Norway!

Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula and includes the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira. It’s capital, Lisbon, is one of the oldest cities in Europe having been continuously settled, invaded and fought over since prehistoric times.  In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal established the first global maritime and commercial empire, becoming one of the world's major economic, political and military powers. Referred to as the Age of Discovery, in the 15th and 16th centuries Portuguese explorers pioneered maritime exploration with the discovery of Brazil.

We’ll start our Portugal adventure by flying into Lisbon, Portugal’s current capital and the second oldest European capital city after Athens, Lisbon predates other modern European capitals by centuries. After a few days in Lisbon, we’ll head off to Coimbra. Once Portugal’s capital city, Coimbra has archaeological structures dating back to the Roman era including a well preserved aqueduct. It’s also home to the University of Coimbra. Founded in 1290, it’s oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world and an UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s here where we will play four games against local baseball teams before heading back to Lisbon.

Sound interesting? Then here's your chance! Plans will soon be finalized for our baseball road trip to Portugal, so now is the time to gear up if you plan to join us. Offering extensive sightseeing and baseball camaraderie, we will soon be signing up players for this exciting trip, so don't miss out.

   Interested in joining us? Well the requirements are simple.  First, the ability and desire to play baseball in a unique international setting.  Second, an interest in international goodwill and sportsmanship (e.g. if you swing the bat at the ump after a called strike three, please try fantasy baseball).  Third, an adventurous spirit willing to venture forth into the historic and picturesque Portugal.

What’s involved in this once in a lifetime opportunity? First, you will depart America on August 2nd and arrive in Lisbon the next day where you'll transfer by cab to the Olissippo Saldanha Hotel. After a night of rest, we will begin our baseball exploits playing four games in the Coimbra area against local adult Portuguese baseball teams.  

By now you are probably asking yourself how you could be so lucky to have the opportunity of a lifetime and play baseball in Portugal? Well, it’s time to come back to earth as every dream has its price, but this one’s reasonable. The cost for each player in a double room is $2395 and the cost for a tourist in a double room is $2095.  Single rooms are $2995.   Final payment is due May 1st after which no refunds will be given.

What's included in this price? A whole lot on this trip including:

• Hotels with breakfast,

• All baseball games, umpires and fields including transportation to and from the field,

• Baseball games in the Coimbra area,

• Stroll the narrow streets and alleys of Alfama,

• Visit to Belém, Lisbon’s most famous and monumental area,

• Tour the church of the Jerónimos Monastery to admire the iconic Belém Tower,

• Sightseeing at St. George’s Castle and the ‘São Vicente de Fora’ Monastery,

• A visit to one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal, the Universidade de Coimbra,

• Explore the charming streets of Oporto’s oldest neighborhoods.

• A guided visit and a wine tasting in one of the Portugal’s most famous Port wine cellars,

• Visit to Aveiro, a beautiful fishing village known to be the Venice of Portugal.

• Tour the imposing Barra Lighthouse, the tallest in Portugal,

• A visit to the ancient city of Conímbriga, one of the largest Roman settlements ever excavated in Portugal,

• Explore the most ancient porcelain manufacture in the country: Vista Alegre,

• Our farewell banquet dinner, and

• Our official Portuguese road trip polo shirt.

What isn’t included in this wonderful invitation? First, you are free to choose your own airline to travel roundtrip to Lisbon as no international airfare is included in the above prices. Please don’t purchase plane tickets until you are notified that the team is full so that it’s safe to buy plane tickets. Second, you must get your own passport if you do not already have one or if yours has expired. Note that your passport must be valid for 3 months after our trip and have at least two blank pages. Third, each player must bring 6 new leather game baseballs and 1 used practice ball. Finally, each player will be responsible for bringing their own Foreign Devils uniform, gray uniform pants, metal or wooden bat, batting helmet, and glove. If you don't own a Foreign Devils uniform (a jersey and cap), they are available for purchase thru the website. Finally, American citizens must obey any Covid requirements leveed by Portugal. Currently all travelers entering Portugal must either show proof of vaccination, or valid recovery certificate, or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before boarding, or a negative antigen test taken 24 hours before boarding. though none exist at this time. The bright side? 91.6% of the Portuguese population has been vaccinated! So now is the time to sign up if you don't wish to be left out.
Please note that travel insurance is not included in our trip, but it is recommended that you consider purchasing travel insurance in case you have a last minute medical or personal problem arise as there are no refunds. Most will cover international travel insurance, emergency medical care, medical evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage/personal item loss and delay, and 24/7 worldwide assistance. Travel insurance companies used by our players in the past include Insure My Trip, Medex Protects, Quote Wright, and Square Mouth. If you decide to purchase travel insurance rather than self-insure, please make sure it covers international travel as not all will.

Our Tentative Schedule

August 2nd Tuesday: Leave the USA for Portugal on the airline of our choosing.

August 3rd Wednesday: Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to our hotel, Olissippo Saldanha Hotel.

August 4th Thursday: Starting at one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Lisbon, then we’ll head to the historic center. A stroll through the narrow streets and alleys of Alfama, then a visit to Belém, Lisbon’s most famous and monumental area.  We’ll visit the church of the Jerónimos Monastery to admire the iconic Belém Tower and finish the day at the Pastéis de Belém for a fantastic espresso coffee paired with the best custard tart in Lisbon!

August 5th Friday: Sightseeing tour of Lisbon including St George’s Castle and the ‘São Vicente de Fora’ Monastery.

August 6th Saturday: A morning drive to Coimbra where we will check into Vila Galé Coimbra Hotel. After lunch we will head off for our 5pm Game #1 against Campo de Nariz.

August 7th Sunday: A visit to one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal, the Universidade de Coimbra! Known as the city of the students,  Coimbra has centuries of culture and history. You’ll visit Portugal’s first university and its world-famous 18th Century library. Then a walking around the downtown city center and visiting Coimbra’s important monuments. Game #2 will start at 5pm against Campo da Cordinha.

August 8th Monday: A visit to Oporto for an incredible day trip filled with Portuguese cultural authenticity and history. During the day, you will visit the most famous monuments in town, explore Oporto’s riverside area, and get lost in the charming streets of Oporto’s oldest neighborhoods. We’ll end the day with a guided visit and a Port tasting in one of the Portugal’s most famous Port wine cellars.

August 9th Tuesday: A visit to the ancient city of Conímbriga, one of the largest Roman settlements excavated in Portugal containing extensive mosaics. 5pm Game #3 against Lavos in Campo de Lavos – Figueira da Faz.

August 10th Wednesday: A morning trip to the West Coast of Portugal to visit Aveiro, a beautiful fishing village known to be the Venice of Portugal. You’ll see the imposing Barra Lighthouse, the tallest in Portugal, the colorful wooden houses, the famous salt pans, and the most ancient porcelain manufacture in the country: Vista Alegre. 5pm Game #4 against Lavos in Campo de Lavos – Figueira da Faz.

August 11th Thursday: Morning ride along the coast back to Lisbon. Free time to explore Lisbon on your own and then our farewell banquet dinner

August 12th Friday: Leave for the USA as international baseball stars! Or stay in Lisbon to explore more on your own. Or head to Spain to spend the weekend in Madrid or Barcelona!