Hartwick College Announces Portugal Travel Program: Savor Portugal—A Journey of Food, Wine, and Culture
Hartwick College has announced the launch of its 2026 Travel Program, featuring a week-long educational excursion to Portugal, titled Savor Portugal: A Journey of Food, Wine, and Culture, scheduled for May 23–30, 2026.
Open to alumni, parents, employees, and friends of the College, the program offers participants the chance to explore Portugal’s vibrant culinary and cultural traditions through immersive experiences in Lisbon and Porto. Guided by Hartwick faculty experts Carlena Cochi Ficano, professor of economics, and Mary Allen, professor of biology, travelers will discover how food and wine serve as gateways to understanding culture, history and community.
Building on their successful collaboration through a popular J Term travel course on food and fermentation, Professors Ficano and Allen bring their combined expertise in economics and biology to this journey. Their partnership offers travelers a richer understanding of Portugal’s culinary traditions, from the science of fermentation to the cultural and economic importance of local food systems.
Highlights of the trip include:
- Visits to Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Cascais and the Portuguese Riviera.
- Guided tours of world-class sites, including the colorful Pena Palace, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém.
- A private walking food tour of Porto with André Apolinário, co-founder of Taste Porto, featured on “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” and “Rick Steves Europe.”
- A cheese-making demonstration and farm-to-table feast at Granja dos Moinhos, hosted by renowned artisan cheesemaker Adolfo Henriques.
- Faculty-led discussions on the science of fermentation, the economics of local food systems and the cultural heritage embedded in Portuguese cuisine.
- Daily breakfast, four group dinners and accommodations in four-star hotels.
The program cost is $3,500 per person, which includes lodging (double occupancy; single occupancy upon request for an additional $400), most meals, entrance fees, in-country transportation and private tours. Airfare is not included, though Hartwick will assist with coordinating flights for those departing from JFK International Airport.
The travel program is offered through the Division of Institutional Advancement in partnership with the Griffiths Center.
For more information, visit the webpage. To reserve a spot, contact Pat Dopazo in the Division of Institutional Advancement & External Relations at [email protected].
