About Us
All our private tours are made to keep you off “the beaten track”. This means that we will take you to all the places that a traveller should not miss, but away from the usual touristic hustle, sharing with you people, places and cultures we know and love. We want you to feel like a fellow traveller or a friend that came to visit, not a “tourist”. We will give you time to soak everything in.
Our goal is based on honesty, professionalism, personal service, and client satisfaction. Whit that is mind, we do not make tours for large groups (mass-tourism) that contribute to the destructing of our heritage and nature. Our tours are designed for smaller private groups, families, and friends.
You will be guided by someone that has a passion and knowledge about wine, history, nature, local customs, and gastronomy, making your time with us rewarding.
We enjoy meeting new, different, and open-minded people seeking new experiences.
Choose a tour or a trip and let us be the ones TakingUThere!
João Dickmann
Founder of TakingUThere, New Travel Experiences. Born in Portugal, lived in different countries during his youth, but always having Portugal in his heart. Being an off-road driver for over 35 years, he knows Portugal and Morocco inside out. Therefore, travelling literally "off the beaten track", making friends along the way and getting to know their history and culture. This made him organize tours and trips for friends and family, taking them to remote places that are not normally seen, and of extreme beauty.
All this led to the foundation of TakingUThere. A travel experience company that can take travellers to parts of Portugal and Morocco left unseen.
He and his team members put their heart and soul into each experience. As a result, taking you beyond the destination, away from the usual touristic hustle.
Rodrigo Mendonça
He is the most travelled member our TakingUThere team. Born in Canada, he lived in several countries as Canada, Portugal, Italy, and Macao. Having worked as a Flight Attendant for many years, gave him the opportunity to interact with different cultures and ways of life. Therefore, being in contact with different cultures of North, South and Central America to Europe, Africa as well as Asia.
In conclusion, he has a passion for culture, history, wine, and all that is antique. He will be your guy, giving you an amazing experience in Portugal and Morocco.
Maia Horta
Born in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, she grew up in Lisbon. Later spending many years in the United States and Germany, where she pursued her arts studies.
As the homesickness (saudade) grew, she decided to move back to her beloved childhood city. Back in Lisbon since 2000 and loving it!
Above all, what fascinates her, is Lisbon´s contrast. In other words, the light and shadow, geographical ups and downs, layers of history and incredible views, having a unique light that you will never forget!
In conclusion, if you want a different “point of view” of this amazing city, and Portugal, she is the one to show it to you.
Vasco Morais
He is another true "Alfacinha", born and living in Lisbon all of his live. Having a degree in Lisbon´s College of Fine Arts he has a strong background in the History of Art, making him well-prepared for history tours.
Another great asset that he has, is growing up in his family business, Vinhos Lima Mayer Winery, on a beautiful farm in Estremoz, Alentejo. This provided him with a practical perspective on the wine industry, complementing his knowledge of the craft. Portugal, with its stunning coastline, has the ocean as a significant part of its culture.
Vasco, being an experienced surfer, is very familiar with the Portuguese coast, including the internationally famous Nazaré waves. SO if you want history, wine and surfing, he is the guy for you.
Ricardo Alexandre
He was born and lived in Lisbon all his live, having a little "getaway" for 8 years to Geneva (Switzerland), pursuing his passion for art collection & trade.
It all started with graduating in History of Arts, taking him to work for 30 years as a graphic designer for magazines and newspapers.
Still continuing today, collecting archaeological and ethnographic objects, he joined TakingUThere to share his passions.
He loves doing tours & trips, because of the possibility to interact with different people, cultures, mindsets, and new ways of thinking.
Paulo Levy
Born in Lisbon and son of Lisbon born parents, he is our true "Alfacinha". He embraces with a lot of passion his Sephardic Jewish routes, learning and investigating the history, customs, and cuisine.
He is the one to take you through this very specific history that accompanied Portugal along centuries, not just in Lisbon.
In conclusion, be it visiting "typical Lisbon", the surrounding regions, or listening to great Fado, he is the ideal person to accompany you.
Ricardo Macieira-Coelho
Working for more than 20 years as Art Director at a magazine and newspaper publisher, he joins the TakingUThere team.
Spending a large part of his time traveling by motorcycle through Portugal, he learned to appreciate his country. In other words, the culture, and history of Portugal, having a special passion for natural landscapes.
Ricardo added his precious knowledge to the TakingUThere team. Therefore, having the skills needed to present to our travellers everything that Portugal and Morocco have to offer.
It is with great affection that he shares all his knowledge with the TakingUThere travellers, aiming at your total satisfaction in each of our tours.
Fernando Pereira
He is a motor biker for "only" 40 years. Since ever, his passion is reconciling off-roading and traveling. For several years he organized motorbike trips in Portugal and Morocco on and off-road, going beyond the "normal roads" of these two countries. His professional career in Portugal has been linked to leading publications/magazines about motorcycles, boats, and cars but also as an off-road tourism guide.
His promise is to provide you unforgettable trips, whatever the vehicle, to those that dare to ride with him... If you want to organize something out of the box, he is the guy.
