Preparing for your Journey to
Évora, Portugal

Fiber Collage | Weaving, Embroidery, and Beading
with Jen Smith

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU! Please read this doc carefully.

We are so excited to spend time with you in Évora, Portugal as we learn with Jen Smith of Jen Ann Handmade. Please take a moment to read through this document in full as it contains important information related to your Ace Camps Travel Trip. The purpose of this document is to help you prepare for your trip.

Your Ace Camps Travel Trip will connect you to an incredible community where you’ll meet and form bonds with many wonderful individuals. Given the small-group nature of our trips, the health, safety, and well being of you, other guests, the instructors and workshop hosts, and the local communities are a key priority for us. 

YOUR ACE CAMPS TRAVEL HOST
We want every aspect of your trip to be an amazing experience. To help us do that, you will have the support of an Ace Camps Travel Host who travels with the group. Your Ace Camps Travel Host will be there to make sure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. While they are not a local guide, they will assist you in answering questions you may have along the way. Your Ace Camps Travel Host will be Tanya Staples, who you can reach at: tanya@acecampstravel.com or at +1.805.217.6448 via WhatsApp. If you have questions between now and then, please continue to email us at hello@acecampstravel.com.

ON-THE-GROUND COMMUNICATION with WHATSAPP
While on the ground in Portugal, we will be using WhatsApp to communicate. Before you arrive in Portugal, please make sure you have the most up-to-date version of WhatsApp downloaded, installed, and an account set up and working on your mobile device. Your Ace Camps Travel Host will use WhatsApp to send you daily reminders, updates, and any other important information during the course of your trip. In addition to one-on-one communication with your Ace Camps Travel Host, we’ll be creating a group chat with all registered guests where we will send updates that affect the entire group while on the trip. We encourage everyone to engage on the group chat, as it’s a great place to get to know the rest of your new Ace Camps Travel friends, discuss travel plans and ideas, and share trip photos.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
In the case of an emergency, the local emergency number to dial in Portugal is: 112 (police, fire and medical aid).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS  
You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your departure and has at least 2 blank pages. 

ARRIVAL INFORMATION | MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025   
Please plan to arrive by 4pm local time on Monday, May, 26 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal so you have time to get settled before we meet as a group for our Welcome Dinner. The closest arrival airport is Aeroporto Huberto Delgado in Lisbon (airport code LIS). Gentle Reminder: Please complete your Arrival and Departure Form as soon as you have your flight details. 

Ground Transportation and Getting to the Hotel: The best way to get to our hotel is by taxi or Uber, which is easy to get at the airport. Be sure to use the official taxi cabs and don’t be swayed by people who may approach you inside or outside the airport asking if you need a ride. 

Hotel check in time is 2:00 pm on Monday, May 26. If you arrive earlier than 2:00pm, you can drop off your luggage at the front desk and they will store it for you until your room is ready. The hotel rooms are preassigned, both in Lisbon and in Évora.

WELCOME DINNER | MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025   
Once we’re all settled at our hotel in Lisbon, we’ll be hosting a casual welcome dinner so you can get to know both Jen Ann Handmade and the group. Please plan to arrive at our hotel no later than 4:00 pm on Monday, May 26, 2025 if you want to join the welcome dinner so you have time to check in and get settled before we head out for dinner together. We’ll share more specific details about when and where to meet for dinner a few days before the Trip start date. If you can’t join the welcome dinner, your Ace Camps Travel Host will be in touch with you to make sure you have all the information you need to join the group the next morning.

DEPARTURE INFORMATION | MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025
After breakfast, we’ll drive from Évora back to Lisbon, which is approximately a 1.5 hour drive, depending on traffic. You’ll have the option to be dropped off either at the Lisbon Airport or at Hotel Alegria in Central Lisbon. If you plan to fly or take the train out of Lisbon on Monday, June 2, 2025, we recommend booking your flights or train tickets for late afternoon. If you have questions about departure timing, please reach out anytime at hello@acecampstravel.com. 

OUR LISBON HOTEL
Hotel Alegria
Praça da Alegria 12 Lisbon, 1250-004 Portugal
+351 213 220 670

Hotel Alegria is located only a few meters from the beautiful Avenida Liberdade, one of the most famous shopping streets in Europe. You will also be walking distance to the charming neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real, with majestic 19th century mansions, plentiful shops, cafes and restaurants.

On-site hotel amenities to note:

  • Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash

  • Hair Dryers

  • Iron and ironing boards

  • On site restaurant

  • Outdoor “Quiosque”, a traditional Portuguese experience where you can enjoy a drink and light meal. Quiosques are popular social hubs enjoyed by locals and visits all over the city.  

  • Laundry service, though it can be expensive. There is a self-service laundry mat, Lavandaria: Alegria no Esendal, right around the corner, which you can find HERE.

OUR EVORA HOTEL
Casa Morgado Esporão
Rua Dona Isabel, Travessa das Casas Pintadas, 6, 7000-880 Évora, Portugal

Casa Morgado Esporão is a 15th century mansion, located inside the oldest part of the city center—the Roman district–and is close to the Temple of Diana, the Chapel of Bones, and many of the cities’ unique shops and restaurants. 

On site hotel amenities to note:

  • Shampoo and Body Wash

  • Hair Dryers

  • Iron and ironing boards upon request

  • Kitchenette in each room, including a refrigerator, microwave, kettle, and coffee maker  

  • Paid laundry service 

SNACKS + ALCOHOL
Unless it is specified on the itinerary, alcohol is usually not included with meals. If you’d like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage during our group meals, we’ll work with you to pay for those beverages separately.

Once we arrive in Évora, you will have a kitchenette in your room, complete with a refrigerator, microwave, kettle, and coffee maker. If you’d like to stock up on snacks or drinks, there are a number of small grocery stores within walking distance, including this one:

Pão de Sal
R. João de Deus 7000, 7000-661 Évora, Portugal
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EniqozyJBzovNYy48

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
We do our best to keep to the itinerary on the Trip Details page of the Ace Camps Travel website. However, sometimes things happen. For example, we may need to make changes to the itinerary due to inclement weather, timetable changes, or circumstances beyond our control. While we do our best to plan ahead and prevent this from happening, it may be unavoidable. It can also happen with little notice, so please bear with us if we have to make modifications to the itinerary on the fly.
CASH + CREDIT CARDS
Portugal uses Euros as the local currency. Most restaurants and shops will take credit cards, however smaller markets or stalls may prefer cash. We recommend having a combination of some cash (Euros) and credit cards on hand.

GRATUITIES

Tips and gratuities for our guides, workshop hosts, group drivers, and group meals are taken care of by Ace Camps Travel. At the end of your stay at Hotel Alegria in Lisbon, you’re welcome to leave a small tip for housekeeping in your room, if you choose to. At the end of our time at Casa Morgado Esporão, we’ll pass around an envelope to collect a tip for the hotel staff, which you can contribute to, if you choose to. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is required for all guests that includes: trip cancellation/disruption insurance; travel medical insurance; and medical evacuation insurance. Ace Camps Travel does not sell travel insurance. If you have questions, we suggest you discuss concerns about your coverage directly with a local travel insurance provider.

WEATHER  

Late May and early June is a nice time of year to visit Portugal, it’s spring and the flowers are in bloom. Days are usually warm with balmy evenings, though it can sometimes rain in May, especially in Évora. Daytime temperatures in Évora usually range from High 60s (18°C) to high 70s°F (22°C), which means you should pack layered clothes for your stay, including some warmer layers for the evenings, as well as a jacket and umbrella in case of rain.

HEALTH + SAFETY

Illness (including COVID)

Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we make the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Please keep in mind while traveling with a group, you may need to take additional precautions.

In the days leading up to and during your Ace Camps Travel Trip, thoroughly washing your hands, wearing a KN95 mask if you feel ill or if you display symptoms of illness, and keeping a safe distance from others who exhibit signs of illness are small, but impactful, things you can do to keep the trip safe for everyone. Please make sure you bring KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, and a few COVID tests on the trip in case you or those around you start to have symptoms of an illness.

During the trip, if you feel unwell, please alert your Ace Camps Travel Host immediately, wear a mask, and keep a safe distance from others until we know more about your situation. If you exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, viral nature of your illness, and where we are staying, there may be a need to mask, distance, self isolate, or remove yourself completely from the trip which will be determined by the Ace Camps Travel Host with the best interests of the group health and safety as the main priority.

Per the Ace Camps Travel Terms and Conditions, you are responsible for any additional costs if, due to illness, including COVID, you have to leave a trip early as determined by a health care provider or the Ace Camps Travel Host. This is one of the many reasons we require you to purchase travel insurance.

General Fitness 

To take full advantage of your trip to Portugal it is best to be in good health. Portugal is known for its many hills and stairs. You will be participating in some walking tours which might take you up several of these hills. You will also find many of the sidewalks and streets are cobblestone and can be slippery in wet weather.

Water

Tap water is safe to drink in Lisbon and Évora. We encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle of your own and avoid using single-use plastic bottles, though if you feel more comfortable drinking bottled water, it’s very easy to find, both in Lisbon and Évora. 

Medications and Vaccines

You should consult with your doctor and a specialized travel doctor at least five weeks before the date of your departure for any necessary vaccinations and specialty prescriptions. You may want to ask about a wide spectrum antibiotic in case of gastrointestinal or other infections. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with your doctor.

We encourage you to travel with medications that can help you if you encounter any health issues. Here are a few common concerns you may want to consider bringing medications for, though what you choose to travel with is up to you and/or you and your doctor

  • Nausea, indigestion or an upset stomach

  • Motion sickness, if car rides affects you

  • Diarrhea/Dysentery

  • Constipation

  • Minor aches and pains

  • Minor and severe allergies

  • Cold/flu symptoms

  • Bug repellant/spray

  • Minor cuts and bruises

Eye Glasses + Contact Lenses 

If you wear eyeglasses, it is advisable to carry an extra pair on the trip. If you wear contact lenses, you may want to take an extra pair of back-up regular glasses.

WHAT TO BRING 
Now onto the fun stuff - what should you bring?!? Below are some suggestions, based on our experience. 

  • PASSPORT (make sure it has at least six months on it) and consider bringing a photocopy and/or passport photos. In the (hopefully!) unlikely event your passport gets lost or stolen, an extra set of passport photos can make it easier for you to get a replacement) 

  • Layering pieces, for warm days and cool mornings and evenings

  • Light rain shell or small umbrella in case it rains

  • Comfortable, supportive walking shoes 

  • Glasses and/or sunglasses

  • Earplugs (if you are a light sleeper) 

  • Toiletries kit - including your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, if you are particular or there are certain brands you prefer to use while traveling

  • Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses, and lip balm with sunscreen

  • A day pack and/or a small-ish bag you can safely carry around each day 

  • Travel plug adapters, depending on the country you are traveling from

  • Hand sanitizer

  • KN95 masks–in an effort to keep our group as safe as possible, you may be asked to wear a mask

  • Personal supply of COVID Rapid Tests–you may be asked to take a COVID test at any point during your Ace Camp in an effort to keep our group as safe as possible

  • Small Kleenex packets

Workshop Supplies  
Your workshop supplies are included. However, we suggest bringing a couple of things with you:

  • A good-quality sketchbook or notebook, including pens or pencils to sketch ideas and take notes

  • An apron or lint brush to wear or use if you’re concerned about getting bits of yarn/fibers on your clothes during our workshops with Jen

Footwear 
Please bring comfortable and supportive footwear you feel comfortable walking in for moderate distances and on a variety of terrain. As you think about what to bring, keep these situations in mind: this Ace Camp Travel trip includes walking tours where the ground may be uneven, could involve gravel or cobblestones, and you may be on your feet for a few hours at a time.

GROUP TRAVEL ETIQUETTE
Please remember this is a small-group travel experience. It is important for you to join us with compassion, patience, and respect for everyone you interface with during your Trip. For example, if you asked to meet at a certain time, please be on time to avoid keeping the rest of the group waiting. If you choose to skip any activities or meals, please confirm your absence with the Ace Camps Travel Host directly so we’re not worried about your location or well being. 

SMOKING, ILLEGAL DRUG USE, and RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Ace Camps Travel Trips are 100% smoke free and we do not tolerate any kind of illegal drug use. We require responsible alcohol consumption. Alcohol is usually not included with meals.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are taking photos and would like to share them as a part of our trip story please tag your posts and/or stories on Instagram with @acecampstravel.

MOBILE PHONE USAGE + OTHER HELPFUL APPS

Here are a few other resources you may find helpful when traveling:

  • Using an ‘e-sim’ app to have data on your phone while you travel (depending on your phone model). There are several companies offering e-sims that can save money instead of roaming through your network provider. Companies like Airalo offer various Portugal options to choose from. Note: While e-sims are great, they do take some time to set up and install so be sure to spend some time before you leave your home country setting it up so you can just turn it on once you land (while we love to help where we can, our Ace Camps Travel Hosts aren’t tech support specialists). 

  • Help manage jet lag with Timeshifter.

  • Translate words on-the-go with Google Translate. 

THANK YOU AND SEE YOU SOON!

Thank you for taking the time to review this information, we hope these details help with your travel planning and prepare you for your time exploring Portugal. If you have questions between now and then, please continue to email us at hello@acecampstravel.com. See you in Portugal!