On the evening of Wednesday 14 November, an intimate group of media personnel were invited to join Discover Portugal, Spain & Morocco Holidays to celebrate the launch of the Sydney-based company.
Held at Bibo Wine Bar Double Bay, 10 media personnel were invited to the upstairs dining room for a sit-down feast with Discover Portugal, Spain & Morocco Director and Product Manager, Gill Gaspar and his team, all of whom have 50 years’ combined tourism experience and have either Portugese or Spanish origins.
Guests mingled with company representatives Celeste Gaspar, Roser Arjona, Maria Del Mar Barahona, Cristina Coelho, Sara Alho and Lousia Caravalho over a glass of 2015 Castelo da Lapa ‘Reserva Bruto’ Bairrada and crispy runner bean fritters, and were joined by former Masterchef contestant Christina Batista, who will conduct the Portugal culinary tours for the company. Guests were then guided to their seats for a made-to-share dinner around a long candlelit dining table.
Gaspar said Discover Portugal, Spain & Morocco is ready to work closely with valued industry partners to provide the best experiences for clients in the three destinations.
“We truly love and are passionate about this. We are either Portuguese or Spanish. We can’t teach people the knowledge or passion that we have for these countries – which is what we are selling. We have an amazing array of knowledge and we reflect this through the itineraries we offer,” Gaspar said.
The company will offer many diverse travel opportunities including private and group touring, walking and cycling adventures, food and wine experiences, all things Camino, day tours and customised itineraries.
The team at Discover Portugal, Spain & Morocco is determined to design and deliver authentic travel experiences to their clients, while market leading technology offers a dedicated B2B booking portal for agency partners.
Guests then enjoyed an array of traditional and modern Portuguese cuisine served by Head Chef and Co-Owner of Bibo Wine Bar, Jose Silva. Mr. Silva said the menu revolves around the concept of sharing, a central element in Portuguese culture.
Silva said the dishes embrace traditional Portuguese cuisine and culture: “I remember being in a child in Portugal and they would flame the chorizo using grappa”. This was sampled by guests during the evening.
He also added his own modern spin on the dishes such as the Portuguese tart. “It’s a dessert I used to eat as a kid,” he said. “One of my aunties used to make it for me all the time. Made from yolk, sugar, milk and cinnamon, I line it up with port reduction – I call it Portugal on a plate.”
Discover Portugal, Spain & Morocco Holidays can create and customise an itinerary to meet any client’s interests.
For more information visit: www.discovertvl.com.au or email info@discovertvl.com.au
Lead image: The Discover Portugal, Spain and Morocco team: Cristina, Roser, Louisa, Gill, Sara and Maria del Mar.