Welcome to the Algarve, Portugal!
"True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests." — Eleanor Roosevelt
It all began with an Algarve tourism event last summer in New York, where I learned a lot more about this perpetually sunny part of southern Portugal. When I met Ana, the salesperson for the five-star Real Marina Hotel & Spa, her passion and enthusiasm for the property and its authentic fishing town of Olhão was genuine, contagious, and memorable. So when I arranged to attend the Journeys Algarve tourism conference, I asked Ana about arriving a day early to stay at Real Marina. I'd been so intrigued by how she described this place, I wanted to check it out for myself!
Ana not only happily made the arrangements, she even picked me up this morning from Faro airport, which is a short drive from the hotel. After a quick break to change in my stunning suite, I went on a fun and relaxing half-day boat tour through Ria Formosa natural park. (Real Marina Hotel is directly across the street from the marina for sightseeing tours of these beautiful barrier islands.) Ana said there would be a surprise for me when I got back from the boat trip, and you can see in the photo above what awaited when I returned. Ana (on my right) assembled the hotel's General Manager and department heads to greet me with sangria! I've never had such a welcome before, and I was definitely surprised!
I've often said that anyone I've done business within Portugal has become a friend. I don't know how to describe not just the kindness but the sweetness of the Portuguese people who work in tourism. They're very, very special. Maybe it's because Portugal is such an easy place to sell! Everyone falls in love with it. Portugal really touches my heart, and I always feel so safe, happy, and welcome here.
Tomorrow Journeys Algarve begins, and I head inland to check in at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve for a hillside perspective of the Algarve. I'm looking forward to making many new contacts - and friends.
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