Traveling in Portugal With Luxury Family Travel Operator Global CommUnity

We turned heads as we rolled through the narrow roads of Sintra, Portugal. Folks grabbed phones and cameras, thrusting their arms into the air to snap a picture. There were smiles and waves. 

Truth be told, the outpouring of affection had more to do with the spirited black-and-chestnut colored horses pulling our carriage than us, but it didn’t matter. 

Finding ways for a family to experience destinations such as the hilly, stair-laden UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Creating moments that engage travelers of every age is what luxury family travel provider Global CommUnity is all about.

“I really feel Global CommUnity is a response to the modern family,” said Christie Holmes, the operator’s co-founder and CEO. 

In a popular place such as Portugal, it’s easy enough to line up a list of must-see sites. But finding ways to engage with real cultural issues is where receiving help can resonate with traveling families.

“We are a luxury travel company trying to offer insights that are below the surface,” Holmes said.

Global CommUnity’s motto is “No One Is Foreign,” and fully customizable itineraries include a community-involvement activity. In Lisbon, we spent a couple hours making cookies with volunteers at Convento dos Cardaes. Nuns from the convent sell a variety of sweets to visitors and locals alike to fund the care of a group of handicapped women in their custody.

Since every family’s wants and needs are unique, each Global CommUnity trip is different from the next. Recommendations and planning are based upon a client’s interests and takes into account the ages of the children traveling. A family with teenagers in tow might jump at the chance to take a Lisbon city tour from the sidecar of a vintage motorcycle. (A stop to gobble up the famous egg custard pastries at Pasteis de Belem only sweetens the deal.) Whereas parents with younger, school-age children can see sites such as Belem Tower and the 25th of April Bridge while onboard a fast-moving rigid-hulled inflatable boat on the Tagus River. 

Global CommUnity’s seven-night itineraries are available at two price points, typically with four- and five-star hotel options. In Portugal, the company’s preferred provider is family-centric Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts, which offers four properties in Portugal: Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, Martinhal Quinta do Lago Family Golf Resort, Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites and Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Family Resort Hotel. 

Though not as well-known in the U.S., Martinhal is making a name for catering to the needs of traveling families. In addition to kids’ clubs, the brand offers convenient, family-friendly dining; baby gear such as cribs, strollers and  bottle warmers; and an assortment of accommodation options ranging from standard hotel rooms to villas and townhouses. 

In addition to booking daily tours and adventures, Global CommUnity also takes care of nitty-gritty details such as offering restaurant recommendations and making reservations, or arranging transfers for families wishing to split their vacation time between multiple areas within a country. 

After enjoying the hustle and bustle of Lisbon and its surrounding neighborhoods, the final days of our trip were spent in Portugal’s more relaxing Algarve region. Sleeping steps from the beach at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort essentially guaranteed having some much-needed downtime to relax and recharge. Spending our days jumping in the waves and splashing in the pool made for a welcome and refreshing end to a busy exploration of Portugal.

The Details
Global CommUnity
www.nooneisforeign.com

Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts
www.martinhal.com