Heart of Portugal in 12 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour! Well-paced balance between guided sights and free time, and not too much time on the bus. Guide Fatima is a treasure . . . knowledgeable, funny, responsive; all the local guides were very good also. Saw charming small towns, cork farm and vineyards. Massive meals provided, local cuisines well-represented. Recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walls of Obidos at night . . . Magical!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group of people on the tour. The guides and experiences were wonderful and the ease of seeing the sites and traveling was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the cork farm and having lunch with the wife of the owner. Sharing how they make the business and family life work, and how similar issues are with children was delightful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable tour. A few less visits to Churches and Monasteries would be ok.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro valley - spectacular"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rafael was an amazing tour guide with a wealth of knowledge about Portuguese history and culture. He has an extraordinary ability to share his passion for his country and its people in a way that is engaging, informative and enjoyable. The tour provided a broad range of experiences from the urban architectural and foodie delights of Lisbon to the amazing scenery and home cooked meals in the in the Douro Valley. Kudos to our bus driver, Vitor, who amazed us with his skill and good nature.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the family run cork farm and the spectacular home cooked meal that followed. A very close second was the visit to the family owned vineyard in the Douro Valley -- lots to see and appreciate about how port wine grapes are are grown, the wine is produced produced followed by another excellent home cooked meal. Great restaurants in Evora and a stay in a former convent that is now a slick, minimalist, modern hotel!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Except for a few days of rain (which did not stop us...we just used our raincoats and umbrellas ) it was a wonderful tour with beautiful weather, a very knowledgeable and personable tour guide who guided us on the best of Portugal tastes, sights, sounds.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two experiences stand out - The tour and explanation of the cork farm and production and the Quinta estate of the winery. There were so many more! So very hard to just state one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Porto"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've been on a few tours but the collection of people and Rafael as our leader made this an exceptional trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Most may say the tile factory, cork farm, or winery in the Duoro Valley as wow moments. These moments did stand out due to the passion and pride of the owners, but the true wow was Rafael. To any future travelers who have him as their guide, you are lucky. He was not only knowledgeable but you can feel the passion for his art thru his stories. He tied all pieces of porrugal together and I learned much thru him.. A true gem"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 8th Rick Steves tour but our first since the pandemic. I was expecting there to be glitches in this tour given your inability to tour in 2020 and 2021. But I found my Portugal experience to be simply amazing. Thank you for maintaining your very high standards and fully delivering on your promises. You have not missed a beat in resuming this wonderful travel opportunity.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is not possible to pick just one “wow” moment in a trip packed with them. In no particular order, they are as follows: 1. The guided tour through the Gulbankian Museum. Great local guide! 2. The Fado Dinner in Lisbon. Pure Portuguese. 3. The trip to the cork farm outside of Evore. 4. The ceramic factory visit. 5. The visit to Quinta Santa Eufemia in the Douro Valley. After nearly every stop, I found myself going up to Rafael, our guide, and saying, “This is a “WOW!” moment."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Trip was great but we had to leave 6 days early with COVID. Our leaving was handled well and we got refunded for days missed by Steve's and for expenses by Allianz Insurance. We will go back to Portugal some day. Great organization and nice people on the trip. Guide Maria was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I liked the tour of the farm of Cork Oak trees and lunch there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The cities, people and arranged activities were all special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, the first FADO show was a highlight, but there were many, many "wow" moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful from start to end. Our guide, Maria, was beyond helpful. She made sure everyone had special treats, arranged get togethers for the group and shared historical insights. Our travel group was very friendly and thoughtful. The hotels were perfect in location and amenities. The bus and driver were excellent, too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the cork farm and delightful luncheon. Also the beautiful hotel in Evora. And easily walkable Lisbon including the Gulbankian museum. Too many “wows” to include. Every day was perfect."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the Portugal tour. Rick Steves' does such a good job of combining tours of the expected sites and personal experiences with local people. Having free time to explore on my own is important to me too. The lodging was perfect, the meals outstanding, and the wine ample. Maria, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, personable, and helpful in every way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting an active cork farm and learning about the process of growing cork oak trees from start to finish was the highlight of the tour for me. The meal provided by the owners, after the walk through the cork oak trees, was outstanding as well. was"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the sites.......food...........it was all there

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The vineyards and the lunch which followed"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

fun, educational, well paced, a luxurious treat

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the beautiful churches and palaces and the lovely hotels and good food"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great days of discovering this amazing country with a great tour guide and interesting fellow travelers. We ate well, stayed in interesting comfortable hotels, and laughed often as we enjoyed our fellow travelers and the wonderfully warm, kind, and helpful people of Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was an unexpected high point for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved everything about our tour. Claudia was amazing. Knowledgeable, kind and very organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of the cork farm exceeded all my expectations. KEEP this portion of the tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour with a nice, compatible group. Overall the tour was great- only a couple of days I felt like there was too much in the day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but the Cork Farm stands out for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about the trip was excellent! Claudia is an outstanding guide. She is knowledgeable about the history of Portugal and of all the towns, and places of interest that we visited. She has a great sense of humour. She was very attentive the needs and wishes of everyone on the tour. The tour program included a nice variety of history, architecture, culture and livelihood.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two WOW moments: the visit to the cork farm and to Quinta Santa Eufemia!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As it was our first RS tour live we approached it with excitement, as we had previously done a RS tour "by the book" and both of those trips (1) Italy and (2) Italy, Cinque Terre, Paris, Prague and Budapest had gone perfectly! The book was amazing. This tour to Portugal far exceeded our expectations of the previous trips.Our guide, Claudia, was top of the class in tour guides, keeping us on time daily and going above and beyond what was described in the proposed trip. The hotels were great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two WOW moments were the Cork tour and the Santa Eufemia Winery and lunch. Both were better than anticipated. Our host at the Cork Tour was obviously very knowledgeable. The lunch provided was very good, as were his wines. The Santa Eufemia Winery was extremely interesting, both learning about the work of the family members, seeing their personal chapel and the wonderful lunch with the tasting of their ports and wines. I was pleasantly surprised by the evening dinner for my birthday!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Cláudia, was very informative and helpful during our entire tour. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful resource for the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire trip was delightful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Too many cathedrals

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Douro valley and cork oak farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very outstanding of Portugal, tour guide Claudia fully shared the customs, culture, traditions, food and drink of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking up and down all the hills of the country, be it Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything I have come to expect from a Rick Steves tour - fantastic and extremely enthusiastic & passionate guide (Fatima), comfortable bus with an excellent driver, interesting walking tours and lots of free time to explore on our own. As usual, we end up being a well bonded group by the end, thanks to our “fearless leader”.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say the ceramic factory - I have a new appreciation for the Hand Painted goods we see in the shops."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful variety of activities and places on this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to tour and visit with the owners of the cork farm and learning about their farming methods. It was clear that Fatima has a wonderful and long relationship with this inspiring family."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well organized, very good location guides, and a passionate tour guide (Cristina).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Charming town of Obidos and the beautiful Douro Valley (Port wine farm visit & Pinhao hotel)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed every city, museum, hotel and sitevisit on this tour. The people of Portugal are very friendly. Christina our guide is excelent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting our guide Christina and her enthusiasm about her home country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience matched the words Rick Steve Tour (RST) advertised in his book and other media.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hotel in Douro Valley, Vintage House hotel. All guests of RST stayed in the rooms facing the lake view. The one night stay was very special, 2 thumbs up for this designed treat. My friend who went on this trip in 2018 always remembered this view. I second that memory."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An excellent tour highlighting the major cities and rural settings. Our guide provided plenty of insight to the culture and mindset of Portugal, past and present. We were lucky to arrive in Fatima during an outdoor church service. After several tastings, Port wine is a must-have in my tiny liquor cabinet. The food tour in Porto was phenomenal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cork farm visit, which included a delicious lunch afterwards served with local wine. Follow-up was the Fado in Coimbra, the singing was magical, the 12 string guitar playing outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Portugal was lovely. This was a very full tour with alot of tour time and not quite as much free time to explore on your own as other RS tours. Very educational and enriching tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley and the Vintage hotel were spectacular. Also loved the family run cork farm tour and the incredible lunch."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I regret not being able to complete the tour due to Covid, but I enjoyed very much my first four days. My husband and I especially miss not experiencing the Douro Valley and Nazaré because we missed the last seven days of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The fado performance in Lisbon was marvelous. The Monastery of Jeronimos was very impressive and unforgettable.)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

very beautiful and full special moments

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Fatima on the last Sunday of the pilgrimage was overwhelming"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great trip with like minded adventurous people. Enjoyed the different areas and convenient transportation. Hotels were great too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to cork farm and dinner with the family. Winery visit was a close second. Love those small family run excursions"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the entire trip; including the other travelers, the tour guides, the hotels (for the most part), the food and sight seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say the trip to the cork estate, winery and lunch at his family's home. Not only did I enjoy the beautiful scenery, but the owner was an excellent teacher. He explained very clearly how cork was harvested from the trees. We walked around some of the area and then had lunch in a lovely home his family had built. The wine his company made was served along with the delicious meal. It was a lot of fun."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I'm sure my answer would be outstanding except that I was sick the last few days and even missed the last day in Porto.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every place we stopped offered something different and interesting, but probably the best aspect of the tour was this particular group of people. The group meshed even better than on my other Rick Steves tours."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After 15 months of waiting for this tour to begin from the day we signed up, anticipation was high. We were not disappointed. Portugal is truly its own country. I am not able to compare it to another European country in terms of vibe, food, and language. I had to sit back, wait for the next day, take in that day, and not anticipate what I thought "would be."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the ramparts in Obidos made my day. It competes with our day on the cork farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent guides, wonderful sites, and a great time with fellow travellers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 2 Fado shows were wonderful and the library at the Coimbra University was awe-striking"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed our first guided tour! Great people and enjoyed the activities and food - especially the trip to the cork farm! Amazing demonstration of farming with social, economic and environmental responsibility! Go for that experience alone!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We’ll, the cork farm (above), and the food tour with Miguel. He made it fun and shared lots of local places, stories, food, wine and culture.. excellent! Prefer those experiences with locals and doing something to participate…"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My husband and I did our first 12 day Rick Steve tour to Portugal and saw Lisbon, Evora, Fatima, Douro River and Porto. We really enjoyed the special tours just for our group to a cork farm and a winery, The tours of monasteries and cathedrals got somewhat repetitive after seeing so many in each town. The crowds of tourists in September did not help being part of a 27 person tour group, as we navigated the very crowded narrow streets and historic sights. Our tour guide, Claudia was great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment was seeing the Roman ruins in one town and really appreciating the opportunity to experience this!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Beautiful country, warm people, good tour group and great tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around a port vineyard in the Douro Valley with one of the owners. Generations in this family have poured their heart, soul and hard work into this place."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the group, the Guide and the places we visited. As per other Rick Steves' tours there was pleanty of free time to explore the visited areas on our own

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fatima, as we visited on a Sunday"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the streets in Lisbon and seeing all the beautiful and varied tiles."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good - Our Guide was awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “Wow” was the visit to the Cork Oak farm. The tour by the owner was extremely interesting and informative!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fourth RST and as usual we had a great experience. Our guide Claudia was fantastic she brought lots of energy and enthusiasm to our tour. She is passionate and informative about her Country and Portugal was beautiful from the architecture, landscape and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me the Douro Valley was the highlight. I could of spent a week there alone as the hills with wine grapes cut into each hillside at different angles looks like a patchwork quilt. I really enjoyed their Portuguese wines and the views along the Douro River ."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Good tours but too many churches kings queens and clergy. Loved cork ranch tour, Wine and food tours were great. There was only one group dinner outside in open air. Disappointed that most dinners in small restaurants even when weather was perfection.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Winery tour, cork ranch tour and food tour in Porto."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We met a lot of great people and saw so much that we'd never have seen if we would have been traveling on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the cork farm and the vineyard tours."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As before, I had an outstanding tour experience. This was my 7th RS tour and I am alway amazed at the quality of tour guides, hotels, bus driver, bus and other amenities that I’ve come to expect (and appreciate) with Rick Steves tours. I was especially happy with the COVID precautions and very happy that Javier gently but firmly enforced them during the entire tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This one was tough, but I would say the Douro Valley was the “wow” moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall experience was excellent. Our guide Maria was so personable and knowledgeable of her home country. The logistics and accommodations worked out very well which means no issues! Two of the hotels and very nice pools which were very inviting during some of our free time. Good mix of planned sightseeing and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I particularly like the town of Nazare. Enjoyed the visit to the fort/lighthouse to see where the 100 ft waves break during the winter. Enjoyed the beach town lunch with fresh seafood! My second WOW would be the visit to Fatimah."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was well paced, with excellent guide Maria and a pleasant variety of nice hotels. However, we spent too much time visiting churches, monasteries and cloisters. While these were beautiful, after awhile they all blended together. Tour members started joking around yet another “cloister cluster”. Visits to a vineyard/ winery, cork farm and ceramics factory were much needed variety.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both the Cork Farm and Douro Valley Vineyard were great, with a chance to enjoy nature, interact with locals and enjoy excellent home style cooking and tasty wines."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Another outstanding tour seeing many wonders in Portugal. Our tour guide was from Portugal and was very knowledgeable of the history which helped the travel story flow. It was a very busy tour as well with long walks through neighborhoods and tours of significant buildings/churches and monasteries. The food and wine on this trip was incredible!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It had to be the Douro valley hands down. The very first few from the bus upon arrival was breathtaking. Rows and rows of terraced vineyards in the mountainous land was beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to la Quinta de Santa Eufemia Vineyard."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Christina is a fantastic tour guide, and your co. is REALLY fortunate to have her on your team!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many, many extraordinary vistas of Portugal."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great tour. I was a bit worried that 28 people were too many for one guide, but Cristina knows how to handle large groups.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the food tour in Porto, the visit to the cork farm, and the quinta. If I had to pick one, I would say the farm because the family members were seated throughout the room. I had the opportunity to sit next to our guide's wife and young daughter. Later their teenage son sat with us. I loved talking with them because i could really get a feel for life in Portugal. We talked about education, Covid, and politics. We discovered our experiences had more similarities than differences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Christina, our tour guide was enthusiastic, very well informed, added to our enjoyment and understanding of our Portugal experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring Roman ruins."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Christina had a vast knowledge of the history and rituals of her country. Not only was she extremely enthusiastic about sharing it with us, she was able to add interesting tidbits that seemed to make it come alive for us. alive to us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Fatima was moving, not only for the majesty of area, but also for the feeling of awe that premeditated from the pilgrims that had traveled so far to be a part of the experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was fantastic with a dynamic and knowledgeable tour guide. The country is rich with history amd culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was a special treat."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, it was a comprehensive tour! We are always so impressed with the tour guides. They have so much knowledge that questions don't stump them; they just give you answers!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork! who knew cork is the bark of a tree? And it is farmed? Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

LOVED Rafael! So attentive, interesting and kind. Not to nention knowledgeable! Loved the whole thing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tours to Porto makers vineyard and the cork oak tours were my favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour truly represented the culture and beauty of Portugal in so many ways starting with our Guide Rafae, he brought a lot of that home in so many ways. The places we went (not the Algarve thank you) especially the smaller centres made the tour enjoyable and pace easier to take on. Having time on our own was always enjoyable as you had so many choices of things to do with your time. The meals were outstanding the Lunches were such an amazing surprise and the dinners first class.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"To me walled towns are magical, with Obidos being the first castle town it truly was a moment for me to see the ramparts and experience the beautiful sunset. Cobble stone streets and imagining the past were exciting and the view from our room of the castle at night was a beautiful aha site and the mist in the morning was epic!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall experience was very positive. Rafael was an engaged and engaging tour guide who obviously loves sharing his country’s history, culture and customs with others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh wow hard to pick. I’m going with the winery in Douro Valley. The hosts are gracious and the tour was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The whole experience was topnotch. I learned so much about Portugal’s history and culture through excellent presentations by the guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moments were the fascinating experience at the cork farm and the visit to the beautiful Duoro valley winery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed learning about Portugal in so many ways!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Coimbra University Library was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed our trip very much. It was just about the right length of time although we would give up a night in Lisbon and would rather have spent another night in Évora! Great trip overall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was the Douro wine country. For my wife it was the library in Coimbra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great guide and great tour mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm and port wine stops were fascinating."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Second of two back to back tours. Both excellent. Action packed!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the winery tour in the Duoro Valley. We got lucky in that it was harvest time and got to see that process."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm and winery tour"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Roberta and Gabriella were excellent guides. They managed the group effectively with fun and enthusiasm. Portugal is a charming country with beautiful sights and delicious food. We especially enjoyed the visit to the cork farm and the winery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was our wonderful tour mates. We so enjoyed everyone and had many interesting, insightful conversations while sharing the sights."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was AMAZING to tour my country put historic monuments in their right locations, eat the local foods, speak my language and here it being spoken back... meet great people and relax with great coffee ?? and a pastel de natas!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had several Wow moments but I really enjoy the Fado night and Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Could have been outstanding with less people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gulbenkian Museum and 5-star hotels in Evora and Lamego, plus the extras guide provided (boat harbor tour in Porto and buying dinner in Obidos)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We got a lot done in a short period of time. Our leader and guides were OUTSTANDING. We went to places and saw things that we never would have found or known about on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monastery of Jeronimos and city of Obidos"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every aspect of the tour was well-planned and it showed. The guides were knowledgeable, thoughtful, and caring throughout the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm tour and home cooked lunch at the farm was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an exceptional trip from start to finish. Our guide, Fatima, clearly loves Portugal and her enthusiasm for her country was contagious and informative. I looked forward to every day's new adventure and was never disappointed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour was one "wow" moment after another, some was Portugal and some was the guide. I loved the tiles more than I was expecting to. So many, in so many places, and all beautiful and many spectacular, from the tile museum to the Lisbon subway stations each with different tile art to the fronts of churches covered in blue tiles. And the ceramics factory that showed us how the tiles were hand painted. And the cork farm!! Wow. So interesting to see cork farmed. And stomping grapes. And the port!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a well-rounded and very physical tour with an experienced enthusiastic guide who really made the trip! I had a great time and enjoyed all of our tour group members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW moment of the tour was grape stomping at the winery. It was an amazing experience and one that I never thought I would ever have."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We learned so much. We are exposed to so many Portugese traditions, meals etc mostly because our guide, a native portugese woman showed us her country and the love of her country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The portugese meals, some in the proverbial “ hole in the wall” restaurants and the restaurant owners welcome to Fatima and us. The grape stomping ."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour. Fatima was an outstanding tour guide. Her energy, knowledge and love of her country were contagious. She made the tour come to life. The additional tour guides were also fantastic. The buildings, churches, tile, tiled streets were unbelievable. Great group. Food was excellent. The only complaint I had was the Coinbra Riversuites. Too small, bed and pillows were terrible, no chair to sit on in the room, bathroom too small. Awful. Please remove this hotel from this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many WOW moments. Family owned cork farm with a focus on sustainability. Family owned winery. Family owned pottery company. Lunches were excellent at both places. Stomping on grapes was great fun. We ate at The Hole in the Wall restaurant. Another family owned business. The energy and enthusiasm of the Portuguese people was everywhere."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous tour of Portugal. Our guide Fatima, was outstanding in every way. Her knowledge and love of her country is hard to beat and she made sure we would have many special memories. She loved to surprise us and to be honest, each surprise got better! From an impromptu concert while in Alcobaca to the amazing lunch in Coimbra, these little moments made the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to consider, but the male Fado performances in Coimbra and the Batalha Monestary were at the forefront."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was all we hoped for and so very much more. Fatima was great and eager to share her knowledge and her love of Portugal. The pace, cities, hotels and guides were perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Douro valley accompanied by the wonderful lunch at the vineyard."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an incredibly informative, fun-filled and memorable adventure that exceeded all my expectations…no small feat considering this was my fifth Rick Steve’s’ Tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes at a lovely family-owned winery in the Douro Valley…a once in a lifetime experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We really enjoyed the tour, the pace was very active, the food was just okay, really enjoyed the lunches at the farms the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the ancient ruins in Coimbra and stomping grapes at the winery in the Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

28 people is a lot! Guide (Maria) was fantastic. Probably saw more churches than necessary!! Love learning the history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Reading Jose Saramago while in country Visiting the cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved Portugal. Our tour with Maria was a great introduction for our first visit to this wonderful country. The tour was very well organized, for example getting to sites early to avoid crowds. Maria handled details very well, for example providing metro tickets and helping us explore public transit; also offering little treats unexpectedly during timely moments. The R.S. philosophy and sign-up process effectively encourages a compatible grouping of tour members. A busy but enjoyable tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While it's difficult to pick only one, certainly the first Fado event in Lisbon (facility/decor, food and performance) was a big wow. The entire city of Lisbon was a big hit with us. The location of our central hotel with so much to see and do just outside the entrance, including the wonderful trolleys was a great choice. We loved the history, the architecture, the food & wine, and the people. We also loved the Douro Valley and the town of Evora."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed the Heart of Portugal. Our guide, Maria, was outstanding. She was kind, knowledgeable, and had many fun surprises for us that we never expected. There was probably more monasteries and cathedrals than I expected, but at the same time we did have other opportunities to explore both as a group and on our own. We added a trip to Sintra with a private driver before, and a trip to the Algarve after which were both outstanding and I would highly recommend both.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had an unexpected opportunity to stomp grapes at a winery in Quinta Santa Eufemia in the Douro Valley and it was an incredible experience. I also enjoyed the cork farm with an amazing lunch afterwards, visiting the ceramics factory and gaining a whole new appreciation for all of the labor involved in making and painting the pottery, the fish markets, and the coastal villages."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Maria, our guide, was fantastic. She brought Portugal to life. The tour itself was fast-paced with plenty of free time for lingering over coffee and pasteis de nata. Metros, ocean, drinking port: we did it all. I liked the contrast of bigger city Lisbon with the whitewashed houses of Evora. From drinking the sour cherry liquor ginjinha in walled Obidos to visiting a cork farm, the variety made for a fascinating experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes at a vineyard. What a bonding time with my fellow travelers. Stained legs and laughter."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very enjoyable and a great learning experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fatima experience. I did not expect it at all."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley countryside - stunning!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyable and very educational. In such a short time, I learned about the historical contribution of Portugal, their navigational expertise and travels and conquest of other countries. Our main tour guide, Cristina, was outstanding. She provided so much information about the places we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Fatima was my Wow moment. The “simple faith” shown by the visitors made me teary eyed. The looks in their faces as they saw the Lady of Fatima is beyond descriptions. I was so touched."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal is an interesting, varied country with lots of art, historic spots and friendly people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Landscape in the Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized....wonderful trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many.....one that stands out is visiting the library at Coimbra University....hundreds of years old with century old texts. So cool"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal is a wonderful country with friendly people, great history, delicious foods and wines, and very clean - cities, subways, beaches, towns, EVERYWHERE!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We visited the Time-Out Market in Lisbon, twice. Great atmosphere with huge variety of food and drinks. Waking up in our hotel in Obidos, looking up to castle walls and towers, and the view overlooking the valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well done. Fantastic guide. Nice diversity of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being pulled behind a tractor across the landscape of a cork farm and talking to the people there was a one-of-a-kind experience that provided real insight into an important part of Portugal's agricultural economy."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent tour guide!!!!! We loved Portugal!!! Just so European! The other travelers were fun My husband got COVID in the middle of the tour and we left the group. Great support . Cash refund for the days we missed was generous. This is our 4th trip with Rick Steves We will travel with Rick Steves again

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm. Very interesting. We missed the wine country tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. Portugal is a beautiful country with friendly people and a great history. The tour explored the history and culture of Portugal in detail.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Duro River wine country was spectacular. The winery visit was great and inspiring."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How can one even describe seeing portual with fatima? Her enthusiasm for everything and loving care for all if us is so incredible. Liked cork farm, stomping grapes and porto with the local guide. Loved everything but those were highlights."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful Portugal trip. Our guide was excellent, the group was great, the destinations were outstanding and there were just the right number of experiences. All the food and wine contributed to our enjoyment!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes was definitely a highlight as well as the meal that followed. Another WOW moment was the bus ride through the Douro Valley...breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal far exceeded expectations, in no small part due to the energy, enthusiasm, and extra effort by our guide Fatima. She shared so much knowledge about her country and provided many glimpses into Portuguese family life and culture. She was amazing! The Portuguese history and architecture were tremendously interesting, the landscapes were incredible, the medieval walkways were so fun and enchanting. The people were very friendly and accommodating, and the food and lodging were excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many WOW moments! Vistas in Lisbon, Obidos, Nazare, and Porto, among others. The historical architecture and churches. The alter in the Church of the Holy Trinity at Fatima. The cork farm and winery families and their hospitality. The library in Coimbra. One of the most memorable was the Douro Valley and its terraced mountainsides, hand laid stone walls, and the overall immensity of the landscape and vineyards. We would have liked to stay in Portugal for another month!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima was our tour guide. She was awesome. I knew from the welcome meeting that she was going to make this tour enjoyable because she has the right personality. Her knowledge of the history and culture of Portugal was impressive. We had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes in the Douro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the entire tour. I learned a lot about Portugal including its culture, history and government. I would have liked the option of a My Way tour with options for some group activities since the country is relatively easy to navigate and many people speak English. My preference is to spend more time with ordinary people from the country that I am visiting and less time with other Americans. The people in our tour group were all nice as I would expect in a Rick Steves group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the Douro Valley was my favorite wow moment. It was inspiring to see the carefully crafted terraces and stone work on the steep hillside vineyards created over hundreds of years. I have been in wineries in several countries and my experience a the Douro Valley winery surpassed them all. This was an experience that would have been difficult to achieve without the tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Appreciated all of our tour guides. Fatima was so personable and worked very hard tp ensure that everyone had a great time. Especially enjoyed Maria's dry wit and presentations. We loved our time in Evos with her. Enjoyed each of our destinations. The pace was good. We had a very compatible group. It was interesting to interact with each of them. We traveled with good friends that we don't get to see often. This is a great way to just relax and enjoy our time together. Great weather to

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping the grapes, visiting the cork farm, dancing and singing at dinner with the group Our hosts at the vineyard were so gracious and they enjoyed our having such a great time. Food and drink were memorable. Similar experience at the cork farm. Fatima arranged many little surprises that we all enjoyed. In Obidos we all had so much fun dancing and having a party together."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a blessing! The insights our guide brought to us about the history, culture and people of Portugal brought the country to life! You get to see the real Portugal while also visiting so many wonderful sites. Portugal is it’s people; what an opportunity to connect with so many on so many levels!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cork farm tour near Evora was amazing! The sustainability farming practices, the visit throughout the farm being towed by a tractor and then the opportunity to have lunch with one of the family members who helps run the farm made for a remarkable and insightful day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations thanks to our enthusiastic, personable, well organized, knowledgeable guide - Fatima. Her passion for her country, her people, history, her family roots & Portuguese traditions were palpable. Her willingness and ability to tell personal stories, formative experiences, viewpoints helped make this a special cross cultural learning adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"(Only one??!)Kissing the cook of a family run restaurant; sitting at lunch table with wife of cork & wine farm -chatting about her life, family, challenges, future hopes and dreams; Fado dinner concert in Lisbon with young and talented musicians."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great educational experience that introduced the culture and long history of Portugal. The people,food and fellow travelers were lots of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Douro valley and the winery. Stomping grapes."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was a great overview and introduction to Portugal, made especially wonderful by our guide, Claudia, whose abilities were/are beyond measure. It was a busy tour, but well-paced so we had “down time” to explore on our own and also to take a relaxing moment at a pool, cafe, or to just soak in the ambience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment was the visit to Fatima. The reverence that Claudia showed while explaining the events happening was emotional, and created a sense of awe for me. I have never experienced anything like this."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great overall especially our guide Claudia. I could do with fewer churches, but then that's an integral part of Portugal's history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Grape stomping in the Douro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour was great. The weather was way too hot for the amount of walking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again, an outstanding trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After thinking the cork farm would be the wow, I then thought the Sunday Mass at Fatima being the wow, but the WOW was stomping grapes at Quinta de Santa Eufemia. Just like the skit in I Love Lucy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Claudia was an amazing tour guide. This was a great group of people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Grape crushing in the douro valley!!!!!!!!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was very well organized and a nice pace. Claudia our guide had an amazing wealth of knowledge of her country she loves and shared many memories she had of growing up in Portugal which made the trip even more meaningful. Nuno our bus driver always had a smile to share and navigated narrow roads with ease. There was a nice variety of places that we visited and our group was also a nice variety of people that we enjoyed getting to know.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think my wow moment would be our visit to Fatima on a Sunday during mass. Claudia explain to us what was going on during the mass and it was quite a spiritual moment. Also the Douro valley is up there as well."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour members and a guide were very pleasant and excellent tour team

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Grape stomping together with members and Claudia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide and enjoyable tour-mates.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Claudia made this trip amazing. She was everything we wanted in a Rick Steves tour guide. Smart, savvy, friendly and very very knowledgable of the Cities and Towns we visited. Your driver "Nono" was amazing also. Her reccomendations were spot on. Our Dinner at "Momentous" was one of the best dinners we've ever had. George got a hug when we left.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Claudia and the people on the tour they made it unforgetable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My favorite part of this tour was our guide Claudia and the very special group of people on this tour with us. Claudia was kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable and always made sure to give each member of the group the best experience she could provide. The whole group looked out for each other, showing great courtesy, respect and kindness towards each other. This made seeing a beautiful, culture rich and vibrant country thoroughly enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wonderful moments. Visiting Fatima during Sunday mass, learning about cork farming and the special care the family put into environmental balance on their land and the warmth they showed our group, the history, exploring Lisbon and Porto, the beauty of the Douro valley were all very memorable. But my favorite experience on this trip was dining at Momentos (Claudia's recommendation) in Evora. The meal was one of the best I have ever had. George, the chef/owner, was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide Fatima was outstanding. She went above and beyond any tour guide I have ever had!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both days spent on the farms - the cork farm and the vineyards in the Douro Valley!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide and tour. Well rounded experience with traditional historic sites and off the path sites. The history knowledge of our guide Fatima was exceptional. Hotels, bus and restaurants were also very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cork Farm and Douro Vally vineyard!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We knew very little about Portugal and learned so much about its history, language and culture. Our guide was outstanding and most of the hotels were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley is beautiful. We loved riding through it and visiting the winery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best travel experience I've had, Flights on time - weather was perfect - and travel on schedule throughout the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Douro Valley Winery"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 11th RS tour. As with previous tours, a very good itinerary was made into an outstanding trip by our guide Fatima and the local guides. Enjoyed how each guide presented the information in interesting/entertaining ways. Have not been disappointed by any of our RS guides, but Fatima has set a new standard of excellence! Was the most walking on cobblestones we have done on any trip (some by our own choice during free time) so the label of "strenuous" was accurate. Enjoyed Portugal a lot!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed learning about the production of cork. Port wine tasting! Fascinated by the beauty of the tile facades on the exterior of many buildings, inside the train station, and inside some cathedrals. Visited an ancient fort on our own that was very plain on the exterior, but the chapel inside the fort still contained beautiful, vivid blue and white tile pictures of biblical scenes covering the interior walls."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much about Portugal's history and culture from our amazing guide, Fatima, and the wonderful local guides she provided for us. The variety of sights to see and experiences was outstanding. Fatima also offered advice and assistance multiple times for finding great Portuguese dining experiences. This tour was physically demanding (up stairs, down stairs, up ramps, down ramps & repeat), but well worth it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I love RS tours because of the opportunities for experiences that are difficult to do on your own. Tours of a cork farm, pottery factory, and vineyard were so special. The owners/workers of those places were so welcoming to us because they have an established and trusting relationship with our guide. The many monasteries were each unique and beautiful. Two really different Fado performances were fascinating."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Met all expectations

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Heart of Portugal is a very challenging tour but the most rewarding. Both Lisbon and Porto and uphill (or downhill depending on the direction) and may not be easy to walk for some travelers. But, in my opinion, the hilltops offered outstanding views of each city. The food was terrific and our mix of travelers was the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was reaching the highest viewpoints of Nazare. On this day, the weather was flawless and I had never tried barnacles. Our guide encouraged everyone to get a small taste, but it wasn't for me. Also, the trip through the vineyards in the Douro Valley was BEAUTIFUL. The local guide made all of us feel as if we were eating lunch in her own home."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful sites to see, guides who were knowledgeable and fun to be with, and and experiences that were thought provoking as well as entertaining.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The opportunity to interact with locals on the two farms we visited. We learned about their specific farms but also about the economics, agricultural practices, and culture of two very different areas of the country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A nice variety of experiences and nicely paced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Christina and all of the guides were remarkably well prepared, friendly and engaging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was especially enjoyable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal was a great place to visit. So much history and our guide, Christina, provided a terrific narrative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was very knowledgable about her country’s history and enthusiastic about sharing same. The tour incorporated multiple aspects of Portugal - farming, wine, commerce, architecture, history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman ruins near Coimbra. Roman Temple in Evora, and Douro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first tour ever, and it was a very good first experience. We definitely saw more, did more, and learned more than if we had tried to navigate this on our own, even using the RS guidebook.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was very interesting, not something that we could have finagled on our own. But the tours to the ceramics place and the port wine place were also exceptional. The "wow" moment for me, however, was probably Fatima, a religious place (surprisingly). For my partner, it was the Cork farm."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Knowledgeable tour guide and excellent visits to cork farm and winery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Porto."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really felt like we experienced “all” of Portugal—which would have been very difficult on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the cork farm, speaking with the owners, and sharing lunch with them."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned, with rich cultural experiences at every stop. The hotels exceeded our expectations - they were comfortable, convenient, and well appointed. Our original guide got Covid, but he was replaced with two charming, professional women, who exuded love and knowledge of Portugal. We really felt that we got to know Portugal, it's history, customs, foods, exports (cork and Port) and people. Bravo, Rick, for giving us an authentic taste of Portugal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved the cork farm visit and lunch, in the gorgeous Alentejo region of Portugal. We knew nothing about harvesting cork, and Sofia was the perfect guide to the process, start to finish. The lunch was delicious as well. Also, Teresa of St Euphremia Vineyards, explained how port wine is grown and processed as we walked around her farm that has been in her family for generations. The lunch was also delicious, served in a lovely room overlooking the beautiful Duoro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well organized, and showed a great smattering of Portugal, making me want to explore more on my own, knowing I can do so without language concern. Once again, superb guides, Roberta and Marie-Jose who filled in at the last moment. I came away very impressed with Portugal, its history, land, and place in the world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Recinto Megalitico, Cromeleque dos Almendres, an extra sidetrip that Roberta arranged for 8 of us. To see the 95 menhirs, plus one, that are 7000 years old, brings me back to creation. Being able to wander through the site, and touch the stones, I could feel the connectiveness of the earth, running throughout all of the Universe's spirit. This should be included in the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the tour was well paced with enough time in each town/city along the way. There was a good mix of physical activity, the walking, and more sedate times to catch a breath.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Porto. This city was such a mix of the very old, the new, a population that was young and appeared anxious to try and preserve a culture and move in to the future at the same moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour was at a fast pace that was very rewarding. Both guides, Roberta and Maria, were very good on every part of the tour. The variety was terriffic, from a cork oak forest walk to intense city centers. Overall, the food was very good, with one exception. Our fellow group members were a great bunch to travel and be with. We'd do a Rick Steves tour again!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the drive through the Douro Valley, The beauty and amount of vineyards spanning the slopes going down to the river was amazing. Very glad to get to see this, annd also visit one of the winerys."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves tours take the stress out of traveling and add such rich unique moments and insights - I'll never travel alone again!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat tour in Porto."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal is an amazing country. Fatima is an outstanding guide- informed, interesting, kind, entertaining and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had lots of wow moments but I think my favorites were the visit to the cork farm and vineyard and the happy hour in Obidos"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My knowledge of Portugal- people, history, culture and geography was embarrassingly limited. This tour addressed all and more. The Portuguese people were wonderful, the food so delicious, the culture and history rich. I had a lot of fun learning so much. Our guide, Fatima, was bubbling with pride of her country. Her enthusiasm was catching. The group was fun. There was no one who I didn’t enjoy hanging with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unfair question because there were so many. After visiting the cork farm, Rovisco Garcia, we had lunch with Sofia and her sister. The meal, sopa de cacao, chicken pie with mushrooms, home made ice cream, and a selections of their family wines was just superb! Definitely one my list of top 10 meals of my first 75 years."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima was a great tour guide. She had so much knowledge about Portugal that she past that on to us as travelers to better know her country and the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The family farms we visited. The cork and wine farm in the Alentejo region and the port wine farm in the Douro Valley. It was great to learn about each of there farms and meet the families members of each,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First tour and unsure what to expect. Guide was outstanding, group was easygoing and Portugal was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment was our guide Fatima. She brought everything to life with relevant explanations at points of interest and opportunities for off the beaten path activities."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As this was my ninth tour with RS, I was expecting their great guides, well chosen hotels and locations of interest. I was not disappointed. Our guide Fatima kept us active with our planned schedule and many added activities of her own. She was part of our group as well as the leader. Her time was dedicated to us the entire trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I didn't experience a specific "Wow" moment on this trip, but I loved our excursions to unique places like the cork oak farm, the Quinta de Eufemia, the smaller winery, the Portuguese people and the ceramics factory, It's the combination of all these individual memories coming together that made one wonderful trip. Also, I was traveling with my two daughters which was a big "Wow" for me!!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A ton of interesting sites,out of the way locations for great stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling in the Duoro valley was great and very beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed touring the vineyard and then eating in their dining room. Teresa was a wonderful host. What a gorgeous place! What a priviledge to meet her and learn about her family."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was the perfect combination of Portugal's history, culture, traditions, food, and its proud people. We saw and experienced peoples' lives in their markets, their churches, their work, and their art. Our guide provided us with so many unique and meaningful experiences. We had fun with our great travel companions. All together one of our best Rick Steves' tours (out of a total of 16 tours).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to the cork oak farm was a definite WOW! We learned so much about sustainable agriculture and how they apply current science and research to their farm practices. And to top it off they served a delicious lunch which was enjoyed by all."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour keeps the participants busy but in a constructive way. I enjoyed seeing some sites and having some experiences I would not have had on my own or with other tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the mountain vineyard terraces in the Duoro Valley was fantastic. The views were beautiful and it was exciting to walk among the vineyards."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Fatima, was very enthusiastic and did an excellent job sharing her enthusiasm for her country. I experienced the culture of Portugal through the people we met, the food, the wine and the history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several. I loved visiting and learning about the cork farm, and enjoying the excellent lunch there. I also loved the beautiful Douro Valley, and hearing about how they grow the grapes. The most unexpected wow moment was the opera singer in the city of Alcobaca. His singing was so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group of 26 was lucky enough to have Fatima as our guide - there is no better guide on the planet! We learned much, saw this beautiful country and met even more beautiful people thanks to her. There's much more in Portugal to see - this was just a taste (tasty, too!). We made it through a heat wave together with laughs, oohs and aahs. What a wonderful birthday I had in Coimbra, complete with Fado signing. Thank you, Fatima, for showing us your country - until we return, Obrigada!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beautiful Portugal is rich with history and Roman ruins that surpass most everywhere, but it's the people that wowed me the most. They are open, warm and quick to smile and share stories. My travel companions and I made new friends at every stop, every cafe, every Uber. Small restaurants in Lisbon, the Avis County cork farm/winery and vineyards in Duoro received us with open arms. Being invited in to see an Obidos tavern owner's renovations and hearing his story was a special wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was outstanding! I hadn't been a tour since I turned 18 years old and went to Europe with a group of other teens from across the U.S. Since then, I have traveled extensively in Europe (on our own) with family and friends. I am amazed at how much I was able to see on this tour of Portugal, the history that I learned, and the experiences of local culture that we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It really is hard to choose as there were so many! If I had to chose, I would say my favorite "wow" moments were listening to Fado singers in Lisbon in a historic restaurant and an impromptu opera concert arranged by our tour guide. Both of these moments brought me to tears!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was amazing. She helped us in so many ways and provide context for the places and people we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm visit was astounding, as was tour of the Douro valley vineyard."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. Portugal is a beautiful country filled with interesting sights and wonderful people. We enjoyed it immensely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The fado concert in Coimbra. I had seen clips of fado performances on the Rick Steves shows about Portugal and listened to some before we went on the tour, but the live performance far exceeded any expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cathedral in Lisbon oddly enough."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Claudia, made the trip outstanding. My favorite Claudia quote is "sometimes you have to find joy in the day." She always did!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one wow moment, but the whole country, the people and the culture. And the food and wine of course. I enjoyed the fado and was suprised to learn that Coimbra fado is different from Lisboa fado."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour. Good guide, food and hotels. I would like to add a day in Lisbon with an optional trip to Sintra.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the wall in Óbidos"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the best tour we have ever experienced—anywhere. Our guide, Claudia was outstanding, and made the entire trip enjoyable for everyone involved.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved hearing Claudia’s stories about her experiences as a child in Portugal—particularly her descriptions of times with her grandmother in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded expectations! Fabulous tour guide Claudia made it fun and interesting. Well organized. Immediately signed up for another Rick Steve’s tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the cork farm and vineyards in Douro Valley. Also really enjoyed Fado music"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great RS Tour! We are glad to be back in Europe enjoying the culture, sites and food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "Cork Farm" was one of the most unusual visits we've had on numerous RS tours. Beautiful scenery, fascinating background on cork production and wild game management, and a wonderful lunch at the end."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Even though we left the tour halfway through due to COVID concerns about getting home in time for other commitments (nine people exited early) it was a fabulous tour. Maria, our guide was caring, knowledgeable, fun and made sure we were cognizant of pick pockets in the towns.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the cork farm tour was just beautiful. The family welcomed us with grace and were so genuine. The lunch was delicious and the wine flowed freely. Also, attending a gathering with Maria & the group on the hotel rooftop in Evora was special. We got to bond a little more with folks while enjoying fruit & wine."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent mix of history, art, religious history,, music, and food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I particularly enjoyed our visit to the cork farm. I learned so much about cork production, land management, and wildlife management. Our lunch with the family was delightful and personal. Donna Maria was turning 97 the day we visited, and it was special to be able to sing Happy Birthday to her."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guide and great itinerary. Cases of Covid within the group and precautions taken to keep people healthy hindered us from getting to know other travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing all the magnificent tile work through out the country and visiting the Quinta in the Douro Valley. It was like traveling back in time."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was on the tour where 11 people out of 28 got Covid so it was an interesting experience. I also got a really bad cough/Cold (not Covid as confirmed by a per test) so I'm afraid these things colored my experience of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"touring the Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good experience, did not have to worry about anything except being on time for the guided tours. Our guide was so knowledgable about the history of Portugal. Many details and interesting facts were given and discussed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing all the beautiful churches and sights in Portugal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Days 1-3 were spectacular! We loved Lisbon (and Sintra, which we recommend visiting before the start of the tour), the food, wine, history, and the Portuguese people. Cristina was an amazing tour guide. On Day 4, a positive COVID test for one of us required that we leave the tour and isolate for a week in Evora. We made the best of the situation and after the quarantine period made it to Porto, where we explored on our own for several days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seriously, there's a lot to see and do in Evora. It helped tremendously that one of us tested negative throughout, so important provisions like carryout food and wine could be easily obtained throughout our week there. We ended up with an unexpected chance to appreciate the food and wine, and the history, architecture, and culture of the Alentejo region."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Portugal tour had it all. There were breathtaking views, striking architecture, welcoming people, fascinating history and delicious pastries. :The tour was brought to perfection by Cristina through her charm, extensive knowledge, attention to detail and her love of Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Douro Valley, the significance of Fatima, the charm of Porto and the impressiveness of the Monastery of Jeronimos were just a sampling of the WOW moments. Every day had significant highlights, great fun"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th Rick Steves tour, and this one was just as excellent as all the others. Our guide, Cristina, was fabulous - so knowledgeable, interesting, funny, with the perfect amount of "Mother Hen" in her to keep us all safe and happy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of Portugal is a "WOW". But I loved the Douro Valley, with the rolling green hills covered in vineyards, and particularly enjoyed our fabulous lunch at a winery. The port wine was delicious! And that day was capped by an overnight stay at a fabulous resort-style hotel with a gorgeous view of that valley. I just sat out on our patio for several hours relaxing and taking it all in."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We especially loved our trip to the cork farm and the family winery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Portugal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An excellent tour. Perhaps the best of our 6 RS Tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The unexpected tours to family owned farms and wineries. Very Special!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Portugal!! Our fabulous guide Fatima shared her deep love and pride in her country and its people, and was beyond generous with her time and support. We felt we gained a rich understanding of Portugal's history and proud heritage, and certainly great admiration for its people. Great tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the "Oaks, Olives,and Obidos day." The visit and tour of the cork farm was mind-blowing. The dedication and commitment of this family to the ecosystem and the generational inheritance of this farm was mind-blowing. The lunch and wine with this lovely family may have been the best we had during the entire trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After having to postpone the Portugal tour for 2 years due to Covid, we were eager to finally begin the tour. This being our 6th Rick Steves Tour, we knew what to expect and were in no way disappointed. As in past tours, our primary guide, Claudia De Costa, was excellent, as were the guides in the cities and towns that we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both the visits to the cork farm, and the vineyard, including the lunches at each location, were special for us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent introduction to Portugal

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't really believe in "wow" moments as such. The whole trip, the immersion, stands out. A favorite sight was the neighborhood grocery near our hotel in Lisbon. Prices for coffees, etc. encouraged us to come and watch local shoppers (like the one who ordered a bag of chicken feet)."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fatima was a wonderful guide; she really made the tour. There are so many good things to say about her: genuine, warm, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, energetic, and upbeat are but a few which come to mind.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was my 11th RSs’ tour, and after Rome, Athens, Florence, and Paris, nothing on the Portugal tour really rose to the level of “wow.” That said, the tour was very enjoyable and the Portuguese people absolutely warm and welcoming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful. Our guide was great as were local guides. We had enough time with guides and then time on our own. This tour went to more historoic and charming places than any other tour I saw.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewpoints in Lisbon. Spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Informative, entertaining, pleasant travel companions, good variety of sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hospitality we received from the locals."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour leader was great!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Vineyard in the Douro Region......and several other wow moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Fatima was energetic, enthusiastic and eager to show off her country or Portugal. The tour had a good balance of time in bigger cities (Lisbon and Porto) and smaller towns like Obidos and Coimbra. I learned so much about Portugals' history, current affairs, food, music and port!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many--but I really liked the beautiful scenery wherever we went. And then the in-depth connections with locals on the cork farm and at the port winery. That is something we would never have experienced on our own. And finally, the surprise appearance of a princess in Obidos!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent group of fellow travelers, open to conversation, interested in Portugal, timely. Enthusiastic guide. Good trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was a small wow, but the view from Evora, which the Roman's had established as a defense site/town, down onto the plain below left an impression."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The trip was good, but found the information from our tour guide to be redundant and somewhat negative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Didn't really have one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide Fatima was excellent. She is passionate, helpful and knowledgeable. Portugal is beautiful and it’s people are very friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were “wowed” by the cliffs in Nazare, fado performances, cork farm, winery and Douro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Good exposure to local culture and variety of areas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The condenses offered by a local couple at a crowded cafe."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was perfect for my companion and I. We arrived one week ahead of time and did some excursions on our own-Algarve, which was truly incredible and so glad we did it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably seeing all the ceramics finished after we had watched them hand painting."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was more or less what I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The vineyard tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent itinerary, amazing guide for a fun and interesting country. The tour was well-organized with side adventures and free time. I especially appreciated the two farm tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the renovated chapel of Santa Clara in Porto. Incredible detail work over several years to bring the chapel back to life after a century of neglect."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was one of my favorite Rick Steve's tours. I really did not know what to expect on this tour being that Portugal was not my first choice. However, Portugal and its people proved to be far better than I could imagine. The tour was managed perfectly. We were exposed to various aspects of the culture and country. I could not have asked for more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was not one single site or event. It was the people of Portugal. They were always kind and helpful and full of life. They always made me feel at home and comfortable. They are a very proud and seemingly happy people and it was refreshing to experience their accepting and friendly country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Portugal and its people. Found the entire country a welcoming community. Loved our guide Cristina and bus driver .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several: all of Sintra, the Quinta run by Theresa and Maria and the beauty of the Duoro Valley, the cork farm and its family, the Roman ruins in Coimbra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the usual awesome Rick Steve's tour experience. Couldn't have been better and learned a lot about Portugal. All as a result of our guide Cristina.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm and wine tour were tied for our favorite. Cork farm hosts were wonderful, educational, interesting, and fun."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second RS tour. Everything is well organized and planned to a tea. The knowledge of our guides (main and local) is exceptional! The opportunities that we have to see things we wouldn’t have as an individual traveler are priceless! Love the connection our guide has with local vendors and the appreciation they have for RS tour groups is unique and touching. It’s a WIN-WIN-WIN!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm … loved the winery, cork tour and Santa Clara church was beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Maria, was wonderful - very knowledgable and full of information. We also had a great group of people. our tour group was a little smaller than what we've had previously, so there was plenty of room on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was interesting because I never really thought about where cork came from. It was also interesting to see the pilgrims journeying to Fatima, both along the highways at at the Basilica in Fatima."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall we had a great tour of Portugal. Guides were all great and fellow members very friendly. But we did grow concerned over the possibility of testing positive for covid at end of tour and possibility of quarentine. Although we wore masks virtually all the time , the close quarters with public, etc makes this type of travel unfortunately a risk with the current regulations. Luckily we tested negative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day trip to the cork farm was very nice and the family hosts were great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Tour leader Maria, was amazing, very knowledge and enthusiastic. Always organized & helpful. She was organized & made the events happen so that they were al enjoyable....a great adventure! No complaints & the size of 21 people was perfect. The variety of activities was balanced & well planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved it all but especially the wineries / cork farm & walking in the fields. Loved the fado performance in Coimbra. Wow! Along the Duoro Valley. Then there was amazing Porto! Loved it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had no expectations of Portugal, other than other people have loved traveling there, so I was open to whatever the country had to offer. It did not disappoint with diverse topography, beautiful coastal views, impressive tiles, traditional architecture well-preserved.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Views of the Douro region, tour of the family vineyard and winery, lunch there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun, educational, paced just right. It's a pleasure to travel with people who follow the RS philosophy and are curious, considerate, eager for new experiences, and always on time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This question is impossible to answer! Day after day, we had new and often surprising wow moments. Part of the beauty of Portugal and of this itinerary is the variety of experiences. I really hadn't expected to enjoy all of them as much as I did."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Personal touches made by our guide made this a truly wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't a single WOW moment, everyday was memorable."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group of fellow travelers. Excellent guide. Good food, good wine, good scenery. The Portuguese people were warm and proud to be Portuguese. We had no safety concerns.W

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley was the most scenic part of the tour. Also, we really enjoyed an informal lunch with our guide which several tour members participated in. It was a good cultural and dining experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed our day in the Douro Valley. The ride to the valley was beautiful. The walk through the vineyard was very pleasant and informative. We had a delicious lunch served by the cooks at the vineyard and sampled the delicious Port wine. Later that day we stayed in a beautiful hotel on the Douro river."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on our tour of Portugal; the history, the buildings, the countryside, the food, the music, the Portuguese people, the guide and the fellow travelers were all great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite was the Douro Valley and the tour of the vineyards, the meal and the Port sampling. We had a great time and was so beautiful. Loved meeting the people at the vineyard as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic! After two years of travel shut down because of Covid, it was exhilarating to be able to travel with others. Our guide was organized, fun, and caring. The tour group was a cohesive, fun group and Portugal was a wonderful destination!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's so hard to pinpoint a favorite "wow" moment. While we saw many beautiful castles and cathedrals, visited a cork farm, tasted port wine, tasted incredible food, I think my favorite "wow" moment was in the simple gazing of the views. I have so many pictures in my head of throwing open the hotel windows to gaze out at the beautiful views. For example, I loved looking out my hotel window in Obidos to look at the castle wall at night and then, out at the countryside in the morning. Beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip from start to finish was wonderful! Our guide Fatima was so full of energy and personality and treated everyone as if she was there to personally make sure we had a good time. The places we visited and the people we met were incredible! The weather was perfect and our group were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Everything combined to make a memorable trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! I think the things that were most memorable to me were when we met the people-at the cork farm and the winery. To see how welcoming, humble, and proud they were. I found the cultural aspect so memorable"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful country and the people are so very friendly

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the production of port wine from a small, family operated business"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was an experiential tour. We were given information about Portugal’s history, world influence, it’s arts and culture, it’s politics, it’s strengths and it’s challenges.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm and the port wine farm, the amazing meals after the tour. Sunsets over Porto."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Of our three RSteves tours, this group of fellow travelers was the most cohesive. We bonded quickly and it enriched the full experience. Also the most active/strenuous with LOTS of up and down- hills, steps, eat and repeat. It’s good when you wish you could stay a bit longer at each place along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was our Cork Farm Safari. An immersive educational stroll through a large estate that produces cork, pine nuts, olive oil, wine, and beef cattle. Then a wonderful luncheon prepared by the farm employees, seated in a large but cozy dining room decorated with mounted trophy heads of game. And I had the pleasure of sitting next to Gonçalo, the managing director, at lunch. I get like an his invited guest of honor, and I learned so much!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 9th Rick Steves tour. All have been quite exceptional, and this one was no exception! Portugal is a lovely country. The tour was well organized, and the guide Claudia was simply fabulous. As has been my previous experience, the group members were so compatible--flexible, friendly, having a team spirit, great senses of humor, and just generally delightful. I think the expectations established by Rick Steves and the climate created by Claudia contributed to this! Thank you, RS!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one. Here are a few: the tour of the olive tree farm in Alentejo region, the lunch at the winery and just the Douro Valley in general, the wine throughout, my first taste of a pastel de nata at Manteigaria in Lisbon, and the church at Tomar. Portugal in general is an utter wow! A hilly one at that! Most strenuous tour I have done."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We usually travel independently, but this time we wanted the carefree ease of a tour. Portugal is beautiful! We had so many diverse, enriching experiences. Our warm, engaging leader, Claudia, spoiled us with treats and taught us so much about the proud history and rich culture of her country. Our tourmates were fun! Fast friendships formed during our free-time impromptu social gatherings. We had delicious food and wine, including 2 group dinners that weren't even on the itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the sunny, warm day when we were the guests of the four-generation Rovisco Garcia family, hiking on the paths of their cork farm to learn all about the production of cork, then enjoying a bountiful home-cooked meal with members of the family seated among us at the tables. We’ll long remember this family’s beautiful property and their warm hospitality. It was a delightful cultural exchange."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent from the start to the end. Fantastic guides at every stop, nice hotels, good food, and wonderful fellow travelers. I had the best time imaginable. This trip exceeded my expectation on all fronts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many but I would say being at Fatima during a Sunday mass was incredibly moving and spiritual."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

For our first trip in 2+ years I very much enjoyed this trip and am looking forward to participating in more Rick Steve's adventures.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "commentary" provided by our guide Raphael while on the tour bus. He provided excellent information on Portugal that made me appreciate this country more than I had originally though I would."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th Rick Steves tour and it was excellent as usual. The tour guide, Rafael, was especially good - he was personable, knowledgeable, well organized, and a good teacher. The people in our tour group were friendly, interesting, and well-traveled. The sites we visited in Portugal covered a wide range from large cities to small villages. I learned so much about the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite place was the Duoro Valley and the visit to the family vineyard there. The landscape was so beautiful and peaceful. The homecooked meal we had there was my favorite on the trip. A close second favorite experience was our visit to the cork farm. I had no idea cork could be so interesting!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As on past tours we've done, this one took us to places we would never have gone to on our own - a cork farm, a small factory making hand painted ceramics. Both were a great change from the usual tour of museums and old ruins.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the cork oak farm was such a novel experience. Seeing people who are such good stewards of their land, and being willing to take the long view rather than looking for quick profits was such a unique slice of Portugal,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful sites, interesting history and culture, good food and wine/ Port, friendly people both on the tour and in the service industry in the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Port vineyard and cork oak plantation."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, the tour was well run and the fellow travelers were sensible and fairly easy to get along with. COVID didn't impact the tour which was an added bonus. I feel that the tour covered the variety available in the country well, although it certainly could be expanded to 14 days (which would conveniently fit a 2-week vacation window, although not everyone has to accommodate work schedules).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the students in Coimbra and Porto celebrating the end of the academic year and welcoming the new students (with their unique brand of hazing that looked like real life Harry Potter meeting a drag show) was fascinating. I also enjoyed the medieval walls of Obidos."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had fun - first RS tour. Great tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the ceramics factory"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was planned well. It had history, culture and current society trends. The bus was very comfortable. The Tour guide was outstanding. Food tours were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed everything the Port tour was the wow in the Duro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, well run and enjoyable tour. Tour guide Rafael went to great lengths to assure a great experience for everyone

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vineyard visit in Douro valley. Cork farm visit"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cristina was an awesome tour guide. We are lifelong learners and truly enjoyed learning about the history as well as just seeing the beauty of the country. Cristina was passionate about teaching, taking us to the next level of traveling. I think because of the philosophy as a company it attracts likeminded people and makes for enjoyable trip. Our group was great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We really enjoyed the cork farm and the winery. Being able to spend time with people and learn about their way of life was such a treat and not something you could get just traveling on your own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fabulous and Cristina was a terrific guide. She is knowledgeable and passionate about Portugal history. Everyone on the tour was friendly and fun to be around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow was arriving in Porto and feeling at home."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a terrific guide in Cristina. She is a strong storyteller that made history come alive. She provided a great background for what we visited and saw. We saw a variety of churches and visited both urban and rural areas. We ate well and laughed a lot. Cristina's use of the tile world map in Belem was a strong history lesson

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork Farm was a tremendous experience to understand the industry and the intricacies of small business ownership in Portugal. The port wine vineyard followed that same vein. Views in Douro valley were extraordinary Many other moments along the way...too many to choosr"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My first Rick Steve’s tour with limited International travel experience. Excellent communication from when I first signed up and throughout the tour, packing list worked well for me. Main tour guide was excellent; a knowledgeable local with a great sense of humor, an obvious love for her country and concern for everyone’s safety. Hotels ranged from 3-5 star; all very clean and centrally located for ease of exploring. Food was wonderful. Tour activities varied and were fun and interestin

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many WOW moments. I most enjoyed my experience on the family owned farms. Both the cork farm and the vineyard in the Duro Valley we’re wonderful despite rain on both days. The family members that gave us a tour of their farms were enthusiastic, informative and kind. Both meals at the two farms were my favorite meals."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Cristina did an excellent job in all aspects of the tour. Beginning to end!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything and everyone, even the individuals from Arizona!! Just kidding, my buddy was from Arizona!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide, sights, port, bargains in Portugal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Newly restored church in Porto covered in gold leaf was pretty wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group to travel with, great guides in Christina and Maria

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We selected this tour with no real expectations other than exploring new places and experiencing a new culture. We were very excited to be traveling again, and were looking forward to another wonderful Rick Steves tour. What we experienced was a beautiful country, incredibly friendly people, great food and drink, and one of the best tours we've ever taken. Our guide, Fatima Bugarin, did an excellent job navigating us through the current Covid rules and dealing with a positive case early on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rick Steves "extras" (cork farm, vineyard) were very special. Family-style lunch with Fatima at a "hole in the wall'" was unforgettable; even the tripe was good! (Doris Fox) The gorgeous Monastery of Jeronimos and the modern crucifix and golden mosaic in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Fatima offered an amazing contrast. If I had to choose one moment, it would be our guide fighting back her tears as she greeted one of the local guides for the first time in more than two years. (Dale Fox)"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was very interesting, full of variety, nice mix of structured and unstructured time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roman ruins in Coimbra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I went to Portugal knowing little about the country or it’s people.Everything turned out to be a wow from this perspective.It is an impressive country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the family farm visits and the Fado singers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt the tour was well organized and extremely educational. I loved the tours and our guide, Fatima, was excellent. The group was so nice and welcoming! The hotels were very nice with the exception of the hotel we stayed at in Lisbon. I would recommend this trip to anyone considering visiting Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of wow moments but the seaside town of Nazare was charming. And both of the Fado performances were fabulous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was outstanding. It was the relief I wanted after the dumpster fire that was Covid that kept us stationary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several moments actually. The Fado in Lisbon, Coimbra, Obidos castle, etc…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' tour, although we had been to Europe many times before. We were very pleased with the tour group and especially our tour guide Maria, who was beyond outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As winemakers, we were especially excited to visit the wine producing regions of Portugal, and we were especially thrilled with the visit to the vineyards and winery in the Douro Valley, which was spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was exactly what I had hoped for, great guide, great food, great wine, great people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Douro Valley and meal at Quinta Santa Eufemia. Spectacular scenery and wonderful dinner with beautiful wine and ports."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual with Rick Steves tours, there was a great range of experiences. The pacing was terrific because we were in cities, then villages and then next to rivers and thrr we n the Atlantic Ocean. Time in the group and time apart…

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both of the private Fado concerts! The first one was incredible especially with excellent meal and then the second Fado performance was so different and also wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 1 of 5

It was not great. We enjoyed the cork farm and the winery. Fatima was a disappointment beyond words. Overall the cities are very capitalistic and lack charm. We needed to use cash quite frequently and very few people spoke enough English to be able to ask the where the WC was.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great history of Portugal provided by our guide. The information was reinforced with the sites visited on the tour. I loved the amount of free time provided to just walk around and stumble upon my own special discoveries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to the pottery factory. Watching the skills required to hand paint the ceramics to seeing it all on display in the showroom."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Maria was a wonderful tour guide. She was patient, helpful, and knowledgeable. Portugal is a beautiful country with a fascinating history that I knew very little about prior to this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed all of the photo opportunities the tour presented. On our last full day in Porto, the weather and the angle of the sun were ideal for photography. I was able to spend a few hours along the south bank of the river photographing the small boats that were used to transport the casks containing wine down to Porto."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely Outstanding... It's professionalism taken to the next level...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rovisco Garcia &"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I learned a lot about Portugal , its history and present.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Exploring independently with a small group and finding the outdoor escalator in Porto. We were getting tired and hungry. The restaurant we wanted to eat at was uphill. It was a win win!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 4th RS tour and it continued a streak of fantastic adventures in Europe over that last several years. Our tour guide Claudia was ready to go and navigated the COVID19 requirements and restrictions with ease. I loved Portugal, the people we met were all very happy to see us back visiting their country. The food, if you like seafood, which I do, was fantastic, the group meals were all very good. This is a great tour and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in seeing Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was our visit to the cork farm and winery at Rovisco Garcia. Our host did a wonderful job of explaining how the cork is grow and the time it takes to grow the trees. Our ride in the farm wagon around the orchard was great. We then got to have lunch and sample the different varieties of wine they produce along with the olive oil they are now making. I have a family members who work in the wine industry and getting to see this unique part really made this a memorable visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, bus driver, bus, and fellow travelers were all top rate! Portugal is a beautiful, interesting, safe and friendly country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We arrived at our hotel in Pinhão in the Douro valley. We were all shown to our rooms and we ran outside to our individual patios or balconies overlooking the river and gasped at the beauty. Everyone else was outside, too! That lead to a large outdoor happy hour amongst this wonderful group of people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time. This was my first Rick Steves tour and first trip to Europe. Their hotels, food and entire

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was our first Rick Steve’s tour and first trip to Europe. Our entire experience was outstanding! The hotels, food and daily trips exceeded my expectations. Claudia our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and an overall joy to be around. We Left traveling in Portugal and can’t wait for our next trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall great as usual, was our 6th RS trip.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a wonderful mix of big cities -Lisbon and Porto - and smaller villages and family wineries. Our guide Claudia was very knowledgeable and shared lots of fascinating Portuguese history about every place we visited. She was obviously very proud of her country. All other guides and hosts at wineries were also welcoming and happy to have visitors after the two-year pandemic hiatus. There was just the right mix of free time and time with the group sharing meals and walking tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be hard to choose just one - but visiting a cork oak farm and having lunch there with the family was a highlight. We toured the cork trees in an open air bus and learned about how cork is harvested - it takes many years. Growing and harvesting and using cork is very sustainable and I may never buy wine with a screw top or plastic stopper again! We were then treated to an amazing lunch and wine selections."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides, great food, great cities, great country with a rich history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Douro Valley and the cork farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal is a beautiful country and our tour took us to a wide variety of places. We had a great group of people who were excited about traveling again after the pandemic. Our guide, Claudia helped us to gain an historical and cultural appreciation of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery along the Douro River valley was spectacular! Our visit to the winery and vineyards after the incredible expertise of our bus driver on that winding, narrow road was super. These people work so hard to do what they love."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a safe and fun adventures touring Portugal with lots information from our wonderful guide Claudia and local guides. We received our info the night before preparing us for sites and events.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved our visits in Lisbon with many wonderful sits and specially Gulbenkian Museum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We all learned so much because our guide gave us history, geography, culinary, architectural, and cultural lessons as viewed the Portuguese countryside or urban life. She was also always ready to answer questions about any facet of Portuguese life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful vineyards and history of growing, harvesting, managing the family land in the Douro valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was educational, fun, enlightening, and fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spiritual experiences, despite not being very religious. Taking in the marvelous views from the Óbidos walls, Douro cork farm and Rovisco Garcia cork farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour with an organized group. We have been going to Europe for years (using Rick Steves' guide books), but we have always hesitated joining an organized tour. We loved it! We made some new friends and enjoyed being with like-minded travelers. But the very best part of our trip was our guide, Cristina Duarte! Not only was she so much fun and full of knowledge, she exudes a passion for her "work" that overflowed through our entire tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we spent in the Douro Valley at the Quinta was amazing. While we loved the beauty of the valley, the best part was having a private tour and an incredible meal with a real family at a true estate/winery. I don't think we could have arranged such an intimate experience with any other tour group and certainly not on our own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful and enriching tour of Portugal, the food, the people and the landscape.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour name should be changed to "Eat, Drink and Walk your way through the Heartland of Portugal! So much to see and experience here. The Portuguese people are warm, kind and generous in spirit and action. Leave your diet thoughts/worries behind you as you will burn up in calories everything you choose to eat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved the one-off visits to family run businesses, including a vineyard, cork farm and ceramic factory. The pride and commitment these families make to maintain and excel at their chosen calling was to say the least impressive. Opening one's home or factory to a group of 20 or more and making them feel like cherished guests speaks volumes for the warmth of this Country. Fado demonstrations were terrific too and far exceeded what I expected"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an excellent tour - and Cristina was a huge part of that. The guiding was outstanding. The itinerary was great! Sintra would have been an excellent addition to the itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many favourites - the ramparts at Obidos, the Duoro valley, the family vineyards and Porto were some of my favourites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After many years of using Rick's book for our travel, we decided to take a tour. We had a great time and enjoyed our traveling partners. However our guide Cristina was fabulous. Her personality and knowledge made the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to the cork farm in Aldeia Velha. We got to spend time learning about growing and harvesting cork. We had lunch with the family that operates the farm and enjoyed a great meal, good wine and welcoming locals."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, thoughtful itinerary.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Maria did a fine job; she kept us moving to new sights and towns for the entire tour. The hotels were very nice - some even upscale. The breakfast offerings were good and plentiful. The service at all of the hotels was excellent. We had several dinners as a group and I'm sorry to say that the food was terrible.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide, fantastic itinerary, amazing co travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the vineyard in Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the tour was a wonderful overview of Portugal. I thought our tour director, Maria, did an outstanding job of ensuring all the tour participants had the best possible introduction to her country. I liked the use of local city and museum guides to enhance our tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waking up and looking out my hotel room window at a beautiful scene that included the Douro River and a vibrant vineyard."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very interesting and informative

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

An excellent introduction to Portugal, and good way to get back into travel mode! As one of the first tours back, there was certainly some rust to be kicked off, but everything proceeded smoothly and our guides and tour stops were so delighted to see us. Our guide, Maria, had all the COVID test locations scoped out and even made appointments if needed. Nice overview of Portugal's role in the world, historically and present-day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Douro Valley views were fantastic - spring trip so everything was just starting to green up. Cork farm was fascinating. So much to do in Porto, very workaday vibe combined with tourism scene."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well balanced and incorporated a number of different types of venues for interest and completeness.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No real "wow" moment other than realizing Portugal due to many factors and many beyond my knowledge base squandered their fortunes amassed in the exploration age."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour gives you a real good feel for Portugal overall except for the Algarve region which is not part of the itinerary but could easily be done on your own either pre or post trip. The country is very hilly and picturesque with easy access to mountains and the Atlantic ocean and compact enough to see lots of key sights on this 12 day tour. You'll also get a good feel for Lisbon and Porto, the two largest cities which both have their distinctive charm and sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Key wow moments for me were touring the cork tree and cattle farm/winery estate with a lovely lunch on site, Douro Valley and winery estate tour also with a hosted lunch onsite (totally stunning scenery, and 100,000's of acres of impossibly steep terraced grape vines on the huge hillsides), spending a perfect sunny afternoon along the ocean at Nazare and the Porto food tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic experience. I felt so fortunate to be a part of the first trip back to Portugal in 2022. Maria was just a phenomenal host and guide, and we met lots of fun folks. This was our first RSE tour and I’m very sure now not our last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Surveying the picturesque Douro Valley from a family vineyard and experiencing the warm hospitality of the Portuguese people was my #1."