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Looking for a Guide in Portugal: Either private tour of with a small group

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Our party of four is arriving in Lisbon this coming October with a three week itinerary: arriving in Lisbon on October 12th, there for 5 days, then to Porto for 4 days, Douro Valley for 2 days and ending with a stay in the Algarve for 5 days. Our plan is to fly from Porto to Faro after visiting Douro Valley. We know our itinerary covers the entire country so might expect that more than one guide will be needed. Perhaps if you named a favorite small group experience entity that might be more viable, but, if you know of a particular guide in a particular area, that specific information would also be helpful.

We are looking for a guide and his/her expertise and direction/suggestions to make our trip a memorable one. Specifically, here are our goals:

  1. One half or full day tour in Lisbon (on October 13) focusing on sites, restaurants, "hole in the wall" places to visit and eat while we are in Lisbon, ideally giving us a map of what we might do in the next 3 days.
  2. Possible dinner with a family or chef in Lisbon or Porto. Getting a cooking "lesson" with the meal would be a wonderful addition, but is not required.
  3. Full day in Sintra/Caiscas, leaving early to beat the crowds.
  4. Half day tour of Porto and suggestions for the remaining 2 to 3 days in Porto: sites, restaurant and day trips.
  5. Any suggestions for The Algarve (we are staying in Lagos) about specific things to do: again, sites, local restaurants throughout the area (we will use public transportation and may rent a car, as well) and day trips.

Thank you for your comments.

Posted by
100 posts

We used two guides in Lisbon, both very different and excellent. Culinary backstreets took us on a wonderful food tour of a lesser known part of Lisbon. We learned about the history of the city, the architecture, ate amazing food, and spent the day in an intimate setting with an interesting group of people. Your Friend in Lisbon was our second tour company and they covered Sintra and Cascais. We booked a private tour and she picked us up at our hotel. We stopped for a wonderful lunch by the sea at a place she recommended. I submitted a scrapbook to Rick Steves that year for Portugal and included a lot of details from these pre-tour activities if you want to take a look,

https://grangersonthego.weebly.com/ (Best viewed on desktop/iPad).

https://culinarybackstreets.com/category/cities-category/lisbon/

https://yourfriendinlisbon.com/

Posted by
6634 posts

Amy, thanks for your response. We're planning on Portugal next year, and will probably head to Lisbon a week or so before the RSE tour starts. I'm bookmarking!

Posted by
6 posts

Amy,

Thank you for your response. I just browsed your reply quickly and was so impressed with all your attention to detail, plus the pix and the fact that your personality shined through on your comments. I will go back and read it more thoroughly and send you a follow up with any questions.

The hard part, as we read responses from many people, is zeroing on what really stands out that our group wants to do.

Are you a US traveler?

Lana (from Minnesota)

Posted by
100 posts

Lana,

I completely understand your dilemma. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. Do your best to hit the high notes for the majority and it will be a success overall.

Yes, I am a US traveler. Portugal was delightful. I would not not hesitate to go back. You will have a great time. Feel free to reach out any time with questions. Happy planning!

Posted by
6113 posts

It sounds as though your order maybe fixed, but I would prefer to be in the Algarve in mid October rather than into November. You really need a car to see the best bits around Lagos, as public transport is limited north and west of here.

The Algarve is all about beaches and golf. In Lagos, there are the old city walls (not that easy to find just by wandering around), the Fort and the old church. The boat trips to the caves will have significantly reduced in number by November. Rather than take a boat trip, drive to the beach at Carrapateira on the west coast and walk along the beach to see the folded rock formations up close.

Another good day trip is to drive north into the hills - Monchique and Foia - take a thick, warm layer as it can be cold up there. Fantastic views and good walks. Head back via Aljezur if you have time and climb to the castle there - otherwise combine with Carrapateira.

Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vincente will be windy, so take warm layers.

I wouldn’t bother with anything east of Lagos.

Restaurants - I haven’t been since the pandemic started, but prior, I enjoyed Mullens in Lagos, Marigil on the N125 near Raposeira, A Tasca do Careca in Vila do Bispo and Bowman’s Dolphin in Luz for great South African food.

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