Miriam Garcia

Davis, CA

Portugal Travel Agent Professional

While plenty of people consider vacations to nearby Spain or England, they overlook Portugal, which is really a shame. That is why I love to redirect people’s thoughts sometimes when it comes to vacation planning. Portugal is one place you don’t want to leave off of your life’s travel itinerary.Visiting Portugal is a journey into a land rich in culture and history. More than 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) of attractive Atlantic Ocean shoreline adorn the nation. The city of Lisbon is located at the mouth of the Tagus River, making it one of the most beautiful places in the world. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese explorers embarked on epic journeys of discovery, and the country's maritime history has flourished ever since. The core of Portugal is a mix of impressive mountain ranges in the north and huge, sun-drenched plains in the center. Stunning coves and shallow seas line some of Europe's top beaches in the south. Stone-built villages, charming towns, and cosmopolitan cities are scattered across the region, where ancient palaces and castles, museums, and monasteries are ready to welcome visitors. While in Portugal, you also want to visit Madeira, known as the Garden Isle and the Azores archipelago, known forits subtropical and lush green landscape. As your travel advisor to Portugal, I also want to call your attention to a place, such as Sintra, a charming town that sits inside the hills of Serra de Sintra. The magical town conveys its charms with pine-covered hills and fairy-tale palaces, glorious villas and the remains of a Moorish castle. Sintra's idyllic setting, atop a wooded mountain range is enough of a reason to pay a visit to this quaint town and its settings. For this reason, central Sintra has been designated a World Heritage cultural landscape by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).Romantic Sintra has long been a favored summer vacation spot for the Portuguese royal family anx a popular getaway for poets and authors, including William Beckford and Lord Byron. Many of the homes in the old town are painted in the quaint and welcoming pastels of mustard, pink, and lilac.The National Palace of Sintra dominates the plaza. WIth its distinctive conical chimneys, the elegant building leaves an impression you soon won’t forget. Spanning several stories, the palace contains distinctive and memorable decors. One of the must-see areas of the palace is Sala dos Brasoes, a domed hall adorned with 72 coats of arms of Portuguese families.Are you ready to plan a trip to Portugal? If so, let me be your travel agent advisor. I have the knowledge and insight needed to make your travel planning seamless, streamlined, fun, and easy. Let’s talk about your vacation today. Give me a call at your earliest opportunity.

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Italy Destination Travel Agent Expert

As a travel agent specialist for Italy, I like to plan trips that cover specific areas of Italy for a certain length of time. Italy has a lot of sites and attractions, so it is best to plan a holiday that covers a section of the country or focuses on a city, such as Rome, Florence, Naples, or Venice. For example, let’s first look at northern Italy. If you have time, stop into the Pinoteca di Brera in Milan to see the works of art there. Go for a leisurely boat ride on Lake Como and walk through the surrounding area. Take in the beautiful architecture of Vicenza while you're there as well. You might also want to add Padua's renowned frescoes to your exploration of art.Discover Venice's Grand Canal aboard a vaporetto, or take in the views from the Duomo, the city's cathedral. Trek around the Cinque Terre coastline's dizzying walkways and slopes and schedule a visit to Lucca, Pisa, and Siena - three of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany. If your plans lead to southern Italy, you will want to visit Rome’s museums or visit Naples' Museo Archeologico and enjoy the city's best pizza while you're there. Take a boat to the island of Capri and marvel at the breathtaking views of the villages along the Amalfi Coast.Relax on the beach at Ravello and take in the sea air at Pompeii. Visit Palermo's glistening Palazzo dei Normanni, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, and the spectacular Baroque village of Noto on a late-night boat from Palermo in Sicily. One of the most famous Roman ruins is the Colosseum - formerly the location of lethal gladiatorial conflicts. Access to the Forum and Palatine Museum is included in the price of admission. While in Rome, you also want to see the fascinating museums devoted to the Etruscans. The Necropolis Etrusca in Orvieto and the Eugubine Tablets in medieval Gubbio are two must-sees on any trip to the Etruscan ruins of Tuscany. Take a day to visit the Museo Guarnacci in Volterra to see the remarkable collection of Etruscan burial urns. You might also plan a culinary adventure through central Italy. Parma is a great place to indulge in good cheeses and hams, while Modena is an excellent venue to try balsamic vinegar, parmigiano reggiano cheese, and prosciutto ham - all three popular heritage foods and staples.A visit to Pisa and Siena will allow you to sample the local delicacy, bistecca alla fiorentina, as well as panforte. Or take a trip to Perugia and stock up on some of the city's world-famous Baci chocolates. Visit Norcia for truffles and sample the meat from the region's black pigs. Spend a day in Orvieto and enjoy delicious salami and Orvieto Classico wine.Whether you visit Italy for its culture, history, or cuisine, the country always delights. Allow me to introduce you to some of the country’s highlights. Give me a call or email about your travel plans today. I look forward to being your travel agent and advisor for all things Italy!

My Reviews

28 of 49 people found this review helpful

Outstanding

Our trip organized by Miriam was OUTSTANDING. Huge kudos to her for her knowledge of the areas we wanted to visit, her attention to detail, and ability to stay within our budget for an incredibly memorable trip!

By Susan Wood from Florida
Traveled to Croatia ~ Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends