ABOUT ROOTFARERS

  We visited the Douro region and stayed in a magnificent XVIII “solar” with a stunning view of the river. Excelent stay, excelent group and organisation. Visited Amarante and Tormes... read more and had a very pleasent boat trip in the Douro and Paiva. We recomend Rootfareres very much

  A friend recommended Rootfarers and it was the best decision we made for our trip to Lisbon. Our guide, Francisco, the founder of the company, personally took us on... read more our trip to Sintra. Francisco is so warm and friendly; we felt we were spending time with an old friend!
Francisco knows all the nooks and corners of the sites we visited; he enthusiastically pointed out all the special points of interest and the history behind them. He is very knowledgeable on the history of Portugal and a great storyteller. He happily takes beautiful group photos for us.
Francisco found out the date of our trip to Sintra was our wedding anniversary. To our great surprise, Francisco brought along champagne, with champagne glasses and the Pastel De Nada from the original Pasteis de Belem to celebrate at a beach in Sintra. Afterwards, we had the best seafood meal of our trip on the terrace of the restaurant overlooking the beach. We had the best anniversary celebration ever! Thanks again, Francisco.
Francisco is very responsive to our email inquiries, recommending great seafood restaurants and fido venues when he found out our interests.
We would definitely try Francisco’s Gastronomical & Heritage Tour when we visit Portugal again!

  We’ve done many trips as tourists and this was by far the best because 1) we went to places that tourists rarely go like a 15th century monastery where your... read more guide unlocks with the keys he gets from lady keeper that lives next door 2) we did things that tourists rarely do like spin your own clay bowl guided by a pottery master in a 300 person village (it turns out my 6 yr old girl is a natural:) 3) we ate things that tourists rarely eat like dog fish soup which is neither a dog nor a fish, but a shark! 4) we tasted local wine while admiring a rare collection of old carriages and while Santa’s wasn’t there we saw one used by the Queen of England, and 5) we spent a day with Francisco - a born and bread Lisboner (and probably the most educated guide you’d ever have) who loves his county and for a day made it our own.

  Excellent tour and a great guide. The Vila of Brotas with the small but beautifil Church, the “olaria” crafts were, both, though very diferent, great moments.
We had a very... read more satisfactoy, pantagruelic gastronomy experience in Arraiolos, an Old village whose historic centre we visited. It is mandatory to have a peek at the local tapestry.
The last but not the least, we enjoyed very much the “Monte da Ravasqueira”, the visit to the wineries, the formidable colection of old horse carriages and the wine tasting (5 diferent and very good wines. one of the, an outstanding one).

  What a very pleasant and interesting day, I had! The countryside beutiful. I liked everything I saw! The tiny old village of BROTAS associated to an interesting old... read more tale. Gorgeous. The visit to QUINTA DA RAVASQUEIRA, museum, winehouse and the delicious wines we tasted. ARRAIOLOS, charming. Local handmade tapestry. The visit to a handcrafted pottery. Opportunity to put our hands in the cool reddish clay. Quite funy. The lunch couldn’t be better. Simple delicious local food. And last but not least, our Tour Guide! A 5 STAR guy!!! Very, very lucky to have him. Recommend! Congratulatins ROOTFARERS!

  Francisco showed us some spots that even if we passed hundreds of times we could not noticed.
He motivated the team and give his personal touch with humor regarding the... read more portuguese history.

  We were picked up from the cruise ship and got out of town to visit Quinta da Lagoalva winery and horse farm. Wine tasting with cheese and sausage was awesome.... read more It is a working farm, horse breeding, training and winery that has been in the family for generations. We even purchased wines that were reasonable and very good.
We were in a rush and missed the river boat ride.
Later on we visited the museum (former home of prime minister) casa dos Patudos that has extensive art collection.
Our guide Francisco was pleasant, full of knowledge, spoke clear english as he studied in New York and was a safe driver.
I reccomend it strongly and hope to take another trip in the near future.

  This was such a fantastic excursion outside of the city and away from the masses. Francisco takes you on an adventure into Alentejo to explore quaint towns, historical churches, charming... read more locals, and dramatic landscapes. This is worth the time and the money!

  Our full day tour of Sintra and the surrounding area was outstanding Francisco Neto is a knowledgeable courteous guide with an extensive and wide knowledge . He also has great... read more passion and enthusiasm for his country Portugal which adds a special dimension to the experience .
Highly recommended