Spain and Portugal Vacations
Spain and Portugal Vacations
Spain and Portugal Vacations
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About
We specialize in private tailor-made holidays in Spain and Portugal, where we have been catering to the world’s most discerning travelers for nearly two decades. Owned and operated by a long-term American resident who lives between Portugal and the USA, we organize private travel experiences focusing on our client's interests and style of travel. Wine tours, cultural and historical journeys to honeymoons and events are but a few of our specialties. Let us introduce you to Discover Portugal and Spain!
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Spain and Portugal Vacations
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
25 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
wendy d
2 contributions
Oct 2021
My friends and I wanted to plan our first ever trip to Portugal. After exploring what this country had to offer, we decided not to go with a pre-planned excursion. We wanted to customize our tour and made the good decision to go with Greg’s travel company that specializes in Spain and Portugal Vacations. It was a truly amazing trip, I think the most well planned trip we have been on. He did a great job of listening to what we wanted, suggesting places and activities we didn’t know about, and providing all the detailed logistics to make our trip run smoothly. All transportation was taken care of. He had connections to unique places to stay along the way that we never would have found on a tourist map. Some of the Highlights included a cooking class at the Casa de Juste, picking fresh herbs from their magnificent gardens, cooking over an ancient fire-fed stove, walking through the Vineyards of the Douro Valley, Visiting the amazing Botanical gardens in Madeira, and most memorable of all, celebrating my birthday at a restaurant overlooking the stormy coast in the Algarve. I would highly recommend Greg if you are planning a trip to Portugal or Spain, he takes all the stress away and leaves you with just the fun. I am planning another trip, this time to Spain and Italy and we will definitely use Greg again.
Written March 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob W
1 contribution
Sep 2021
Before COVID we were headed for Lisbon to stay several nights before boarding ship. Because this was our first visit to Portugal, one of our close friends recommended that we contact Greg. Greg offered to take over our stay in Lisbon. He took us to all the "must see" places as well as some out of the way 'local' places to get a flavor of the Portugese. Under his guidance and leadership we had a terrific overview and wouldn't hesitate to hire him again upon our return. We were so pleased to have contacted him and as a result enjoyed every minute of our stay, no muss no fuss. And now in addition to being an excellent tour guide, he owns a travel company "Spain and Portugal Vacations" and can arrange full vacation itineraries. We highly recommend Greg.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Rob,
Many thanks for posting your review. I still have great memories of your trip to Lisbon. One that stands out was the neighborhood Fado performance restaurant with only Portuguese people. The rest of the time, although way to short, was great too, including the guided tour to Pena Palace.
For me it was really a special trip as you are long terms friends with my long term Los Angeles friend, Loren!
Hopefully you and John will make another trip and include both Portugal and Spain!
Best regards,
Written May 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
thomaszilka
4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Spent 14 days with Dan as our tour guide. He is amazing, funny, patient and best of all full of knowledge. He made the trip stress free.
Also, Elias our bus driver can thread a needle with that bus and gets you as close to the front of the line of all the other buses because he knows all the tricks.
Together Dan and Elias are the “A-Team”.
Definitely will do another tour with insight, especially if Dan and Elias are the guides.
Also, Elias our bus driver can thread a needle with that bus and gets you as close to the front of the line of all the other buses because he knows all the tricks.
Together Dan and Elias are the “A-Team”.
Definitely will do another tour with insight, especially if Dan and Elias are the guides.
Written August 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg C
kentucky58 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
gate 1 travel Portugal and Spain was amazing. March 2023 Gate 1 did a fantastic job. The Driver Carlos was the best driver and great personality the travel guide Aline Maria Esteves was the best. Knowledgeable and keeping things flowing smoothly. I don't know how she does it all. I can't say enough good things about her. We had a 3am transfer to go home and she was there to make sure we got picked up and things went smoothly. We arrived in Lisbon Portugal then saw the Belem Tower, Sintra tour, then off to Seville, Evora, Malaga,Granda, and finished in Madrid Spain. What a tour with the many museums and Cathedrals, buildings, ancient ruins and stay on the beach at Costa del Sol too many things to mention but check out Gate 1 11 oe 13 day tour of Portugal and Spain what an excellent trip. Thank you gate 1. I will review the Hotels separately. but all 4 hotel were very nice and recommended.
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so mentioning all of the great places you had a chance to visit.
It’s always a great pleasure to be privileged enough to show people this wonderful city and country!
Written July 18, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lee W
South Hill, VA11 contributions
Apr 2021
My husband and I still remember, several years later, our 10-day trip through Portugal with Greg. It was our first private tour and solidified investment was well worth it. The properties and personalities we met are embedded in our memory as are the scenes and relaxed ease of the vacation. By taking a private tour, our schedule was flexible and allowed for mini unexpected adventures. If we get to Spain, we will definitely let Greg arrange it.
The review only allowed me to enter 4/2021 but we went a few years earlier and stay in touch with Greg because of our admiration and his presence on social media.
The review only allowed me to enter 4/2021 but we went a few years earlier and stay in touch with Greg because of our admiration and his presence on social media.
Written March 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mick1001
Sydney, Australia54 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
I was going to Lisbon to embark on a Mediterranean cruise with friends. But what on earth got into me to take a car and drive into the northern parts of Portugal for a week beforehand? And how fortunate I was to have located Greg Arvoy, an American resident in Lisbon for years, to accompany us as our guide.
Dare I say that I simply liked the idea of sightseeing, enjoying the local food, and staying in old monasteries and convents known as pousadas? And, as we were going to be near Fatima, we should go visit the shrine to Our Lady.
Well, that’s the sum of it.
Little prepared was I for stories . . . of battles . . . of Portuguese Kings . . . of the Discoveries . . . of so many UNESCO World Heritage sites . . . of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in Fatima and earlier in Reguengo de Fetal . . . let alone for visiting these fascinating places of historic interest with a walking encyclopaedia, Greg, an expatriate living in Lisbon . . . The Michael Chronicles would not be complete without some references to gastronomical delights and you won’t go wanting.
Of battles . . . . where Commanders fell on their knees and prayed to the Blessed Virgin for victory and then in thanksgiving built magnificent Gothic monasteries in Alcobaça and Batalha, which we visit. The Commander of the 14th Century Battle of Aljubarrota, Nuno Álvares Pereira, later became a mystic and was canonised as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI while we were in Portugal.
Of Portuguese Kings . . . who believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the physical reigning ‘Queen of Portugal’ and not just symbolically the Patroness. Since the Coronation of King John IV took place in Vila Viçosa in the 14th Century, the Kings of Portugal never again wore a crown. We visited the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Vila Viçosa where all this was brought to life. In Casa Alta, in the walls of the Castle of Ourem, we stayed with the Royal Chaplain to the Dukes of Braganza.
Of ‘the Discoveries’ . . . where more than 500 years ago, the Portuguese reached Congo in Africa and Vasco da Gama discovered a sea route to India thus giving the Portuguese supremacy in the lucrative trade of silks and spices that had previously been the domain of Venice and Constantinople. We see these voyages commemorated in the Monastery of the Hieronymites in Lisbon.
Of UNESCO World Heritage . . . where we see seven of Portugal’s twelve sites. In the museum-city Évora, with roots back to Roman times, we stayed in the Pousada dos Lóios which stands next to the 2nd Century Roman Temple to Diana. In the historic town of Guimarães, a well preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town, we stayed in a Pousada that was once a home for the poor. Guimarães is referred to as the ‘birthplace of the Portuguese nationality’.
Of gastronomy . . . Both the Douro region and the city of Oporto are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Our visit to the Douro region, where wine has been produced for more than 2,000 years, Greg had arranged for us to lunch with a local wine-making family, who have been growing grapes on terraces of the Douro since the mid-18th century. Their white Port Wine made a delicious aperitif before the roast goat that was specially prepared for us. In the city of Oporto, where huge Port Wine storage warehouses with tiled roofs line the hillsides overlooking the Douro River, we enjoyed special grilled octopus for lunch at the famous Taylor’s Port wine cellars high on the hill.
Of Apparitions . . . I have not prayed the Rosary since childhood when, as a family, we were compelled each night to kneel in the lounge room and say five decades together. “The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together” was the Father Peyton ‘call to arms’ of that time, to beseech the Blessed Virgin to protect us from ‘the yellow masses gathering just north of Australia’s shoreline’. At that young age, I don’t think I connected it with the Message of Fatima. How can I be in Portugal though and not go to Fatima?
So there. You have it in a nutshell. You will also have noted references to the Blessed Virgin dotted throughout. It wasn’t until the end of the holiday that I started to get my head around the battles between the Portuguese and the Moors and Castillians, and also the marriages and murders of members of the Royal families, so I suppose I gravitated towards some religious references of which I was well schooled from childhood.
Greg, You brought history to life with your encyclopaedic knowledge of such a fascinating country with all the added stories that make the ‘learning’ so interesting. I have been going through your trip notes and realising that we could easily have spent twice the time and still not seen it all. I still marvel at how you came up with such interesting people for us to meet along the way. I commend you for the way you have developed and deliver this very personal approach to your travel business.
Michael
Dare I say that I simply liked the idea of sightseeing, enjoying the local food, and staying in old monasteries and convents known as pousadas? And, as we were going to be near Fatima, we should go visit the shrine to Our Lady.
Well, that’s the sum of it.
Little prepared was I for stories . . . of battles . . . of Portuguese Kings . . . of the Discoveries . . . of so many UNESCO World Heritage sites . . . of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in Fatima and earlier in Reguengo de Fetal . . . let alone for visiting these fascinating places of historic interest with a walking encyclopaedia, Greg, an expatriate living in Lisbon . . . The Michael Chronicles would not be complete without some references to gastronomical delights and you won’t go wanting.
Of battles . . . . where Commanders fell on their knees and prayed to the Blessed Virgin for victory and then in thanksgiving built magnificent Gothic monasteries in Alcobaça and Batalha, which we visit. The Commander of the 14th Century Battle of Aljubarrota, Nuno Álvares Pereira, later became a mystic and was canonised as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI while we were in Portugal.
Of Portuguese Kings . . . who believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the physical reigning ‘Queen of Portugal’ and not just symbolically the Patroness. Since the Coronation of King John IV took place in Vila Viçosa in the 14th Century, the Kings of Portugal never again wore a crown. We visited the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Vila Viçosa where all this was brought to life. In Casa Alta, in the walls of the Castle of Ourem, we stayed with the Royal Chaplain to the Dukes of Braganza.
Of ‘the Discoveries’ . . . where more than 500 years ago, the Portuguese reached Congo in Africa and Vasco da Gama discovered a sea route to India thus giving the Portuguese supremacy in the lucrative trade of silks and spices that had previously been the domain of Venice and Constantinople. We see these voyages commemorated in the Monastery of the Hieronymites in Lisbon.
Of UNESCO World Heritage . . . where we see seven of Portugal’s twelve sites. In the museum-city Évora, with roots back to Roman times, we stayed in the Pousada dos Lóios which stands next to the 2nd Century Roman Temple to Diana. In the historic town of Guimarães, a well preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town, we stayed in a Pousada that was once a home for the poor. Guimarães is referred to as the ‘birthplace of the Portuguese nationality’.
Of gastronomy . . . Both the Douro region and the city of Oporto are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Our visit to the Douro region, where wine has been produced for more than 2,000 years, Greg had arranged for us to lunch with a local wine-making family, who have been growing grapes on terraces of the Douro since the mid-18th century. Their white Port Wine made a delicious aperitif before the roast goat that was specially prepared for us. In the city of Oporto, where huge Port Wine storage warehouses with tiled roofs line the hillsides overlooking the Douro River, we enjoyed special grilled octopus for lunch at the famous Taylor’s Port wine cellars high on the hill.
Of Apparitions . . . I have not prayed the Rosary since childhood when, as a family, we were compelled each night to kneel in the lounge room and say five decades together. “The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together” was the Father Peyton ‘call to arms’ of that time, to beseech the Blessed Virgin to protect us from ‘the yellow masses gathering just north of Australia’s shoreline’. At that young age, I don’t think I connected it with the Message of Fatima. How can I be in Portugal though and not go to Fatima?
So there. You have it in a nutshell. You will also have noted references to the Blessed Virgin dotted throughout. It wasn’t until the end of the holiday that I started to get my head around the battles between the Portuguese and the Moors and Castillians, and also the marriages and murders of members of the Royal families, so I suppose I gravitated towards some religious references of which I was well schooled from childhood.
Greg, You brought history to life with your encyclopaedic knowledge of such a fascinating country with all the added stories that make the ‘learning’ so interesting. I have been going through your trip notes and realising that we could easily have spent twice the time and still not seen it all. I still marvel at how you came up with such interesting people for us to meet along the way. I commend you for the way you have developed and deliver this very personal approach to your travel business.
Michael
Written July 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Michael, Thank you for taking your time in writing such a detailed review. What more can I add other than say thank you for giving me the opportunity to show you Portugal during your visit. Kind regards, Gregory
Written October 15, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eric N
Kapaa, HI15 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
This is amongst the best travel experiences I have ever had. The knowledge and attention to detail was outstanding. The points of interest, hotels, and restaurants on this private tour brought to life a side of Portugal I never knew existed. This tour by far exceeded our expectations.Do not miss this unique experience.
Written November 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken O
Colorado Springs, CO1 contribution
May 2012 • Solo
Greg, the owner, developed and lead a trip for me that commenced in Lisbon environs, including walking, auto, train and flight. Overnights to Porto and Obidus, Braga and Ponte de Lima. We were immersed in the culture, staying in historic pousadas and even had dinner at a friend home in the north of Portugal. An addition was an arranged tour of Barcelona, three day touring before a seven day cruise to Venice with port calls in Sicily, Dubrovnic, Split ending in Venice. All of this was done by Greg and was done perfectly.
Greg had previously treated me to a memorable visit to Lisbon environs in 2008. I returned this time and we spent much more time seeing most of Portugal from Lisbon to the north. Greg knows Portugal well especially those special out of the way places that are long remembered. This was a long trip yet each day seemed like a new adventure and the time passed too fast.
My memories will last a lifetime. I suggest and endorse Discover Portugal Travel and the owner, Greg, to anyone from the US that wants to see Portugal with an expat American who has now a travel agency specializing in bringing US visitors to Portugal. It is a great way to visit in private and with all the arrangements made by someone who is knowledgeable and loves his adopted country.
Greg had previously treated me to a memorable visit to Lisbon environs in 2008. I returned this time and we spent much more time seeing most of Portugal from Lisbon to the north. Greg knows Portugal well especially those special out of the way places that are long remembered. This was a long trip yet each day seemed like a new adventure and the time passed too fast.
My memories will last a lifetime. I suggest and endorse Discover Portugal Travel and the owner, Greg, to anyone from the US that wants to see Portugal with an expat American who has now a travel agency specializing in bringing US visitors to Portugal. It is a great way to visit in private and with all the arrangements made by someone who is knowledgeable and loves his adopted country.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ken, Thank you for your review of your Portugal tour. We enjoyed showing you a bit of Portugal during your stay to "Europe´s Best Kept Secret". We look forward to your next visit !
Written July 27, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OhKaye13
Portland, OR18 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
I spent a wonderful day with Greg visiting four lighthouses in the Lisbon area. Photographing the last one in the rain with Greg holding the umbrella was a very special experience. He had never done a lighthouse tour before, but created this one especially for me. He may be doing more lighthouse tours in the future. He also arranged for me do a similar tour in the Porto area with Fernando of Quality Tours,This was another exceptional day!
Written April 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
merrill88
Houston, TX5 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
I spent 3 wonderful days in Lisbon with Greg as my personal tour guide. We saw all the major sights and several minor ones that were astonishing, especially the small baroque chapel attached to the tile museum. At one restaurant where Greg was a regular, the owner brought out the fresh catch of the day and I selected a scrumptious bass(?). Well, whatever it was, it was one fantastic meal. I never felt rushed or harried. We moved at a leisurely pace, using public transport, which was my choice. You get to see so much more of the city that way. Greg made my trip to Lisbon a huge success. Lisbon still sings in my memory.
Written October 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Merrill, It was a pleasure showing you Lisbon during your visit. The baroque chapel at the National Museum of Tiles (Madre Deus Church) is indeed very beautiful and you are correct - it was bass you enjoyed during lunch. Thank you for taking time to write your review and I look forward to showing you even more of Portugal on your next visit!
Written October 15, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello, I would like to retain information about 7-day vacation to Spain & Portugal. Thank you in advance.
Written March 16, 2024
Alberto, I have only read your message today. You can email me through my website which shows in my bio.
If you've found someone that has / had arranged your trip, I hope you have a great time.
If not I would be happy to work with you.
Written May 16, 2024
Just returned from a wonderful trip to Madrid and Barcelona. Looking for vacation ideas for Portugal and southern Spain. Interested in food, wine, history and art.
Written January 17, 2020
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