Private tour in Coimbra Gonçalo R
5.0
(9) reviews
3 hours
1
3 hours
1
Gonçalo R.
5.0
Guide rating
11
Reviews
Tours delivered
16 hrs
Avg. response time
Hi there! My name is Gonçalo, but please call me Rock, that's what most of my friends call me, like the wrestler, although I've got more hair and muscle. I'm from a beautiful wine region called Bairrada which is located in the Centre of Portugal, between two delightful cities: Aveiro and Coimbra. I'm very passionate about my country and I love to meet people from all around the world that are interested in learning more about Portugal and its history, culture, and food. I have a Graduate Degree in Tourism and a Master's Degree in Tourism, Territories, and Heritage. I took two internships in a Cultural Association from Coimbra focused on promoting and defending the local culture and heritage, where I was given the task of providing information to tourists and occasionally accompanying walking tours. Later I started to work as a Tuk Tuk driver (and guide) in the city of Aveiro. Then, in 2019 I began to work as a Full-Time tour guide. In 2020 I became a Certified Tourism Guide by SNATTI (Tourism Guides Union) but was forced to make a pause due to COVID. Nevertheless, it was not time to give up! I spent most of the time during the pandemic studying and visiting Portugal's regions, cities, and villages to improve my guiding skills. I also took advantage of my grandma's wood-fired oven and started to bake pizza and sell it to my friends and neighbors. "Living la pizza loca", a ham and cheese sensation, emerged as my top-seller. If you would like to enjoy a funny, interesting, and knowledgeable tour provided by a passionate tour guide that wants to show you his country's wonders, don't hesitate to reach out! PIZZA IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR THOUGH :D! Prepare to fall in love with the country and probably to gain some extra pounds (if you return home slimmer you've missed the essence of Portugal!). When I'm not guiding I love to spend my time with my family, reading (I am a huge Harry Potter fan), watching movies (Harry Potter, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Lord of the Rings), watching Series (Game of Thrones, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Office, Friends) and of course baking pizza. - I have a degree in Tourism from ESEC (Escola Superior de Educação de Coimbra) - I have a master's degree in Tourism, Territories and Heritage from the University of Coimbra (Humanities and Liberal Arts School) - I am an Official Tourism Guide, certified by SNATTI (Tourism Guides Union) - I am a licensed National Tourism Agent by Turismo de Portugal (Ministry of Economy) I have a driver's license, but at the moment I don't own a car. Therefore, all the tours will include hired vehicles and drivers.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Gonçalo R.
Welcome to Coimbra's "main event", the University! The oldest in Portugal (founded in 1290) and one of the oldest in Europe. What if I told you that it used to be a Royal Palace inhabited by many kings and queens?! Furthermore, before being a palace, it was a huge Arab fortress. Also, the place is connected to the Roman presence in Portugal. So there's an authentic history melting pot to explore! Once we enter its famous Iron Gate, we'll find three buildings: The Royal Palace (home of the law school and known for the ancient throne room), St. Michael's Chapel (the former royal chapel, known for its majestic baroque tube organ) and the University's Jewell the Joanin Library (a baroque library from the 1700s, full of interesting books, beautiful gold leaf, delicious ceilings, unique bookshelves and home of the book protectors: the bats). And the best part of this is that we'll visit them all! Afterwards, we'll tour the old town together :)
"Roqu" our guide was fabulous. Extremely knowledgeable and fun also. We toured the University it was so easy. He arranged for all the timed entrances,there appeared to.be several and had so much interesting to say along the way. Ending in the botanical garden was perfect. He was ready to go to old town but we were tired from the stairs ,heat and had another event in a couple of hours and so we passed on old town. One of our best guides.
Very energetic, seems to love his work, and shared little known stories or insights on our tour. He wasn’t looking at his watch the entire time, and seemed far more interested in showing us the things that mattered to us. Wish we would have had him in Lisbon!!
The tour was very informative and interesting. Hi
We had the pleasure of taking a guided tour of Coimbra University with Rock, and it was a fantastic experience! Rock’s passion for the university’s history really brought the tour to life. He shared fascinating stories about Coimbra's traditions and student life that you just wouldn’t get on a self-guided visit. Rock was friendly, engaging, and open to answering all our questions. Highly recommend taking his tour if you’re visiting Coimbra.
Rock organized a great tour for us, it was wonderful to walk with him through the town and University, where he studied by himself. We can highly recommend him as a guide for a tour in Coimbra.
Goncalo was an excellent and accommodating guide who customized a tour for us of Fatima and Coimbra. We were able to get to know him and learn and see fascinating things in both locations. It helped that he lives in Coimbra and attended university there. We highly recommend him as a guide. — Coimbra was more interesting than Fatima, if you have a choice to make.
-We'll begin with a pick-up from your location in Coimbra. -Our first stop will be start in front of the University's main gate, where I'll share you some backstory for you to understand how it evolved throughout the centuries. -Then, we'll enter through the gate to see the Patio. Here, I will give you an introduction concerning the University's history and also the buildings that we'll be visiting next (the royal palace, Chapel, and library). -Afterwards, we'll visit the Palace areas (including the ancient throne room), St. Michael's Chapel, and the Joanin Library's facilities (including the academic jail floor, guard floor, and noble floor- the library's main floor). -Finally, we'll leave the University and tour the city's old town together! Before booking, please text me so I can customize the tour according to your needs.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
During the tour, there will be a hired driver with a car (Sedan or VAN- Mercedes E220, Vito, or other available brand/model) at our disposal (a clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned vehicle) during the tour to you pick you up and drop off at your location.
Coimbra, Coimbra District, Portugal
At the clients location in the city (hotel, restaurant, etc).
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3 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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