Trip of a lifetime!!!
Portugal
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May 20 - Jun 2, 2024
Our group of six had an amazing 14 day trip to Portugal. Tiago facilitated every detail from our first correspondence about what we were looking for in a trip, all the way to our last moments in this beautiful country. We spent time in Porto, Lisbon, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve, with stops or day trips to Guimarães ,Coimbra, Tomar, Obidos, Cascias, and Sintra. Tiago gave us so much history, introduced us to new foods, and talked about Portuguese traditions, old and new. He took great care to make sure our trip was perfect in every way. The hotels were so nice – – if nothing else, please stay at the Quinta de Sao Luis in Douro Valley. It’s a must! We saw the Algarve coast from east to west and experienced the different land and waterscapes. We took time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, caves, and sunsets. We did walking tours, a river boat ride, kayaking, wine tastings, and a once in a lifetime incredible day on a yacht. We also had time built in to wander on our own and relax. Tiago was so knowledgeable, flexible, kind, and caring. He tended to every detail of our trip. We never would have experienced or learned so much on our own. We thank him so much and will forever cheer for his team…. Go Sporting!!
Hotel Reviews
This is a really nice hotel in a good location. The rooms were spacious. Everything was within a walkable distance. The breakfast was outstanding - so many choices.
Everything about this hotel was amazing. It’s small (maybe 12 rooms). Spacious rooms with large patios and such incredible views!!!!
Truly an amazingly preserved 1940s vibe. The staff were top notch and the amenities were plentiful. Breakfast was delicious and served until noon. They also provide tea and snacks in the afternoon and port all the time. They decor is lovely and the rooms are comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Exploring the Algarve on a private yacht was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The landscape changed so much in a short period, and it was absolutely stunning. This activity was one of the highlights of our trip and provided some incredible memories.
The dinner with live Fado music was probably our least favorite experience. The venue was very small, the dinner was quite long, and the food wasn't as good as we had hoped. However, the music and the experience were unique and worth it for the cultural exposure, just not something we'll be likely to repeat.
The Wine Estate Visit in the Douro Valley was really wonderful. Even though none of us are huge wine drinkers, we wanted to experience the local culture, and this tour did not disappoint. We even got to walk through the fields, which was a unique and enjoyable experience. This was definitely one of the highlights.
The walking tour in Porto was a great way to get our bearings and learn where everything was. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of interesting historical details. It helped us feel more comfortable navigating the city on our own afterward. Overall, it was a solid way to get a sense of the city.
Thank you Shaun!!! You're too kind!!!
Touring you really didn't feel like work at all! It was a true pleasure and I'm happy that you enjoyed your stay! I'm even happier to understand that we kept in touch and hopefully we'll stay that way, even if only to check on each other or to say hi every now and then!!
Please send Rob, Courtney, Cali, Angie and Myles my regards. Miss you all a lot!!
We're in touch!!
Regards,
Tiago
PS: Sporting forever!!!