About us
Welcome to OLIVE PORTUGAL TOURS, a North-American run tour company bringing you the very best of Portugal!
Come on a culture-rich journey exploring a peoples who once ruled half the world. From its pristine beaches to ancient trails; from the interior’s farming idle, to the coast’s quaint fishing villages; not to mention its major city’s cosmopolitan nightlife, Portugal remains an affordable and authentic Western European destination.
Experience every major western civilization in one country: from the Roman and Islamic Empires to the glorious Age of Discoveries.
Make Portugal the main course it deserves to be, rather than the dessert discovered too late.
OUR MISSION:
OLIVE PORTUGAL TOUR’S MISSION:
- To provide a native and immersive experience of this coastal European country.
- To share knowledge on the culture, heritage, customs, history, food and drink of Portugal.
- To appeal to the adult traveler who appreciates an authentic experience, and who particularly wants to explore art, history and, possibly their own artistic endeavors.
- Ideal for those who consider travel a necessary luxury, but do not need travel to necessarily be luxurious.
YOUR TOUR DIRECTOR:
Maria J. Cruz, M.A., is a first generation Portuguese-Canadian who is fiercely proud of her cultural heritage. She holds a Masters of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, which saw her complete her internship at the National Archaeology Museum in Lisbon, Portugal. Afterwards, she continued onto a career in both the private and public sectors of culture and heritage management in British Columbia, Canada. The descendant of parents from the Central and Southern regions of Continental Portugal, she grew up with trips back to the homeland as the mainstay of family vacations, and has continued to travel back frequently on her own. She launched OLIVE PORTUGAL TOURS, marrying her historical and arts expertise with her passion for the people, culture and cuisine of Portugal!
Maria is a working performing artist in her native city of Vancouver, Canada and continues to offer her expertise on culture and heritage projects. www.mariajcruz.com
