Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

Wow, what a trip!! We spoke and they listened. Then they delivered the PERFECT trip based on what we wanted to experience and how we wanted to experience Portugal. How is it possible to curate such unique experiences at every stop? Goncalo and Joana did just that.

So many special moments. The most memorable are:
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel—peace and tranquility. Fantastic food & wine, and more wine. The views from the tower are spectacular.
Evora—Roman temple and Bones Chapel. The lunch restaurant was a hidden gem.
Sintra—Queluz National Palace and Gardens.
Cascais—A very memorable lunch by the beach at the perfect restaurant.
Douro Valley—Stunning views from the resort. The river cruise is a must do.
Porto—The most unique Port wine tasting in the private cellar of the resort! The sommelier, Lara, made all the difference in the world. We ended the experience with a taste of a 50-year-old Port! Wow, such a memorable experience. So very generous with all 6 ports in the tasting.
Porto—Clerigos Church. Listening to an organist play Baroque classical music on the organ within this Baroque church. Wow, what a memory!
Porto—Lello Library
Conimbriga—Roman ruins
Bussaco Palace—Stunning architecture. The blue tiles are incredible here. Again, lunch here was so memorable.
Casa de Juste—Cooking with a local.
Estoril—Wow, what a way to end the trip. The beach, views and food here are not to be missed.

I would hire this team again without hesitation! They definitely got us into the nooks and crannies of Portugal. It was one wow moment after another on a DAILY basis. Thanks again to Goncalo and Joana.

Eve Kerr | November 18, 2024

We loved our trip to Portugal. Thank you Goncalo for all the great recommendations.

Trees and mountains during fall in Pinhao, Portugal.

The Spaks appreciated the colors and fruits of fall in Portugal—as well as fewer tourists.

Gonçalo and Joana skillfully honed what started as a general concept for a special vacation with a lengthy list of interests. From our initial Zoom consultation, they provided a number of recommendations for our consideration, as well as practical insights that ensured a good balance of activities across our multiple areas of interest, and a wonderful mix of bustling and more quaint locations as well as must-do and slightly off-the-beaten-path adventures. After a few email rounds to refine the itinerary, we were set for our 18-day adventure in Portugal starting in mid-October.

Any doubts about the timing of our trip were quickly dispelled upon arrival. We experienced lovely weather (highs in the 60s to low 70s) throughout nearly all of the trip, with only a few days of clouds or periodic rain showers. Travelling at this time of year meant we were able to see the Douro Valley in amazing Fall colors, as well as taste a bounty of Fall produce, including persimmons, citrus, pomegranates, and others. Less bountiful were other tourists—which meant more time and space in popular sites, and positive, more engaging experiences throughout.

Our trip allotted a nice amount of time to experience Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley, as well as Coimbra, Belmonte, Évora and the Alentejo. All accommodations recommended by Gonçalo and Joana were wonderful and well-located. Our favorites were Ludovice Palace Hotel in Lisbon, Quinta Nova in Douro Valley, The Vagar in Belmonte, and São Lourenço do Barrocal in Alentejo. We enjoyed exploring the scenery and extensive grounds that many of these properties offered. We appreciated their suggestions for special stops and day trips between segments, such as the day in Tomar exploring the remains of the Knights Templar fortress and lunch at Chico Elias. Other highlights included special tours and tastings with lunch at Quinta do Crasto and Quinta de la Rosa in Douro Valley. Our cooking class and food tour in Lisbon set the bar very high for pastéis de natas for the rest of the trip.

All guides and drivers they arranged were wonderful, and we appreciated having the same guides over consecutive days in Lisbon and Porto. They ensured car rental process was efficient, and driving between towns was as easy as Gonçalo and Joana reassured us it would be, notwithstanding the adventurous roads in Douro Valley. Throughout the planning process and during our trip, Gonçalo, Joana and their team were very responsive, and it was clear that they were staying on top of things. Their guidance and attention to detail ensured a meaningful, memorable, and worry-free vacation.

Hubby & I traveled with another couple to Portugal on an excellent 18-night trip put together by Goncalo & Joana. Knowing how much we enjoy good food, wine & being active, the itinerary they designed fit the bill. We opted to NOT drive within Lisbon & Porto, so Joana set up a walking food tour (Lisbon) & a walking history tour (Porto) for us in those cities…both were very good…so good that our food tour guide extended her time with us!

Our two biggest requirements (which were met) were to have king sized beds & a car that would accommodate our travel pal, who is 6’6” tall….as well as to have a suite set up when possible, so that we could enjoy wine & conversation together in our living rooms. It’s challenging to name a favorite activity, as there were so many enjoyable moments on this trip, but we all agreed that having a luncheon & wine pairing at the Quinta De Dona Maria winery with the winemaker’s wife, Isabel, was a highlight. Not only were the wines fantastic, but Isabel was a delightful host at this winery which has been part of her family for multiple generations. Another highlight experience was also wine related…another lunch with wine at Case de Juste with Ana & Fernando…another multigenerational family estate with an incredible history. We were tickled to learn that Fernando’s grandfather was behind the development of Mateus wine back in the day. Although the wine wasn’t high quality back then, the memories of sticking candles in the empty bottles for affordable ambience brought smiles to our faces. Ana prepared all of the food, which was delicious…she provides cooking classes as well.

Our favorite areas of Portugal: Algarve & Alentejo, although there wasn’t any area we didn’t like! Our favorite hotel was the Sao Lourenço do Barracol, an agricultural estate on the Leading Hotels of the World list…simply amazing.

We had some bad luck with the Sixt rental car, which isn’t any fault of our planners, but now that we’re home, I’ve been reading about similar experiences…so a strong recommendation to NOT recommend getting a car from them when in Portugal.

Many thanks to Goncalo & Joana for creating a memorable trip for us!

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