Claudia da Costa is a local Portuguese guide who has worked with Rick Steves for many years. For her current perspective on the status of tourism there, why Jeronimos monastery in Lisbon is a significant cultural symbol, and insights about Rick Steves please read my recent interview with her (7/8/21).
For the latest Portugal travel rules and restrictions please visit the US Embassy Portugal Website.
Q) Can you please briefly tell us about you and what made you want to become a tour guide?
My name is Claudia and I was born and live in Lisbon, a city I love. I decided to study languages at the university but then I met my French teacher Pascal and he explained to me what a professional guide is and he said I had the profile to become one. In the beginning I was really reluctant but then I did the exam and here I am!
Q) Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the tourism industry. Can you please give us the present day, on the ground overview of the situation in Portugal?
Covid-19 has been devastating for tourism in Portugal, that is the same to say, been devastating to the Portuguese economy because Portugal has tourism as one of its main activities. For us, guides, it has been really bad because we have no income at all. The government gives/ gave some help but it doesn’t reach all of us and it is not enough to pay the bills. All services connected to tourism are trying hard to keep their doors open but, unfortunately, some just closed their doors. In these last few months, I worked in so many different things! I hope those who survived Covid-19, will be stronger in the future.
Q) Portugal has such a rich and fascinating culture and history. I know it is extremely difficult to pick a single thing, but can you point to a piece of architecture or art that best tells its story?
As you said, Portugal has a very rich history with precious monuments and it is difficult to choose just one, nevertheless, I choose the Jerónimos monastery in Lisbon. It is because of its connection with the Portuguese Golden Age of the discoveries, to the trip of Vasco da Gama to India, and represents an architectural style named “manuelino” ( Manuel was the name of the king) which tell us the story of this era.
(this is the burial site of Vasco da Gama and poet Luis de Camoes)
Q) Rick Steves is a true legend and so genuine and great in all he does. How did your paths cross and how did you end up working with him?
In fact, Rick Steves is a very known person and I am very glad to have known him for almost 20 years! I met him just by chance. I belonged to a guides’ association and Rick contacted them looking for a local guide in Lisbon and I was the lucky one! Since then I have been working with him, as a local guide and as a guide for his tours in Portugal, the 12 days in Portugal tour. I also did one video promoting Portugal that, from time to time, is on the public TV in the USA.
Q) Is there anything about Rick Steves that might surprise people?
I don’t think I have very relevant information about Rick Steves! He is a quite transparent person, he has a good heart, does lots of social work and gives money to charity. He was, maybe still is (!) a piano teacher and when we go to his house for a party, once a year, he plays the piano for us. It is really fun.
Q) Any future travel trends that you think are coming or any final comments about the state of travel in Portugal?
In my humble opinion, I think tourism is going to change, for sure. Covid served to “open eyes” regarding massive tourism. Travelers will choose to travel to hidden destinations, looking for peace, nature, hikes. This is one of the things I did in the last months, hiking/ trekking in the mountains, and is possible to travel around the world walking and enjoying beautiful “monuments” like mountains, landscapes… and good food! And sometimes in a very economic way! Of course, cities like Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, Madrid etc, will have tourists but travelers will search for different ways of traveling connected with nature. What I always recommend is, if you want a guide choose an official guide, not just someone who speaks the language and knows “ a little bit of this and a little bit of that”… When you travel, take time talking with locals, eat in places where they usually eat. Knowing a place is learning about its culture but also to experience its traditions and flavors.
Stay healthy and keep on traveling!
To see Portugal through a local lens and gain fresh perspectives please contact Claudia on your next Portuguese adventure.
Claudia da Costa
Phone: +351965560216
