . All tours booked and not cancelled by August 5, 2026, are non-refundable. If the minimum number of persons required to operate a private tour is not reached, the tour is subject to cancellation or a price revision to accommodate the actual number of participants. Tours cancelled by the NJSBA will be refunded. Seats for tours are limited and bookings made after August 5, 2026, are subject to availability.

Pricing: All rates are subject to change based on actual participation.
Gratuities: Gratuities for tour guides and drivers are not included in the above prices and are at your discretion.