Travelers' reviews about Portugal

Overall we loved Portugal and its many parts. We managed to see so many different aspects of the country in our trip, and particularly enjoyed the people, the food, the wine, the history, and the variety. This was ensured in the planning stage where Tiago had worked hard to ensure we had the variety of trip we required for our mixed age family. Favourite moments were many, and varied - most lunchtimes where Tiago helped us find local specialities; magical locations - hard to beat Marvao, Porto, the Duoro, hidden beaches, coves and restaurants; lovely people, helpful and understanding; Tiago - I honestly can't think of a better guide and friend for us while we were in Portugal. Without him and his guidance we wouldn't have experienced half of what we did, and would have no doubt wasted time on unnecessary trips.

I had never been to Portugal and wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything. Nuno sent over many suggestions and made sure the trip was just what we wanted it to be. We saw a lot of Lisbon and also the surrounding areas- all of the tour guides, drivers and others we met were professional, knowledgable and friendly. Every experience from the cooking school to the sail around Lisbon harbor were incredible and we hated to leave!

Both Lisbon and Porto were magical cities with so much to see and do - and the food was an amazing experience. Our guide Tiago knows the country so well so it was a treat to have him show us and share with us his Portugal. Our overnight in the country side was charming and beautiful and our host could not have been more welcoming and inviting. We spent three days in Lisbon with side trips to Sintra and then drove north through Coimbra, Nazare, with a stop at the Shrine of Fatima, and up to Porto for three nights in that city exploring and experiencing that historic city, its charms, its food and its delicious Port wines.

Portugal was wonderful, and we will be back. A lot had to do with how it was presented to us but Tiago our guide. He was genuinely concerned with our interests, And did his best to find the experiences that we would enjoy .

USA to Lisbon (3 days of touring). Lisbon to Porto day - 10 hour day trip from Lisbon, stopping at all the beautiful towns and sights along the way. Porto (2 days of touring, port tasting and food). Porto to Salamanca, Spain vial the Douro River Cruise (2 days) with a stop in Regua Douro Hotel. 7 wonderful days in Portugal. With a personal guide (Tiago) the entire time. Spain: Salamanca, Merida, Sevilla, Granada (Alhambra), Toledo and Madrid. 9 wonderful days in Spain that was a self driving tour. All of the Spanish hotels and sight visits were pre arranged by Tiago, our Portugal tour operator. Everything was perfectly coordinated and set up.

2 Days in Porto, Train to Duoro for 1 night/wine tour/river cruise, 2-day road trip from Pinhao to Aveiro, Coimbra [ including overnight ], Batalha, Nazare, and Obidos, ending in Lisbon for 3 nights, then to Madeira for 3 nights.

We all loved Portugal, beautiful places and lovely people. Few favourite moments: visiting the Grutas de Mira de Aire caves, tour of Schist Village, boat tour of the Grotto in Ponta Da Piedade area in Lagos, cooking demonstration at The Artist in Porto, stomping grapes in the Douro Valley at Quinta de la Rosa, staying in a castle (Mar De AR Aqueduto), port and wine tastings

WE started our vacation in Ponta Delgado, on Sao Miguel Island on July 18, visiting our daughter's husband's family, the Ferreira clan. Our first experience with the Portuguese life and country side in the Azores. We drove all over this island, as guests of the Ferreira family. Then we flew on July 31 to Lisbon. The greeting from Cesar and Sofia from Splendid Evasion, was wonderful. The Neya Eco Hotel was wonderful. The next day tour was wonderful, as we encountered many historical landmarks, including a trip to the Belem area, all in just one day, and walked many kilometers. We picked up our automatic rental vehicle with GPS, and headed to Coimbra on Aug. 2, with the most amazing tour of the Mira de Aire Caves, and a second stop to Tomar for the Knights Templar Castle and Convent of Christ. We missed the University of Coimbra, but our Tivoli Hotel was very good. WE then travelled from city to country, really old country, and visited the Schist Village with a walking tour in 40 to 45 degree heat, near Lousa. again the guide was amazing with his knowledge We swam in the pool and the mountain springs water at the bottom, which was a relief from the heat!! Then we drove to The Wine Estate of Quinta de Marrocos, which was explained earlier, a little disappointing. No way of cooling off, no beer, just wine, port or water. Poor meal planning, with a very limited meal options. (not recommended to others). The next day was in Pinhao, in extreme heat, with little to do and no cooling off option, (only a 1 hour boat ride) unless Port tasting, and being from Canada, we are committed to No Drinking and driving, for everyone's safety! This day was not fun, or productive at all, and not recommended. Aug. 5, and we drove to the International Douro Nature Park, which was a fantastic afternoon kayaking with Pedro Cordeiro in the Miranda do Douro Valley or canyon. In Genisio, we found a hidden gem in Casa De L Cura. We were concerned at first, then pleasantly surprised with what Pedro had found for us from our local agency. Every hotel we visited, had excellent breakfasts, not all had evening dinner menus, as one had to drive for half an hour to find an alternative restaurant. Thanks to Pedro and Sofia for their dinner suggestions, many were enjoyed. Then we came to Porto, and again, an excellent day on Aug. 6 and Aug 7, with an excellent tour host Deiogo, and we were visited by Pedro and Cesar, as well. WE have seen so many neighbourhoods and points of interest, with comfort, along our Portuguese tour, that most tourists would not have the opportunity, with our thanks to the local agency and Evaneos for this special concept of travel. Our day was completed with a tour of the Port Wine Cellars of Ferreira, and loved the bridge walk and touring in Porto. Yes, again our hotel was unique, small, yet efficient, and the staff were very courteous at HF Fenix. We had another day of many kilometers. The flight from Porto to Barcelona was the ONLY big complaint we have. The staff at both our Portugese and Spanish local agencies were exceptional!! Very Good at communication and customer care and courtesy, which will get our full recommendation to Trip Advisor. All bookings were easy to follow, and we had no headaches, except the driving portion in a foreign country, and even that, got easier with practice with our GPS and our short time in Portugal. All people we met in our journey were wonderful, from the agents, to the tour guides, to the hotel staff, and in addition the local Portuguese people were also kind in assisting us. We will inform and recommend to our friends, of this new way to travel, with Evaneos concept of vacations!!! God Bless All !! Peace, Joy, Hope and Love; Doug and Loraine Purdey Winnipeg, Canada

We travelled from Lisbon to Porto and back. Tiago has excellent driving skills and was giving enjoyable commentary about the area. He introduced me to authentic restaurants with beautiful views.

I mentioned a lot above. We rented electric bikes from the hotel also to go around which gave us a nice freedom to get some sight-seeing in. It's quite hilly, so good exercise for the legs! All-in-all, we would definitely go back to Lisbon. Obrigada Joel! :)

Good

We loved everything about our 6 night trip through Portugal which included: Day 1 - Airport Transfer and Fascinating Walking Tour of Lisbon including Trolley Ride Day 2 - Driving Tour of Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril, Fado Dinner in Lisbon Day 3 - Drive to Porto with Visits to Coimra and Batalha, Delicious Suckling Pig Lunch stop Day 4 - Half day walking tour and Port Lodge tour and tasting at Casa Ferreirinha Day 5 - Douro River Cruise with Breakfast and Lunch served on board, return to Porto by Train Day 6 - Drive to Lisbon with Visits to Obidos, Nazare with Amazing Seafood Lunch, and Aveiro Day 7 - Airport Transfer from Hotel

I was in Portugal for a business trip and given the timing around the 4th of July holiday in the states my husband and I decided to add on a short tour of Lisbon and Porto to my existing business trip. Given our condensed time we wanted to do a private tour so we could really immerse ourselves in the culture and see more sites than by using trains and public tour groups. We did walking tours of Lisbon and Porto and visited historical and cultural sites in Sintra, Aveiro, Cascais and Obidos. We did a Douro river cruise in Porto along with port and wine tours and tastings. We had the opportunity to visit a Fado house and show.

We landed in Lisbon (stayed a few days); rented a car and drove to Porto (stayed a few days), drove to the Douro Valley (stayed a few days) and stayed on a quinta, and then moved on to Evora (stayed a few days), and then to Crato (stayed one night), and then moved on to Lago (stayed four days),and then drove to Lisbon and went home. My favourite moment of the trip was in the Douro Valley. Thought the drive there was a little uncomfortable going up narrow winding roads but it was exciting. The red wine and olive oil was great. Visit the olive oil museum at the top of the Douro Valley. Port wines are also great but make sure you have a very heavy breakfast.

We were looking to get to know a country we had never visited with a milder winter with easy access from the UK where we spent the weekend before. We wanted a mix of city and country and small and large towns. Nuno assured us that we could drive ourselves and he was absolutely correct. We loved the splendor of the churches and the rich history of the royalty and religious orders and the progression of the country politically. Everyone at the hotels and restaurants were so very helpful. Nuno provided us with a comprehensive and polished online and printed itinerary and kept in touch with us regularly. He arranged knowledgeable and friendly guides.