Experiência fantástica no tour do Alto Minho! Obrigado pelo dia que nos proporcionaram!

Delve into the Heart of Portugal's Glorious National Park, resplendent with Nature, Roman Villages & Quaint Villages We were privileged to have Brand Tours's proprietor, Rui and expert Mountain Guide, Carlos, accompany our family on Easter Day, on this wonderful tour. We were collected on time from the doorstep of our Porto Hotel, in a very comfortable air conditioned, Wi-Fi equipped van driven by Rui, which had more than enough room for our family of 4 and Carlos. Along the way to Gerês, we were regaled with much conversation by both gentlemen. I was very happy that my teenage daughters too actively participated in the lively conversations. The moment we entered Gerês National Park, Rui and Carlos ensured we stopped at vantage points from where we could take glorious photographs of the beauty before us. Being Easter Day, we were taken to the home of a family from a local village within the National Park to partake in the intimate Easter feast which they had prepared for themselves and family members. We even received blessings by the local village priest who had coincidentally come to visit the family while we were there. This was a special surprise planned by Carlos and Rui for us, something which we did not expect and which made us very happy. Later we were taken to many of Gerês waterfalls and allowed to walk as close to the falls as was possible with Carlos's expert guidance. Lunch was recommended by Carlos at an authentic local restaurant run by Donna Maria, a diminutive sweet Portuguese grandma. The delicious homemade spread we were treated to by her filled our stomachs, yet went light on our wallet. Post lunch we were taken to Gerês Village and shown the famed waters which draw thousands of hopefuls worldwide who are drawn to its curative qualities. We had the opportunity to purchase authentic sausages, chorizo and cheese sourced from farms in the National Park. The highlights of our trip included seeing a medieval wolf trap, a horse so white it could have been a unicorn [!], Portugal's border with Spain, where Gerês meets Galicia and trekking through the forest with Carlos and Rui to witness erected Roman Ruins- boulders which marked "Roman Miles or Milestones" and ancient walls, part of the incredible Roman Road that traverses most of the European Continent. Not only were the ruins exciting, but the walk through the forest itself, which had us city folk, negotiating stones, pebbles, rocks, streams, flora and fauna, bridges and water bodies with Rui and Carlos by our side. Needless to say, my daughters had a wonderful time. On the drive back to Porto we encountered the setting sun which blanketed the Park and the lights coming on made the whole place so magical. Enroute we conversed with Rui and Carlos, while my daughters enjoyed the DVD Carlos had put on for them on the van's entertainment system. Many Tour Companies would take you on this Tour, but I assure you very few Guides would be like Rui and Carlos who put their hearts and affection first and think of business later. They ensured that our entire day was beautifully planned, they made sure we saw the best that Gerês had to offer at our own pace [slow walking & toilet breaks] without rushing us along or getting irritated, they were empathetic to our children’s needs, they provided us with surprises of authentic experiences and by the end of the day, we felt that with Rui and Carlos we had made friends for life. If you're thinking of a trip to Gerês which includes the best that can possibly be done in a single day, book with Rui of Brand Tours and request for Carlos to be your Guide, trust me it will be the best Tour you will take in Portugal! -Felicia Variava Albert, Managing Director, Blaze Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India

Experiência de excelente qualidade!