Introduction

Meet Alvamar from Brazil, who we affectionately call "Alvinha". She chose Living Private Tours for a full-day tour of Porto on the 4th of March.

At almost 90 years old, and despite some mobility issues, she didn't let anything stop her from enjoying a full-day in Porto. From a panoramic boat cruise to a Port wine tasting at Caves Fonseca, followed by a delicious lunch of Codfish with Cream and Francesinha, Alvinha made the most of every moment. Her enthusiasm and resilience are an inspiration to us all, proving that obstacles can be overcome with determination and joy.

She was a warrior who won everyone over with her joie de vivre, good humor, and affection. She was a teacher by profession but was always available to learn and share her knowledge and long-life experience.

Let's take a closer look at this heartwarming journey in the words of the tour expert who guided the experience, Nuno Ferreira:

"Portugal is an incredibly beautiful country that captivates everyone who visits, whatever their motivation. But what our visitors often tell us is that, apart from the wonderful climate and beautiful landscapes we have, it is the people who impress them most. The truth is that more than experiences or beautiful places, what everyone wants is to feel welcome, to feel at home, and I think we're doing a good job of that.

The moment I'd like to share was undoubtedly a special one, at least for me. We all know that Portugal doesn't always have all the conditions for accessible and inclusive tourism. We are doing our best, but there are still many barriers to overcome.

On the 3rd of March, I was told that I would be giving a full-day tour in Porto the following day and that one of our guests had some mobility issues and would need to use a wheelchair during the tour. This was nothing new to me, so I would adapt the tour to our guests' needs if necessary. The next day, little did I know, I was going to have one of my best tours as a tour expert.

The tour started at 9 am and we took the usual route, showing the modern part of the city and the maritime area. Nothing different so far. We started to get to know each other, and the brazilian group consisted of an aunt and two nieces. Getting in and out of the van was a bit difficult for the aunt, whose name was Alvamar, but she was clearly trying as she really wanted to do this tour.

When the time came for the 6 bridges cruise on the Douro River, our stamina (Alvamar's and mine) was put to the test. Getting from Ribeira Square to Ribeira Quay in a wheelchair was a never-ending adventure, as the parallels made life difficult for us, and the wheelchair, which sometimes got stuck on the parallels, couldn't get on the boat either. So, the whole boarding process was carried out patiently and with complete calmness (also on the part of our partners). Alvamar and her nieces maintained their elegance and determination throughout. The same happened when they disembarked and went to lunch.

At lunch, they said they couldn't eat anything too heavy. What is certain is that they ate francesinha and codfish with cream, well washed down with a good guaraná in the case of Alvamar or a good wine in the case of the nieces, not forgetting dessert. They were delighted.

In the afternoon, in addition to the panoramic tour, we stopped at the Morro Garden, where getting into the van was another adventure. We stopped the traffic and had the help of local shopkeepers to get into the van. At Caves Fonseca, the nieces listened attentively to the guide while Alvamar gently dozed off along the way. The most difficult part was undoubtedly the climb up the parallel ramp inside the caves. It was a test of endurance and strength, but I managed it, even though I was panting.

This was followed by the wine tasting, which was a real treat for our guests. This half-rainy, half-sunny day ended when our guests said goodbye. It was only a face-to-face farewell, as we continued to exchange messages and recommendations over the phone, as well as a birthday message that I sent as a video on the 11th of March, for which she was graciously thanked. This lady turned 90.

Click on the image or the link to watch Nuno Ferreira's video https://youtube.com/shorts/-XtOzxFFqkM?feature=share  

Click on the image or the link to watch Alvamar's response https://youtube.com/shorts/1NxN6b65KVU?feature=share

This tour was a thank you gift to this aunt who has taken such good care of her nieces. Alvamar, this "little girl" of nine decades, tasted everything and did everything on the tour, without ever complaining. She was a teacher by profession, but she was always willing to learn and pass on her knowledge and long-life experience. She always looked serene, with a smile on her face, a zest for life, and good humor, which charmed everyone. The difficulties of getting around were not an obstacle, but rather an experience, both for them and for me.

When they returned to Brazil, they sent me a photo of the Tap plane that had transported them: it was called Nuno Alvares Pereira and they remembered me. It was a different day. It proved that although Portugal isn't entirely an accessible and inclusive country, if we want to, we can transform someone's day and do whatever we want. For me, it was a group that I will always remember and I hope that, when I reach my 90s, I will have the same resilience, good humor and joie de vivre as Alvamar."

Here's to "Alvinha", who turned 90 on the 11th of March: a true woman whose contagious spirit touches everyone she meets!

Until next time.

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