‘Delightful’ guide in Iberia

The 15-day “Paradores and Pousadas” tour with Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA; 888/370-6765), Oct. 18-Nov. 1, 2010, cost $4,095, including airfare from Miami, 10 dinners and two lunches, plus I paid a single supplement of $1,295.

In Portugal we visited Lisbon and stayed in Évora at Pousada dos Lóios, a converted 15th-century convent with decorative arches, a marble staircase, frescoed walls and ceilings and a cloistered garden.

Among stops in Spain were Mérida, Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Toledo and Madrid. We spent three nights at Parador de Carmona, a converted 14th-century Moorish castle. We stayed two nights at Parador Ronda (a tour highlight), originally the medieval town hall and on a cliff overlooking a dramatic gorge, and one night at Parador de Úbeda, a 16th-century Renaissance palace with a lovely inner courtyard.

I had taken Odysseys Unlimited tours twice before and always gotten my money’s worth.

Our tour leader, Judite (Judy) Ferreira, was fantastic. She is highly efficient and very knowledgeable, with a great personality — a sheer delight.

Throughout the tour, she would come up with little surprises, like having us try the pasties nata (cream tarts) at the oldest bakeshop in Lisbon, then giving us the recipe, and giving us a lesson on sherry after buying four different bottles at her own expense. During our free time, she offered to take us on free walking tours.

Upon my asking, she informed me she freelances as a guide.

PHIL SHART
Tamarac, FL

Judite Ferreira (Rua Joao Abel Manta #10-5 Fte, 2670-528 Loures, Portugal; phone [mobile] +351 91 407 94 88 or [home] +351 21 242 63 40 or e-mail juditef@sapo.pt), a licensed national guide, offers tours at varying rates. For one to 20 people, the group pays a total of €95 (near $136) for a half day (four hours) or €158 ($226) for a whole day. For 21-30 people, it’s €110 or €175, respectively, and so on.