frequently asked questions

What can we expect on a typical day?

Our expeditions are vigorous but not excessively rugged. However, they are not for totally inexperienced paddlers. We would like you to have done wet exits, and if you haven't, we can do that the first day. An advanced beginner would be fine. On our 9-night trips, some days, we will be covering rather long distances on the water, so we expect all participants to be reasonably fit. Our 5-night trips are more relaxed.

Age should not be a factor. Our groups often include paddlers in their seventies. We paddle together as a group and our speed is determined by the slowest paddler. Typically we average 4 km. per hour when headwinds are mild. This is flat water paddling with very little current.

We get on the water early enough daily to avoid headwinds that usually pick up around noon. Early starts also get us to our daily destination early enough to stretch our legs and visit the area. The guides appreciate help getting boats and equipment on and off the water. Our kayaks are very stable, seaworthy expedition single and tandem models.

Where will we be staying and eating?

We stay in small family-operated hotels and Quintas, where our neighbors are Portuguese. Breakfast will be in the hotels.  Lunches will be prepared by our guides or eaten in local restaurants. We will enjoy regional Portuguese cuisine in restaurants for evening meals. All our meals will be from locally grown products mostly bought at that day's market. In several cases, the meals will be prepared with products grown in fields next to the restaurant. We will do our best to cater to dietary restrictions but we must be informed when you sign on for the expedition.

Clothing for our trip

Footwear: One pair of lightweight walking shoes, a pair of sandals, and whatever you wear in the kayak, which could be the same sandals. Flip-flops are not acceptable as kayak footwear. There are more accidents getting into and out of kayaks than at any other kayaking moment. Flip-flops tend to slip when wet, and we can't risk slipping. 

Kayaking wear: Some of these items you might not need, but I prefer to err on the safe side. All this must be quick-drying (i.e.), not cotton. Shorts or bathing suits suitable for wearing in any bar or restaurant, paddling jacket/rain and windproof paddling pants if you tend to get cold easily. Long-sleeved shirt, head protection from the sun, sunglasses with strap. A buff is something I find very practical for sun protection. 

Off-water wear: Long pants, skirts, dresses, t-shirts, and other clothes you might like, but do travel as lightly as possible.  

What can I read to prepare myself for this trip?

Reading

PADDLE ACROSS PORTUGAL A Beautiful Journey Jack Atkinson 2023

It was written for a self-supported paddle across Portugal but full of interesting information for any paddle on the Douro. Available in both print and kindle versions on Amazon.

Cork Boat John Pollack 2004


Mr. Pollack takes us on a dream-fulfilling journey down the same route we follow on the Douro River. The last part of the book is very relevant to our expedition. In any case it's an enjoyable read. Amazon has this in both paperback and Kindle versions.

The first Global Village Martin Page 2002

Mr. Page has written what could be the most enjoyable book on the history of Portugal. The paperback edition is available for about $25 in Portugal. Amazon has a new paperback edition for $242.48 (outrageous price). Amazon also has a Kindle version for $12.94

How do you suggest I travel to the meetup site?

All our expeditions will start and finish in Porto (OPO airport code) we suggest you fly into either Lisbon or Porto and leave from either Oporto or Lisbon. If you fly into Lisbon you can either fly or take the train to Porto. The train connections between Lisbon and Porto are very good.

General travel information links:

http://www.iberia.com

http://www.united.com

http://www.americanairlines.com

http://www.kayak.com

http://www.quickaid.com

http://www.flytap.com

Portugal travel information:

A general search engine providing links

http://www.portugal.com

Official tourist site for all of Portugal

http://www.visitportugal.com

Official site for Porto tourist information

http://www.porto-tourism.com/tourist-information-offices-in-porto.html

The Portuguese airline site

http://www.flytap.com

Site for all of the Portuguese commercial airports. Gives names of all airlines serving the airport.

http://www.ana.pt

Online news service

http://www.theportugalnews.com

Temperature conversations from Celsius to Fahrenheit

http://www.metric-conversations.org

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov 

http://www.weather-forecast.com/countries/Portugal

Check the time difference between Portugal and Spain. Portugal is on GMT, but Spain is one hour ahead.

http://www.worldtime.com

Currency exchange rates

http://www.xe.com/ucc/con

ATM locations:

http://www.visa.com/atms

http://www.mastecard.us/cardholder-services/atm-locator

What is included in the expedition package

Included

Experienced professional guides. 

Individual Expedition kayaks, paddles, life jackets, wet skirts, paddling jackets, and a small dry bag. 

Tandem kayaks are available on request.

Support vehicle for the entire expedition. All our luggage is carried from accommodation to accommodation. You will not need to carry anything in the kayaks except a little money and your camera.

A small dry bag for personal items while needed while on the water.

Transfers to the launch sites.

All meals from dinner on the first day to our farewell dinner on the last night. House wine, beer or bottled water is included. On your tab, you may select fine wines from the wine list.

Bed and breakfast.

Bottled drinking water.

Not included

Personal incidental purchases (souvenirs etc.)

Entrance fees for museums

Tips other than meals and hotels

Travel Insurance

Travel to the pickup sites (flights, trains, etc.)

Traveling to the train station on the first day is not included, but the train is included.

What if I get sick or have an accident?

Kayaking has some inherent risks. Sickness and accidents can spoil an otherwise enjoyable time and wreck a budget. Therefore, you must have a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You should be covered against loss of baggage, illness, accidents, trip cancellation, and the very unlikely necessity of emergency medical evacuation. Please revise the claim process and inform us of the contact information when you sign on to this expedition.

Here is information for the Offical Visit Portugal page: Citizens of other member states who are staying in Portugal Foreign citizens, nationals of countries outside the European Union or with which there are no bilateral agreements, who need to use the care network of the National Health Service in Portugal, should observe the following procedures:

a) Have an identification document (passport or identity card in force in your country of origin);

b) Have a document proving valid health insurance; If the foreign citizen does not present proof of health insurance, he must be informed that he will have to pay in full for the health care provided.

How much money should I bring?

Remember that you must pay the balance of your trip cost in cash. We are usually working in a cash economy where we must pay everything in cash or suffer much more elevated costs. This is the reason we need to be paid in cash. If you absolutely must pay by bank transfer we will provide our bank details and you will have to pay the 23% VAT that will be added to your invoice. 


 In our travel information links, you will find sites for ATM machines that accept VISA and Master Cards. Generally, the ATM machines have a daily limit of 200 Euros. Most international airports have exchange banks. Traveler checks are not a good idea as they must be changed at banks and the process is very time-consuming.

After you pay the fees for the expedition in cash, which includes B&B and all regularly scheduled meals, you will only need money for personal purchases such as gifts and tips. Tips at restaurants are included. If you have enjoyed your tour, the guides would greatly appreciate your tips. When I'm asked about the amount for tipping staff I say 10 to 15% of the tour price and this should be given to Rui and he will divide the total amount between the guides. 

What will the weather be like?

Days in Portugal this time of year are usually sunny and comfortably warm, similar to Atlanta, Georgia. The temperature is 23 C (73 F) during the day and 14 C (57 F) at night. Evenings are cool but not cold. Rain is unpredictable but not common. A fleece sweater is suitable for cooler evenings. However, you should also be prepared for cooler-than-usual weather. Having a windbreaker handy is always a good idea.

Electronics

The electrical current in Portugal is 220 V 50 HZ. Most telephone, camera, and computer chargers are prepared for 100-240V and 50-60HZ. If this is the case for your electronics, then all you need to do is have a European round two-prong plug adapter. If you plan to use your telephone, you will want to ask your provider to set you up for roaming. Be sure to ask about the charges and be aware that voice connection differs from data connection. If you plan to use your smartphone for email you might find the charges are very high. A way to avoid this is to disable your phone date connection and only use Wi-Fi where it is available along our route. Most days, we have Wi-Fi, but not always.



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