Birdie Chavarria's Portugal Journey: From the Azores to Lisbon

I've always believed that unless I experience a destination myself, I can't truly sell it. That philosophy drove me to take my family on our first European adventure together, hopping around Portugal from the Azores to Porto to Lisbon. I needed to feel what it was like to navigate a new country with my own kids in tow, to figure things out firsthand so I could guide other families from a place of genuine experience rather than secondhand research.

We started our adventure in São Miguel in the Azores, and I'm so glad we did. Getting a taste of three different spots gave us wonderful variety, which is something I now know keeps everyone in the family engaged. The Azores offered something I hadn't fully anticipated: the chance to go whale watching. There's so much beauty in the wildlife there, and watching my family take in that experience reminded me why I do this work. It wasn't just about checking off an activity. It was about witnessing something magnificent together.

Workshops, Street Art, and Local Warmth

Porto surprised me with its creative energy. We took part in workshops there, spending time at an art shop where we got to know some of the locals. Those personal connections transformed our trip from a standard vacation into something I still think about years later. There's a difference between visiting a place and actually being welcomed into its rhythm, and Porto gave us that gift.

In Lisbon, we hopped on a tuk tuk ride with a local driver who was kind enough to show us all the beautiful street art throughout the city. That tour became one of my favorite memories, not because of any famous landmark, but because of how our guide brought the city to life through stories painted on walls. My takeaway from the entire trip was just how beautiful the country is and how kind the people were everywhere we went.

What This Trip Taught Me About Planning for Families

Once I was able to experience Portugal myself, I felt so much more comfortable telling people about it. I could say with confidence, "You've gotta go here. You've gotta go there." I knew which excursions were worth the time and which ones might fall flat for families with kids. That knowledge isn't something you can get from a brochure or a supplier webinar. You earn it by being there, by figuring out the logistics with your own family, by feeling the fatigue and the wonder in equal measure.

This trip was a big first for our family, and it became the foundation for how I help other families plan their European adventures. I put myself in my clients' shoes before I ever met most of them, navigating unfamiliar streets and mealtimes and moments of uncertainty so they wouldn't have to figure it all out alone.

Who Portugal Is Perfect For

Portugal is ideal for families who want genuine experiences, not just tourist checkboxes. If you're the kind of traveler who lights up at the thought of meeting locals, discovering street art on a spontaneous tuk tuk tour, or standing on a boat watching wildlife emerge from the Atlantic, this country will move you. It's perfect for multigenerational groups who appreciate variety, because the Azores, Porto, and Lisbon each offer something completely different while remaining easy to connect.

I can't wait to send families here. Now when clients ask me about Portugal, I don't just describe it. I share it. I tell them about the warmth of the people, the way the light hits Lisbon's hills, the quiet awe of whale watching in the Azores. That's the difference between reading about a place and knowing it in your bones, and it's exactly what I bring to every trip I plan.