Hello. I'm Joel, your local expert for Portugal
Hello. I'm Joel, your local expert for Portugal
“Bom dia” (hello in Portuguese), I’m Joel from Portugal! I love my country, I love people, I love talking and I love to eat and drink, so I think I have the right job!!
We have a very unique approach towards travel... Once a traveler said to us at the end of their journey "is like having a friend showing you around", this is the best way to describe our vision about travelling.
Joel’s favourite trips
11 days / 1888 USD
A self drive to Portugal's North and Center
Starting in fascinating Lisbon, this trip allows you to discover Portugal both on your own as well as with guided tours. Driving further up north you'll explore Coimbra and Porto before heading to the Douro Valley and Alentejo.
locations
11 days
A self drive to Portugal's North and Center
8 days
Porto and the North of Portugal: off the beaten track
12 days
The best of Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
7 days
Azores Wild Nature
9 days
Madeira and São Miguel - guided island adventures
11 days
Lisbon and the South of Portugal: exploration and relaxation
11 days
Discovering the coast of Portugal
9 days
The cities of Portugal
10 days
Fascinating Azores - Terceira and São Miguel
Why travellers love Joel
Catherine 
“My Travel Ladies (6 in total, all over 70) and I spent 10 days with Joel throughout Portugal, and we all felt it was simply excellent. I started working with Joel in August and nailed down our trip. We discussed sites important to us, where we wanted a guide, and hotel levels. His suggestions were spot on and we could not have been happier. I recommend him for his kindness, his communication and overall ability to meet our needs. Joel has a beautiful sense of humor that blended with all of us. My one wish is that I could work with him on our next adventure but, we all now feel Portugal is like a second home. Beautiful trip!”
Ann
14/10/2024“Our agent was very helpful and responsive to our requests for changes to customise our trip. He met us at the airport and was available throughout our trip to offer support and advice.”
Rudolph
20/09/2024“We had a great time. Joel was a wonderful host and took great care of us. He was knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed our time with him. The trip went very well. All the accommodations were more than we expected, and the sights/events chosen gave us a full view of Portugal. I would whole-heartedly recommend Rough Guides and Joel for anyone considering Portugal. The only suggestion I would make is that an electric vehicle is not the best choice for long car rides. To manage the battery life, we had to go very slow, but we did enjoy our time with Joel on the drives. Electric is great for short visits like Sintra and Belhem, but for the longer drives the technology is not yet there.”
Maud
“Our guide (Joel) set up a perfect 10 day itinerary for us in Portugal-based on our requests. He was available at all times if we needed anything. Our tours were with small groups (ideal) and all set up for us. The hotels were also wonderful. We will definitely use Rough Guides in our future travel. ”
Genaro
25/09/2024“Itinerary fitted our needs. Travel book was very useful and well put together. Joel (our host) was always available and easy to reach and provided good advice as well as addressing last minute requests for changes.”
Leann
11/09/2024“Traveled to Portugal and Joel with Rough Guides was amazing. He planned our trip and was our driver too. He’s very friendly and loves his country. We felt we made a friend in the 10 days we were there. Loved our trip.”
Who is your local expert?
Who is Your Portugal Travel Expert?
Think of your Portugal Travel Expert as a friend who actually lives and works in the country you want to explore.
They know the destination inside out – from seasonal weather patterns and lesser-known regions to the best local restaurants and boutique hotels. They’ll help you plan and book a trip that’s 100% tailored to your interests, with no cookie-cutter templates.
Our local experts work with handpicked accommodations, trusted drivers, and top-rated activity providers. So you get a smooth, authentic experience – while supporting local businesses along the way.
