(00:00:00)
I think we’ve got everyone in. Hello, everyone. My name is Ryan Opaz, and welcome to the first in our series of webinars about Portugal—and a little bit about Spain as well.
Our company is Patamar Select. Some of you might know us as Catavino; we went through a rebranding last year and now have our new look. This year has started off with a bang, as I’m sure many of you have already seen.
Today we’re going to talk about slow travel in Portugal, mainly, with a bit of Spain included. Over the next few weeks, our goal is to pick a few topics and run short, rapid‑fire webinars that we’ll post online for you to revisit. If you know anyone who might want to watch this, you’ll be able to share the link afterward.
At the end of this session, I’ll stay on for anyone who wants to linger and ask questions. You can also drop questions in the chat. Gabriella—my co‑founder and wife—is there and will help manage those.
Any questions you have, you can always get in touch with us.
(00:01:29)
Today we’re going to walk through why slow travel in Portugal makes so much sense. I’ll show you some of the areas in Portugal that are especially well‑suited for slow travel and what makes them unique. We won’t go deep into specific experiences or hotels—that can be another webinar—but we will highlight a few things we do and explain why Portugal is such an interesting destination for the slow traveler.
(00:02:10)
Portugal is often misunderstood. It’s sometimes seen as a small piece attached to Spain—some even jokingly call it “Spain’s beach,” especially Spaniards. But Portugal also includes the Azores, out in the middle of the Atlantic halfway to the Americas, and Madeira down to the south. Altogether, it’s a much larger and more diverse area than people realize.
Slow travel makes a lot of sense here. Even though Portugal looks small on a map, it takes time to get around. At Patamar, we often find ourselves explaining to clients that it’s not a place you simply drop into, see everything, and move on. It’s a place to linger, relax, enjoy, and explore. I hope to show you a few ways that approach really shines.
(00:03:09)
When preparing this webinar, I revisited the idea of “slow travel,” and honestly, there are a thousand definitions. Some people focus on longer stays. Others emphasize deeper immersion into experiences and locations. Many highlight a reduced pace as you move through a country. Sustainability is often tied to slow travel as well, partly through the influence of the slow food movement.
There’s also purposeful exploration—travelers wanting to discover something specific or understand something more deeply. When we design quick trips for clients, we often hear afterward, “I wish I could have gone deeper into some of these experiences.” That desire for more meaningful time is at the heart of slow travel.
(00:04:13)
Slow travel often means longer days—not exhausting days, but days with time to relax. It means having time off during a trip to explore on your own, ideally with guidance. We often help clients plan their “free days” by suggesting the best places to go based on their interests—art, nature, food, or culture.
Hiking, biking, and exploring on foot are closely tied to slow travel, and Portugal is full of hiking adventures. “Dirty hands” experiences—cooking classes, farm visits, sustainability workshops, volunteering—are also part of it. Portugal offers incredible opportunities for all of these.
Northern Portugal & Galicia
(00:05:54)
This past year, we’ve focused on finding places without crowds—places where you can relax and enjoy the view. One of those areas is the north of Portugal and Spain. Galicia is here, and just below it is northern Portugal, including the Minho. We’re doing more and more in this region because very few people go there. It’s a huge opportunity.
There are no massive cities like Porto or Lisbon. Instead, you have mid‑sized cities like Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, and Braga—though locals still call them “villages.” These areas offer incredible opportunities to explore.
One of our favorite villages is Ponte de Lima, the oldest village in Portugal. It sits along the Lima River with a stunning Roman bridge and views of Peneda‑Gerês National Park. For nature lovers and travelers who want culture without crowds, it’s perfect. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards, swim in the river, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Last year, we brought a group during the town’s festival. I was nervous because it was chaotic, but the group loved it. They interacted with locals, practiced Portuguese, and felt immersed in the community. It’s only an hour from Porto and a true hidden gem.
(00:08:32)
As you go further north into Spain, you’ll see more of this. This vineyard is from Granbazán in Galicia. The region—Galicia and the Minho—is very wet, especially in winter, but the rest of the year it’s lush and green. It’s often called “Green Spain” and “Green Portugal.”
Slow travel thrives here. There aren’t intense activities; instead, it’s a place to enjoy long lunches, hammocks, and quiet afternoons.
(00:09:39)
Santiago de Compostela is the endpoint of the Camino. People walk from France, from southern Portugal, or from the interior to reach the cathedral where St. James is said to be buried. It’s the purest form of slow travel—walking every day, meeting people from around the world, meditating through nature.
We’re planning a more luxurious Camino trip for a group—no hostels, nicer hotels, luggage transfers. Even when the Camino is busy, it never feels crowded because people are so spread out.
(00:11:35)
Another town along the way is Ourense, known for its hot springs. After days of walking, soaking in these natural pools is incredible. The town has a beautiful old center, great food, and is close to Ribeira Sacra, a unique wine region.
Ribeira Sacra & the Mini Douro
(00:12:41)
Ribeira Sacra is sometimes called the “mini Douro” because of its steep hills and dramatic vineyards. This past year, we created a slow‑travel experience at a tiny winery—maybe 20 or 30 barrels total. My friend Zach brought in a Michelin‑starred chef, and we had one of the best paellas I’ve ever eaten, right in his driveway.
This is slow travel: we arrived, walked down the hill, tasted wine, ate incredible food, and decided to cancel the rest of the day’s plans. We stayed, swam in the river, and enjoyed the moment. Experiences like this are why I love my job.
(00:14:24)
The north also includes the Picos de Europa, a massive mountain range in Asturias. It’s famous for cider, sausages, and Cabrales blue cheese. You can rent a cabin, hike, and disconnect completely. You physically can’t move quickly here—the roads don’t allow it—which is perfect for slow travel.
The Douro Valley
(00:15:22)
The Douro River winds through the region, but the Douro wine region is only a small part of it. Many hotels are along the river but not in the wine region. This can confuse travelers who think they’ll be surrounded by vineyards but aren’t.
One of our favorite experiences is taking an old admiral’s boat up the river. We once spent ten hours cruising to the Spanish border, swimming, eating, and relaxing. People told me afterward they’d never done a trip where they simply sat and did nothing—and loved it.
(00:17:35)
The Douro is one of the most manicured landscapes on earth. Because of the curves, you can’t get anywhere quickly. A winery across the river might take an hour to reach by car. That’s why we encourage people to slow down—one winery a day, a boat ride, a spa day.
There’s culture, museums, hiking, and excellent hotels like Six Senses and Torel. One of our favorite experiences is watching the sunset from one of the highest points in the valley, with dinner cooked on the spot.
Central Portugal: Serra da Estrela & Schist Villages
(00:19:21)
Moving inland, there’s a region many travelers ignore. It’s remote, but new hotels have opened, allowing us to bring clients there comfortably.
One village, Manteigas, sits deep in a valley with trout streams, forests, and mountains. Our favorite hotel, Burel São Lourenço, helped revive the historic wool industry. Visiting the old wool factory is surprisingly fascinating.
(00:21:12)
Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain in mainland Portugal. It has waterfalls, hiking trails, shepherds, and dramatic landscapes. In summer, it’s quiet and peaceful.
We work with small cheese producers where guests make fresh cheese in the morning and eat it at lunch. Combined with the scenery, it’s a highlight.
(00:23:22)
The schist villages, like Piódão, are made entirely of local stone. All the doors are painted the same shade of blue—supposedly because the hardware store only carried one color. It’s charming, with family‑run restaurants and natural spring pools.
We once spent ten days in this region and didn’t see another tourist outside the hotels.
The Alentejo & the Costa Vicentina
(00:24:53)
South of here is the Alentejo, one of Portugal’s largest regions. Most people visit Évora, but there’s much more.
Arrábida Natural Park is only 40 minutes from Lisbon, with markets, seafood, and stunning coastal hikes. Nearby Azeitão is known for cheese and tile‑making.
(00:25:50)
Along the western edge is the Costa Vicentina—the Fisherman’s Trail—running from Setúbal to Sagres. The entire hike is dramatic cliffs and ocean views. You can hike sections while staying in Comporta or small boutique hotels along the coast.
(00:27:12)
The Alentejo is also famous for its traditional wine made in clay pots called talhas. Some are centuries old. You meet the whole family, share meals, and drink wine directly from the talhas in November when they’re opened. It’s emotional, historic, and deeply slow travel.
The Algarve
(00:29:07)
In the Algarve, you don’t want to rush. You want to linger, listen to traditional songs, and enjoy the atmosphere.
The region also has Dark Sky certification. Near the Alqueva reservoir, you can take guided stargazing tours. One family loved it so much they did it two nights in a row.
(00:30:10)
The Algarve is known for beaches, but there are wonderful slow‑travel pockets. My favorite is Olhão, with its market and fresh oysters from the Ria Formosa lagoon. You can harvest oysters, eat them on the islands, and enjoy long lunches while the kids swim.
We also run oyster experiences in Setúbal and Olhão—waders on, chairs in the water, gourmet seafood meals, and wine.
The Azores
(00:32:40)
The Azores and Madeira are the ultimate slow‑travel destinations. Nothing moves fast. You can’t ferry between most islands, so you stay put and relax.
São Miguel is the largest island. You can drive around it in half a day, but there’s plenty to see. Sete Cidades is a beautiful volcanic caldera. The island is full of “happy cows,” and it’s true—they look like the happiest cows on earth.
Caldeira Velha is a jungle‑like hot spring area with multiple pools. Many people miss it because they go straight to Furnas.
(00:35:53)
Pico is one of my favorite islands. It looks like a child’s drawing of a volcano. Life is slow. Once, the car rental office was closed, and the owner told me over the phone, “You must be Ryan. I’m having coffee. I’ll be there soon.” When the credit card machine didn’t work, they said, “Just take the car. Bring it back in a couple of days.”
You can hike Pico Mountain with a guide. It’s about 2,200 meters and doable for many ages.
(00:39:20)
The Azores are also one of the best whale‑watching regions in the world. Around 70–80% of whale species pass through at some point. You can see humpbacks, sperm whales, bowheads, even blue whales. Peak season is late spring to early summer, but dolphins are year‑round.
Madeira
(00:40:15)
Madeira is often reduced to Funchal, but the magic is outside the city. The south is sunny; the north is lush and green. The mountains and natural parks are stunning.
The levadas—old irrigation channels—make for incredible hikes, but only in dry weather.
(00:41:29)
Madeira isn’t a “one‑day” destination. There are beautiful villages and villas where you can sit, relax, and take in the views.
Cabo Girão is a famous viewpoint with a glass terrace over a massive cliff. But the beach below is even better—quiet, scenic, and perfect for a long lunch with fresh local food.
Many travelers never see these lesser‑known areas because they focus only on Funchal.
Closing
(00:43:16)
I know I moved quickly, but I hope this was helpful. I’ll stay on to answer questions.
Next week, we’ll talk about multi‑generational travel—families traveling together, the best regions, and the types of experiences we can create.
This webinar will be posted on our Substack, linked in our newsletter.
Thank you for joining us today.
(00:44:14)
Gabriella: Did we get any questions?
(00:44:20)
Gabriella: No, but the lines are open. Anyone who’d like to ask something, please feel free.
(00:44:27)
Thank you for coming. My scheduling link is in the chat if you’d like a one‑on‑one session to discuss anything from this presentation.
(00:45:02)
If there are no questions, have a wonderful day.
(00:45:15)
Bye.
