Welcome to Dream Overland
Have you heard about our story? This dream of traveling overland to discover the real Portugal started as a result of our passion for the country. After years of doing it as a hobby, we took the plunge and became a licensed tour operator in 2014. Right from the start we set ourselves the goal of being the leading company for responsible and legally compliant 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 and preserve the heritage of Portugal and its natural habitats and provide our guests with a memorable experience. In every new journey we discover a genuine country with a sense of adventure that enriches us as travellers and as human beings.
Legal Credentials and Accreditations
As a licensed tour company, we comply with the Portuguese legislation which determines that only accredited people (local or foreign) can legally run these trips here. We are officialy recognised as a Nature Tourism business, with the permits required to operate inside legally protected areas. During the recent pandemic, we were amongst the first to obtain the “Clean & Safe” seal from the Portuguese Tourism board, and the “Safe Travels” seal from the World Travel & Tourism Council for complying with the health and safety standards.
To acquire an unrivalled knowledge of the country, we spend countless days out in the field, in contact with local people searching for the best places and routes, 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…”.
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.
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. Come and see what sets us apart!
My personal story
Hello, I am José Almeida, the person behind Dream Overland.
My love for cars and nature began in my childhood and over of the years, my passion for travelling became increasingly bigger. Having started as a simple enthusiast I later became a member of clubs and organisations both in Portugal and abroad.
I started dreaming about this venture while preparing the first trip to Portugal with Land Rover Owner International magazine back in 2011. Since then I’ve been the local editor and since 2019 I’ve been working with Overland Europe.
Over the years, I’ve acquired specialised skills required for the safe organisation of this kind of trips, both as a driver and as an instructor. In addition to the technical and driving qualifications, I also have a First Aid Certificate by the Portuguese Red Cross.
Nature conservation has been an enduring passion and priority throughout my whole life, hence my involvment with various environmental organisations. One project very dear to me, is the rewilding of an old pine woodland I own up in the high mountains of Portugal, which you can read and learn more about here.
In all these years worth of adventures, I have lived truly unforgettable moments in many parts of the world and I had the privilege to do some of the things I enjoy the most in life: travelling, admiring the wonders of nature and contacting with new people in remote places. Being so lucky to live in this beautiful country, I’m always looking for new magical places to discover and the most authentic things Portugal has to offer, so I invite you to join me in of my next trips. I look forward to seeing you soon!