Rita Pagano
"Travel as much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can. Life is not meant to be lived in one place", this is my motto.
I come from Italy, more specifically from Naples (yes, the city where the pizza was born)!
Traveling has always been my passion, indeed since I was a child I traveled all around Europe and to several destinations in Australia.
Some years ago, I had the fortune to live in Malaga and I fell in love with the Spanish culture and food (yes, I would eat the "croquetas" every day).
So..here I am! l moved to Spain and now I am an adopted madrileña.
Living in Spain allowed me to visit Portugal as well.
Do you know what means Saudade in Portuguese? It's a sense of homesickness and nostalgia, that hasn't a literal translation in other languages and the truth is, that is the sensation everyone feels when coming back from Portugal.
At Espiritu Travel I am a specialist in Portugal trips, thus I have the opportunity to create for you the perfect journey to discover the beauties of Portugal and to feel firsthand what is the Saudade.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I craft and create custom-made trips and exclusive experiences in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco too. "
How did you get involved in travel?
"My curiosity led me to study foreign languages at the university, which means having a focus especially on the culture and customs of a foreign country. This is why I decided to guide my career in the world of tourism, and thanks to a Master in Tourism Management, I have turned my passion into my current job. "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"One of the most unique experiences I had was in Oporto. I was visiting the cathedral Sé do Porto, and I came across a woman who was restoring one of the walls of the patio full of typical "azulejos". While she was painting thoroughly the blue tiles, a man played a traditional Fado song with his guitar. It was magic!"
Featured trips & expertise
Ultimate Family Trip to Portugal: Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Évora & the Algarve - 14 Days
With two weeks in Portugal, you and your family can enjoy the ultimate child-friendly trip that combines cities, countryside, and plenty of beach time. Explore the historic, vibrant cities of Lisbon and Porto, go hiking in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, and check out the fairy-tale towns of Sintra and Coimbra. Then it's time to grab a rental car and head south, setting out across the Alentejo plains to end your adventure dolphin watching and beach-hopping on the sun-soaked Algarve coast.
How Many Days to Spend in the Azores
Seven or eight days is an ideal amount of time to spend in the Azores. Travelers with only a week to explore the Portuguese archipelago can focus their time on the island of São Miguel, adding on a trip to Terceira for whale watching if they have an extra day or two. Those with two weeks to spare can opt for a more comprehensive trip around the Azores, exploring four of its islands, or integrating an Azores excursion into a larger Portugal trip, including Lisbon and the Duoro Valley.
Family Vacation to Spain & Portugal - 14 Days
This two-week family vacation combines Portugal's beaches, palaces, and flavors with Spain's flamenco, royalty, and parks. Start your trip in Portugal with highlights kids and adults love, including playing on the beach, sailing in the ocean, and spotting dolphins. Then, make your way to Spain, where unique cultural experiences await, including sites like Granada's Alhambra, Madrid's Plaza Mayor, and Seville's Royal Alcázar.
Mainland Portugal & Madeira - 15 Days
With just over two weeks to spare, you can combine the best of mainland Portugal with the lush valleys and volcanic beaches of "the Island of Eternal Spring." Start with cycling and culinary tours of Lisbon, wine tasting in the Douro Valley, and a deep dive into the history of colorful Porto. Then it's time to jet off into the North Atlantic for four days on Madeira, before returning to the mainland for some downtime at the chic coastal resort of Cascais.
Ultimate Portugal: Porto, Lisbon & Lagos - 8 Days
Get to know three of Portugal's most iconic locales on this far-reaching but relaxed eight-day itinerary. Start in historic Porto, where you'll explore atmospheric riverside neighborhoods and go wine tasting in the nearby Douro Valley. Head to Lisbon to see the hilly capital by tram and stroll along the seafront in Cascais, then continue south to reach the Algarve—where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic along a coastline of golden beaches and towering cliffs.
Recent trip reviews for Rita
Rita did such an amazing job planning, coordi...
Portugal
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Feb 5 - Feb 11, 2023
Rita did such an amazing job planning, coordinating, and making last second changes as needed. She really listened to what we wanted to do and delivered. I had such a great experience with this platform that I am booking another trip! read more
Hi Angela, thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review which I will make sure to forward to our team of local guides, who were very happy to show you around Portugal!
It was my pleasure to work with you and organize this experience for you and your friends. I hope we will be in touch for other trips and thank you again for letting us be a small part of your trip :)
Warmest regards, Rita