discovering porto & the minho pre tour – tl 2016 · the name “os lusíadas” is inspired...

PORTO AND NORTHERN PORTUGAL TOURISM BOARD visitportoandnorth.travel

Discovering Porto & the Minho PRE TOUR – BTL 2016 28th February – 01st March 2016

http://visitportoandnorth.travel/



Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Board On behalf of the Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Board - Porto Convention Bureau and

its Members, we are pleased to invite you to discover Porto and the North – The Essence of

Portugal!

Porto and the North of Portugal has 4 World Heritage Sites by Unesco: the Historical City of

Porto, the Historical City of Guimarães, the Foz Côa Art Valley and the Douro Valley.

There are a thousand years of History to recreate in the ancient cities, the busy streets, the

walls of the heritage and the traditions of the people.

The commerce in the streets and galleries tremble with the vintage shops, traditional

markets, gourmet specialities and urban handicraft. The gastronomy from the north is rich,

healthy and exclusive and the wines of the region are unique, aromatic and surprising. We

have sun, sea and river, culture and entertainment. We have festivities, life, modernity and

agitation.

There is an immensity of things to do, places to see, people to meet and emotions to feel.

We receive with the nature of those who live their life with intensity!

This program includes: Accomodation All meals and guided visits mentioned in the program; Coach service and English speaking guide according to the program This program excludes: Personal extras and expenses; All the services not mentioned in this program.

Program Subject to Minor Changes




Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Board




28th February, Sunday

Arrival in Porto during the morning

Check In at a 4 or 5 star Hotel in Porto (hotels to be informed)

12h30 Lunch at Barão Fladgate Restaurant, followed by visit at Taylor’s Port Wine Lodge

Barão Fladgate Restaurant enjoys a spectacular location and atmospheric setting in the grounds of Taylor’s Port cellars with magnificent views across the Douro River to the old historic centre of Porto. It offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional cuisine where the accent is on fresh local ingredients and on showcasing the authentic flavours of Portugal.

For many, Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles.

16h00 Guided Visit Contemporary Art Museum of Serralves

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM OF SERRALVES, the Gardens, the Serralves Foundation – an Art Deco mansion, a farm, a modern restaurant and the Tea Room 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, pic nic in the park or a very elegant and sophisticated candle.




17h30 Guided visit at Casa da Música - House of Music

Casa da Música was conceived to mark 2001, the year in which Porto was Cultural Capital of Europe, and it is the first new building in Portugal to be entirely dedicated to music - to the presentation and public enjoyment of music, to music education and to the creation of music. The project took shape in 1999 after the Rem Koolhaas & Ellen van Loon - Office for Metropolitan Architecture won the international architectural competition. Work began in 1999 on the site of Porto's former central tram garage on the Rotunda da Boavista, and Casa da Música opened its doors to the public on April 15th, 2005.

20H00 Dinner at Fish Fixe Restaurant

A traditional restaurant at Ribeira do Portoowith a beautiful view over the river Douro, where you can taste the most traditional of the North of Portugal.

Return to the hotel and overnight stay.




29th February, Monday

Breakfast at the hotel

09H00 Departure to Braga

Braga is the oldest town in Portugal and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world.

Founded in the Roman times under the name of Bracara Augusta, the city has more than

2000 years of history. The historic center has a valuable architectural and archaeological

heritage and therefore, Braga is a city of great importance and interest, culture and

tradition.

10H00 Visit Braga city center and Bom Jesus

Stroll around the pedestrian area with its impressive monuments such as: the Cathedral,

the Bishop Palace and Sta. Barbara gardens. Drive up until the well-known Bom Jesus

shrine in Baroque style. Visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.

13h00 Lunch at Pousada Santa Marinha da Costa, Guimarães

Near the historical centre of Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city, you can find

the majestic Pousada de Guimarães, Santa Marinha, a former XII Century Augustin

Monastery, which after being rebuilt and restored, received the National Architectural

Prize in 1985.This historic luxury hotel has unique charming points, like the superb

gardens, to be counted among the best Portuguese’s gardens, a magnificent stone

staircase and an artificial lake can be found among the trees.




15h00 Visit to Guimarães historical city centre

Recently declared World Heritage by UNESCO, Guimarães adds this award to another title it

displays by right, the cradle of the nation as a proud and dominating castle was born 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 Town, with old

houses embellished by ornate balconies and statuary, leading to the beautiful Largo da

Oliveira, one of the centers of interest. Guimarães was proudly the European Capital of

Culture of 2012.

17h30 Return to Porto

20h00 Dinner at Restaurant Os Lusíadas

Specialized in fish and seafood, the restaurant “Os Lusíadas” provides excellent quality food thanks to its privileged location in Matosinhos, next to one of the major national fishing ports. Here, you will be able to enjoy a delicious and tasty meal with fresh ingredients coming from the Ocean almost straight into your plate. The name “Os Lusíadas” is inspired by the homonymous masterpiece of Luís de Camões, Portugal’s great national poet; this epic poem from the 16th century describes Vasco da Gama’s discovery of the sea route to India.

Return to hotel and overnight stay




01st March, Tuesday

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

10h00 Downtown tour

Strolling around the old and narrow streets, passing the most interesting land marks of the city including the Clérigos Tower – the ex-libris of the city, the exquisite Book Shop ‘LELLO’ - considered UNESCO World Patrimony and one of the third most beautiful bookshops in the World, the old grocery shops and boutiques, the colourful squares, etc. The new quarters of Cândido dos Reis (street) and Galeria de Paris (street), where one can find and enjoy the best of night life in Porto downtown with its trendy and design cafés, book shops, shops, Aliados avenue, Café Guarany, Bolhão market, Sta. Catarina street – the best pedestrian and shopping area and take a glimpse of Majestic café, S. Bento train station.

13h00 Lunch at DOP Restaurant

In 2010, Rui Paula returned to his homeland, Porto, with the opening of the DOP restaurant. DOP is situated in the Palace of Arts, a building from the 14th century, in the historic city centre. You will be able to taste a signature cuisine based on the traditional Portuguese flavours that the chef Rui Paula recreates.

15h00 End of program. Return to Lisbon, with arrival scheduled around 18h00.



discovering porto & the minho pre tour – tl 2016 · the name “os lusíadas” is inspired...

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