ALENTEJO

Art, wine and life with altitude at the perfect Alentejan spot.

Schist, colorful slopes, quaint villages, and a mixture of Alentejan sun and warmth with Atlantic character welcome you at Quinta do Quetzal, a fascinating project by the de Bruin family, where sophisticated winemaking and art create a superb pairing.

The winery produces a limited amount of quality wines, using exclusively the grapes grown and ripened at the estate, which are a testament to its soul. You can taste and of course purchase a selection of their best bottles, from the award-winning Quetzal Reserva Tinto to the sparkly Quetzal Brut, perfect for any celebration.

During your visit, be sure not to miss Quetzal’s art space. Its 450 square meters host a contemporary art program that attracts both the connoisseurs and the curious, bringing exciting creativity and displays outside the usual spaces –mostly located in cities– and filling this Alentejan landscape with color and originality.

As art collectors and culture patrons for many decades, the de Bruins carefully pick and arrange this special blend to make the visitors’ experience truly unique.

Enjoy a private guided tour through the winery and vineyards, topped with a tasting and paired with regional snacks at the estate’s restaurant, as well as a visit to the art center. The best of Alentejo is within your reach.

Where?
Vidigueira, at the heart of Alentejo. 2h15 from central Lisbon (117 miles).

When?
The estate welcomes you throughout the year. However, to see the vineyards at their most delightful, we recommend visiting during the Spring or as from September.

Why?
If you’re staying in Lisbon or around Alentejo (such as the lovely Évora), this award-winning art, wine, and gastronomic experience surrounded by beautiful landscapes should be on top of your list.

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Hola! Welcome to THE REAL THING
The Really Top DMC in Spain & Portugal

We plan the trips that dreams are made of: trips tailored to your tastes and interests, with sophisticated proposals and all-around excellence. We help you discover the soul of vibrant cities and picturesque villages, the best coastal enclaves, the true countryside, and the natural beauty of rivers and mountains in their purest state.

You will enjoy food and wine like never before and soak up history and art at every turn; you will take part in our traditions and immerse yourself in our culture. Always in superb spaces, in great company, with an emphasis on quality, exclusivity and good taste. We know how to have fun and make your trip an enriching experience, helping you to tap into the real essence of each place.

We craft the best trips: ones that suit your needs, your taste, your rhythm. We take you to remarkable places and offer you a hand-picked selection of experiences that help you feel connected with the local spirit, with the people, with their art and their cuisine, with the land.

What we do

We make sure you enjoy every moment of your trip, arranging one unforgettable experience after another

We take care of absolutely everything so you don’t have to worry about absolutely anything. Our job is to ensure that your travels in Spain and Portugal are a pleasurable experience. We work for people with high standards (we have them, too), both on an individual and corporate level. We are flexible, but we like to have everything under control. And we aim to exceed expectations, including those of children: we love kids and know how important they are.

We put together packages based on what you want to experience. We are very well-versed in the cultural and dining scenes, and we have a long list of exceptional locations and contacts at our disposal. We open the doors of a convent full of precious art work just for you, we invite you to discover an enchanting Andalusian city guided by a viceroy, we take you to harvest oysters in the sea and cook with a chef, we send you sailing through Lisbon at dusk while listening to fados live… The accommodations, means of transport and restaurants, like everything else, will always be superb and fit with your style and preferences.

We highlight the local historic, artistic, natural and traditional heritage with a contemporary approach. We stand for a high-quality, inclusive, sustainable and respectful form of tourism. We want you to feel like a local, but not just any local: we provide you with the best of the best because there are so many wonders to see and no time to waste.

Monuments, museums, urban vibes, shopping, heritage, traditions, festivals, local cuisine, wine, crafts, relaxation, slow life, wellness, sports, adventure, nature, sea, music, fun, the good life…

Letting go is easy when everything feels so good. THE REAL THING always makes your wishes come true.

Who we are

We are your hip insiders, the guardian angels of your travels

Gloria Pou and Marta Muñoz — Glòria Pou and Marta Muñoz Recarte

We are a small but strong team led by Marta Muñoz Recarte and Glòria Pou. Both of us had long-standing careers in the art world until 2013, when our passion for travel led us to create THE REAL THING.

We are based in Madrid and Barcelona, where we design and oversee your journeys. We have a close-knit network of choice collaborators that make us the really top DMC we are. They include hoteliers with class, tour guides with cachet and chauffeurs with an eye; people who hold the keys to historic and unique buildings, art curators, cultural ambassadors and personal shoppers; contacts at the trendiest restaurants and bars of our cities, musicians, DJs, flamenco dancers, chefs, sommeliers, bartenders… Farmers and winegrowers, ceramicists, cheesemakers, sports instructors, massage therapists, fishermen, percebeiras (goose barnacle hunters), sailboat captains, jugglers, magicians… Want to meet them?

During your travels will we be available to assist you 24/7 and help you with whatever you need.

We like to keep up with the latest developments and traverse villages and cities in search of the best locations, hotels, businesses and restaurants.

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

Fundação Serralves

Palacio de Figueras

ALENTEJO