The Visionary Voyager

27/12/2024

"Around 250 ships with treasures are in the waters of the Azores and Madeira archipelagos and on the Portuguese mainland coast, according to underwater archaeologist Alexandre Monteiro." The Portugal News

Around 250 ships with treasures are in the waters of the Azores and Madeira archipelagos and on the Portuguese mainland coast, according to underwater archaeologist Alexandre Monteiro.

05/11/2024

One of our amazing clients, who traveled all the way from the 🇺🇸, just left us an incredible review on our Google page! 🌍💖

We’re absolutely speechless! 😍✨

A huge thank you to Janel for reminding us that we’re on the right track! 🙏 Your words mean the world to us! 💬

What about YOU? Ready to have an unforgettable experience in Porto? 🏙️✨

Book your Porto VIP Experience with us today and create memories that will last forever! 🔑🌟

👉 Book now: www.thevisionaryvoyager.com

— with Declan Oceguera in Porto.

30/10/2024

If you are coming to Portugal and want a 5 Star hotel, then you must consider Hotel das Virtudes. It is located in a part of the city rich in history and is a short walk away from the bustling historic center.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2024/10/28/this-new-porto-hotel-mixes-medieval-history-and-impressive-engineering/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGO9wRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQPIt2n5CWk64FJZkE9HUjNfEn6SrIu_pQl4Jh7KO5iIv2DyEQva2VNuVw_aem_qj2mLOlKPGl-o01GXp17Jg

A family company specialized in real estate bought a 16th-century building in a fire sale, then turned it into a shining new hospitality star in Portugal's second city

19/10/2024

I'm increasingly being asked if buying in Portugal is a good choice. This piece of market data is quite telling about the state of the market. If you are considering a move to Portugal let's talk!

“This price growth in Portugal shows that the national market remains attractive for foreign investments and that our economic stability gives positive signs about the market”, said Francisco Quintela, founding partner of Quintela + Penalva, Knight Frank's partner in Portugal.

The cost of housing for sale in Portugal is accelerating at a faster rate than in the world, according to data from Knight Frank.

02/10/2024

A major step to curb congestion in prime tourist zone of Porto has gone into effect.

"All tourist entertainment vehicles, whether with a capacity of more or less than nine seats – buses, motorbikes with sidecars, tuk-tuks, jeeps, classic cars, among others – are prohibited from circulating in the Restriction Zone, with the exception of companies duly authorised by municipal license", explains the local authority."

The restriction on tourist vehicles and occasional buses in the historic centre of Porto begins today and, for one year, a pilot project will evaluate the measure, the Porto City Council announced.

27/09/2024

🌟 Exciting News from The Visionary Voyager! 🌟
I am thrilled to share a fantastic opportunity for those looking to call Porto, Portugal their home! Thanks to my recent partnership with RE/MAX, Portugal’s leading real estate agency, your aspirations can now become a reality. Together, we’re ready to guide you in finding the perfect home in Porto and across this beautiful country! 🇵🇹

With years of experience as a top real estate agent in New York City—working with prestigious agencies like The Corcoran Group, Prudential Douglas Elliman, and Coldwell Banker Previews—I bring a deep understanding of the real estate landscape that will help you navigate the process here. And I also know what it is like to make the leap from the USA to Portugal. 🛬

Now, with the incredible support of my skilled team at RE/MAX Grupo Latina in Porto, I am more excited than ever to assist English-speaking newcomers and expats in their journeys.
Whether you're buying, selling, renting, or investing, I am here for you every step of the way!

Let’s embark on this journey together. Reach out today, and let’s bring your vision of living in Portugal to life! 🏡✨

10/09/2024

Today is Port Wine Day! 🍷

This "nectar of the gods” is produced in the Douro Valley and from there it is brought to the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (Porto, Portugal), where it is aged. 😉
And why in Vila Nova de Gaia and not in Porto? 🤔
Well, the first reason goes back a few centuries: to escape the high taxes charged by the Bishop of Porto. But also because in Gaia the terrain was flatter and it was easier for boats to dock there. There are also climatic reasons. Gaia (apparently) has less exposure to the sun, which means it is cooler than Porto, which is undoubtedly advantageous for the fermentation of Port wine.
But Gaia's history isn't limited to this world-famous wine, it's actually much richer, but today is the day to celebrate what took Portugal to the next level! 🇵🇹

These are the kind of golden nuggets that we love to share with our clients on our Visionary Voyager Guided Tours ❗️⬇️

🔗 www.thevisionaryvoyager.com

09/09/2024

Capela Incomum, in the center of Porto (Portugal), has been open to the public since 2016. 😊 It is located in a 19th century chapel that has been transformed into a Wine Bar! 😎 Now the only worship practiced here is to the God of Wine... 🍷🙏 We suggest that after visiting this place, you have lunch or dinner at the Adega do Carregal restaurant, located on the same street, to experience a truly Portuguese meal! 😍

We talk about them in our book “Porto’s Secrets Revealed: a self-guided journey through the city’s past” ❗️And you can purchase it at ⬇️

🔗 www.portossecretsrevealed.com

A escassos metros do Jardim do Carregal, em plena baixa da Invicta, destaca-se na silhueta portuense um centenário edifício que, desde 2016, está de portas abertas para todo e qualquer amante de vinho. Eis o Capela Incomum que, de um antigo espaço de culto do século XIX, foi reconvertido num te...

08/09/2024

Que noite fantástica! Last night we hosted our first-ever The Visionary Voyager community event "Vinho com os Vizinhos" (Wine with Neighbors) at an innovative, new natural wine bar Casa Tão Longe, Tão Perto in historic Vila Nova de Gaia.

We had a packed house filled with fellow Visionary Voyagers (immigrants, expats and locals) who call Porto home and who all share a love for Travel, History and Wine! This is the first of many more community events to come.

Huge thanks to all who joined us on this special night and to our hosts Carlos and Carol!

After the event many of us crossed the Ponte Luíz I to enjoy a spectacular, free, outdoor concert performed by the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música in beautiful Aliados.

It was the perfect ending to a wonderful night!

Want to be a part of the global Visionary Voyager community? Visit us at www.thevisionaryvoyager.com and hop on our email list to stay in the loop or join our FB group. Link in comments.

15/08/2024

Adding this coastal town to my list of places to visit in Portugal. Figueira da Foz is an easy train ride from Porto and is just outside of Coimbra on the Silver Coast. This article lists 14 reasons why this city is so lovely to visit.

Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese (1850) is perhaps best known for its Sonnet 43. 

07/08/2024

Vinho com os Vizinhos (Wine with Neighbors) 🥂

SAVE THE DATE❗️

You are invited to join us for the first-ever Vinho com os Vizinhos (Wine with Neighbors), at Casa Tão Longe, Tão Perto in Vila Nova de Gaia presented by The Visionary Voyager! 😀

We’re sure you don’t want to miss this event. Do you know why? 😏

Because our goal is to connect lovers of Travel, History and, of course, Wine, while supporting unique local businesses like Casa Tão Longe, Tão Perto. This is one of our missions at The Visionary Voyager. 😉

And speaking of Casa Tão Longe, Tão Perto …

This is a space with a completely new concept in Portugal, as it combines sustainability and consumption. How? Your wine is served on tap and you can even refill your growler, which reduces waste! 😮

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, the proprietors of this cutting-edge space, not only prioritize small wine producers in Portugal, but they are the very first wine bar in Gaia to offer a range of 100% natural wines! 🍷

So, if you’re curious to get to know this project, meet new people and create bonds within The Visionary Voyager Village, mark your calendar now ❗️

What: Vinho com os Vizinhos (Wine with Neighbors)

When: Saturday, 7 September 2024

Time: 19:00 - 21:00

Where: Casa Tão Longe, Tão Perto, Vila Nova de Gaia (Rua de General Torres 367, 4430-108 Vila Nova de Gaia)

How: Metro D Line to General Torres Station then a short walk, or, Bolt/Uber

Cost: No fee to attend, however, please generously support the business with your purchase of wine. Artisanal charcuterie is also available!

Register here before this event sells out! ⬇️

https://www.eventbrite.pt/e/vinho-com-os-vizinhos-tickets-952804813847?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you soon,

Declan Oceguera & Fábio Soares

(Founders of The Visionary Voyager & Authors of Porto's Secrets Revealed)

17/07/2024

On both sides of the lower deck of Luíz I Bridge you’ll find these iron plates. 🤨

They were placed in the 1950’s to avoid an untidy situation.

Can you guess why? 🤔