Tag Archives: wonderful atmosphere

Insight Vacations Trip Through Spain and Portugal

We are coming to the end of this segment of our vacation and I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on what we received, where we went and how we were treated.

We have been on the road now for two weeks with this company. We have a wonderful, careful, pleasant young driver from Portugal we call Joel. Sorry ladies, as handsome as he is, he has a girlfriend. A wonderful gentleman.

We have received with great passion more history on the different areas we have been to; hints about shopping, foods to try or avoid as the case may be, and always with a smile, cute joke or assistance from our wonderful guide, Elena. This lady had a monumental task ahead of her when we first met.

For example, she has to advise (warn?) the various hotels we will be staying in, trying to please 39 passengers from different parts of the world with foods, places to go to, assistance and understanding for those who may require it.

Through it all, we were plied with information, pictures of historic people, events and architecture, finding lost or late passengers and keeping a schedule. Elena does all this and more, and truly is a gem in the Insight diadem.

Did we have an easy time booking this vacation? Absolutely.

We asked them to book our airflights, advising them who we preferred . Insight to the rescue, again.

The biggest question people ask us is; would we travel with them again? Absolutely with great haste. There is no better way to travel and see new places, things and a history lesson as well. Fascinating.

We began as 39 strangers and we end as 39 friends.

 

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Terrafina At Hester Creek, Oliver, B.C.

How often is perfection of dining out the highlight of the evening ? Trust me, not often BUT last night Chef Natasha and her staff pulled it off.

They were clever enough to open up just for Valentine’s and were sold out. The menu was incredible.  When reservations were made for this night out, payment up front was pretty cool. I was taking my best beau out and I didn’t have to take any money with me. Great strategy on their part. This way, cancellations are rare.

 

The first course, Don and I both chose the Smoked Haida Gwaii Scallops with sauteed spinach, pancetta with a balsamic glaze. This was paired with their 2012 Chardonnay. We were drooling. This was magnificent.

The smoke flavour was so subtle and the pancetta was perfect here. Absolutely wonderful.

The second course we chose differently but, as always, tasted each others pick.

Don chose the proscuitto wrapped trout on top of a clam, mussel and corn chowder, with herb oil. The presentation was perfect. The flavour of the trout was wonderful.

I chose (the very best of the night,  I might add) pan roasted beef tenderloin, roasted squash and potato mousseline (like silk), sauteed asparagus, pan jus, bearnaise. This was paired with their 2011 Reserve Merlot. OMG….unbelievable perfection…..in taste, texture, and presentation.

Dessert was a picture…Tiramisu teaser, espresso and ladyfinger scented panna cotta, tiramisu macaroons (so light, they could fly), coffee cramel. This was paired with their 2012 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc.

Not that they served enough wine with their dinner, I also ordered, and was not sorry I did, Desert Hills Ambassador port.

This was an evening that was special, delicious and perfect in every way. Thank you Chef Natasha and your staff and thank you to the best husband a lucky girl like me just simply adores. WOW!

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