Portugal Art and architecture Trips

The transfers to and from the Lisbon hotel were efficient and on time. As well, the extra leg room in the well-apppointed coach was welcomed! Great food, wine, lodgings, and experiences. Daniel Ferguson was an experienced guide who not only took us to beautiful sites, but also added a couple of extra side trips and treats. He and our driver Felipe worked extremely well together, and the local guides were all knowledgable and passionate about their subjects.

For the curious traveller who wants to explore a bit more of Portugal, this itinerary was perfect. The beaches of the south, the plains of the centre, the hills and rivers of the north are all included. The result is an enjoyable time exploring a cultural and historic treasure.

First of all, the guide Daniel and the driver, Felipe were OUTSTANDING!! they made the journey most enjoyable. Dan was very knowledgeable, kept us informed of the day to day schedule and was always available to assist with any issues that would arise during our trip. I know my fellow travelers felt the same. And we were all amazed how Felipe navigated some of the narrow, twisty roads without even a scratch to the coach.

The Best of Portugal gave us a clear picture of the country as a whole. We enjoyed the variety in landscape, architecture, religious locations, culture, and history of the country. The local guides that we had were excellent with just the right amount of humour to keep us on our toes! The magnificent tile work was featured beautifully in our trip as well as the Moorish influences and the importance of the Templar Knights. The visit to the horse stud farm and the organic winery allowed us to appreciate local specialties and had that personal touch that remains in your memory. Excellent overall!

What an absolutely wonderful tour. The tour guide went above and beyond for all tour members, one who needed medical assistance specifically. Each hotel was amazing and top shelf. The optional tours were beautiful and shared so much about each area and the people who live there. The pace was great as well were able to see so many areas of Portugal. I will definitely recommend to others. Portugal is green in beauty and taking care of natural resources. Loved our time there!

We've traveled with Explore many times and this trip was excellent. We had the chance to experience four islands with a mixture of hiking/walking and seeing various parts of the islands as well. The tour leader, Tania, was outstanding -- very enthusiastic and engaged. We had a smaller group which were well matched for walking, so that was helpful. While my wife and I walk/hike a lot, I will say that some of these walks could be challenging if you are a "casual" walker and not used to mountain paths or inclines. The pace of the overall trip was brisk without being overwhelming and we had no weather issues at all. Lodging was excellent and all travel arrangements were spot-on. There were a few group dinners, but most evenings were free to make your own choices for food. We would highly recommend this trip.