(47 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Gabrielle Estel

Cedar Rapids, IA

International Travel Leisure Specialist

I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.

I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as you...
Learn more about me.

I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.

I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as young teenager to honeymooning in Italy, travel has always marked my life milestones. Now I’m back in my Iowan home state to help others plan their own dream experiences across the globe. Travel is my life.

Let me share my life with you. 

ARTS & CULTURE

My husband is my main travel buddy. He’s a history guy; I’m a literature girl. Between the both of us, we have to see every museum, temple, cathedral, statue --- you name it!

Over my years of travel, I’ve learned art and culture is more than the highlight real. It’s also exploring a local Greek market, listening to a Korean grandmother describe her love of fan-painting, trying homemade Italian dishes at a rooftop dinner party, having a quiet moment in a café watching uniformed King’s College students rush through Canterbury to their morning classes, bargaining for a brick of tea in China.

These little moments of life are art and culture. 

FOOD & WINE

Food is the heart of a country. Food tours are journeys to the heart of a place---and the locals. Local food tour guides know every alley, and cooking instructors always welcome travelers into their family. They’re the best to ask for any last minute recommendations and to have a better understanding of culture through the kitchen. Sometimes the kitchen is the desert, like roasting chicken in Egyptian with a side of koshari. My personal favorite are moon cakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn festival and Scottish eggs in Bath.

Nothing is as engrained in a place as food. It an easy way to experience a place’s every day.

EXPLORATION & ADVENTURE

Let’s take the path less traveled.

That path might be a horse ride through the mountains, a dune buggy through the dunes, a hike up an along the spine of a mountain, a gondola ride above the jungle outside Hong Kong, or a peak at North Korea at the DMZ.

Whatever type of heart racing you’re looking for, I can find.

Email meCall Me

Gabrielle Estel

Can Be Reached At

1-319-351-4510 ext:304

close

Portugal Travel Expert

I am a certified travel expert with the Portuguese Tourism Board. I had an incredible adventure through Portugal, and I can't wait to share more about this amazing destination with you!

Portuguese Charm

I loved wandering Lisbon’s windings alleyways to discover an iconic yellow tram, ancient bookstore, vista of red roofs, or azulejo ceramic tiles around each bend. We sipped port wine while listening to fado music.

For a village feel, we journeyed to Evora just north of Porto. The town’s small alleyways, lined with whitewashed houses and charming courtyards, added to its old-world allure. I marveled at the well-preserved Roman Temple and the hauntingly beautiful Chapel of Bones. I also had the chance to stay in a beautifully restored pousada—one of Portugal’s historic inns—where the ambiance was as enchanting as the history surrounding it.

Pastries and Port Wine

Experiencing Portuguese food and wine was a journey in itself—rich, soulful, and full of surprises. Every meal felt like a celebration of tradition and simplicity done right. I started my days with pastéis de nata, those flaky, creamy custard tarts that somehow taste even better with a shot of espresso.

The wine was just as unforgettable—crisp vinho verde paired perfectly with seafood, while deep reds from the Douro Valley elevated every bite of grilled meats. Tasting port wine in Portugal, right where it’s made, was a highlight—sweet, complex, and best enjoyed slowly as the sun dipped behind the river. Portuguese cuisine is honest and full of heart, and it left me completely smitten.

Unique Landscapes

Portugal's landscapes are as diverse as they are breathtaking, offering a stunning blend of natural beauty and architectural charm. I learned to recognize cork trees in the countryside. Their bark is harvested in a centuries-old tradition that shapes the rural landscape. From Lisbon’s red roofs to Madeira’s cliffs, Portugal offers a wide variety of city and wilderness to explore. My favorite spot to see was the Benagil Caves.

Boating around the Benagil Caves felt like slipping into a secret world carved by the sea. As we cruised along the Algarve coast, the cliffs rose like golden walls with the Atlantic sparkling beneath us. The boat dipped into hidden coves and narrow sea arches, but nothing compared to entering the iconic Algar de Benagil, the most famous of the sea caves. This vast, natural cathedral of stone—lit from above by a circular skylight known as the “eye”—was absolutely breathtaking. Sunlight streamed through the opening, casting a warm glow over the golden sand and turquoise water inside. The echo of the waves bouncing off the cave walls made it feel sacred, like nature’s own sanctuary. Floating there, with the scent of salt in the air and the sound of seagulls circling overhead, I felt completely suspended in time.

Planning Your Own Portuguese Adventure

If reading about my Portuguese journey has ignited your wanderlust, I'd love to chat with you about it! Feel free to reach out to me, and we can discuss all the exciting possibilities and practical tips to make your adventure truly unforgettable. Whether you're interested in staying in a charming pousada, enjoying a wine cruise, hiking the islands, and more, I'm here to help.

My Travel Albums

Portugal

View Album