- Continents
- Countries
VISA: If your passport is from the USA, Canada, Britain, or Australia, you don’t need a visa. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility. For more info, click here.
CULTURE SHOCK: Portugal is a highly-developed Western nation – one of Europe’s oldest, in fact. Crime rates are low and the nation is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets and petty theft anywhere that’s popular with tourists. It’s best to leave valuables at home or in your hotel room.
LOCAL LGBT SCENE: Portugal offers some of the best LGBT rights in the world, but it’s still a conservative Catholic country, and the Azores have no gay hotspots to call their own. You can expect to be safe from phyiscal harassment, but beware public PDAs could conjure shady looks from the locals.
WEATHER: Portugal is one of Europe’s warmer countries, so the temperatures, crowds, and hotel prices can be tragic come summer. That makes spring or fall (April/May, September/October) a splendid time to visit.
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: The WHO suggests immunization against Hepatitis A and B, rabies, and influenza before visiting Portugal. If visiting the Azores or Madeira Islands from a country infected with Yellow Fever, a vaccination certificate is required. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as we cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: F-type sockets. Visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/portugal for more info.
CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. Feel free to check email and post away on social media.
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-10 per person, per day…they’ll certainly appreciate it!
Out adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
Aside from dinner on Day 2, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included. Beer and wine are included during dinners.
Hotel do Colégio
Rua Carvalho Araújo 39
9500-040 Ponta Delgada
Portugal
Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Rua Padre José Jacinto Botelho 5
+351 296 549 090
or
Hotel do Colégio
Rua Carvalho Araújo 39
9500-040 Ponta Delgada
Portugal
A group transfer will be provided to the airport just in time for international flights departing on the last day of our tour.
The local currency is the European Euro (EUR). Use local currency for small purchases, however credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels.
NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.
If you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation, however we recommend budgeting approximately $150 USD.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Clothing/Gear:
Bottoms:
Tops:
Jackets:
Other:
Health-related Items:
We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging
