Best of Portugal in 13 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very interesting tour, learned a lot.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork Farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good with our excellent tour guide in Portugal, Maggie! She was enthusiastic, extremely knowledgeable, and fun. We fell in love with her.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The first cathedral we entered on our tour with a local guide in Lisbon."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour throughout Portugal. From the great hotel locations to the many sites and experiences we had, our guide, Maggie was a great travel partner. She shared the rich history of the country and infused our days with great energy and TLC along the way. Our tour group was FABULOUS and fun, too

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of cool moments in many of the towns we visited! Stand.out moments include the cork farm near Evora and seeing the Duoro valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Margarida (our guide) was outstanding. Overall, each of the locations had a little something different which made the trip very enjoyable. Hotels were good and the wine was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm surprisingly turned out to be our highlight of the trip. The owner family is super and we learned so much. Even the meal served was ohtstanding."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide, full of personality. Great fellow travelers, they were there to learn about the country and to make friends. Good cross section of the country and places to see. Perhaps could have adjusted the balance of time spent in places, but this is very much reflection of personal preference.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Duoro valley, particularly the dive up from river to summit. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mama Maggie was fun and chalked full of history. I wanted to take a Master’s class with her next month to keep learning! From one end of Portugal to the other we learned so much! Highlights included the Maritime Museum which was full of amazing sailing history, mapping, actual boats and ancient cannons in Lisboa to the dynamic beauty of the Douro Valley.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning that Portuguese sailors discovered how to sail upwind by using triangle sails. And also that they discovered sailing nearly to Brazil and then heading to the Cape of Good Hope was the most efficient and successful way to get to the Indian Ocean to further their spice trade as well basically discover & reign over the world in the 1500 & 1600’s. Reading “Conquerors” now to fill in the holes. What they did in the name of Christianity was not always very Christian! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour stayed on schedule, the guides were ready upon our arrival and the information and knowledge shared was insightful, thoughtful and accurate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about Portugal and all its beauty and complexities."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great experience from start to finish. Our tour leader Todd was extremely knowledgeable and so enthusiastic about Portugal. All of the local guides did a great job as well. Our driver Andre was very competent driving on those winding roads. As always I felt like we wouldn't have had the same experience if we weren't on a RS tour. Todd was also very helpful with suggestions for our time away from the group. Speaking of the group, everyone was amazing. Great people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley was spectacular & the visit at the Quinta was great. The visit to the ceramics factory was also very interesting. The standout was our visit to the olives & oaks. It was very interesting not just hearing about the processes but also getting an owners perspective about running an old family business in modern day Portugal. Our lunch following was another one of a kind experience we never would have had if not for being on a RS tour. The food was incredible. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The farm visits, we had two."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was excellent a d Todd was a excellent leader. Very thoughtful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Belem are of Lisbon. I love history"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Portugal. Our tour provided a great introduction to this interesting country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to the Douro valley was breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fatima was great, as was Sonia

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views and the tiled architecture "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have loved the balance of must see cities and charming towns in the rural settings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"To learn about the miracles at Fatima, the personal story of our Portugal guide named Fatima, and see the mass pilgrimage made to the shrine. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was full of adventure! Lots to see and do! Our tour guides Fatima & Sonia were AMAZING! I feel very lucky to have had them for our guides! Bus driver, Mario, was the BEST ever!! Loved all the cities we visited. Great tour to see half of Portugal & really experience it!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Douro Valley wine country. Visiting the winery, having lunch & wine tasting the port!. The cork oak farm was super fun too! Great lunch provided and fun to learn about the family farm! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Fatima, made this a wonderful tour with her enthusiasm for her country! Learning the history of Portugal was important to understanding the country today. Loved this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many - the stork nests in the electric towers were cute, the ceramics factory tour was wow for the way the ceramics are painted. And of course entering the Douro Valley is a big WOW. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Hit all of the highlights of Portugal. Both Guides (Fatima and Sonia) were absolutely great and very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley. The beautiful vistas from the family run winery we went to."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

from the exceptional tour guide to the exquisite hotel/inns to the cultural experiences, we could have not done this on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting with the people who live in Portugal; having lunch with the owners of the farms at their residence in the beautiful countryside"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was wonderful. Fatima was one of the best guides I have had. She shared her family's personal story which brought the history of Portugal alive. Sonia our guide in training was excellent too. Mario our bus driver jumped in to help whenever he could. He was an excellent wine pourer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the meal we had in the Douro valley at the family run Port winery. The food and view were excellent."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was so enjoyable from start to finish. Every detail was accounted for and the unexpected moments were around every corner. Fatima and Sonja were amazing guides. Our bus driver, Mario was extremely involved and was so generous with his efforts to help make the tour a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband and I were hiking down the hill from the castle at the top of Alfama and found a neighborhood cafe to have lunch. The food was amazing, but it was our conversation with our waiter that left us with a wonderful memory. The waiter was generous with his time and conversation, and gave us so much more than a meal in a cafe."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was an average Rick Steves Tour which still puts it way above other tours. I thought 3 days in Lisbon was way too much. There is not much going on. The museum was closed and we spent two mornings walking around Lisbon looking at buildings from the outside. Cut Lisbon back to one day unless you are going to include the castle. Also, almost all the elevators and finiculas are closed down. Lisbon is too touristy. I enjoyed the country side and Porto much more. Porto seemed much more alive and

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the buildings at the U of Coimbra. Food tour in Porto was very nice, as was the tour of the vineyard and the cork farm. I can't say anything really wowed me. Unusual for a RS Tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect balance of art, history, culture, food all in a most beautiful setting. Our guide was terrific as were our fellow travelers. I always appreciate the free time on these tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment was the vineyard in the Douro Valley. Spectacular views ( and wine). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour. Portugal is beautiful and filled with old world history. Our guide, John C. was outstanding, compassionate and knowledgeable. Our fellow tour members were the best group of people we have travelled with on a RS Tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Medieval Mystique of Tomar's Castle of the Knights Templar and the Douro Wine Country. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again, a RSE tour exceeded expectations. I initially thought that two different fado performances might be too much, but the comparison between them was very interesting. Our local guide in Tomar was also a highlight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially enjoyed the tour of the cork farm. The owner's insights into their financial and environmental sustainability efforts were extremely thought-provoking."

Excellent in-depth tour, especially for our first time in Portgal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "Wow" moments, but the University Library in Coimbra was certainly a top sight!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The University Library in Coimbra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the people and places visited. Having that tours stick to be less than 3 hours is very key for me

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the lunch at the cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Rick Steves format worked very well for us again. This was our third RS tour, and in every one we enjoyed the live music evenings; visits to olive, grape, or cork farms; and local guides who are lovely to listen to.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning that Portuguese mixed with Spanish is called Portuñol or Portunhol."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Portugal Tour was our fifth Rick Steve's adventure. We were really impressed by our Guide, Claudia. We liked everything about the Tour including the itinerary, choice of hotels, and the food. Right from the Day 1 Orientation meeting Claudia made it evident she loved what she does and made sure we were all well informed with each day's events. The itinerary was laid out perfectly with the right amount of time at each stop, giving us plenty of free time to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several "wow" moments, my top two would be the Fado performance in Lisboa and the trip to the Cork Farm. It was heart-warming seeing the young ladies and men carrying on a tradition that goes way back in the Portuguese history. And the Cork farm was similar in the fact that this land had been in the same families hands for many generations. It was also very interesting in learning how the Cork was harvested and all of the products that are created with the cork and nothing is wasted. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned. The local guides were good. Our main guide Claudia was EXCELLENT. She was the best tour guide I've ever had on any tour, not just Rick Steves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was learning about Fado and the cork farm visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very informative and educational about Portugal and its people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the beautiful chapel with its hand carved wooden alter and shrine at the family owned winery in Duoro valley. Also, the luncheon was delicious."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable but too many hotels

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nazare,vineyard,cork farm and tour companions"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Claudia was fantastic. The love for her country was very apparent. I learned so much about Portugal. The wines, port and soups were so delicious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm. Away from the cities in the beautiful country side. Great tour and wonderful lunch."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience, made all the more enjoyable by our tour guide, Claudia, with her personal storytelling and her knowledge of Portugal's culture and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"-Cork farm tour, with owner's insights and lunch at the estate. -Wine tour in Douro Valley and subsequent lunch. -Did I mention our tour guide???"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, good pace, we'll planned

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eating barnacles for food, Cork farm and douro Valley close seconds"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was exceptionally well-organized, with a perfect balance between excursions and free time. Our local guides were outstanding—specifically Adriana, who was amazing; her organization made the entire process seamless. A special thanks to our bus driver for the professional and reliable service throughout the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to choose just one “wow” moment—Portugal itself felt like a continuous “wow.” The history, stunning architecture (especially hidden, non-touristic gems), amazing food, and warm, welcoming people all stood out. The Douro Valley was especially unforgettable—like a true paradise. Overall, it was an incredible experience, and Portugal is now one of my favorite countries."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Adriana, was fabulous! She clearly has a love for Portugal and conveyed that. We had very generous amounts of food and wine throughout the tour, and it was all so well planned. The bus was very convenient for traveling between cities and we had an excellent bus driver. Good balance of guided tours and free time. We really appreciated all of the local guides who imported so much information on their respective tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband and I both loved the visit to the Cork farm. The grounds were so beautiful and it was fun being driven throughout the farm and getting the family story of how they had to leave the farm but then we’re able to reclaim it in the 1990s. The food was fabulous at our luncheon there and the wine was outstanding. Sofia was a fabulous tour guide! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The group size was perfect. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful (and remembered ALL of our names within minutes it seemed). The tour covered all of the high points of Portugal except the Algarve (which is being addressed, as I understand). Couldn't ask for more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley was awe inspiring. However, my "wow" was learning about the 1974 nearly bloodless military coup that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime and began Portugal's transition to democracy. What happened then (from authoritarian to democracy) followed a similar path as what's happening in the US now (except from democracy to authoritarian). It blew me away!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Portugal. I left with a much better sense of the history, geography and culture of Portuga;

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Breathe taking scenery in the Douro Valley, especially our overnight stay along the Douro River"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a trip of a lifetime. I loved our guide Cristina and bus driver Helder,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to Knights of Templar castle in Tomar, the winery in the Douro Valley, boat ride on the Douro River, the Cork farm, and the Shrine of Fatima."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was excellent! Our guide Cristina was top notch! The tour was fun, well organized, and included an amazing itinerary. Would definitely recommend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Convent of Christ & Castle of Tomar, the Cork farm, port winery in Douro Valley, the Douro Valley itself, Fatima religious site, King Joao's Library. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The this was my third RS tour and it did not disappoint. Thoroughly enjoyed the cities we visited, the pace and the people. Our Tour Guide- Maria- was lovely and knowledgeable. In fact all of the guides were excellent - knowledgeable and passionate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several but if I had to pick one it would be driving into Porto and stopping for a photo op along the Duoro River with beautiful views."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First, our guide Maria, was outstanding. She was helpful in every way, and provided us with many unexpected treats.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm tour and the ceramics factory."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From beginning to end I felt excited, taken care of, stimulated, welcome and awed. Maria is a fabulous guide who made Portugal come to life. She loves Portugal and is eager to share it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was watching the ladies in the ceramics factory hand paint the wares! Who knew that this was actually done any more?! Bent over, using tiny bristle brushes hour after hour, day after day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall very good tour and experience. One of our best guides ever in Maria

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm probabaly"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Maria Jose, was wonderful. She was very knowledgable and extremely friendly. Our hotel accommodations were great. The tour destinations were interesting and we had plenty of free time to explore and get to know the other members of our tour group, all of whom were delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say the tour of the cork farm. Our host was charming and he explained so much about the workings of the farm and business aspects of his work. The setting was beautiful and the place felt welcoming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well paced, variety of experiences, great fellow tour members, excellent guide, no hiccups at all. We were lucky to have perfect weather and stay healthy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We always appreciate Rick Steves' "signature" experiences and this favorite was probably the cork farm visit, with its brilliant and hospitable owner/guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very nice!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm Castle in Tomar"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Short Answer: FANTASTIC!! Our first Rick Steves' small group tour. We've followed his books since the 90s and love them ... but THIS was unexpectedly amazing. I've become an evangelist!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How amazing Portugal is. We loved it so much! The history, the culture, the people. Access to places and experiences that would not otherwise be available if it weren't for the tour. The whole experience was WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a really wonderful time touring Portugal! All of the stops we made along the tour were unique and provided meaningful insight into the history and life then and now in Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had the good fortune to meet and spend part of the day with two families in the Northern Alentejo and Douro Valley, each who have made their living in those places for generations. Such truly nice people who have endured and were so welcoming and happy to share their history and fruits of their labor with us. And arriving in Fatima on Palm Sunday in time to be a part of the outdoor Mass was a moving experience that was yet another WOW moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was just awesome !!!! Every aspect of it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Templar Knights, Nazare, Cork Farm, Fatima, Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved our guide(s) and had a nice time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing modern people working and hearing about current issues. Ceramics factory, cork farm, winery. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our main tour guide Fatima helped make the trip for me. I’m happy to be able to call her my friend!! Her sense of humor first and foremost created a fun and lively atmosphere. Her passion for Portugal and its people was insightful and heartwarming. Her storytelling piqued my interest to deepen my knowledge about the people of Portugal and the many points of interest we visited. Barb F.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite Wow moment was Fatima's explanation of Knights Templar. Her prior teaching skills certainly were used to its full advantage and definitely piqued my interest to know more to the point I bought a book in the shop. Also, Fatima on Palm Sunday was quite emotional for me personally Barb F."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed my tour to Portugal. The guides were phenomenal. I learned so much about the history, culture of each place we visited. The accommodations were very nice, the food delicious. The schedule was busy, but with lots of time to explore on our own. Although Portugal is hilly, I found it manageable. I loved the architecture, the tiles, the weather, food and of course the Portuguese people. I enjoyed meeting my tour mates. So many interesting folks from across the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments, it’s hard to choose one. The Douro Valley was stunning. I loved all the places we visited but am partial to Porto. Such a vibrant city. The Castle of the Templars in Tomar was a wow moment for me. Such a surprise. Well worth the visit."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fatima was a fantastic guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch at the ‘buddies’ event."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Portugal was my first Rick Steves tour. I was initially skeptical about a bus tour, but this tour has completely changed my outlook. In fact, the tour was beyond my expectations, taking us into cultural aspects of Portugal over rolling hills and through picturesque locations, interestingly narrated by our guide. Every day was different and such a delight! I also loved the free time to explore or relax. I can understand why so many of our group have taken numerous Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being present at Fatima on Palm Sunday."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima is a force of nature. A most wonderful guide. The visits to the cork farm and the vineyard in the Duoro Valley were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Oratory of the Knights Templar Castle in Tomar "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the passion our guide brought to bringing historical Portugal and today's Portugal to life for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I learned so much from the cork farm. Not just about how cork is grown and harvested, but about ecological efforts to make the farm sustaining. We loved that the family shared their stories with us and the meal was wonderful as well. "

Maggie was a wonderful tour guide and I felt like we got to see all of Portugal. Our group was like a family and mixed together quite well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm and the winery were my favorite parts of the tour. I was impressed that only Rick Steves Tours gets to have lunch at the winery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous - we will do one again in the future. Our guide, Maggie, was engaging, fun and informative. We also couldn’t have asked for a better group of fellow travelers to experience Portugal with!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I several favorite “wow” moments. The exposure to Fado- both in Lisbon and at Coimbra was lovely. The multi-generational winery was wonderful and felt like we were welcomed in to their ‘home’. The icing on the cake was the Cork Farm (with a fabulous luncheon) because it isn’t something we could see here in the U.S. Many of the places we visited were only available to Rick Steve’s tours - which is a huge bonus as well. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the moment the group met in Lisbon, I immediately knew Margarida was going to be an incredible guide. And, she delivered on that expectation. Within two days, the group had set up a WhatsApp group to communicate and share photos, etc. The entre tour was effortless. The sites chosen, the local tour guides used and the level of freedom was perfect. Time to individually explore and immerse yourself in Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite moment was likely the Duoro Valley winery tour and luncheon. It was very personal and real. This is a family with history who are opening themselves and their lives in an absolutely picturesque and beautiful landscape."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had a great time. 'Maggie' the tour guide showed us the scenery and cultural aspects of Portugal that a causal tourist would not be able to get easily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The vineyard tour near Pinhao. The surrounding scenery, the lunch and wine were outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide, Margareta was knowledgeable, concerned, and understood what a group needs. The other point is something I have come to enjoy on other Rick Steve’s tours, the quality and comrradery of the people we traveled with. This starts with things as simple as the “buddy” system and the name game that really serve to drive group cohesiveness and create a feeling of family among 28 people in only 12 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring and experiencing the cork farm and the wine vineyard and meeting the families that operate them"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an outstanding tour and guide (Margarida). Margarida has such historical knowledge and is passionate about her country, and made it fun for everyone. The local guides for the shorter tours where also great. All the hotels and transportation aspects were just right. Lastly the other tour attendees were fun to be around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tomar - The Castle of the Knights Templar and Convent or Christ were outsanding. We were also fortunate to have the very knowledgeable local guide. I could have spend a few days here exploring."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We’ve been traveling across Europe for more than 15 years (230 days and counting) using almost exclusively Rick Steves travel guides. They have never steered us wrong - not on hotels, restaurants, guides, etc. But this was our first Rick Steves tour. We weren’t disappointed. Great guide, great traveling companions (Rick Steves fans one and all, how could they not be?), great hotel and restaurant selections, great day tours. Just a great experience overall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can I pick three? 1. Our tour and meal at the Rovisco Garcia farm and estate, where we learned about cork tree harvesting and sipped their excellent wines. 2. Our visit to the Quinta Santa Eufemia vineyards in the Douro Vally, which also included great wines and food. 3. Watching the sun set on Évora from the Roman temple. Breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was amazing. Sites were a good mix and included places we wouldn’t have seen if on our own. The other group participants were friendly and engaged. Quite a bit of free time for couples, especially to seek dining when not scheduled for the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No favorites, lots of “wows”!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable tour. Our guide and bus driver where both fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fátima was frankly extraordinary. Seeing what was built on what was essentially pasture land for goats based on the faith of what three young children said they saw was astonishing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a lovely tour. Claudia is a terrific guide - organized, informative, kind and fun! My fellow travelers were delightful. Portugal has many beautiful and interesting sights - I enjoyed every city on the tour. Hotels were generally very nice and I liked the food. The meals at the cork farm and the winery were especially good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I always like experiencing music on my trips, so I especially enjoyed the two Fado performances. Such talented musicians!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour guide Claudia wonderful. goes above and beyond all the time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Porto. loved it "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour gave us an excellent introduction to Portuguese life, customs, architecture, history, etc. Our guide, Claudia, was amazing. She made this trip special. Everything was top notch including, the hotels, busses, local guides, and locations like the port winery and the cork farm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the busy streets of Lisbon and Porto. We loved the energy and vitality of the city everywhere you go. It was fun to just explore different parts of the city that all have something different to offer."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Out of all the RS tours I have been on (about 10), Portugal is ranked at the bottom. I did not expect that, but it is how I feel. Portugal itself has a lot to offer. The history, the scenery/sites, and the people make it interesting. However, the tour seemed to be missing something. Maybe it is that the tour was at the end of winter so fresh sardines were not cooking! Or, that many of the museums were closed to renovation. Not many museums - most.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I did not have one WOW moment. I really loved all the tiles on the exterior of the buildings and the interior. They made the downtown areas in Lisbon and Porto very colorful and attractive. I really enjoyed the cork tree farm tour. It was so interesting and a nice respite from urban life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the trip. I looked forward to every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was the best experience for me. Loved learning about the cork trees and the food was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was fantastic! I enjoyed all of our stops along the route between Lisbon and Porto. Our tour guide was amazing and provided so many facts and historical footnotes which enhanced the trip further.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, our time in Porto was the wow moment. What a vibrant, beautiful city with an incredible artistic and gastronomical culture. Sneaking down the small alleys and jumping into a local pub was a great time, and finding random street art along the way or coming upon a flea market were all so much fun. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I feel like I got the real taste of Portugal from beginning to end. Our tour guide was amazing, and all of the points of interest were meaningful and enjoyable. The variety of sites and activities was excellent. We covered so much in those 12 days. I want to do more Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moments were perhaps the many cathedrals and Basilicas that we visited. The buildings didn’t look like much on the outside, but the beauty inside took my breath away. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well planed and conducted by Guide Todd

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Tomar's Castle of the Knights Templar and Convent of Christ."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

With high tour ratings and very good past Rick Steves tour experiences, my expectations coming into this trip were very high. While a nice sampler to most of the country, the tour felt too compressed, often times running late and leaving little time for on own discoveries. The group meals were poor at best and the guide, while professional in terms of logistics and ensuring the itinerary ran smoothly, several aspects of his conduct were concerning to me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Belem: the Monument to the Discoveries with the compass rose mosaic at its feet combined with touring the maritime museum really laid out how the Portuguese navigated the globe and its influence today."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Fatima was fantastic. The local tour guides she set us up with were fun and knowledgeable as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many! Porto, Tomar the Douro Valley were all terrific. But it was the interaction between Fatima and the local tour guides that pulled the experience together. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is a terrific overview of the culture and history of Portugal. I learned a lot and enjoyed seeing the friendliness of the Portuguese people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the guides and other staff interact in such a friendly manner. These co-workers seem more close and loving than most families I see in America."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time - met lovely people, saw amazing sights, enjoyed good weather, ate delicious food, and drank great wine. Who could ask for more?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tomar's Knight's Templar Castle. Looking up from the town during the walking tour it seemed that we were going to go and visit some ruins. (I thought that Fatima must have done a great sales pitch to convince Rick to have the tours stop there). The next day I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were intact buildings. Then we went inside. The oratory was spectacular. It was all the more of a 'wow' because I had not been expecting it! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima was an amazing and caring tour guide. Her knowledge and passion for the history and culture of Portugal was infectious. Our fellow travelers were fun and we had a great time. This tour far exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the town of Tomar and really enjoyed the Knights Templar Castle. Porto was another Wow experience. The food tour in Porto was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Fatima, was the major factor on our tour. Her passion, warmth, humor, and enthusiasm impacted every other aspect of our experience… ‘she’s simply the best - better than all the rest’. Our overall tour experience was very positive. It delivered in all expected ways and with the quality of room, board, tour, transportation as we have come to expect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The warmth of the Portuguese people, to a person, wowed me with their genuine good nature and welcoming spirit. Especially the farm, winery, ceramics, and the small villages and restaurants where families opened themselves up to us. The beauty of the country, the wow drive to Nazare, the force of the ocean at the coast, the seaside village. Impossible to select a wow architecture moment - it all dazzled and impressed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments to count but to pick one - the cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Far exceeded my expectations. Fatima Is amazing! She brings Portugal to life through her passions. Tours, food, people, and the itinerary was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fatima’s genuine passion for her country. The cork farm, the quinta, the ceramics factory, and the taste of Porto. (Impossible to list just one)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. I loved the destinations. Our guide was amazing. She payed attention to the needs of all the members of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Knights of Templar castle and the cork farm tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Portugal Tour was amazing! Everything went well and we saw and experienced so many things.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many "wow" moments to list all, however most memorable is the welcoming and kind nature of the Portuguese people. Additional "wow" was the beauty of the Douro Valley, unique Porto region and Lisbon. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Cristina, was wonderful. She was able to bring Portugal alive with her knowledge and love of her country. Jose was the best bus driver keeping us safe and on time. As much as I enjoyed the big cities, the smaller cities and sites we visited were my favorite part of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I love all the specials built into the tours. I learned so much at the cork farm enjoying its history and beauty. Our lunch there was memorable. Going to the ceramics factory in Coimbra was interesting. Taking a tour on a beautiful Douro Valley quinta and enjoying lunch with amazing views and delicious food was wonderful. Again, learning so much about the many varieties of grapes and the wine making process was educational. But, the best is always the local people we meet."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Christina is an amazing guide. Great energy and handled the group very well. The local guides were also extremely knowledgeable. The choice of sites to visit was excellent, loved the cork farm, vineyard, ceramics factory and all the beautiful churches and palaces. The food tour in Porto was also great, despite the rain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the cork farm tour and lunch. Learning how the cork is harvested, how long it takes between each tree to be ready to harvest again and then having a delicious lunch in this beautiful setting was amazing. These are the types of things you don't experience with other tour groups. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Itinerary was good, guide was great, fellow tour-mates were all very nice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"European architecture is always phenomenal and the churches, cathedrals, and the university library in Portugal were no exception. The National Coach Museum (a return visit for us) was also fabulous. Although not necessarily a "wow" moment, the cork farm was very interesting and unique."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Cristina, was organized, informative and humorous. From her bus lectures and her personal stories I learned a lot about Portugal - the history and also how people feel and live today. We got a good look at Portugal today - the tour of the cork farm was especially interesting as I had only a hazy idea of where corks came from. Overall, the tour was an excellent introduction to Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food tour in Porto stands out. We got to sample traditional Portuguese delicacies and wine, all very well presented by our guide. I would take that tour again."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour and excellent guides and bus driver. This was an active tour with many steep hills and steps, and a great group of fellow travelers. Our guide, Cristina, made the experience extra special with her clear explanations, sense of humor, and ensuring that we were at certain places at certain times to get the most out of our tour (front row center for the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldiers, first in line to board for the river cruise in Porto, etc.)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork forest was amazing with a fabulous tour and a delicious lunch. We sampled olive oils produced on the property plus tasted pine nuts grown onsite. It was a real learning experience to see how cork is grown, harvested and made into everything from wine bottle stoppers to hot pads, purses, hats, belts, and even sport coats. I appreciated this time in nature after enjoying the city vibe in Lisbon."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For me, Portugal is a country of visual snapshots and person to person interactions. It is difficult to describe my Portugal experience to others without showing them the photos and retelling interactions with the people we met. The RS tour was so well curated by Cristina—noting went wrong!! Everything was special!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment was listening to Cristina speak so passionately and clearly about the independent spirit and fortitude and compassion of the Portuguese people. She so clearly communicated her love for the country and its people. Her tour plan and execution reinforced this view. I was so touched by her “bus lecture.”"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed this amazing tour with a friendly group of like-minded travelers! Our guide, Fatima, who was leading her 12th straight tour of the season was enthusiastic, welcoming, and full of energy every day! Kudos to Susanna, our driver, for her skills in Douro Valley. I learned so much about Portugal on this tour. RS continues to deliver an outstanding tour value. Third RS tour and #1 now. All the little extras such as custard tarts, Ginja tasting, and port wine tastings were appreciated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful Douro Valley drive, tour of the winery estate, wine tasting, and lunch was a perfect day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our tenth Rick Steves tour and Portugal was a new destination for us. Fatima did an outstanding job at our first meeting bringing the history of Portugal into focus. She talked about helping us experience the culture and history of Portugal through four generations, and that really stuck with me throughout the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two: the cork farm and the Douro Valley wine tour. Both were memorable because we saw a way of life and learned about the hard, and sometimes tenuous, work involved in these industries. Some tours would have merely taken us to a tasting room or to a big cork retail shop. We got to see the process from a different angle, and I appreciated seeing the hard work and decisions that go into these enterprises."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We visited a lot of sites and learned a ton of history while making new friends. I did not know much about Portugal beforehand, and it was wonderful to have an experienced and informative guide.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Fatima, was exceptional. So knowledgeable and full of positive energy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the cork oak farm learning all about the process of cork porduction, followed by a wonderful lunch there! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was very good with interesting stops. Maria was an excellent guide and the local guides were really good also.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm tour was a wow moment for me. So interesting and educational on harvesting of cork."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

There seemed to be too much information given in too long periods of time. I love history but 3 1/2 hours walking and listening is too much. I just stopped listening and info went over my head

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm was amazing as was the lunch. I never realized the importance and difficulty of harvesting cork and it’s diversity "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved it. Terrific guide, great sites, and very well organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were experiences we wouldn't be able to have on our own. A couple stand out moments were touring the cork farm and enjoying learning about sustainable farming topped off with a great meal and estate wines We also enjoyed the winery tour. In Tomar (which was a great switch) the local guide for the Covent of Christ was really great. She was passionate and a great story teller."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had not been to Portugal before and I appreciated getting an overview of the country and it’s history and food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite part of the tour was definitely visiting the “cork farm”. The process, the sustainability efforts, the other revenue sources for the estate, and even the food they served us was all very interesting and enjoyable. Margarita was a fun, knowledgeable, and enjoyable guide. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very informative, great guide, great bus drivers, good pace

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pena palace and Moor castle in Sintra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First, I have to mention our guide Maria. She made the whole Portugal experience so enjoyable with her knowledge, and just the wonderful person she is! Have to mention the amazing pastries, like nothing I’ve ever had. And the wine!! Enjoyed learning the history of Portugal, and of course, experiencing the new places I was able to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” wasn’t really a particular place, but the overall beauty of the magnificent tile I saw throughout the country of Portugal. Just blown away "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish, this was a great tour. We loved seeing different parts of Portugal. It was a great mix of group and free time. Our guide, Maria, made every day special. She was wonderful and so personable. The local guides were very good also. Hotels were some of the nicest we've stayed in while on tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"so many but have to say seeing all the beautiful tile works, cork farm, winery and sampling so many delicious pastries. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Itinerary and locations were great. Maria, our tour director/guide was really wonderful. She was patient, kind, knowledgeable. My biggest disappointment is some of the hotels and especially the small bathrooms.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"hard to say. Much iof the tour runs together. I did like the cork farm tour very much."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good...didn't give it a rating of outstanding, only because of the sge/abilities of my fellow travelers.....they were all nice people, just older and struggled to keep up.....slowing the group down... I wasn't terribly disappointed, but just not what I expected...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the cork farm and the visit to the vineyard/winery"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I work guided tour was the perfect balance between scheduled activities and time to explore on our own. Our guide, Todd, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We felt like we saw authentic Portugal experiences that are not available to the general public. It was incredible to go right to the front of tourist lines, including those who already had scheduled tickets, so we could make the most out of our time in Portugal. I would highly recommend the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Similar to past evaluators, the cork farm tour as well as the winery tour were absolutely amazing. I thought our tour and guide in Tomar and learning about the Knights Templar, and the order of Christ was incredible! I could have spent more time there. I also think the “optional“ tour of the ceramic plant in Coimbra is a must see. It was these additional opportunities that made our trip very memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 7th Rick Steves tour and as usual, we were not disappointed. Travel group size is perfect for getting to know delightful people. Very knowledgeable guides. A perfect mix of scheduled and free time. A nice mix of city, small town, and rural life. Very nice hotels. A good mix of group meals and meals on our own to get to see local life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are 3 main ones : the amazing Carriage Museum in Lisbon, the very ornate tile-coated gold-encrusted intimate chapel in the University at Coimbra, and the tour of the cork farm seeing the cork trees."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a great time ..... all went very well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Actually, I really enjoyed the CORK farm and lunch!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the variety! I learned so many amazing things about Portugal! Getting to see the hands on in the cork farm, see the hand painting in the ceramics factory, walking the side alleyways, seeing gorgeous insides of buildings, eating at agrotourismo farms, walking in the vineyard, et. Etc.etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm … so beautiful, natural, and tranquil."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What an absolutely perfect tour. I knew we'd see wonderful things, but I hadn't expected to fall so much in love with Portugal. And Claudia is really responsible for making that happen. Her explanations and stories of history and her deep love of the country all came shining through. We covered such a variety of place and events. I'm so glad you've now included the absolute gem of a town Tomar!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"ohmygosh the Fado! Both events! I was blown away at that first event at Cafe Nicola. The women's voices were so beautiful, and the instruments stunning. The second, totally different event with the men in Porto was such a great contrast. I'm so glad we got to experience both on this tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our sixth Rick Steves tour and like all the others, it did not disappoint. The activities and guides were all top notch. The hotels were always located in great areas that allowed for exploring on your own when not involved in a group activity. The other tour members were also a great group to travel with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Cork farm.I loved everything about it, from learning about the harvesting process to the diversification of the family's operation into making wine and harvesting pine nuts. The lunch was also delicious."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A fantastic group led by an outstanding guide in Claudia. The local guides were also amazing, especially the guide in Tomar who made the Templar knights come alive. The hotels were comfortable, especially the one in Tomar with the balcony overlooking the park. All the included meals were delicious and paired with some amazing wine. This was our tenth RS tour, and certainly ranks among the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had no idea how corks were produced, and learned so much during our visit to the farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed Portugal and loved the variety of the experiences. Claudia was a terrific guide - great personality, very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the tour. Our group was one of the best - friendly, fun and easy going.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “wow” experiences. I learned a lot from the cork farm visit as well as the various vineyard experiences. Tasting the grapes off the vine was so delicious! The owners of all of these farms and vineyards were hard working and so proud of their families and anxious to tell their stories."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized and professionally guided tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't select just one "wow" moment. Seemed like every day had a "wow" moment(s)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was very good, with excellent pacing, not too much bus time, and enough free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm tour and the St Jeronimos church. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Portugal tour led by Claudia was outstanding! Claudia gave insight into the historical significance of sites on the tour which led to a greater understanding of the country and culture of Portugal. Tour group members helped each other when needed and the combination of tour sites in both urban and rural settings gave a wonderful overview of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We happened to be in Tomar on October 13, a historically significant day for the Knights Templar. We had just visited their castle in Tomar that morning when we learned of a local evening ceremony honoring the Knights. To be part of a local ceremony commemorating a historical event we'd just learned about was amazing! We joined a procession of locals dressed in Medieval dress and walked with them to the town square as they laid a wreath and lit a fire to commemorate the Knights."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very nicely organized with a good pace to it. I didn't feel as exhausted as I usually do after a vacation. Claudia is probably the best tour guide we've ever had. She was so personable and knowledgeable, but also able to keep track of all of us and on schedule.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was learning how the care of the cork oak trees crosses several generations. Such a long term view for a family business. And how having that view affected the views about the world in general."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The perfect mix of group activities and personal time. Absolutely loved the neighborhood walks, Fado and food tour to learn more about Portugal and Portuguese culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The highlight for me was learning about Portugal from our guide, Claudia... Every day was a "wow" moment as Claudia shared her knowledge and love of Portugalwith us. (And one of the best meals I've ever eaten was at a restaurant that she recommended.) Thank you, Claudia, for sharing yourself and your country with us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Appreciated the skilled guide who was knowledgable but also people savvy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fatima, Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was absolutely wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but the two that come to mind are the entire town of Tomar and the Knights Templar Castle/Church and the experience in Fatima with the mass and the people lining up and walking and even crawling on knees to receive blessings was inspiring."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was fantastic, learned a lot about Portugal, visiting all the sites, tasting port wine, exceptional guide (Fatima), and seeing the beauty of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Our Lady of Fatima on October 12, 2025. Our tour guide (Fatima) was exceptional in explaining and taking us into the crowd then after Mass brought us to the chapel. It brought tears to my eyes. Watching all the people making the pilgrimage and crawling on their knees to the alter. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima made the tour. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of her country was awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Mass at Fatima (inspiring, lucky to be there on Sunday), Knights Templar in Tomar (glad we didn't go when originally booked in May, would have missed it), the architecture and tiles everywhere, the family run businesses: cork (best meal, most handsome host!), vineyard, and tile factory. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We all enjoyed the tour thanks to the wide-eyed joy of our guide, Fatima in sharing her love for her country, Portugal

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking onto the grounds of Fátima during Sunday Mass brought me to tears as I witnessed the faithful praying and walking on their knees. Then the priests singing during a procession with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Very moving for this Catholic school girl."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group and sites we visited. Loved Fatima and cork farm

Favorite "WOW" moment

"fatima"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Smooth tour. Nice hotels and meals. Comfortable coach and excellent drivers. Fantastic tour guide. Interesting extras (like the cork farm an the winery tour).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about how cork is farmed."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved our guide and Portugal. Good group and very educational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tomar Convento de Christo was spectacular and unexpected. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had very little idea of Portugal besides the basic Age of Exploration glory era, and some knowledge of recent modernization and EU integration. What I discovered was a beautiful country, fascinating cities and towns, amazing art and architecture, and wonderful people. The tour group and our guide were also a pleasure to travel with and get to know, as we've found is always the case with RS Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On a trip where the over-the-top 'Manueline' style of ornate architecture became a familiar sight, the most amazing moment I remember is stepping into, and trying to absorb, the octagonal chapel of the Castle of the Knights Templar in Tomar. The inner space, the outer space, the carvings and the art were overwhelming. I can't forget the painting of the Ascension of Christ, in which his followers are looking up to the top of the picture frame where just two sandaled feet dangle out of a robe!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was riguorus. Lots of sites to see and hills to climb. Our guide, Cristina, was really knowledgeable and the local guides were also terrific. We loved the people on the tour as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The lunch at the cork farm was really lovely. It afforded a unique look into Portugal commerce. Also the monastery at Belem was fabulous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour group and an amazing guide. There was lots of time for personal exploring and an incredible amount of Portugal-only experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved visiting the cork farm and hearing about cork production/harvesting. I am always impressed by how hard people work to move their profession forward."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the tour. Maria was very good as our tour guide. There were a few surprises. Enjoyed the tour of the winery and the corkage farm. Coimbra was fantastic. Fatima was a true disappointment . Truly a catholic souvenir stand. Being raised catholic the church is nothing more than a Large business exploiting individuals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Winery and cork farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steve's tour, and we're fans!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed the visits to the family businesses. Loved seeing their passion."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations. This was our first RS Tour, and we were blown away. It was magical. The guide, Maria, was superb. She was fun, informative, engaging, extremely knowledgeable - a true delight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't pick just one. Several that stand out were the cork farm tour, the winery, fado singing events - the whole trip was a wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall very informative, with a good mix of experiences incorporating the history, architecture, culture, geography, economy, food, etc. of Portugal. The tour guide Maria Jose was terrific and key to making these experiences inspiring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire visit to the Duoro Valley, including the bus ride up the mountain to the Quinta Santa Eufemia (with increasingly beautiful views as we climbed), the vineyard tour and amazing lunch at the Quinta with more astounding views, the stay in a fabulous room at the Hotel Vila Gale Duoro, and the scenery on the drive along the river valley towards Porto. Really wow. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Maria , was amazing. The people on our tour were welcoming and fun. The tour was well organized. We saw alot but did not feel rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but they happened when we were on our free time. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Maria, our "city" guides and the members of our group were awesome. The country is beautiful and its people warm and welcoming. The weather was great, warmer than expected for late September/early October.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My overall reason for taking this trip was the cork farm and Douro valley winery experience. They did not disappoint. Definite wows, but so were the coach museum, the ceramics factory tour and the food tour. But honestly, my "Wow" came after the tour visiting the WOW museum across the river from Porto. A definite must do. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Sites exceeded expectations, great tour guide and local guides, nice balance of varied activities along with planned versus free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The number of UNESCO places that are so well preserved and so elaborately decorated (churches, monasteries, convents, palaces, castles, etc) "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour provided a great overview of (part of) Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour and lunch at the cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima, our Guide, is outstanding. Her enthusiasm for Portugal, her Country, was apparent in every place we visited. I learned so much from her and highly recommend this Tour to others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are Wow moments everyday on this Tour. However, I must mention two. My personal experience at the Site of Fatima and looking out the Bus Window at the miles of terraced vineyards through the Douro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guides were great and all the hotels except one were nice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The religious ceremony at Fatima. Also the castle of the knights Templar."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The people"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima, our tour guide was outstanding. Knowledgeable and so enthusiastic. We had a larger size group, 28 people and we came together and really enjoyed each other. I feel we owe that to Fatima. The country was rich with history and Fatima and local guides brought it all together for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

""Wow" moment for me...A tour of the cork farm, the wine vinyard, and the port wine vinyard. My wow was about the families that kept these farms and vinyards for generations. They are Portugal...for generations they kept their families and legacies alive with their hard work and courage. My very favorite comment came when our cork farm tour guide (a member of the family) talked about the cork tree "being willing to give us her cork". What a caretaker of the planet!!!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful trip to Portugal. The tour went smoothly. Great group. Enjoyed every stop

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Knights of the Templar castle in Tomar. The temple and grounds are beautiful. Enjoyed the history "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized tour guide, appropriate amount of free time, excellent meals at group dinners, and overall fun and informative trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Fátima Shrine"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As on a previous Rick Steve’s tour, it was a wonderful experience. The bus travel was extremely comfortable, our tour mates were a fun, energetic group, and Claudia, our Tour Guide, was outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stop in the Douro Valley at Quinta Santa Eufemia, to visit the vineyard was a wonderful experience. Our tour of their vineyard and wonderful lunch that followed complete with Port tasting was a great afternoon."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vineyard tour & lunch in Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

from start to ending tour, always keep me interesting and learning about histories cultures and etc which that's what i want from this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"when we were at Douro Valley winery tour and lunch with wine pairing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves tour of Portugal and my 12th Rick Steves tour. We had to leave our 2022 tour of Portugal early, because I tested positive for Covid, and we had been looking forward to our return visit. Our guide, Claudia, was excellent. She made it fun and easy to discover the "Heart of Portugal in 12 Days"!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have several favorite "wow" moments ... biting into the perfect pastel de nata delivered (still warm) by Claudia from Pasteis de Belem outside the Jerónimos Monastery, lunch at Rovisco Garcia Estates, lunch at Quinta de Santa Eufemia in the Douro Valley, or our visit to the Convent of Christ and the Castelo de Tomar. I always seem to have several "wow" moments during our Rick Steves tours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For me this tour was a very informative and interesting introduction to Portugal and its history. Of course I learned in my school days some names and very broad strokes of Portugal's role in connecting with other parts of the world beyond Europe, but seeing Lisbon's harbor and monuments made it much more real. Similarly, I had a faint concept of Roman and even earlier connections as well as North African and Islamic impacts on its history, but seeing sites and ruins brought it all together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose from! Old Lisbon to the present. Bones as building materials and Roman Ruins in Evora. Cork farming's surprising relevance paired with olive oil and wine making all one one large and unique estate. The Knights Templar explained as an advance in banking as well as a source of great wealth. The gorgeous Douro Valley and the views from the vinyard and winery. Porto's rich history, highly sophisticated commerce, and laborinthian layout seemed unique."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lots of fun & interesting experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vineyard dinner. Stock exchange in Porto"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great and very informative. I liked the variety of places we visited and learned so much from the guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many favorite moments, but the one that impressed me was driving through the Douro Valley and seeing the beautiful terraced vineyards. It was spectacular! The tour at the vineyard made it even more meaningful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved Portugal and the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This tour was less about the wow moments and more about gaining a composite sense of the country and the people. If I had to pick one it was probably the Persian Room at the Stock Market. Usually I am wow-ed by natural features but this manmade room was a total surprise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Saw a lot and were given so much information about Portugal. Wonderful trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Farewell meal was fabulous"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal is fantastic! The hotels were all in great locations, the food was great, and the tour ran like clockwork.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour is packed with "wows" but I especially loved the cork farm visit and the library of the university in Coimbra! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cork farm. Wonderful day family and meal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Portugal was very crowded. This tour was almost the same itinerary as most other tours. Felt like we only saw the very touristy places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes at the Douro Valley winery the meal at the cork farm was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fantastic guides. Both Cristina and Raphael were amazing. Each brought unique knowledge and experience. The sites and tours overall were excellent. Pace of the tour was also very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both the cork farm and douro valley winery were favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Portugal and the places we went. As always, educational portions and experiences were interesting and fun. Christina was an excellent tour guide and Raphael (assistant guide) was excellent as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork Farm and Douro Valley winery experience (including stomping grapes) was fun and educational."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well-run tour, not too much time on the bus, great traveling companions, knowledgeable and very personable tour leader, and enjoyed seeing sights that the average traveler on their own would be not be likely to see. Nice hotels, good group meals, covered a good cross section of Portugal with adequate time at each stop to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would have to be the chance to participate in grape stomping at the winery - very fun unique experience, followed by a delicious lunch and wine tastings. Also really enjoyed the tour of the tile factory and learning about the manual hand-crafted process. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I think we got a good overview of Portugal and enjoyed learning about it from our guide, Cristina. In general, the hotels were better than expected and the bus was great. Group meals were good, especially the final dinner in Porto. We enjoyed the amount of free time, balanced with the tour group activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite "wow" moment was grape stomping in the Duoro Valley. We didn't expect to be able to do that, but our timing was just right to allow us to have that experience. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour guides were great. Very competent and knowledgeable and passionate. However, the tour itself was a little too touristy. Even in September the cities were very crowded. Also the tour itself was a bit larger than others I’ve been on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The fascinating and unusual architecture of some of the Cathedrals and convents. Also, Pastel de Nata is great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great introduction to many diverse areas of Portugal. Our guide Cristina was enthusiastic about sharing her country and was personable & well organized. Enjoyed her apprentice Raphael and his perspectives. The tour logistics were phenomenal and I appreciated their ability to flip the schedule to work around the weather! Really appreciated the shorter bus time on this trip since we were covering shorter distances in a relatively compact country. The hotels and meals were very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes in the Douro Valley was an incredible & unforgettable experience. Having the opportunity to visit the Cork Farm/Estate and the ceramic factory were experiences that just are not possible when traveling on your own. The hospitality exhibited by the owners at all three of these was appreciated and it was an honor to share a meal at the wineries. Also loved the itinerary change allowing us to visit Tomar and learn more about the Knights Templar."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My husband and I so enjoyed this tour! Our guide Cristina was wonderful! Her humor, knowlege and passion for her country really gave us a lot of insight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments! We loved the Vineyard tour in the Douro Valley, The Cork farm was also very interesting. We had so many wonderful meals and everyone went above and beyond for our group. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing! Fatima was an excellent guide and took care of all our needs!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our Guide Fatima! Everything about the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour I was on was led by Fatima, a proud and well-versed Portuguese native. It was a balance of history and current events, farms and vineyards owned for generations by the same family. The food and drink we had was a mixture of everyday food, bifanas, and sardines to the cod that is so well prepared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Douro Valley, the people who ran that particular vineyard, their port and the food they served us. Members of the family were seated at our table of 8 and we had a chance to ask questions about the life style and the "pressure" that might be put upon a member to stay on the vineyard and help sustain the family business."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Second Steves tour we have taken. Tour was well planned. Hotels were great. Tour guide was exceptional. Fatima had extensive knowledge of portugal's history. Her love of her country was very apparent. She had a good sense of humor and treated all of the Tour participants with respect. The bus rides were comfortable and not overly long. Portugal food was very good. Simple recipes that were very tasty. The wine, of course, was excellent. Great trip that we recommend highly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many "wow" moments. The cork oak farm, the douro valley and port wine vineyards, the history of the Knights Templar, the street food and festival in Tomar. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first organized tour we have ever taken so we approached the trip with apprehension. Now we can't wait to do another RS tour. I can't imagine a better tour director than Fatima. She was funny, knowledgeable, patient, passionate and caring and made the tour as extra special. The diversity of activities and locations was just perfect. The other folks in the group were fun and a joy to be with. We had no grumps and everyone kept up no matter their age. We were sad to see it end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to pick one "wow" moment. Sitting on our hotel balcony sipping a glass of wine while overlooking the beautiful Duoro River, visiting the two working farms and meeting the owners, walking through the Castle of the Knights Templar and Convent of Christ following Fatima's explanation of who the Knights Templar were, they were all "wow" moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour of Portugal was absolutely AMAZING! We learned so much about the history of this beautiful country, its traditions, its music, its food and wine! The landscape was breath-taking and I was surprised by the amount of variation in such a small area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am not a religious person and honestly wasn’t looking forward to visiting Fátima; however, witnessing the pilgrims walking on their knees toward the altar was a poignant experience that I won’t soon forget. Our guide helped us to understand the significance of this experience and underscored the people!s faith and beliefs."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fátima, our tour guide was fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Gun people we were encourage to get to know. Mostly great hotels and locations. Too much talk of wines!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm and lunch with the brother/owner. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I came to Portugal somewhat apprehensive about making a return approach to my heritage, having grown up in a family that clearly had made an effort to be accepted as American. From the first meet and greet, where Fátima assisted in returning the pronunciation of my Portuguese surname, to her work in fostering the connection to the warm people of Portugal, and fully to the moment that we finished our tour in Porto, I found, every day, the most enjoyable experience in Europe that I could imagine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A dual WOW: the foundation in Portugal's history and the core value of it & the family for the Portuguese. WOW was connecting to the traditions that I lived in within my grandparents home and at their table, to reminding myself of the past of which I had read. But most touching was connecting with those living in Portugal now, & recognizing the great culture, closeness and hospitality of the people. Fátima made this tour into my adventure. I'd do it again, in all. Every moment was exceptional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Fatima was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her home country. The tour was a great mix of big cities and small villages. Hotels were all comfortable and well located as it related to the tour. Good balance of history and culture!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had several ‘wow’ moments!! 1) The cork farm tour was fantastic!!Enjoyed finding out how cork grown is grown and harvested. And we were unaware of the many uses of cork. 2) Duoro Valley wine country. We’ve been to both Washington and California wine countries and we were astounded by both the beauty of the area and how differently grow grapes. 3) Tomar - really enjoyed learning about the Knights of Templar and seeing the castle!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour - the host, the events, tours, meals. Our host was very open about life in Portugal and had many stories to share.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Cork oak ranch and winery were amazing. Our host (and Rick Steves) were warmly welcomed everywhere we went. these special moments make these tours so special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic. Raphael was warm, engaging and an excellent leader. The tour route had a great mix of big cities, smaller towns and personal family (cork oak farm, port winery) experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots to choose from! First, the extraordinary tragedy of the funicular accident in Lisbon that we barely missed to the incredibly joyous experience on the cork oak farm and stomping grapes at the port winery. I also greatly enjoyed seeing the students in their Harry Potter-like robes on their first day at Coimbra university and the fado performances in Lisbon and Coimbra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was outstanding. Rafael (tour guide) was superb

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the cork farm and the Quinta in the Douro valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We couldn’t have asked for a better group or guide. Rafael was professional and knowledgeable. We learned and experienced so much. I was very sad when our 12 days were over and we had to say goodbye to our new friends and leave Portugal. This trip moved into the #1 spot for my favorite trip ever (was close to my precious favorite, a Rick Steves best of Italy trip in 2017).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many, but if I have to pick, it was when our group got to stomp grapes at a vineyard in the Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was an incredible experience. We learned so much about Portuguese history and culture at a brisk but enjoyable pace with a wonderful guide and outstanding fellow tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the family vineyard where some of our group got to stomp the grapes!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always it was great, especially our guide Raphael. We were the group that was almost on the funicular. He handled it so professionally. Our group was particularly well suited to one another too. Rafael did a great job bringing us together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Grape stomping in the Douro Valley"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our third Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint. Saw and learned so much, all with a great tour guide and people who love travel as much as us. A near miss with a funicular accident in Lisbon was met with compassion and caring. Never knew how instrumental Portugal was in the world of exploration.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention. One of my favorites was a pivot on a drizzly day to a local ceramic factory. It showed us a slice of life, and how we are all connected, as the goods were sold to some of our American stores."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very personable guide in Rafael Pereira, logistics were well-handled, drivers were excellent and tour features were always interesting, scenic and informative. We had a great group of participants; everyone was friendly and generous in engaging with each other. I learned a lot, experienced a lot and enjoyed myself every day. I especially enjoyed the onsite experience at the cork farm in Alentejo and the Quinta in the Douro Valley. I was always comfortable and able to participate in everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a person who loves history, I had two: having our guide visually step through Portugal’s age of discovery by showing it on the huge map in Lisbon in front of of the Monument to the Discoveries; his expertise and passion was so compelling. Second was seeing Batalha, hearing how important the victory was for Portugal and then seeing such a beautiful building and chapel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rafael is an outstanding tour guide and provided a thoroughly enjoyable experience from the first moment we met until (and after) we finished. The composition of the tour group was fantastic and made every day a fun one.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were lucky to enjoy several "wow" moments. They included, a visit to a cork farm, stomping grapes as part of the harvest and a rare entry to the "Exhibition of Curiosities" in Coimbra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again, our Rick Steves Tour exceeded my expectations! Our tour guide, Claudia, was among the best we have had. Her knowledge, passion, and fun-loving nature enhanced all of our lives. The tour members truly melded into a “Merry Band of Travelers” and I enjoyed spending time with them during our “free” afternoons and evenings, as well as during the group activities. Portugal is a beautiful country with a fascinating history and friendly people, as exemplified by our local guides!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments on this tour that it’s hard to choose!! The beautiful Douro Valley and stomping grapes at Quinta Santa Eufemia winery with my fellow tour members was a highlight for me. The family at Santa Eufemia arranged a day that was so much fun and so very memorable. Our lovely hotel on the banks of the Douro river capped the day off perfectly:)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed being immersed in and learning about Portugal's history and culture. The guide enabled this because she took care of every detail and ensured everything ran smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes with other tour members, as part of the wine-making process at a vineyard."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Claudia, was very knowledgeable and shared many of her own family stories and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes in the Duoro Valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful, our group bonded very well, and Claudia De Costa was a great guide. It was a very well balanced tour between tour events and the time to explore on our own. I felt we received a good insight on Portugal as a country. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of things we did.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was exploring the Court farm. To understand what was involved in this venture and the entire outing was really nice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first Rick Steves tour and it blew my mind. So well organized, great hotels, good food, and outstanding tour guide. The sites we visited were carefully picked to provide historical facts, connection with locals and their culture as well as unique experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one as everything was amazing. The Fado performance in Coimbra was an inspiring experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed this tour very much. Our tour guide Claudia was truly excellent in every way, and made things so fun and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the cork farm was much more interesting and fun than expected! We had one of the best meals here!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my husband and my fifth Rick’s tour and wonderful! Our guide, Claudia was excellent and her warm personality made our group like a big family. Her knowledge of Portugal was amazing, history, heritage, culture, politics and so on. We enjoyed listening her talking about them. Our group members were so friendly. Everywhere we visited was memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful scenery of Duro Valley was unforgettable. Also the lunch at the Cork farm was so delicious!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Could not have asked for a better experience! Our tour guide, Claudia was the perfect fit for our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW was the stomping of the grapes. A moment only Lucille Ball would appreciate! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I have enjoyed every Rick Steve’s’ experience. (#4 for me) The tour planners and excellent guides developed another memory-filled adventure. What a beautiful country! Not only the varied landscape, but its charm and especially its people. I appreciate the plan for each day-enough information and guided exploration with time to wander in a manner fitting our energy level and interests. The people have shown amazing resilience and resourcefulness recovering from political/natural challenges.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have 2 WOW moments (3 if I count our amazing guide Claudia). First, the cork farm visit. I learned so much about a product I’ve taken for granted. (I have a cork purse to remember this experience.) I admire how the family has diversified with olive oil and wine to offset the gap in cork harvesting. Second, was Fátima. We visited on a drizzly Sunday and arrived to the ethereal sound of organ music and choral singing. This whole experience overwhelmed me and brought me to tears. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best guide, fun experiences, great group of people. Rick Steves tours never disappoint. There are unique experiences and small enough group to build good relationships. Claudia was so engaged with all of us and made us feel like one big family. I recommend Rick Steves tours to everyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stomping grapes at the vineyard in Duomo Valley "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th Rick Steves tour, and each one has exceeded the previous one! Our tour guide, Claudia, shared her knowledge, pride and passion for her country in an engaging and honest way. The accommodations were overall above expectations, and were all located close to the heart of each city. I especially liked our guided introduction to each venue, followed by great suggestions for our free time, as well as restaurant recommendations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments; from the cloisters of the Knights Templar in Tomar, to the Batalha Monastery, the tour of the cork farm and delicious meal, and of course, the opportunity to stomp grapes in the Douro Valley and learn about port wine. Each day had it’s own “wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, fun, educational, comfortable, and had the best ring leader for all of it… Claudia!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork tree farm and stomping on the grapes!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the guides were exceptional, friendly, and knowledgeable. We appreciated the way their individual personalities and sense of humor showed through. We thought there was a good balance of tours and time to explore on our own, giving us the opportunity to get a good feel for each town and city. All the surprise treats for the group and celebrating birthdays. Through the leadership of our group leader, Maria, we got to know our travel companions. We felt like we were saying goodbye to our family

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Who knew learning about cork would be so fascinating!!! Igor me, the meal after the tour was probably my favorite. Delicious. Beautiful family. With that said, learning about port wine was interesting. The unexpected surprise and the most fun opportunity was stomping grapes. I friend and I felt like Lucy and Ethel (I Love Lucy episode of stomping grapes)! Learning about cork, port wine, and ceramics from the families who operated the businesses was an added bonus. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Marie was an excellent tour guide. Very attentive and made sure all of our needs were addressed. Having WiFi on the bus was a nice plus. All RS tours seek to minimize wait times at popular sites and this tour was no different. We have taken 8 previous tours with RS’s and the accommodations were better than usual, which was a pleasant surprise.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two wow moments. First, seeing the old trams still in use in Lisbon. Their presence just seemed to push me back in time. My 2nd wow was the Douro Valley. I’ve seen plenty of vineyards but the way the valley is planted is quite unique. Also, since it was harvest time for the white grapes, our group had the chance to “stomp” some grapes and our host at the winery made it a very memorable experience. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

On this, our second RS tour, we had a terrific time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We most enjoyed the unique experiences of the cork farm and the grape crush. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, it was a beautiful tour, I loved the history and the fun events, Maria, our guide was excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My best experience was crushing grapes at the winery. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so much fun to learn about and discover Portugal - the wonderful people, the culture, the food, the history! Outstanding and fabulous guide Maria made everything on the tour perfect and all the other great guides gave so much great information about Portugal. I appreciated the way the entire tour was so organized and and set up so it was easy for a first timer. The other fellow tour members were all great and fun and very friendly and helpful to a solo traveler (me)!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved everything! But especially the Fado performances!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Fatima, was exceptionally talented in sharing her love and history of Portugal, while making us feel at home in her country. I left the tour feeling inspired and more optimistic than I have in a long time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the procession of Fatima. I am not a religious person, but found this to be a very spiritual, positive experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experiences Fatima arranged for us were phenomenal. Overall Portugal is the most beautiful country of the 5 countries we have visited. This was our 6th RS tour. From the Welcoming dinner on I knew this was the friendliest group of them all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For this trip there were many wow moments, i.e., The Knights Templar Castle, the aquarium in Lisbon (we did that before the tour started), the shrines Fatima was moving. All of our experiences could be described as wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, with wonderful guide Fátima and a great group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm and the wine, if that’s not being redundant. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour with the best guide, Fatima. Her personal knowledge of Portugal history plus her enthusiasm and love of her country combined to make an amazing adventure. Very well organized and thoughtful activities. Great memories !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fatima was able to arrange for us to stomp grapes at the family estate , Quinta Santa Eufemia. The timing was perfect. This was a surprise and a real treat. On my wish list! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was great and well organized. A tremendous value.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one wow moment because Portugal is so diverse. Duro Valley was one of my favorite places and Fatima was so special and emotional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was true to what Rick Steves tours promise: out of the way places, excellent restaurants, ample time to do our own thing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of the cork farm and lunch there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. First, Todd, our tour guide did an outstanding job. I had never been to Portugal before, and I loved the food, the wine, and the countryside. I also loved how our group would be all together sometimes, and other times, we were on our own. I definitely will go another Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many of them, I really can't say. Portugal is an amazing country. The people also were great as well. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steves' tour...all have been excellent. Our guide, Todd was personable, knowledgeable and good at judging our needs and wants. In short, everything you could want in a tour guide. We are even considering taking his Spain tour next year.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many...Learning about Azulejo and discovering the beautiful tiles at the national museum in Lisbon, Having dinner from the Passaporte restaurant in a castle and touring the fantastic University library in Coimbra, Touring the winery at Quinta Santa Eufemia and enjoying a delicious luncheon afterwards. Every day held its own surprises and rewards."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful experience touring Portugal. It exceeding all expectations. We enjoyed each day’s tour that was lead by our guide Todd. He gave us handouts educating us on What we were going to see or experience. I loved the fact that each day was filled with activities either provided by the tour, suggested by Todd or found on our own. There was not a lot of time on the bus either which is a plus for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few « wow » moments. Seeing the library at the university in Coimbra as well as the curiosity room. The tours to the cork farm and vineyard in Douro valley and lunches at both were so enjoyable and Educational. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was exceptionall and our tour guide, Todd was very knowledgeable about the content of the region we were visiting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour through the university of Coimbra and the library. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 12 Day Hearts of Portugal in August, my first Rick Steves Tour, exceeded all expectations. The pre-tour planning, itinerary, pacing of tour activities with free time, accommodations, meals, excursions and guides, especially with Todd Hudnall, were exceptional. Todd made everything so easy, comfortable, informative and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciated Todd’s one-page dossiers of the cities, sights, history, and things to know and consider. I have saved all of them…so educational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Tomar is my “wow” moment. The small town ambience, the friendliness and authenticity of the people and the breathtaking Castle of the Templars/Convent of Christ will not be forgotten. Our local guide of the castle, Saundra, was remarkable. She was not only so well versed in the history of the castle, she shared her local and historical knowledge with the enthusiasm and passion of a well seasoned sortyteller. I could actually visualize/experience what life must have been like. Obrigado."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first group tour of any kind. It was advertised as an active tour, but it was not active enough for us at all. Any walking we did was very slow. I wished we'd had more time at the beach in Nazare so I could have walked and played in the waves longer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm. It is not something I would have done (or had the opportunity to do) on my own. I learned so much about harvesting cork and pine nuts. The lunch was delicious, especially the pot pie and the desserts. The wine was great. Loved chatting with the farm owners. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the trip, especially the later half

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The people in our group. Amazing group. They "wowed" me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. I loved the combination of beautiful ancient buildings, fascinating museums, great food, beautiful scenery, charming hotels, and learning about cork farming, wine making and ceramics production. Our tour guide Cristina and the local tour guides were amazing. I really enjoyed sharing this experience with our tour group of fellow travel lovers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't pick one. Spectacular view from our hotel terrace in Pinhao in the Douro Valley. Learning about sustainable practices at the cork farm. Fascinating winery visit. University of Coimbra library. Stock Exchange Palace in Porto. Chapel of Bones in Evora. Templar Castle in Tomar. Coach museum in Lisbon. Tile museum in Lisbon. Fado performances in Lisbon and Coimbra. Porto food tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour leader was attentive to everyone’s needs and issues. She made each of us her goal to make sure we had the best time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Liked the tours of the cork farm and wine tour because you could tell they did all they could to give us a great experience because we were on a Rick Steves tour. Overall Christine was a wonderful guide and went out of her way to make sure we all had a great experience!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Cristina was a wonderful guide who had many surprises for us during the tour. She is very knowledgeable and made us appreciate Portugal's history & heritage. All of the hotels should have had free water especially if staying more than one night. Group should have been housed closer together in hotels as some were spread out in different buildings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several wows: Fatima was awe-inspiring as we arrived during a Mass. As Catholics, we were fortunate to have Communion hosts. The different Duoro Valley vineyards were breathtaking high on the hills which was unforgettable. Cork farm was a great hit knowing how it is grown, produced, etc. with the owner doing a tremendous job explaining the family's history. Portugal's rich history was a pleasant surprise, giving us a greater appreciation of the country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This Portugal tour was my 4th Rick Steves tour (Ireland, Scotland, Adriatic before), and it did not disappoint. Christina, our leader was very knowledgeable and friendly with all the local guides, our pace was good, my fellow travelers were congenial, and a good time was had by all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two wow moments: 1. Our visit to the working cork farm, learning about the estate, the many uses of cork, its harvesting, rotating of crops, conservation measures, statistics - 50,000 corks for bottles - only 12 complaints! 2. Douro Wine valley old family estate - the pride in their art and family history, learning about how port is made, and sampling their delicious product!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was very interesting, with lots of variety (farm, ceramic factory, museums, etc.)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork Farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Could not have enjoyed it more! It was hot hot hot but the adventure levels stayed high thanks to our traveling companions and Rafael. Thanks to all for maintaining such good vibes for two weeks! Loved learning about what makes present day Portugal so special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh my, so many to choose from. It actually started the day before the tour with Peña Palace and Sintra. (It is fair to include this here since we got the idea from the RS guidebook ;). Seeing Lisboa and then Tomar come to life after dark made for fun evening walks. The ceramic factory tour was special - especially the painters! And finally, a perfect ending in Porto. Great people from end to end. More than one Wow there - that’s how good it was!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Porto Food Tour was amazing. Great guide with great relationships along the tour route. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Better than expected. Rafael was wonderful and really enhanced all aspects of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic tour of Portugal! It was well planned and highly enjoyable in every respect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved our visit to the cork farm: a Rick Steves exclusive! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first time in Portugal and this tour has given me a very good starting point on understanding this country and appreciating the cities and monuments we visited. Hats off to Rafael, our guide, who made everything we've seen better by telling stories, and who managed to make us think even when we were supposed to be napping in the bus. Hats off to my fellow tour participants as well , for being nice and including with their fellow single travelers :-)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Douro Valley. One of the most beautiful sceneries I've seen . A close second, the visit to the cork farm: never thought harvesting cork could be so thrilling. And another close second : the splendid gothic architecture of the Batalha Monastery "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I didn't know what to expect but I had such an amazing time from start to finish. I will definitely be traveling with you again!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments but I think the friendliness and warmth of the Portuguese people. So many people went out of their way to be kind - I have to admit I was struck by that."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first organized tour ever. I have planned tours for our friend group of 22 people but THIS is the way to go! Having a dedicated guide who knows so much was amazing. Meeting new people and having experiences I would have never booked was awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many. If I have to choose one, it would be Fatima, our leader. She made every moment "more" with her knowledge and humor. BUT I would never have booked a cork tour and that was fascinating and delicious!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great job by Fatamia and excellent travel and hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the cork farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There was so much more to experience in Portugal than I realized prior to our tour. The country is beautiful with an endless number of special places to visit, but the people are what makes Portugal shine. We were very fortunate to have Fatima as our guide. Fatima, knew all the backdoors to take, places to visit, and the people to introduce us to, so that our time was well spent and the wow moments were daily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was visiting one of the few remaining family owed and operated cork farms. We were very fortunate to be there when they were harvesting the cork. We were taken in a specially constructed trailer, just for RSE tour members, that was pulled by a tractor right up to the trees where the workers were harvesting the cork. It was mesmerizing to watch and fascinating to learn about from the family members who prepared and ate lunch with us at the family's home."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There are no words to express our feelings it was beyond amazing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the whole tour. The Portuguese people were so friendly and helpful. Fatima was passionate about her country and introduced us to what life is like in Portugal--the good and the bad. I especially enjoyed the time in the smaller villages and towns where we could stroll around, shop, eat and meet local folks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cork farm and winery visits were wonderful! It was great to meet the owners/family members and learn about the work and passion that goes into their products. I learned so much about cork farming and port making. I also really enjoyed the ceramics factory. I have a whole new understanding and appreciation of what is involved in the beautiful handmade and hand painted ceramics we see all over Portugal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm and Durro Valley winery"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It turned out I was suffering from a medical condition the whole time and so that impacted my enjoyment. Tho I have to admit that I thought Portugal was going to be more like Italy and it wasn't really.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was being saved by Cristina and the city guide from an enraged Asian tourist who grabbed my camera and threatened to throw it over the balcony to the floor below. He had been standing in the sight line of the pictures from the balcony and I thought taking a picture of him would move him out of the way. It certainly did! He threatened me shouting it was illegal to take his picture. Cristina and the other local guide threatened him with the law and he backed off. I was pretty grateful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a really fun tour because of the guide, the sights, history, and my fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t pick one wow moment. Évora, Coimbra, and the tours of the quinta and montaldo come to mind, but I’m sure there were many more than just those."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I very much enjoyed the stops featuring more unique experiences -- the coach museum, the cork farm, the ceramics factory, the tile museum, the shrine in Fatima -- which really educated me about what makes Portugal special beyond sweet wines and sea exploration..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The vast beach and cliffs in Nazaré, along with all the golden decor in the Igreja de São Francisco in Porto, are two things in particular that continue to stand out in my memory after returning home."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour surpassed my expectations. The sights were well chosen and encompassed much of the history and culture of Portugal. The weather was difficult with extreme heat limiting the energy of the group. Claudia adapted where possible to accommodate the needs of the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two: the Knights Templar castle at Tomor with the excellent local guide and the cork farm with being able to observe the cutting of the cork bark from the trees. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour experience was outstanding. I think that I got a really good overview of Portugal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Douro valley really struck me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic; hit all the important places and the tour guide was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The individual churches were unbelievable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Portugal is a small country that has so much to offer, to say the least. Among the castles, gothic, and palaces, Portugal is a country of tiles. This is the first Europe country I have been to where so many buildings have tiles on the outside of building and structures.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Évora, staying at a hotel that is behind a historic wall and our room facing the hotel room and the historic wall."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent!! The itinerary, tour director, local tour guides, tours, tour group, bus driver, hotels, meals, transportation were all excellent. We did so many things that there is no way we could have planned and executed this tour on our own. After our first Rick Steves tour last fall, we had a great deal of confidence in his tours. After this tour, we have extreme confidence in his tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just about the entire tour! Our tour director, Claudia, was excellent. She is so passionate about Portugal, and it showed in everything she said and did. The scenery of the Douro Valley is amazing. The port wine is delicious. The Portuguese people are very proud of their country, and it shows in everything we experienced."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I enjoyed the tour to all the locations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several wow moments- each time Claudia surprised us with little treats and gifts was an awesome touch🥰"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Claudia really helped me get to know Portugal through the experiences we had and sharing her own life/style with us. A precious experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seriously between cork farm and the port winery…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great diversity of experiences throughout Portugal, including immursive customized tours of a vineyard, ceramics factory, and cork farm. The cultural and historical backdrops were well described by our passionate, deeply informed, and amazing guide, Fatima, and her colleagues. This is my second Rick Steves tour, and I remain extremely impressed with the thoughtfulness and commitment that goes into these tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Perhaps the Knights Templar castle in Tomar, particularly the temple which was a masterpiece. It is hard to choose though as there were a number of wonderful moments and experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steves' tour. As in previous tours, the stage was set by our stellar tour guide, Fatima, to experience and enjoy the fullness and vibrancy of the people and culture of Portugal. Her enthusiasm to share the richness of each place on our daily itinerary was deeply sensed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say there were several ' wow' moments. Many special encounters with the Portugese people contributing to their communities generationally is memorable: engaging with the family harvesting cork, pine nuts, and wine was admirable. The family producing exceptional port was very heartening to experience, and the family producing unique ceramics was noteworthy. And the hospitality we received at each place was so warm and genuine. Enjoying personally facilitated Fados (2!) was life expa "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun, well run tour made great by our wonderful guide Fatima and her supporting cast of guides and drivers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hanging out with some of the group after dinner on St Anthony’s Day in Lisboa. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic, especially because our guide, Fatima, really was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Knighta Templar castle in Tomar."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fatima was absolutely outstanding! She loves her country and it shows in everything she does.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cork farm experience "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I felt educated and enervated. Learned a lot and felt I now know the various vibes of this wonderful country. I wish there was even more time spent with locals, perhaps several people scattered at our tables as dinner participants where we could create conversations rather than just receiving facts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the beauty and extent of the Douro Valley. The beauty was breathtaking. A great combination of history, beauty, wine and food. "