Why This Spain and Portugal Trip Was So Special – by Travel Director Betty

One of our most experienced Travel Directors, Iberian expert Betty Griffiths recently took an Insight Vacations premium tour with a twist. For this special Spain and Portugal trip departure, her guests were the cast of Australia’s No1 entertainment show, Travel Guides. The show features a group of everyday Australians, who go on vacations and provide honest reviews, all filmed for future broadcast on Australian Channel Nine TV. The episode is now available to watch here.

“It sounded so interesting, I just said had to say yes,” Betty says, “and then suddenly as I get on the coach, the cameras are pointing at me and they’re mic’ing me up I realized it’s getting serious.

What were your first thoughts about taking the cast of Travel Guides on a Spain and Portugal trip?

“Well, I’m not personally familiar with the show, because I live in Italy, so we don’t get it on television here,” explains Betty. “But it was such a coincidence because some of my guests on my previous tour, were talking about watching Travel Guides and saying this is what inspired them to travel. Then, literally about two weeks later, the office approached me and said, would you be willing to take this tour? It did help that I knew it was so well respected by our guests.”

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Not your average travel programme – introducing Travel Guides

In this popular Australian reality series, five groups of regular Aussies transform into temporary travel analysts, reviewing their experiences in some of the world’s most incredible destinations. But this isn’t your typical travel series. The contestants are given challenges and placed in unpredictable situations, making the show both surprising and funny. Each group brings their own perspective to every situation.

Now in its 9th series, Travel Guides is Australia and New Zealand’s most popular lifestyle and entertainment programme, and is also aired in Japan, Israel and Poland. The show is renowned for its laughs, shocks and surprises as the globetrotting critics deliver their brutally honest and hilarious reviews—without knowing where they’ll end up next.

The Best of Spain & Portugal premium tour

The Travel Guide guests joined Betty on one of our most popular Iberian tours, Best of Spain & Portugal. Over 14 Days, this tour takes in the highlights, history and sensational cuisine of both countries, including stops in Barcelona, Valencia, Fatima and Porto. Tour Madrid’s Prado Museum with an art historian, learn Flamenco with the world’s best artists in Seville. In Lisbon, taste delicious Pastéis de Belém and in Grenada stroll the ancient olive groves. While away a relaxing day on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol, dine-at-home with locals in in Alfarnetejo and stay in some of Iberia’s most stylish hotels on this ultimate Spain and Portugal trip.

What is so special about Spain and Portugal?

“I think what makes Spain and Portugal so special is their rich, relaxed cultures,” Betty explains. “People are approachable, and even if you don’t speak the language perfectly, you’ll find ways to make yourselves understood. Visiting in spring is ideal, and I recently experienced the excitement of Semana Santa—Holy Week—which is truly incredible to be part of. The following week’s festivities, Semana de Pascua, where locals dress in traditional costumes, hats and boroughs, are just as memorable. I like the fact that they have lots of celebrations – both countries celebrate their traditions with passion, and these festivals highlight the deep cultural roots that make the experience so unique.

“In València, for example, visiting the cathedral and witnessing the grand procession with women in mantillas and traditional dresses is so quintessentially Spanish. The music, the atmosphere; it’s truly special. Every time I visit, something unexpected happens.

“Weather also plays a part, especially in the south, where it stays pleasant year-round, making every season a good time to visit. Food is another strong connection, with each country offering its own delicious flavors.”

What are the differences between Spain and Portugal?

“The main differences between Spain and Portugal are quite interesting,” Betty tells us.  “Spaniards tend to be very open when they talk, using their hands much like Italians, while the Portuguese are much more reserved and formal, similar to the English. Both countries were ruled by dictatorships and were under Moorish control historically, which creates some shared background, but the languages are entirely different—Spanish and Portuguese are so distinct that communication would be nearly impossible without prior learning, even though they can understand some basics.

“In social customs, Spaniards are more open, and dinner times reflect this—tapas are usually eaten early, followed by going out for dinner around nine or ten at night. In Portugal, dinner typically happens around six or seven, reflecting a different social rhythm. Many people are surprised upon visiting Portugal by its significance, not realizing how impactful the country has been worldwide as a maritime power, especially with Brazil, gold and colonial history. Both countries have deep, compelling histories worth discovering and are very welcoming to visitors.”

Do you have a favorite Iberian fact that you share with your guests?

“Most are familiar with the Spanish fan as a method of cooling oneself in the heat,” says Betty, “but not everyone knows it has its own secret language.” In the 19th and 20th centuries, Spanish women used fans to send secret messages since they couldn’t openly express their feelings, especially before the 1970s. Common signals include fanning quickly to show strong romantic interest, fanning slowly to indicate married or not interested, closing the fan slowly for “yes” and closing the fan quickly a clear “no”.

“When I told the Travel Guides cast about the fan, and it was very funny because they were asking ‘why do we have this internet dating, we could just use the fan!

“Overall, we had so many laughs and the guests seemed really impressed with Spain and Portugal as a destination. The cast were all so lovely to work with, and the film crew too. I also now have many new skills to add to my Travel Director resume including adjusting microphones and programming camera drones and am really looking forward to seeing the programme when it comes out.”

For the ultimate Spain and Portugal trip take a look at our Best of Spain & Portugal premium tour