This dream of traveling overland to discover the real Portugal started as a result of our passion for the country and for nature. After years of doing it as a hobby, we took the plunge and became a licensed tour company in 2014. Right from the start we set ourselves the goal of being the leading company for responsible, legally compliant and eco-friendly overland trips in Portugal.
Our trips are much more than just driving from A to B and we distinguish ourselves for having a higher purpose: To discover, promote and protect the historical, cultural and environmental heritage of Portugal, so that in the end our guests have many memories to relish. In every new journey we discover a genuine and surprising country with a sense of adventure and discovery that enriches us as adventurers and human beings.
We spend countless days out in the field, in contact with local people searching for the best places and routes. As a result, we have a deep knowledge of the country which allows us to offer our guests a unique level of differentiation and exclusivity. As a previous guest from New Zealand, now a good friend of ours, told us one day, “… on an adventure trip to a country other than ours, nothing replaces local knowledge…”.
During our trips we are in close contact with nature in a responsible manner, by working with the authorities and other environmental organisations such as the Faia Brava Reserve and Rewilding Portugal, with the aim to reduce the impact of our passage and leave a trace of good citizenship. Every year we plant a tree for each guest in an effort to make Dream Overland a carbon-neutral company and contribute to a greener Portugal.
As a licensed tour company, we comply with the Portuguese legislation which determines that only people (local or foreign) accredited by the authorities can legally run these trips in the country. We are recognised as a Nature Tourism business, with the permits from the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests required to drive in legally protected areas, and we are members of the Natural.PT brand, reserved for entities who adhere to their principles.
We were amongst the first to be awarded with the “Clean & Safe” seal from the Portuguese Tourism board, and the “Safe Travels” seal from the World Travel & Tourism Council for complying with the official requirements for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 virus outbreak.
With our trips we contribute to the social cohesion and economic sustainability of local communities, through the promotion of their customs, heritage, handicrafts and local produce. We believe we’re not the average 4×4 tours company, and we take great pride in that. This and much more is what sets us apart!
Hello, I am José Almeida, the person behind Dream Overland.
My love for the outdoors and my connection with cars began early in my childhood. Over of the years, my passion for nature and travelling became increasingly bigger. Having started as a simple enthusiast I became a member of clubs and organisations both in Portugal and abroad. I started dreaming about setting up this venture while preparing the first trip to Portugal with Land Rover Owner International magazine in 2011. Since then I’ve been their local editor, and more recently I’ve also started working with Overland Journal Europe (overlandjournal.eu) magazine.
Over the years, I’ve acquired specialised skills required for the safe organisation of these trips, both as a driver and as an instructor. In addition to the technical and driving qualifications, I have a First Aid Certificate awarded by the Portuguese Red Cross.
Nature conservation has been an enduring passion and priority in my life, hence my involvment with various environmental organisations. One project very dear to me, is the piece of woodland I own in the high mountains of Portugal, where I am re-establishing the natural habitats once destroyed by wild fires.
In all these years worth of experience, I have lived some unforgettable moments in many parts of the world and I’ve been able to do some of the things I like the most: travelling, enjoying the wonders of nature and contacting with new people in remote places. Being so lucky to live in a wonderful country such as Portugal, I am always looking for new magical places to discover and the most authentic things the country has to offer, so I invite you to join me in of my next trips.
I look forward to hosting you here soon!
