Gratitude on the Heels of Our First Ever Portugal Tour
Written by: Lizzy Atwood Wills, Founder
Published on June 26, 2024
I am lucky to be able to say that I have had the privilege of witnessing the joy and wonder that travel can spark. Our recent tour through Portugal was no exception, and stands out as a reminder of what’s at the root of why I started this company — for our travelers to find common-ground with people and places that are different from what they know, to become better stewards of our shared environment, and to spark a sense of appreciation, wonder, and friendship.
Each cobblestone street and revolutionary square in Lisbon seemed to tell its own story. In Alentejo, the tranquility of the rolling hills offered a stark, beautiful contrast, reminding us of what’s at the core of this incredible country (that is - olives, cork, wine, seafood, clay, and stork habitats, all of which come in abundance here). And then, the Algarve, with its stunning cliffs and azure waters, provided the perfect backdrop for days filled with laughter and nights filled with giggles and conversation at dinner tables and under the stars, alike.
Throughout, we savored dishes that were as authentic as the hands that prepared them, met locals whose generosity turned brief encounters into lasting lessons, and discovered spots that even we hadn’t known before. Every planned activity and unexpected find was shared with a group that can now safely be called our travel family.
Reflecting on this time in Portugal, I’m filled with gratitude for the places we’ve seen, the people we’ve met, and the memories we’ve created. This trip reaffirmed my passion for bringing people together through travel and providing experiences that dig deeper, and ignited a personal interest to explore creating a more sustainability-focused travel company (more on that later!).
If you’ve been dreaming of a getaway where all you’re required to do is show up with a spirit of adventure, we’re here to take care of the rest. Join us on our next excursion and be part of our story as we explore more of the world’s wonders.
For more information on upcoming tours, check out our upcoming destinations.
Here are some of my highlights and favorite memories from our recent tour in Portugal:
The winery we visited, Herdade do Cebolal, whose owner Luis and his family 5 generations back have managed to maintain a completely sustainable farm, with cork, honey, vineyards and countless other plants, all without the use of pesticide chemicals. Using regenerative farming practices, and finding innovative and creative ways to manage today’s environmental issues, while planning for the next 40 years was incredible to witness. The natural wine itself was fresh flavored, complex, and delicious, and at around 10 euros a bottle, we all took our share home.
Finn, our local guide in Alentejo carefully selecting the best wild oregano for us to take home with us. We each ended up with a bounty that scented our luggage for the rest of the trip, and hopefully made it home to season our Portuguese inspired plates.
Taking home recipes and cooking inspiration, from simply adding oregano, to boards with fresh cheeses and tomatoes, local bread, olives, dried figs, honey, olive oil, and cured meats.
I mean, the seafood alone… I could write a book about all the incredible, local seafood we ate. While Portugal is known for it’s salted cod, this became a national staple when preserving seafood was the only way to keep it edible. Nowadays, Portugal’s local and seasonal seafood is bountiful, and cooked (or not cooked in the case of oysters) to perfection. With Chef Maylin helping facilitate a very sea-forward meal plan, we had oysters almost every day. Shoutout to Maylin from Nacar Oysters for the oyster education, for making sure we had the tastiest local varieties, and for generally keeping us fed ;)
I would be remiss not to mention the trail that was the true focus of the trip, the Rota Vicentina. This locally founded trail offers a unique blend of rugged cliffs, serene beaches, and lush forests. What sets the Rota Vicentina apart is its pristine natural beauty, the lack of hoards of tourists, and the sense of tranquility in the air.
Of course, a catamaran tour through the Ria Formosa was a highlight for us all, finally getting some rest after a busy schedule and long day of hiking… and the mermaid time we all rightly deserved. Our day included a visit to an oyster farm, where Alice learned to shuck an oyster, and we ate probably the freshest I’ve ever had (straight from the water!). Girls just wanna have fun, amirite?!
And finally, it cannot go understated — the generosity of locals to open up their homes and hearts, and share their warmth with us. From our local guides, Gonçalo (trip dad) and Finn, who made extraordinary experiences possible for our group, to Luis at the winery cooking a traditional ceramic pot wood-fired meal, to the opportunity to get to know Señor Galapito, his daughter Rita and son-in-law Diogo, and their dogs. We started as strangers and left feeling like family. That is all not to even mention the traditional freshly roasted suckling pig feast we ate at their house, accompanied by endless glasses of wine, local cheeses and seasonal produce.
