About Us
A Legacy of Connections
At Culture Discovery Destinations, we’re redefining what it means to experience the world. Whether working directly with organizations and private groups, or supporting fellow travel professionals, we see beyond destinations to relationships. While others offer services, we cultivate connections that last a lifetime. Our approach serves both guests and travel industry partners who share our vision of meaningful, transformative travel.
Our Story
Born as two companies destined to unite – Culture Discovery Vacations founded in 2006, and Wild Douro established in 2018 – each built on a passion for creating deeply personal travel experiences that went far beyond the ordinary. Both companies became known for sharing rich cultural tapestries through meaningful connections. Our 2024 union wasn’t just a merger of companies – it was a joining of kindred spirits who shared the same vision: travel as a means of creating lasting bonds between people and cultures.
The Culture Discovery Family
What truly sets us apart isn’t just our presence across Portugal, Italy, Spain, Croatia, and beyond – it’s how we’re present. In each location, you’ll find our own team, deeply rooted in their communities yet intimately connected with their counterparts across the globe. This isn’t a network of separate offices; it’s a global family where every member knows and cherishes what makes each destination special.
Our Approach
We craft experiences that breathe life into travel, transforming traditional programs into powerful journeys of connection. Whether designing programs for organizations, partnering with travel agencies, or creating intimate family adventures, we go beyond expected destinations to create moments of genuine connection and lasting impact.
This isn’t about standard destination management or typical group coordination. It’s about leveraging our deep-rooted relationships to create programs that resonate deeply with every traveler. Your group might find themselves in deep conversation with a master artisan in their centuries-old workshop, sharing authentic meals with local producers who become lasting friends, or discovering hidden coves aboard our private yachts while forging meaningful relationships.
For organizations, this means delivering experiences with meaningful impact and lasting business value. For travel agencies and tour operators, it means having a trusted partner who shares your commitment to exceptional client experiences. For families and private groups, it means creating personal connections that endure long after the journey ends. You’re not just booking a destination – you’re becoming part of a continuing story that transforms both leisure and business travel into something extraordinary.
This commitment to authentic, relationship-driven experiences weaves through everything we do. Whether you’re a corporation planning an incentive trip, a travel agency looking to deliver exceptional experiences to your clients, or a family seeking a private journey, our approach ensures every program we create carries the same dedication to meaningful connections and cultural authenticity.
Beyond Traditional Travel
- Each journey is born from genuine relationships with local communities
- Our teams across countries share deep personal bonds, ensuring seamless, heartfelt experiences
- Every experience is designed to create meaningful connections that last long after the journey ends
- Sustainability isn't just a policy—it's woven into our DNA through our commitment to local communities and cultures
Our Growing World
As we expand into South America, Iceland, Greece, and beyond, we carry forward our founding spirit. Each new destination joins our family through careful cultivation of relationships and deep understanding of local cultures.
Services That Connect
- Corporate & MICE Programs: Transformative meetings, conferences, and events that blend business objectives with cultural immersion - whether working directly with corporations or supporting travel agencies' corporate clients
- Incentive Journeys: Creating extraordinary reward programs that inspire, designed for corporate clients and available to travel agencies developing programs for their incentive groups
- Immersive Cultural Programs: Immersive experiences that bring travelers into the heart of local life - crafted for direct clients, tour operators, and travel agencies
- Private Yacht Journeys: Exclusive coastal explorations for executive retreats, group celebrations, or as a premium offering for travel agency clients
- Bespoke Adventures: Fully customizable programs for both direct clients and travel professionals seeking unique experiences for their customers
- Professional Event Design: End-to-end management of powerful moments, from gala dinners to product launches, supporting both corporate clients and travel industry partners
- Destination Services: Comprehensive support for tour operators and travel agencies looking to deliver authentic, relationship-driven experiences to their clients
Why Choose Us?
We’re not just another DMC. We’re a family of passionate individuals who believe that true travel is about the people you meet, the stories you share, and the bonds you forge. This philosophy guides us whether we’re working directly with corporate and private guests, or supporting travel agencies and tour operators in delivering exceptional experiences to their customers. Our teams across the globe don’t just work together—they’re friends who share a vision of travel that transforms lives.
Meet the Team
Nádia Tavares
Product Manager
Marta Marques
Owner & CEO
Inês Pinho
Systtems, IT & Strategic Guidance
Renata Figueiredo
Data Analyst
Whatour friends say about us
