Let's Answer Your Questions
1. Traveling with Wild Douro
Why choose Wild Douro?
We are a Portuguese travel agency, specialized in tailor-made trips.
At Wild Douro, we all like to travel, to tour Portugal in our own way, and we believe that is the only way to travel, each one in his own way. For this reason, we always adapt the tour to the preferences of those who choose us. We respect the tastes, preferences and constraints of each traveler.
We work to exceed expectations. We build programs based on our deep knowledge of the territory and its traditions. Our differentiation is also in the welcome. For us, it is very important to get to know our clients personally, and they become our friends.
We want to create a personal relationship with each client and we are guided by values such as Reliability, Empathy, Dedication, Positive Communication, Consistency, and Gratitude. In our business, we adopt sustainable action strategies and are guided by industry best practices.
How do I know if it is safe to travel with Wild Douro?
Wild Douro is managed by an experienced team that abides by strict professional and ethical values and is supported by the best local partners in the destinations.
We are an agency with headquarters in Vila Real and office in Oporto. We will be happy to welcome you and invite you for a coffee or a Tonic Port.
Your safety is vital to us. Generally speaking, Portugal is an extremely safe country. However, if there is any doubt about a possible security risk due to weather, infrastructure or other factors, we will always inform you and suggest/ask you to choose a safer alternative.
Your safety is also guaranteed by the financial solidity of our company. We have no debts to the State, banks or suppliers. We always pay our partners before our clients travel, and we have, therefore, an unblemished reputation, essential to ensure that you will always receive the best service when you travel with us.
Wild Douro's liability as an agency that organizes the trips included in its programs is guaranteed by a liability insurance policy with the Tranquilidade insurance company, in the amount of 75,000 Euros and by the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund under the terms of the legislation in force.
Does Wild Douro organize environmentally and socially sustainable trips?
Wild Douro always includes in its programs the most autochthonous and genuine things we have, including activities with local people, in urban or rural environments, thus promoting its continuity and sustainability. We prefer local partners who respect and benefit the local communities through educational, environmental and cultural initiatives. In some cases, the amount travelers pay for a particular service or experience contributes directly to these initiatives. We are also constantly concerned with minimizing our environmental footprint in all our activities.
I am undecided about which trip to book. How can I make the right decision?
To get our personalized, fast and effective advice, call us (+351 223 177 627) or write to us (hello@wild-douro.pt).
I like one of Wild Douro's programs, but I would like to modify some things. Is it possible?
We are completely available to adapt our suggestions to your tastes, time, and budget, ensuring your full satisfaction.
You may want to shorten or lengthen a stay, cut out activities or visits you are not interested in, add others that are not included, request specific hotels... in short, tailor it to your needs.
What I would like to do is not in Wild Douro's offerings, can I help build my program?
Of course we do! We are adding new suggestions to the website and many of them come from our customers' suggestions.
The proposal of a program is made after our exhaustive analysis of the destination and always counting on reliable local partners. Even if you don't find your destination in our proposals, you can, of course, count on us. We have the experience, know-how, and on-the-ground knowledge necessary to prepare your trip comfortably and safely. And nothing gives us more pleasure than to explore, to discover... Well, in fact, we also love to enjoy the places we discover!
What kind of lodging will I stay at if I travel with Wild Douro?
Whatever you want, as long as you take into account that, for your comfort and safety, we only work with hotels equivalent to 3* or higher. If your itinerary includes camping, we will detail the conditions.
We often recommend boutique accommodations, with fewer rooms, but with more authenticity and refinement. We suggest, whenever possible, environmentally sustainable accommodations that respect and benefit the local communities.
Why don't Wild Douro's programs always make specific reference to the hotels that will be used?
As all Wild Douro trips are custom-tailored, travelers' preferences and the availability of the chosen hotels are always evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Will I have someone waiting for me and accompany me to my destination?
Yes, if that is your wish and option, Wild Douro guarantees a permanent accompaniment service, from the elaboration of the proposal until the end of the trip. If you wish to travel alone, all documentation will be sent to you in due time.
Do the guides that will accompany me speak my language?
The guides will always speak a language that you understand, whenever possible.
If a problem occurs during your Wild Douro trip, who do I contact?
In the travel documentation that will be given to you prior to departure you will find Wild Douro's emergency phone numbers, which you may use at any time. If you are accompanied by a tour guide or driver upon departure, all questions will be solved on the spot.
2. Registration, documentation and payment
What payment methods are at my disposal?
Payment of your reservation can be made by bank transfer or credit card. The second option will have an additional cost of approximately 3%.
When will I receive my travel documentation and what does it include?
Normally, the week before your departure we will send you the necessary documentation consisting of program, vouchers, and contacts.
How long will I have to pay for my trip?
A deposit of at least 30% must be paid with the reservation. In the week before your departure the trip must be paid in full.
Does the fact that my trip is tailor-made mean that it will be more expensive than a package trip?
Not necessarily. It will depend a lot on your choices of destinations, accommodations, transportation, visits and activities. That's why each trip is unique and we have never sold two the same ones. There have even been cases where our tailor-made trips have been cheaper than package tours to the same destinations.
Wild Douro excels in service - that is, if you are looking for convenience, knowledge and safety, you want the peace of mind of having everything taken care of, with 24-hour assistance, with local partners who are tested and beyond reproach - we are your best allies in the field.
We are not a cheap/low-cost travel agency. We are a travel agency that gives value to its customers, delivering quality service and helping them achieve their dream trip.
If you wish to benefit from Wild Douro's know-how but have some budget constraints, we can suggest a tailor-made itinerary and hotel plan and prepare a very complete booklet for you, with detailed tips on restaurants and activities, for a fair price. Contact us!
If after booking the trip and paying the deposit, I decide to cancel the trip, what implications are there?
Possibly, the deposit will not be returned; however, we can always evaluate the reason for cancellation and the distance to the reservation date.
How far in advance must I place an order with Wild Douro?
It is always convenient to plan your trips well in advance to avoid disappointment due to lack of availability of flights or hotels and to be able to find the cheapest flights. We recommend that you do this at least three to four months before your departure date, especially if you want to travel in August, New Year's Eve or during the peak season of the country you want to travel to.
My family and/or friends cannot accompany me on this trip. Can I travel alone?
Of course we will. We will make a program completely tailored to your needs!
3. Legal documentation for travel
What documentation do I need to travel in Portugal?
In Portugal you will need your passport or identity card/citizen's card, according to your nationality. If you need to rent a car, a driver's license is required, as well as a credit card. The credit card will also be requested at the hotels where you will be staying, to guarantee extra expenses
I am traveling with minors. What additional documentation is required?
When minors travel accompanied by their parents, it is always necessary for them to carry the minors' identity cards/citizen cards/passports in order to prove parentage.
Whenever minors are not traveling accompanied by those who exercise parental authority, it is mandatory to show an authorization to that effect. This authorization must be written, dated and bear the legally certified signature of the person exercising parental authority, also granting powers of accompaniment by a duly identified third party.
I plan to drive during the trip. Is my driver's license sufficient? Do I need driving experience?
A driver's license is sufficient, but you will also be asked for a guarantee credit card, even if the rental has already been paid.
4. Health and Safety
If I get sick during my trip, what should I do?
If you are from a member country of the European Union, you should go to a hospital, present your European Health Insurance Card and you will only pay the relevant fee (a token administrative charge).
If you are from outside the EU, you should present your insurance. If it is not serious, in the first place, we suggest you call your insurance company to communicate the situation and they will decide and inform you where to go.
If your insurance is public, you should pay for the services and then present the bill to the insurance institution. If your insurance is private, the insurance company must send you the agreement that it has with the hospital/clinic in question.
I am pregnant, can I travel by air?
Depending on the length of pregnancy and the type of pregnancy, it is possible to travel by air. Check with your airline for applicable rules.
