Think garden party. Imani is a "country house" and the grounds are beautiful, but rustic. We hope you'll walk around and enjoy the view, the olive and orange groves and maybe pet the resident donkey. Comfortable shoes might be the most important item.
UPDATE as of 3/2/2025: This system will not be functional until 2026, meaning you will NOT need a visa for the EU. (If you're flying through London, the U.K. does require a visa).
No. Hotels in Portugal do not generally provide a group booking discount, so we did not reserve any specific hotel block. We did check out the three hotels recommended in the "Travel & Lodging" section--Evora Olive Hotel, Casa do Escritor, and Convento do Espinheiro, but there are many others that are also very nice in and around the city.
You're coming all the way to Portugal, that's more than enough! No gifts, please.
Highway driving in Portugal is pretty straightforward. The roads are very well maintained, the signage is good and Google maps works everywhere. Your rental company will include a toll reader so you can go through the "Via Verde" lane at booths; just be advised some of the tolls are hefty and you'll get that bill a few weeks after you return your vehicle. City driving in Portugal depends greatly on your comfort with small, narrow roads and city driving in general. I would not recommend driving in Lisbon or Porto, but we've driven all over everywhere else without any issues.
No. Most of the people, especially those involved in tourism, speak English. However, a "bom dia" and "obrigado" are appreciated. If you speak any Spanish you'll likely be able to read and understand menus and other signage. If not, Google translate is always handy!