Douro Valley Portugal 21 - 25 June

Discovering Porto and the north of portugal 21-25 june Educational to Porto Northern Portugal Photos to follow:- 21 June, Friday Douro Valley Arrival to Porto Airport TPO 33114h10 Meeting, greeting and assistance by Porto & Northern Portugal Tourism Staff Departure to Amarante. Arrival at Casa da Calcada Visit of the Hotel and of the city.Located in Amarante, between Porto city and the Douro valley, arises Casa da Calcada member of the Relais & Chateaux Association with majestic landscape and an entire idyllic scenery that inspires its discovery. Departure to the Douro Valley World Heritage of UNESCO and the oldest demarcated wine region in the World - the region where Port wines and Douro wines are produced. Arrival at Hotel Lamego The Hotel Lamego built on land where an ancient Quinta is situated in a house dating from 1926 season with his name Palacete Vista Alegre, has all the amenities of a modern and sophisticated hotel unit. Ideal place to enjoy harmony of comfort, tranquility, history and flavors of the Alto Douro Wine Region 22 June, Saturday Douro Valley Guided Visit at Quinta da Pacheca Continuing to Quinta da Pacheca one of the best known estates in the Douro region was also one of the first properties to bottle wine under its own label. Inside of the property, you can find a small and deluxe charm hotel with 15 rooms l Quinta do Panascal dates back to the 18th century and is the most important wine estate of the prestigious Port Wine Company "Fonseca Guimaraens". The estate has been classified as grade "A", which is the highest grade given to a quinta. The same occur:s with its famous wines, namely Fonseca Vintage 1994 which was recognized by the Wine Spectator Magazine as one of the best wines in the world Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Rural Hotel is open since 2005, reconstructed from an old eighteen century manor house designed in full harmony with nature and tradition, Hotel visitors are able to live the true spirit of the Douro Valley by accompanying the Quinta's farming activities, trying out the walking routes and discovering the Quinta's historical spots.A beautiful quinta with a large pool overlooking the Douro river and valley, the perfect spot to enjoy the silence and tranquility. Departure to Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa Check-in. Dinner and overnight The Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa, invites you to a unique experience of comfort and elegance in an informal atmosphere, where history and the contemporary are to be found side by side. Rooms with beautiful views of the river and surrounding countryside. 23 June, Sunday Porto - St John Festivities Departure to Porto Check-in at Hotel Vila Gale Porto This hotel affords excellent, easy access right on the way to the airport and is served by the main routes leading to the city centre. Having direct access to Porto's modern Subway system and staying so close to a train station Arrival at Porto City Centre St. John's itinerary - "cascatas" (typical outdoor decoration), the shop windows and popular poetry tour Lunch at D. Tonho Restaurant A' typical portuguese restaurant, at Ribeira, near the river, with a beautiful sight. Departure to "Circuito da Boavista" - Porto Historic Grand Prix Return to the past to attend to the Porto Historic Grand Prix, to the fast pace of Circuito da Boavista.with a flowing bar of champagne. St John's dinner at Taylor's Taylor's, accepted by most wine authorities to be the greatest of all port shippers, the visitor will be given the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Port wine, as well as that of the House of Taylor - now in its fourth century - making it one of the oldest Port companies 24 June, Monday Porto Guided visit to Contemporary Art Museum of Serralves and lunch at Serralves Restaurant CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM OF SERRALVES, the Gardens, the Serralves Foundation - an Art Deco mansion, a farm, a modern restaurant and the teaRoom restaurant, all inside a huge park of 18 hectares, which give so many possibilities of indoors and outdoors activities, traditional workshops, team building, informal lunches, picnic in the park or a very elegant and sophisticated candle light dinner. Departure to Guimaraes Recently declared World Heritage by UNESCO, Guirnaraes adds this award to another title it displays by right, the cradle of the nation as a proud and dominating castle was bom in the twelfth century, the first king of Portugal D. Afonso Henriques. The distinguished historical center is extremely well preserved and the narrow streets of the Medieval, with old houses embellished by ornate balconies and statuary, leading to the beautiful Largo da Oliveira, one of the centers of interest. Guimaraes is European Capital of Culture 2012 19h30 Departure to Porto 20h30 Dinner at Quarenta 4 Restaurant A design, urban chic restaurant with an excellent and sophisticated Portuguese cuisine. 25 June, Tuesday 07h15 Departure to Porto Airport - TP 334 OPO - London Gatwick- 08h45 THANK YOU TO PORTO AND NORTHERN PORTUGAL TOURISM BOARD FOR THIS MEMORABLE TRIP For more information, call Deb on 01243377211