March Break Portugal trip deepens understanding of history, geography & culture
By Cody Black ‘27 and Josh Griffin ‘27
Over March break, 45 CDS students and faculty had the amazing opportunity to travel to Lisbon and the Azores in the beautiful country of Portugal. Our 7-day journey was filled with history, breathtaking landscapes and opportunities to build lifelong friendships. Whether it was an 8 km hike with beautiful stunning views or relaxing in the hot springs, everyone had the experience of a lifetime.
After our connection flight through the Azores, our first stop was Lisbon. Despite jet lag, we were excited to begin the day exploring a new culture. We toured the incredible Benfica Stadium in downtown Lisbon, which was a dream come true for the soccer fans among us. We even had the opportunity to be on the field and experience how massive the stadium was. Led by our humourous guide Roy, we were shown iconic Lisbon landmarks such as the streets of Alfama, Baixa, the Lisbon Cathedral, and Rossio Square, and walked around St. Jorge’s castle with its ancient artifacts and rich history. We even visited the most Western point in all of Mainland Europe, which included quite the significant wind with its incredible views!
The adventure continued with our last day in Lisbon, we started by travelling just north where we toured Pĕna Palace, with its breathtaking views. We then visited Sintra, a town that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. One of the highlights of the trip was in Cascais where a group of us found local friends to join in a game of beach volleyball. The shared laughter and spontaneous competition made for an unforgettable afternoon. After this, we headed for our last dinner in Lisbon where we got to celebrate Scott’s birthday. Our group dinners were always a highlight, because we enjoyed unique and delicious foods and strengthened our friendships. One evening we even enjoyed traditional Portuguese folk dancing!
Back
From Lisbon, we flew to the Azores where nature took centre stage. We visited a pineapple plantation, where we tasted some of the freshest and sweetest pineapples. Another highlight was our visit to a tea plantation where we learned about a traditional tea-making process. One of the most unique experiences was a special meal cooked by the heat of a natural hot spring, which was an incredible example of the mix of nature and Azores’ culture. After this lunch, we were able to visit the site where the meal was cooked, followed by a beautiful 8km hike around the volcanic crater. In the following days, we visited volcanic lakes and beaches, and even relaxed in the region’s hot springs. Although the weather was rainy at times, our spirits remained high throughout the adventure.
Through all of these experiences, one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was getting to know our fellow CDS students and teachers. Our shared experiences brought us all closer together - creating friendships that will last beyond our journey. The trip was not just about sightseeing; it was an incredible educational experience that deepened our understanding of European history, geography and culture.
A huge thank you to CDS for providing us with this once in a lifetime opportunity, and to our amazing teachers Ms. Leacock (our trip advisor), Mr. Simmonds, Mr. Downer, Ms. Kettrick, and Ms. Carrie. This was truly a trip we will never forget!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
