We took the Slave Trade Historical Tour, and it was both enlightening and deeply moving, shedding light on Portugal's dark history of the slave trade. Naturally, it was also very troubling and saddening to learn about this painful chapter in history.
We discovered the tour through an encounter my friend had at the airport with an African American traveler. I'm Irish and went with my friend, who is of Somali heritage. At first, we were a bit concerned the tour might sensationalize the topic of slavery, but our guide, Rui Fernandes, far exceeded our expectations. Rui's deep understanding and passion for the history of Portugal and its involvement in the slave trade were evident from the start. This is a serious and difficult subject, but Rui approached it with professionalism, patiently answering all of our questions. His knowledge was extraordinary, and his engaging storytelling kept us riveted for the entire three hours. Though three hours is a long time to walk and stand, we had a break and the route wasn't too strenuous. I’d recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing tissues, as the experience can be emotional.