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HERITAGE TRIP TO NORTHERN PORTUGAL
jun 03
Post-congress tour of the 2012 Europa Nostra Heritage Congress at Lisbon visiting Alcobaça - Batalha - Coimbra - Porto -Guimarães - Braga
3-6 June 2012
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Northern Portugal presents a Heritage and landscape very different to central and southern Portugal and since the 18th century is the richest area of this small country due to the trading of Port wine, textiles, silver craftsmanship and camellia flowers. With an Atlantic mild climate, it boasts a beautiful landscape where its main rivers are the Douro and Minho. There is a large number of manor houses, churches and monasteries, with granite combined with whitewashed walls as a typical feature. In the charming hilly town of Porto an important restoration program is taking place under the auspices of the municipality and private enterprises. The city was European cultural capital in the year 2001 and was given ‘World Heritage Site’ status by UNESCO in 1996. The tour departs from Lisbon and ends at Porto Airport.
SUNDAY 3 JUNE 1
LISBON – BATALHA – ALCOBAÇA – COIMBRA – PORTO.
9:30 am. Departure by private coach with luggage. Participate with the rest of the congress attendees in a day trip to the two most important monasteries in Portugal.
Drive to Alcobaça Monastery (Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça), a Mediaeval Monastery located in the town of Alcobaça in central Portugal. It was founded by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, in 1153 and has maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout its history. The church and monastery were the first Gothic buildings in Portugal. Due to its artistic and historical importance it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.
12:30 pm. Buffet lunch at the Pousada Mestre Afonso Domingues near Batalha.
2:00 pm. Departure for a visit of the Mosteiro Santa Maria da Vitória, more commonly known as the Batalha Monastery. This Dominican convent is one of the best and original examples of Late Gothic architecture in Portugal, intermingled with Manueline style. It was built to thank the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, fulfilling the promise made by King John I of Portugal. Its UNESCO listing dates from 1983
4:30 pm. We bid farewell to the other congress participants and continue our trip to Porto. On the way we shall stop at the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world, where we will visit the magnificent 18th century Joanina Library (a National Monument) and see the university’s splendid old courtyard, surrounded by the historic main university buildings.
From there we continue to Porto. Check into the Pousada do Freixo Hotel, located in a 18th century palace on the Douro River. Dinner at the hotel.
MONDAY 4 JUNE
PORTO
In the morning we drive into the historic town of Porto. Visit the Church of Carmo, the old historic prison now turned into Portugal´s Photography Archive, the famous century-old Lello Bookshop, the Torre dos Clérigos, the 19th century Train Station of São Bento, the Cathedral (Sé), the Palácio da Bolsa and the São Francisco Church.
The coach will then take us across the Douro to Gaia, where we will visit the Sandeman Porto Winery, located in a handsome 18th century building, declared UNESCO World Heritage. Then we will board a “rabelo” boat (typical boat to transport Port Wine down the Douro river), where we shall have lunch. Subsequently, we sail back to our hotel, whilst enjoying the views of the old town from the water.
In the evening we visit “Quinta de Villar d´Allen”, the private historical 19th century home of the Allen family, where we shall have dinner. Welcome by José & Isaura Allen. Their family has named two unique camellias: “Villar Allen” and “Augusto de Gouveia Pinto”. Return to the hotel by coach.
TUESDAY 5 JUNE
PORTO – GUIMARÃES – BRAGA - PORTO
In the morning we will go to Guimarães. On arrival we will have coffee at the beautiful Pousada de Santa Marinha, once a convent. Then we will visit the imposing Palace of the Dukes of Bragança and the gardens of the Vila Flor Palace.
Lunch will take place at the private home of Mário and Paula Sequeira in Parada de Tibães near Braga. After lunch we shall visit their art gallery, sculpture garden and restored guest farmhouse. Then we will visit the recently restored Monastery of St. Martinho de Tibães, before having a stroll through the historic quarter of Braga. Here we will see the Bishops palace and the famous 19th century coffee shop Café Brasileira, and the Baroque Church and beautiful staircase of the Bom Jesus. Return to Porto.
In the evening lecture on the silver tradition of Porto by silver expert Adílio Gomes. Dinner at the hotel.
WEDNESDAY 6 JUNE
PORTO
In the morning we will depart (with luggage) for a special architecture tour of the Casa de Música (Music House) by the famous Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas; a piece of sculpture in itself, it is one of the most striking new buildings in town.
Thereafter we visit the Serralves Foundation & Museum, composed by two buildings in a spectacular park. The first building of the Serralves Foundation (Fundação de Serralves) is a project designed by the Portuguese architect José Marques da Silva. It is an elegant Art Déco building with magnificent gardens surrounding it, designed by French architect Jacques Gréber. The second, new Foundation building was designed by the renowned Portuguese Architect Álvaro Siza Veira. We also visit of the foundation’s beautiful Park and its site-specific sculptures by Oldenburg. We shall be welcomed by the director, João Fernandes.
Farewell buffet lunch at the foundation’s restaurant.
On the way to the airport we may visit the famous Boa Nova Tea House, designed by Pritzker Prize architect Álvaro Siza Viera. Located on a cliff facing the Atlantic Ocean, it blends perfectly into the landscape.
3:00 pm. Arrival at Porto Airport.
PRICES OF THE TOUR
Price per person in Standard Room: € 1,345
Single Room Supplement: € 250
* Superior room supplement (for three nights): Single room: € 110
Double room: € 60 per person
NOTE: The Post-Congress Tour will only take place if a minimum number of 20 persons booked. We recommend that you do not make your air travel arrangements until you have received a confirmation that the tour will take place. In order to be able to confirm the tour well in time, please book not later than 20 March.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodation in a first-class hotel
All meals with drinks during the meals
Transportation by private coach
Lecturer during the entire tour (Sofía Barroso)
Local guides
Entrance fees
Taxes
Tips
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Air tickets
Extras
PAYMENT
Non-refundable (unless tour is cancelled) deposit of € 200 per person, to be paid before 20 March 2012.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations should be made in writing to Europa Nostra. Deposits are not refundable.
The following rules apply: notice of cancellations 60-29 days: 50% refund; 28-15 days: 25%; 14-7 days: 15%.
For cancellations received less than one week before commencement of the tour no refund can be made.
ABOUT THE HOTEL
POUSADA DO PORTO, PALÁCIO DO FREIXO
Overlooking Douro River in Porto, Pousada Palácio Do Freixo is set in a restored 18th-century building, designed by the architect Nassoni and is one of the most remarkable examples of Portuguese Baroque civil architecture. The Pousada has preserved the entire façade of the palace buildings that became a National Monument in 1910. The property consist in two separate but interconnected buildings, the palace which houses the drawing rooms and restaurant and the former Harmonia Flower Factory, where the bedrooms are located with a wonderful view of the river. Rooms at the Pousada are spacious, air-conditioned, have flat-screen TV’s and a separate seating area. Bathrooms include luxury amenities and a hairdryer. Guests can relax on a sun lounger next to the hotel's infinity pool which overlooks the river. The spa has a Turkish bath, heated indoor pool and a sauna. Massage treatments are also available. The restaurant at the Pousada also serves a daily buffet breakfast cooked with fresh ingredients. The Pousada is one km from Campanhã Train Station, and the city centre. Porto Airport is a 20-minute drive.
Pousada do Porto, Palácio do Freixo
Estrada Nacional 108
4300 Campanhã – Porto
Tel: +351 225 311 000
Fax: +351 225 301 151
E-mail: guest@pousadas.pt
BACK TO PROGRAMME
Organised by:
Sofía Barroso | Tel. +34 91 702 64 20 | M. 639 37 90 73 | sofia.barroso@aroundart.es
Julieta Rafecas | Tel. +34 91 702 64 20 | M. 619 76 64 48 | julieta.rafecas@aroundart.es
