Cristina Duarte 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 the city of Lisbon is a significant cultural symbol, and insights about Rick Steves please read my recent interview with her (7/19/21).
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?
I was born in Lisbon and I attended public schools like the vast majority of people in Portugal. I have always loved art and history and being around people. When I was in high school I had an amazing history teacher that provided a vocational test for all the class. Back in those days vocational tests weren’t very common. According to that test, my vocation was to be a teacher, social worker, or tour guide. After finishing my secondary studies I was considering my options in terms of higher education and a degree in tourism, including foreign languages and Portuguese history, culture and gastronomy, became a natural choice. Upon finishing my degree I decided to take my chance as a freelance tour guide and I worked for all the major Portuguese tour operators, guiding foreign tourists in Portugal and Portuguese tourists abroad, specially in Italy. That allowed me to travel a lot, learn about European history and culture, and meet new and different people along the way. In the meanwhile I started my own company, targeting small groups and customized tours. I loved the experience so much that, after 30 years, here I am still a tour guide and enjoying it.
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?
In 30 years of work I have never experienced such a complete halt in the tourism industry. In the past there have been difficult moments that affected global tourism and consequently Portugal, such as the first Gulf war in the 90’s, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in United States or the more recent ones in Europe. However, the will of travel always prevailed and confidence was restored shortly after. The present situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted travel and tourism for the last 18 months and Portugal has been deeply affected. Several tour guides have had to find other jobs and many tour companies closed or suspended their activity. However, with the vaccinations in progress, things are slowly getting back to normal (at least to some degree) and although things aren’t exactly the same as in 2019 (mandatory use of face masks in some situations, vaccination certificates to enter the country, to mention a few), attractions, hotels and restaurants are open and welcoming tourists. Portugal and Lisbon are as beautiful and interesting as ever.
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?
While, as you say, it is difficult to pick a single thing, the city of Lisbon, as a whole, with its different neighborhoods, each one related to a different period of Portuguese history, would be my choice. Due to its geographical location by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal was historically the end of the line for the expansion of many civilizations and cultures coming from the Mediterranean Sea (such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Jews, and Muslims) or central Europeans (Swabians, Visigoths). At the same time later (15th century) Lisbon became a privileged departure point from Europe to other continents, making it the more cosmopolitan European city of the time.
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?
I started to work with Rick Steves in his Europe tours, as a Lisbon local guide, back in 2003. I met him for the first time in the following year when he came to Lisbon to update his travel guide book of Portugal. Back then I didn’t know much about him and his project and it was during our first contact that I realized how much of a public figure he was. We were walking the streets of Lisbon and people, mostly north American tourists, were asking to take photos with him and get his autograph. I can say that, over the years, the more I knew him, the more I was fascinated by his personality and genuine interest for people. But it was his mind opening philosophy of using travel to make us better human beings that engaged me right away. In 2010 Rick Steves decided to organize a 12 day tour devoted only to Portugal and I was invited to work with him as a tour leader/guide. Since then I have lead numerous Rick Steves’ tours, not only in Portugal but also throughout Europe.
Q) Is there anything about Rick Steves that might surprise people?
Although it might not be a surprise to some people, his philanthropic side and sponsorship of numerous social causes and projects is definitely an amazing facet of Rick Steves’ character.
Q) Any future travel trends that you think are coming or any final comments about the state of travel in Portugal?
Traveling and tourism will take a while to return to their previous status and figures. Vaccination requirements and some sanitary measures are probably here to stay for several years. Despite this,it is anticipated that in 2022 it will be possible to have a pleasant tourist experience in Portugal, very close to normal if things evolve as expected with high rates of vaccination among locals and visitors.
To see Portugal through a local lens and gain fresh perspectives please contact Cristina on your next Portuguese adventure.
Cristina Duarte
