Journeys Algarve 2026: what a few days
We’re heading home from the Algarve tired, very happy and incredibly proud of what we created together.
From 14–17 October, we brought luxury travel buyers from the USA and Canada together with suppliers from across the Algarve. We came to do business, of course, and a great deal of thought went into making those introductions relevant. But we also gave people time to enjoy each other’s company and discover the destination together.
For us, those things belong together. When you’re recommending a hotel, choosing a local partner or entrusting someone with your clients, knowing the person behind the business makes such a difference.
That is why we do what we do at Journeys, through our Fam-Meetings format.
A welcome that felt personal
Our home for these few days was Viceroy Ombria Algarve, where the team welcomed us with an evening of Portuguese food, music and experiences. The fado was incredible, and the Rancho was so much fun. It was a lovely way to bring everyone together.
Alessia also gave our suppliers a small challenge: find a buyer they hadn’t met and tell them something personal about the Algarve. A favourite place, a childhood memory, a local tradition. Something they wouldn’t find on Google.
We loved that starting point. Our suppliers know this region in a way that no brochure can communicate, and we wanted our buyers to hear their stories. Throughout the programme, we asked suppliers to be local hosts too, sharing their Algarve and helping our buyers feel welcome.
Thank you to Daniel, Rodrigo, Patricia, Mirella and the entire Viceroy team for the care you gave us, from that first evening through to our departures.
From the meeting table to the karting track
Our official opening and first day of Fam-Meetings took place at Vila Vita Parc, with lunch and the opportunity to explore the property.
There is a lot of work behind every appointment diary. We want buyers and suppliers to have useful conversations, understand each other’s businesses and see where there is potential to work together.
Our advice at the opening was simple: be curious about the person sitting opposite you. Ask questions and listen. Fifteen minutes can be the beginning of a very good relationship.
Thank you to Katya, Márcia and the Vila Vita Parc team for hosting us and giving our buyers the chance to experience the property first-hand.
Later, we headed to the Algarve International Circuit for activities, karting and dinner. It gave everyone a completely different setting in which to spend time together, with a little competition added to the mix.
We put a great deal of thought into these shared experiences. A conversation can begin at a meeting table and continue over dinner, on a coach or after a karting race. By the next morning, you already have something in common.
Thank you to Francisco and the circuit team for hosting our afternoon and evening.
Sharing Faro
On Friday, we continued our Fam-Meetings at Viceroy before heading into Faro.
Cristina and the Portugal No Limits team had created six experiences across the city, with some places opening exclusively for us. We discovered Faro through live fado at Palacete Belmarço, pastries at Pastelaria Gardy, Portuguese delicacies at COMUR, visits to the Cathedral and Archaeological Museum, Algarvian wines and a stop at Castelo Bar.
There were tasting challenges, a chance to join in the singing, and time to walk between the stops together.
For our buyers, these experiences also become part of their knowledge of the destination. They can return home with something they have tried themselves, a place they can describe personally and people they now know.
We finished at Atlântico with our closing dinner, music and time to enjoy one last evening together. Saying goodbye always seems to come round far too quickly.
So much to build on
A huge thank you to André, Hugo and the Visit Algarve team for their partnership and support. Creating an event like this takes people who are willing to work closely together and share their knowledge, contacts and time.
To all our hosts and partners, including Portugal No Limits, Algarve Elite Escapes and the Atlântico team: thank you for your part in making these few days happen.
To every buyer who travelled from the USA and Canada, thank you for making the journey and giving us your time. And to our Algarve suppliers, thank you for sharing your businesses and your home with us.
We’ve also loved seeing moments from the programme being shared on social media. It gives our partners and the destination visibility beyond the event, and lets others see a little of what we experienced together.
As a team, we’ve put so much into these few days. Seeing everyone come together, make connections and enjoy the programme makes all that work worthwhile. We’re leaving with plenty of shared memories of our own, too.
Now we’re looking forward to hearing how the conversations develop. Please keep us posted, whether it’s a follow-up call, a new partnership or a first booking. Those are the stories we love to hear.
We’ll be back in the Algarve from 3–6 October 2027, and we’re already looking forward to it.
Micaela and the Journeys team
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