Porto

Great scenery, accommodation and guide.

Brian McLaughlin Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

A fabulous week cycling from Porto to Lisbon

Christine Street Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

We were aware of the Douro wine region but not all the other interesting aspects of the region of Northern Portugal we visited. Our guide Teresa Pires is a charming person with excellent interpersonal skills which which she was able to convey her super local knowledge of visited areas. Throughout she was very professional with lots of communication with the group, clear timetables and access to her via phone at any time she was not there, giving an extra sense of security. Flexibility in order to meet varied requests from group members was really appreciated. She was very keen to introduce Portuguese ways, history and food in a relaxed and positive way.
She responded in an excellent way when things , not of her making, went wrong. For example taking me and my husband to hospital emergency care, and on another occasion ensuring alll the group was well away from vehicles on the motorway when the van was fired to stop with a flat tyre. Overall the safety and care of group members was always a priority. Whilst it was Teresa on the spot, although she did not need to, she didn’t forget to point out that she was supported by the local exodus office team.

Teresa was excellent at introducing us to many new experiences and gave much information on the local communities. particular highlights included the organic farm and wine tasting, cruising on a traditional boat in the delta area ( we should have remembered to take our binoculars with us for the birdlife including flamingoes), rail trip through the heart of the Douro with vineyards stretching up the slopes, baking a local speciality cake, immersing our feet in the salt pans and visiting a sparkling wine making cellar. As a finale the end visit to bustling Porto with all its interesting facets was a great end to the trip. Teresa made sure that all the lovely restaurants we visited were able to give us vegetarian dishes. Local guides were excellent on the whole, only exception was the archeology guide who talked about things other than the archeology!

Teresa was always happy to take the extra step for members of the group-overall a fabulous trip leader who did an excellent and memorable job.

Elizabeth Statham Discover Northern Portugal – Premium Adventure