Local Legend Profile

Introducing our Local Legend Francisco, affectionately known locally as ‘Chico’. 

Francisco Batista’s story

Chico grew up in the beautiful Portuguese town of Sintra, a true gem set in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra mountains. The national park there stretches from the hills to the beaches and the forested terrain is scattered with charming pastel-coloured villas and palaces. 

As a boy, Chico was captivated by the mystery and magic that surrounded him, and his mother was very often to be found searching for him during one of his childhood adventures, exploring his beloved Sintra landscapes, described by Chico as his ‘playground’. Cursing his wild streak, Chico frequently returned home tired, dirty, covered in cuts and bruises, and even with the odd broken arm! Regardless of his mother’s despair, this wild streak and determination to explore every inch of his beloved homeland only grew stronger, developing into a passion for extreme sports, vintage jeeps and local nature. 

These days Chico has successfully managed to combine all of these passions and uses them as a way to introduce his beloved Sintra to visitors from around the world. The result is a unique, fascinating, and intimate guided tour of the region.

During this experience, guests should expect to discover the romantic palaces, mystical forests and hidden corners of Sintra and Cascais by vintage jeep. To be guided by a true local legend who has been exploring the region since he was a child.

Local Legend Profile

Introducing our Local Legend, Cesar Sequeira, owner of Quinta de Morrocos family estates.

Cesar Sequeira’s story

Cesar Sequeira was born in 1943 within the region of Régua, Northern Portugal, to a family of wine producers. The Sequeira family ran a collection of family estates (Quinta da Morrocos) surrounded by beautiful vineyards and this was affectionately known as home to Cesar. Life was simple, based around family and community.

Cesar met his sweetheart and late wife Maria Elisa shortly before he first left the family home to complete a PHD in Chemical engineering at London’s Imperial College. Maria Elisa followed Cesar there and remained by his side, encouraging him to follow his dreams and indeed creating her own.

In 1979 Cesar and Maria Elisa took over the running of the family wine business. Until then it had been in the safe hands of his grandfather and uncle. Shortly after, Cesar, inspired by his wife, began the process of certifying the family wines and ports and succeeded in opening their production to Wine Tourism, bringing international prominence to the Douro region. Cesar describes himself as calm but with a love of meeting people and sharing his and his family’s story. It was this love of people and the warm nature of the Portuguese spirit that led to the opening of their home, enabling guests to experience the charm of the family Quintas.

During this experience, guests will hear the story of the family wine estate from Cesar, now run by him and his children. You will sample some delicious wines and share some tasty local dishes prepared by his family. You’ll also learn about the winemaking process itself. During harvest time, you can even try picking the grapes by hand and stomping them by foot.

Local Legend Profile

Introducing our Local Legend, Amílcar Lourenço, professional surfer and bespoke surfboard shaper.

Amílcar Lourenço’s story

Amílcar Lourenço known locally as ‘Mica’ grew up by São Lourenço Beach in Ericeira, a beautiful spot in Portugal where the beach is renowned for its surfing and big waves. Growing up beside the sea gave Mica a great feeling of calm and ease with the ocean and from an early age, it became centre stage in his life. As a young boy, Mica’s path into surfing was a natural one.

What started initially as a hobby, progressed at the age of 15 when Mica took a job working for one of Portugal’s most established surfboard factories, earning him enough money to buy his first precious surfboard. His fascination grew rapidly and very soon he became an outstanding surfer, mastering his own fast and polished style. His magic with a surfboard earned him sponsorship deals and championships and before long he was participating in both national and European competitions.

Not content with being a champion with a surfboard at his feet, he followed what he had learnt at a young age and began creating bespoke surfboards by hand. This allowed him to marry both his passions, combining surf with his artistic flair and in 2005 he left professional surfing to set up his own business, custom-making surfboards: Mica Surfboards was born. 

Mica works closely with his clients, monitoring their style in order to create a bespoke handmade board especially for them. The end goal? To maximise their progress as a surfer.

During this meeting with Mica, guests should expect to meet a true Local surfing legend. To hear his stories of growing up by the ocean and becoming a professional surfer as well as marvelling at Mica’s work and learning a little more about the skill of surfboard shaping.