Rita did a great job. She understood our need...
Portugal
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Sep 28 - Oct 5, 2023
Rita did a great job. She understood our needs, she was very attentive and she was quick to respond. She crafted a great trip for us and made the whole planning process easy. We ended with a perfect fit.
Our guides, drivers and tours were outstanding. Everything went smoothly, drivers were on-time, pleasant and very informative. Dani (Taste of Lisbon), Sylvia (tuk-tuk), David, Anna, Pedro, Mauricio, Miguel (he was "new" - only 10 days with the company but really, really good) were wonderful. The highlight of our trip was our private luncheon and wine tasting in Cambres/Douro Valley with Manuela - owner/hostess and her son Antonio at their vineyard. It was the highlight of our trip!
The hotels were exactly as we wanted. They were comfortable, spotless, staff was very knowledgeable and helpful and the locations excellent. My Suite Lisbon, Pestana Pousadas Porto (elegant!), Hotel Mondego and Melia Lisboa Aeroporto all very good.
We've been back home two days and we're missing Portugal. It's a lovely country and the people are genuine and warm.
Hotel Reviews
Excellent location. Authentic facade/building (late 1880s) with very modern and super comfortable updates.
Quick efficient check in and out. Very nice staff. A veritable feast for breakfast. Breakfast service started at 4:00 AM for early flights but refreshed regularly (we ate at 8:00 AM and it was delish) Convenient shuttle to the airport departure location.
Elegant! Breakfast beyond compare. Really good location. Easy walk to restaurants and various sights. Super helpful and knowledgeable and patient staff. Very classy and the best in every way!
The hotels were exactly as we wanted. They were comfortable, spotless, staff was very knowledgeable and helpful and the locations excellent (all in historic areas which allowed for easy access to everything). My Suite Lisbon, Pestana Pousadas Porto (!!!), Hotel Mondego and Melia Lisboa Aeroporto all very good/excellent. Locations were ideal for touring important sites, staff were exceptional and I'm missing my breakfasts in Portugal. The only small bump was pick up at Lisbon Airport upon arrival. It was somewhat problematic. We've been back home two days and we're missing Portugal. It's a lovely country and the people are genuine and warm.
Activity Reviews
Anna did a marvelous job driving and as informative guide. She took us to Obidos and Nazare. We learned about big wave surfing sport in Nazare and we're eager to find the documentary on YouTube. We were offered the option to visit Fatima and we very pleased to have made to visit. It was an excellent option that was mentioned and it fit nicely into our travels for the day.
Pedro did a superb job showing us the splendors of Porto. We enjoyed his guided tour and the fun facts he expanded on related to some of the sights. ex. Dom Luis bridge, a double decker crossing the Douro River between Porto and Gaia completed 1885 (vs. Dom Luis I bridge). Dom Luis I was king of Portugal at the time but he didn't come for the opening of the bridge so its simply called the Dom Luis by the locals. We found the time spent with Pedro to fly by quickly and his tour so interesting that we wished we had more time together.
Sylvia knew her way around the city and did a great job explaining the sights and historical importance.
Our tour with David was very good. We hit all of the highlights in the three cities but also included some great stops, Boca do Inferno and Cabo da Roca. Really impressive and so glad they were included. The natural wonders were a nice compliment to the city splendors.
The tour guide, Dani, was delightful. She was knowledgeable about the foods and their ethnic origins as she took us around to the various neighborhoods in historic Lisbon. Food/ginjinha/wine tasting was top shelf in each location and she was highly entertaining and fun - great sense of humor. As a small group tour, we all enjoyed the food very much as well as enjoying each other over some delicious foods. It was a very special afternoon. We would highly recommend this tour with Dani.
Mauricio was our driver/guide in Duro Valley and the Duro Valley was awesome. We spent the day together and we didn't want the day to end. Mauricio was wonderful in every way and we learned so much about the wine region. We had a private luncheon and wine tasting in Cambres/Douro Valley with Manuela - owner/hostess and her son Antonio at their vineyard. - Quinta de Tourais. winery. She served the meal in her dining room and it was charming and delicious (five star meal) . It was the highlight of our trip! We've been back home several days and we're missing Portugal. It's a lovely country and the people are genuine and warm.
Dear Dee & James, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your trip to Portugal. I will pass your comments on to our local guides, drivers, and hotel staff. They will be so happy to hear that you had such a great time exploring Portugal with them :) Hope that we will work together in the future. Again, thank you for choosing the family of Espíritu Travel! Warm regards, Rita