Portugal private tour and driver to Tomar
 

Has any one used Peter Moore in Lisbon as a tour guide. He has quoted us a price to tour Tomar. We are a group of 15 and we thought that Tomar might be interesting for the Knights Templar history. I am re-thinking that and may go to Sintra and Obidos instead, and perhaps Cabo da Roca or Batalha.

Don't know anything about Peter, but it would appear that he is an expat living in Portugal giving tours, not an officially licensed tour guide.

We've worked with Luis Santos and Rui Lopes of lisboasightseeing.com. Rui is also listed with Tour By Locals in Lisbon. There are 11 official guides listed in this service. (www.toursbylocals.com/LisbonTourGuide) including Cátia

There is also Lisbon Tour Guides (www.lisbontourguides.pt/index.php)

Sintra was much more interesting and had more sightseeing than Tomar. You can see Obidos in an hour but if you only have a day then go to Sintra.

There's a monastery just outside Lisbon in Belem. It's been cleaned and is as pretty or prettier than the one in Tomar. You can take a tram or bus there from Lisbon.

Belem is part of Lisbon, its most monumental and historical area.

I preferred Tomar to Batalha because it is a complete monastery with monk's cells, kitchen, refectory, etc. One has the sense of the large community that lived there. In the town itself there is also a partially restored synagog--or perhaps it was just a meeting hall for the Jewish community.

If you want to know about the Knights Templar you have to go to Tomar but avoid Mondays. Peter Moore runs a specialist Templar tourism company that uses experts & specially trained vetted guides based in the town all have Portuguese tourism credentials and are far more knowledgeable than the average "official Portuguese guide". The simply difference is depth of knowledge. It should also be noted that the profession of the "Licensed Guides" has now been liberated and comes into line with the European Union laws that do not require this accreditation to accompany tourists in state monuments.

We didn't make it to Tomar while we were in Portugal but very much enjoyed the churches and monasteries at Batalha and Alcabaca which made a very nice day trip. I have some pictures and descriptions on my blog which might be helpful. We really liked Alcabacaa both for its situation and the sense it gave you for monastic life.

Batalha
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...monastery.html

Alcabaca
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...monuments.html

Hope this helps!

Now I'm really wishing we'd made it to Tomar too, it sounds fabulous!

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I do know Jeronimios in Belem and have been there several times. While staying in Lisbon this time we will certainly visit it agian. I have since communicated with Peter and remain impressed with his credentials! We will probably do two trips, one to Tomar and one to Sintra. Obrigada!

Please report back afterwards.

Hello. I will be coming with friends from California and we want to use a guide that is a local person. However I read that they do not have to be licensed because of European rule changes. What does this mean?