10 Nov 2024
We started off excited for our first e-bike tour through Porto. Upon arriving, were greeted warmly and shown to our bikes. Our guide, Helio introduced himself and asked our names. It was a small group- only 4 adults including myself and my husband. The other couple was friendly and interested in learning more about Porto, as were we. We have been on several e-bike tours in other cities such as Montreal, Lisbon, Auckland and have always enjoyed them. Sometimes the weather is not ideal, the bikes may not function perfectly, or there are others in the group who are unsafe. But I have NEVER had a tour guide who was completely uninformed, patronizing, easily angered, and had little regard for our experience/safety/curiosity. From the start he told us he does not talk about himself and not to ask him any personal questions. Though somewhat odd for a tour guide it is understandable. . When he stopped he asked us if there anything we would like to know. If we asked any basic questions about the local housing, the economy, the food, the River, the schools- he acted visibly annoyed. Mostly he just shrugged his shoulders and said “I don’t know”. When one of the other people attempted to answer my question, he growled “don’t ask me questions you already know the answer to”. It made all of us extremely uncomfortable and afraid to speak. The scenery was beautiful and the bikes were in good condition.