Learn more about us
Mission
Our mission is to provide our guests authentic and meaningful experiences in Portugal.
Who are we?
Detours has a team of local guides who enjoy living life. We love to travel and cherish the experience of travel per se. That is why we value the contact with the population and the feeling of belonging in the places we visit.
Travel guides and Websites have infinite information about everything and we know that it’s hard for the traveler to decide which course to follow. Come with us and we will show you the best northern Portugal has to offer.
We are not simply tour guides, we are inhabitants of this magical place we love and that we want you to love.
“Human Side of Portugal”
We practice a “Fair Trade” policy with our local partners, promoting the use of local products / resources, and arranging a fair payment for their services.
We have a great concern for the well being of our employees, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, promoting frequent meetings for moments of conviviality and promoting personal training.
Projecting this philosophy towards our services, we make sure that we know our local partners and the inhabitants of the places where we operate. We believe that the connection between people is the greatest bond that we can create with the territories.
We support local development projects in each territory where we operate, through initiatives to integrate people with disabilities into the world of employment or even to maintain cultural practices such as Folklore groups, etc.
We have partners in areas of activities ranging from animation, through logistical support or providers of picnics and meals.
Detours believes that tourism only makes sense when integrated into the surrounding community and when it has a positive impact.
By taking a tour with us, our customers will be contributing directly to improving the living conditions of the people they meet on the way, the people who greet them, smile at them and make their day memorable!
“Go Green”
In a world increasingly aware of its responsibility towards the environment, we want to be a reference in the practical application of the concepts of sustainable tourism.
Our team are imbued with a spirit of conservation of nature, and encouraged to live a responsible life and to take effective action to raise awareness among those around them.
Our “Go Green” philosophy starts within our team.
We are taking effective measures to reduce our environmental impact:
- – fleet renewal;
- – improving the maintenance of used vehicles;
- – the end of the use of plastics during our tours;
- – the choice of local partners, with sustainable practices, to provide picnics and lunches on tours.
Also in line with our guidelines, the selection of guides and subsequent internal training places great emphasis on the importance of this theme.
We are proud to operate in places of great beauty and natural importance, and we opt for a conscious and respectful use.
We are direct partners of associations with local responsibilities in the development of the territory. Our guides have a pedagogical attitude towards our customers, in order to create a greater environmental awareness in each one.
Why Detours?
If you are a traveler more than a tourist… Detours is the right company for you.
Porto and Northern Portugal have great canyoning, trekking and surfing conditions and that’s why we get off the beaten track and take you to some exquisite places, experiences and adventures.
Our goal is to provide local knowledge and make people fall in love with Portugal.
Let us give you an insight of what life is like in our country, our cities and our rural areas.
We have several Detours that will certainly make you feel like you’re a part of the action and not just an observer.
Feel Portugal. Take a Detour.
Good Reasons to Book With Us
Our History
Meet The Team
Afonso was born and raised in Porto.
During his life he was the best embassador of our city : friendly, humble and very proud of its roots.
“Fonzie” stood out for being one of the hardest working people we have ever had the pleasure to be with. He had a big passion about mountains, hiking and a great devotion to all his friendships. As a tour guide you would have found a friend and a gentleman… always concerned about his clients. As a human being you would find he was capable of providing warmth and care like no other.
Our dear friend passed away in May 2023. He will forever be with us.
Diogo is our most experienced Guide and also Detours’ operations and reservation manager. His mind and heart are divided in two: office and tours. Natural from Madeira Island he is a Nature lover since he was a child. As a tour guide he seeks excellence and most important thing : client’s satisfaction.
Kevin has a degree in Tourism and grew up in the countryside in the outskirts of Coimbra. He is one of the very few people that studied to do what he does – Guiding People. Kevin has a broad general culture, is a part-time farmer and also has a minor degree in Cooking – a Multitalented guy. As a guide you can expect a very interesting person to talk with and also very informative.
Jonas was born in Porto and has a degree in Sports Management. He’s caracterized by his constant and contagious well being. Jonas is highly sociable and has an enormous pleasure in showing what Porto and the North of Portugal is all about. If Detours had a Public Relations he would be in charge. As a guide he is very careful, extremely dedicated to make sure everything goes well.
Carlos was born in Porto, has a degree in Sciences and we call him our Historian. He always lived his life in the streets of Porto and knows the city better than anyone and is our well of knowledge – anything we need to know we ask google, if it hasn’t the answer we ask Carlos. As a tour Guide he is very meticulous and assertive.
Mário was born in the area of Porto but lived in several places already like the Azores or Lisbon area. He is a born traveller- he has been to Russia, China, India,USA etc , and likes to share his experiences with his clients. Mario has a very young spirit and loves music and concerts. You can count with a well being and relaxed person. As a guide he is available, very informative and friendly.
Oscar is from Madeira island and is completely crazy about nature and cycling. Moved to Coimbra to study, then studied abroad in France and then again in Porto – he is constantly learning and instructing himself. He has a degree in graphic designer and an enormous sense of Art. As a guide you can count with a very knowledge and experienced person.
Ricardo is the youngest member of our team and we still call him ” Intern”. Growing at the countryside made him develop special interests as birds or trees and it is exciting to see his enthusiasm. Ricardo is always looking for something new to study! As a tour guide he is extremely friendly, informative and funny.
Rodrigo is the owner of Detours and started this project to share with everyone his passion about Porto and the North Of Portugal. He was born and raised in Porto and there is no other place he would rather live! Playing handball made him develop features like teamwork, efficiency and persistence. Also has a big passion for Nature and in specific, our National Park. As a guide you can count with a very knowledgeable and experienced person.
Testimonials
Client Support
Detours guaranties local support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our multilingual team will be waiting and willing to assist you in Porto with your reservations or any problems that might arise.
(+351) 963 745 802
(+351) 966 054 152
(+351) 966 052 887
mail@detours.pt
We reply within 24h