After we decided to go to Portugal this summer, the first thing I did, being a local guide myself, was checking out what Like-a-local had to offer in this country.
That’s how we came in contact with Francisco, offering a local experience in Porto and on his wine farm in the Douro-valley.

We met this incredible friendly Portuguese in a small mountain village after driving through the beautiful landscape of the Douro-valley. We parked our little rent-a-car and climbed into Francisco’s 4 wheel drive. The dirt and sand on his Jeep promised an adventurous ride. We drove up the mountains and enjoyed beautiful views over the river and the vineyards. The adventure really started when the road ended and Francisco continued the ride on a bumpy sandy pathway. We went straight through the vineyard.

After tasting the home made port wine at the winery Francisco brought us to our own little part of paradise down at the riverside. We stayed in his luxury chalet in the middle of the vineyard for two days. We even had our own private beach where we took a plunge in the Douro river. In the afternoon Francisco came down to check if we had good night and brought some home grown vegetables for diner.
After two days beautiful and peaceful days in the vineyards Francisco’s jeep brought us back to our car and we drove up to the beautiful city of Porto where we met Francisco’s girlfriend Isabel and stayed at their house in the city. Francisco stayed in the Douro.
When we woke up the next day after a day and night in the city Francisco was sitting in the living room already and served a breakfast that could compete with those at a five star hotel.
Isabel and Francisco’s hospitality is endless. On our last evening with them we were invited to have a drink with them and some friends to celebrate their son’s birthday. After a couple of glasses of a splendid port from Francisco’s own winery one of their friends told us we where very lucky people. He stated that by staying with Francisco we truly discovered the soul of Portugal. I think he was right.

Check out Like-a-local.com : Like-a-local.com and http://www.like-a-local.com/details.php?id=122

By Jeroen Niemans

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