Helping You Plan Your Perfect Trip to Portugal
Are you feeling overwhelmed with planning your trip to Portugal? Let me, Julie Dawn Fox, help you navigate the intricacies of travelling in this beautiful country with confidence.
With my extensive knowledge and insider tips, I can help you create an unforgettable journey tailored to your interests and needs. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking to soak in the culture, I’ve got you covered.
Getting nowhere with your Portugal trip planning?
Planning a trip can be daunting, especially when you want to make the most of your time in a new country. If you find yourself stuck or unsure about your itinerary, don’t worry – I’m here to help. By talking to me, you’ll gain clarity and confidence in your travel plans. Together, we’ll turn your ideas into a well-organised adventure.
Book a time using the calendar below (scroll for dates)
“Julie, thank you. My hope in meeting with you was to fill in some of the gaps in our itinerary for our upcoming travels to Portugal. You were extremely helpful in listening to what our plans were and understanding where I was looking for additional input and suggestions. Most importantly, you had really helpful ideas/suggestions about how to tailor the trips to our style of travel. I appreciated your quick and responsive follow-up email outlining the topics we discussed. THANK YOU again.”
Tamara C.
“I’m so glad that I set up a query call with you! I had been trying to figure out our plan for Sintra along with some other areas but had felt overwhelmed with all the options. Speaking with you was so helpful and now I feel like we have a plan. It was so kind of you to send me detailed notes and to connect me with your recommended tour guide. I could tell that you genuinely wanted to help make sure we had a great trip.”
Char Gross
Who is a Quick Query for?
- You’re so overwhelmed with options that you don’t even know where to start.
- You’ve got your Portugal itinerary almost sorted but are having trouble trying to figure out one or two vital pieces of the jigsaw.
- You’re torn between a few possible destinations and need some help deciding what’s best for you.
- You need insider suggestions to help plan something special for you and your companion.
- You’re confused about the best way to get around Portugal.
- You’ve heard great things about (XYZ destination) but aren’t 100% sure it’s worth trying to fit it in.
- You’d like me to sanity check your itinerary and make suggestions for improvement.
“My hour with Julie was not only money well spent, but also a delight. She’s a joy to work with, sharing generously of her expertise and insider knowledge of Portugal. I went into our consultation feeling somewhat overwhelmed–planning a trip can feel like drinking from a firehose, as there’s so much information out there–and came away feeling buoyant. Julie took the stress out of the process, and I’m now in possession of a clear outline for our upcoming adventure, filled with intriguing recommendations for destinations that are keenly attuned to our specific interests and needs. Thank you, Julie!”
Heather Frederick
Why Julie Dawn Fox?
You might be wondering, why choose me? Having lived and travelled extensively in Portugal since 2007, I’ve developed a deep understanding and appreciation for this country.
As an award-winning blogger and contributor to reputable travel guides, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. Many locals even say I know Portugal better than they do! My practical and honest approach ensures that you can rely on my recommendations.
What you get with a Quick Query
During our one to one Quick Query travel consultation, you’ll receive:
- Suggestions for improving your proposed itinerary where relevant
- My help making key decisions
- Personalised advice tailored to your interests and needs
- Insider tips on the best places to visit, eat, and stay
- Practical information on logistics and travel planning
- Recommendations for tour operators, restaurants etc. if relevant
I’ll make notes during our call and send you an email with all the key information, including links and spellings, so you can easily follow up on our discussion.
Plus this handy bonus:
- Portugal: Know Before You Go. Practical Insider Travel Guide PDF (usually €9)
“Julie Fox provided useful and perfectly tailored information we needed to ensure an excellent travel experience in Portugal. She listened carefully to learn about our tastes and preferences, and helped us choose destinations and time frames for our visits throughout Northern Portugal. She provides an outstanding service which I highly recommend.”
Larry Lev and Anne Shriver
Use the calendar below to book your slot (scroll to see dates)
How does a Quick Query work?
Quick Query Zoom consultations
These are usually 60-minute voice or video calls via Zoom, during which we talk through your ideas, plans and questions. I’ll make notes in an open email during our call with links, spellings and other key information then send it to you so that you can take any follow up action.
Booking a Quick Query is simple. Here’s how it works:
1. Book your travel consultation online (see the calendar below).
2. Send me your questions beforehand via the booking form or email (optional).
3. Join the Zoom call at the scheduled time.
4. Discuss your ideas, plans, and questions with me.
5. Receive an email summary with all the key details discussed.
I’ve found this to be the most efficient way to address as many of your queries as possible.
Cost: €125 for up to 1 hour (VAT included)
“Using our email with a brief description of us (our capabilities) and our ideas about where to vacation in Portugal, Julie was quickly able to redirect us, helping us eliminate one region and offering two others that met our criteria better than those we had chosen. During the call, we were able to narrow down to one area; Julie then helped us review possible walks and points of interest and provided us with links for car rental, vacation home rental, and further information about walks. The one hour with Julie saved us dozens of hours trying to explore on our own and helped us find a destination we would likely have missed if planning on our own.”
Donald M.
“My husband and I were both on this call and we agreed it was very helpful. We asked a lot of questions which got answered and will now enable us to plan our trip using the information we received. There are a lot of websites out there but speaking directly with an expert who understands what you are looking for in your trip, how you like to travel, what is important to you etc. is invaluable both in what one learns and how much time one saves. Julie was very knowledgable and patient with us and her love of Portugal and traveling there is evident.
J.M.
Highly recommended.”
FAQs
What if I haven’t got Zoom?
No Zoom? No problem! You can easily download Zoom software in advance before our meeting. Alternatively, the download will start automatically when you join the meeting if you haven’t installed it yet but please allow a few minutes to get set up.
If you prefer, you can dial in by phone – your confirmation email will have both the Zoom link and instructions for phone connection.
What if I need more than 60 minutes of your time?
Sometimes, you may need more than an hour to cover all your questions and plans. If it becomes clear during our discussion that you need additional help, we can decide on the best way to proceed.
If you need me to work with you to build your Portugal itinerary from scratch, and have my partner travel agency manage the bookings for you, my itinerary design service might suit you better.
“My husband and I and another couple met with Julie for a Quick Query Consultation. This session was well worth the time and money for us. Julie gave us her advice about an itinerary we had drafted ahead of the call, gave us “must see” places, the best neighborhoods in which to stay, references for tours and the best way to travel from city to city. We now feel more confident to book our lodging and tours. Julie is well organized, knows the ins and outs of Portugal and we highly recommend her to others.”
Cheryl Shapero
What do people ask during a Quick Query?
All sorts, but these are typical questions:
- I’ve got a week in Portugal, flying into Lisbon and out of Porto. Can I fit in a trip to the Algarve beaches? I’ve heard they’re stunning and would like to have a day on the beach.
- We’re planning a scouting trip to Portugal – have we picked the right towns and cities to explore?
- Can you recommend a special restaurant in Porto for our last evening? We’d like somewhere that serves traditional Portuguese food in an elegant, romantic setting.
- I’m looking for a small, interesting town to use as a base for a few days while we explore Central Portugal. Can you suggest a suitable place to stay?
- I’ve found a hotel that sounds perfect but I’m not sure about the location – is it too far away from the main sights if we want to walk to them?
- Can you recommend a reliable tour operator/guide who can show us the best bits of the Douro Valley including a boat trip and wine tasting?
- I’d like to visit some of the smaller, non-touristy villages like (insert name of village/town) – should I hire a car or can I manage by public transport? I’d rather not drive if I can avoid it.
Still not sure if a Quick Query is what you need?
Email me ([email protected]) and I’ll consider how best I can help you.
If you’re still on the fence about booking a Quick Query, think about the value of having a local expert guide you through your travel plans. With my help, you’ll save time, avoid common mistakes, and discover the hidden treasures of Portugal. Let’s make your trip an unforgettable experience!
