University of Coimbra

Boy, you feel like coming back to school on seeing this! With foundations back in the 13th century, the spirit of Enlightenment echoing in its old walls, a magnificent library with resources ranging almost every possible field of study, and several species of birds sheltered in its sprawling botanical garden, the University is able to make even the most die-hard advocate of informal learning change their mind. No wonder that as many as 20,000 students choose to zoom across the atmospheric old courtyard and into the magnificently fitted department buildings. Who knows, if you stick to the rules that apply to all freshers (including the purchase of an escalator season ticket), the students may impart some of the best university lore with you. In a nutshell, nobody goes "We don't need no education" in Coimbra.