SLEEPING IN A YURT AT SERRA DA ESTRELA

The Serra da Estrela (Mountain Range of the Star) is the highest mountain range in Continental Portugal, with more than 6,500 feet high. There are many activities you can do at Serra da Estrela such as skiing, relaxing in natural pools, in the fluvial beach or go out to nightclubs. But one of the newest experiences is resting at a yurt in an EcoResort.

The Vale do Rossim offers you this experience by lodging you at yurts, inspired in the central Asia traditional ones. They’re similar to tents, but their structure resists to bad weather. Every yurt has a hydromassage bath and a salamandra - a heating system with firewood. The resort also has SPA services, a lounge bar and a restaurant where you can taste the typical Portuguese dishes. The Serra da Estrela cheese is an appetizer you should not miss!

Stay lodged at a yurt http://www.travel-tailors.com/contacte-nos

TRIP TO PORTUGAL

Porto

"A number of people asked us - Why Portugal? and we said Why not?… it’s a beautiful country, great people, excellent food and the wine…oh the wine is just great! We loved Porto and it was a great thing that the airline planned a strike for the first few days. The changes to our itinerary were just right since we got to see a bit more of this beautiful country. Travel Tailors put together a great itinerary for us and went out of their way to make sure our vacation was perfect. They stayed in contact even when we were in Portugal, from meeting us at the airport and sending us off. Our vacation was effortless and we thank Paula and Travel Tailors for this!!!"

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I would like to offer a voucher/gift certificate that may be converted in one of your services. Is this possible?

Yes. You will be able to do it in two modalities: a) if you're aiming to give maximum liberty in the choice of the service, the voucher will have a value, defined by you, per example, 100 Euros and it will be valid for two years after the acquisition; b) if you want to offer a specific, predefined service, per example, a two nights stay in a specific Portuguese inn, the voucher will state just that (and not the cost) - in this case the validity varies case by case, but generally applicable for a specific season and subject to availability, which we will confirm when the person you offered the voucher to, contacts us to request the reservation.

In any of the cases, the payment of the voucher is due at the time of the purchase and not when the service is used.

Why don't your programs refer specifically which hotels will be used?

Since we cannot guarantee the availability in specific hotels, the lodging can be booked in establishments of similar quality. Exceptionally, namely in case of reservations with short notice, it might be necessary to adjust the program using lower or upper category establishments, depending on availability, by means of the attribution of a discount or the application of a supplement. In any case, you just have to contact-us to know which hotels are planned for each location, and you may always request a specific hotel upon reservation, bearing in mind that in that case a supplement may apply if the tariff for that hotel are not within the price range of the program. Following the confirmation of the reservation and all services you'll be informed about the hotels booked.

Are the tour guides used in your travel arrangements Portuguese?

Generally, the programs that we propose include only local professional guides, the best experts on their region and on their culture. The guides in question are competent and reliable. In case it's necessary, the representative of the local operator will also be available. In some programs, properly identified and generally of a more adventurous kind, we propose set group departure dates and besides the local tour guides, you will have the accompaniment of a Portuguese (or other nationality depending on the group's nationalities) tour leader.

Is the programs' availability guaranteed?

No. You should contact-us in order to do a reservation; subsequently, we we'll check availability for the intended dates for all services involved (flights, hotels, guided tours, etc). We'll always look for similar alternatives or adjustments to the itinerary in case the service providers have no availability for a particular service, and we'll always keep you informed on the status. You should bear in mind that the sooner you make your reservation better are the odds of obtaining availability, especially in the flights.

I would like to travel to a specific country in a time of year that does not appear possible in your program. Does that mean that I cannot go?

Well, you can, and in some cases there are even some programs available in the market to that effect. But we prefer that you don't. If we did not include that trip in that month, is because normally the weather conditions are so adverse for the journey in question that we find that you will not come back satisfied. That might happen as a consequence of it coinciding with months of such intense rain that the roads may be affected and the journey depends on that mobility, or because the coldness is so severe that many hotels are closed and the services of mobility and guidance are limited, or because if your intention is going to the beach and in that month it's cold or raining cats and dogs all day... That does not necessarily mean that every month in which we've included that program the weather is going to be splendid!

Which is the best time of year for traveling to a specific destination?

In each program you can find the months during which we consider that it makes more sense to travel to the country or countries in question. Nevertheless, within that period, there is the possibility of existing a particular season specially recommended for climate reasons: ask us.

With how many people will I share the journey?

With exception of the programs specifically identified as group programs, the journeys that we suggest and organize are private, meaning, only with those with whom you chose to share the journey - being companion, family or friends. Eventually, some portions of the journey will have to be integrated in a group of others tourists, namely in transfers or some specific visits. In those cases that will be indicated in the description of the program. Some of our suggestions are planned for groups, with previously set dates, with the purpose of obtaining a more attractive price, especially if you are traveling alone or in a party of two, as well as a means of promoting the interaction with others travelers, Portuguese, or of the most diverse nationalities. In these cases the groups will have a maximum of 12-15 people.

The country that I would like to visit in my next trip does is not be included in the programs on your site. May I still rely on you to you organize it?

Of course you may! We keep on adding news suggestions whenever we are able to present the best and more diversified there is to offer for each country, including ours, after exhaustive analysis and always counting on trustworthy local operators. If we still haven't got to the country you are looking for, you can count on us, since we have the necessary tools, and nothing gives us more pleasure than planning journeys (besides doing them ourselves, that is!).

Why do the prices of the flights vary so much?

An important part of the price of the flight corresponds to the tariff, which varies depending on demand: even inside the economy class, airlines attribute different classes of reservations with different prices, despite the service being exactly the same. The first seats to be sold are the ones with the price associated with the lower priced class, and when these run out, the price of the following class will apply, and this process goes on until, successively, all tariffs are sold. That's why it is fundamental to reserve with the maximum time in advance so you may access the most favorable tariffs: for some destinations, if in high season, the lower tariffs will cease to be available even with more than four months in advance. In most of the destinations that we suggest the flight has one stop in an European city, so you must bear in mind that not only Portuguese people will be looking for those flights.

Other price components are the fuel taxes (which vary according to the fuel prices), security and airport taxes.

Why do the prices of the flights vary so much?

An important part of the price of the flight corresponds to the tariff, which varies depending on demand: even inside the economy class, airlines attribute different classes of reservations with different prices, despite the service being exactly the same. The first seats to be sold are the ones with the price associated with the lower priced class, and when these run out, the price of the following class will apply, and this process goes on until, successively, all tariffs are sold. That's why it is fundamental to reserve with the maximum time in advance so you may access the most favorable tariffs: for some destinations, if in high season, the lower tariffs will cease to be available even with more than four months in advance. In most of the destinations that we suggest the flight has one stop in an European city, so you must bear in mind that not only Portuguese people will be looking for those flights.

Other price components are the fuel taxes (which vary according to the fuel prices), security and airport taxes.

What can I carry in the hand luggage?

The passengers should know the current rules of security relatively to hand luggage, namely the prohibition transportation of any dangerous goods (it includes pocketknives, little scissors and nail-clippers!), as well as the limitations to the transportation of liquids and gels(to include, among others, water, perfumes, creams, deodorant, tooth paste, gel...) stored in packages of capacity not over 100ml, properly packed in a transparent closed bag, that cannot exceed the dimensions of 19cmx20cm (ex: freezing bag) and capacity of 1 liter by passenger. Rule of thumb, the hand luggage is limited to 6kg per passenger.

Should I reconfirm my flight with the airline?

The airlines might be forced to alter the schedules of departure at the last minute, therefore, flights should always be confirmed 24 hours before departure. Whenever the flights have been booked with us, TravelTailors and/or our local representatives will take care of that confirmation, except when specifically indicated in documentation provided to the client. Of any case you can always confirm the schedule phoning the airline, or accessing the Amadeus here using the reservation code stated in your electronic ticket.

Which vaccines should I have?

The recommend vaccines depend on the geographical zone where you are traveling to. Whenever you are going to travel outside of Europe you should consult a traveler's health specialist. If you are traveling with your family, namely with infants and/or elderly people, you should bear in mind the special heath cares that they might need. The traveler's health consultations are provided by infectious illnesses and tropical medicine specialists. 

The appropriate vaccines, depending on destination, are the ones that protect against the following illnesses: cholera, diphtheria, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, rabies, tetanus and typhoid fever. The International Sanitary Regulation in force stipulates that the only vaccine that might be required of the travelers when going trough border control is the yellow fever vaccine. You may obtain more information in the World Health Organization site. 

http://www.travel-tailors.com/perguntas-frequentes/lang_en#d6

My nationality is not Portuguese. How should I proceed?

If you are not Portuguese, and reside or not in Portugal, you should consult your Embassy or Consulate, in order to identify which are the requirements of entrance in the country to which you are traveling. You should inform TravelTailors of your nationality upon reservation as well of all possible visa requirements and procedures. For further information you may also contact the "Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras" (Foreigners and Borders Service) using the telephone 21 7115000 or consulting the respective site.

Which are the means of payment at my disposal?

You can pay for your traveling arrangements, using the following means of payment:
    • By banking transference, to the NIB 0033 0000 4539 2763 2080 5, sending us sent confirmation proof by email (traveltailors@travel-tailors.com) or fax (+ 351 21 757 86 70).
    • By check passed to "TravelTailors Portugal - Turismo Activo, Lda".
    • With credit card, only for regular flight payments that are included in a complete program. This option does not have extra costs,
it requires photocopy of the credit card and of the document of identification of the client, as a filled debit authorization.

Algarve, Southwest Atlantic Waves

Discover the best of the Portuguese South. A traditional village renewed to receive tourists just next to the last treasure of the Portuguese ocean coast, the southwestern desert and wild beaches. Apart from the beach, surf and scubadiving, the village location is ideal for walking, cycling and nature watching in the Natural Park and Algarve mountains.

More information here

The Best SPA's in Portugal - South and the Azores

TravelTailors offers you the relaxing and innovative properties of the best Portuguese SPA's, located in naturally soothing landscapes; the finest options were selected, enhancing your beauty and well-being experience. Massages, trips and nature are in harmony in Lisbon, Alentejo and Azores.

More information here

Testimonial: Journey to Portugal and Paris

«All the trip planning was excellent, which made it pleasant. It was all very well prepared and divided, which made us enjoy traveling from city to city. The New Year's Eve that we spent at the Hard Rock Café was excellent. The participation of the guides was essential, with special mention to Carlos, who accompanied us in Oporto, by his historical knowledge and professionalism. Since we travelled as a family and all together, we didn't have any problem entering or exiting Europe. The required documentation was only the passports and the interview was quick and calm. The journey exceeded our expectations and we just have to thank you for your commitment and participation in all the planning and all the details.»

António Ottani, January 2013

More testimonials here