Portugal DOURO VALLEY VILLAGES & VINEYARDS

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1 Portugal DOURO VALLEY VILLAGES & VINEYARDS Highlights Discover the rambling cobble-stoned streets of Porto Spend a week in the World Heritage listed Douro Valley, the birthplace of Port wine Hike between historic villages & stay in luxurious inns & boutique hotels Enjoy half & full day walks on village paths, Roman roads & rail trails Regional, seasonal food & wine tastings Spot birds of prey & unique wildlife in the natural & regional parks Explore the historical & cultural precincts of the capital city of Lisbon with local guides This new 11 day tour starts in Porto, the country s second largest city with its medieval Ribeira district, bustling plazas and Baroque churches. To the east, our walks focus on the villages, vineyards and natural parks of the Douro and Coa River Valleys. Staying in a luxury wine house at Quinta Nova, there are options for short walks above the Douro River. Alternatively you can try your hand at winecaching (similar to geocaching but looking for wine caches instead)! We then follow an ancient trail still used by the locals to the medieval walled village of Marialva walking by old stone walls, vineyards, almond trees and little farms. Continuing along the Coa River valley we visit World Heritage listed stone carvings from the Paleolithic era. Lunch at a famous winery, visiting an archaeological park and following the Douro rail trail are other highlights of this area. After a boat ride on the Douro River, we visit a natural park featuring several birds of prey then walk on the Devil s Path (Alpajares), once a Roman road. At the Faia Brava Natural Reserve, we search for the Griffon vulture and Bonelli s eagle. Above the pilgrim s village of Castelo Rodrigo, we climb a mountain ridge with sweeping views of the areas we have just visited and then follow a pilgrimage trail to Almeida with its hexagonal fortress. Transferring to Lisbon for our final nights, we have time for walks in the capital and exploring the significant historical and cultural precincts. DETAILS Price: Twinshare / person (ex Porto, ends Lisbon) Advanced Early Bird: A$6,150 until 25/11/2016 Early Bird: A$6,350 until 2/02/2017 Regular: A$6,650 Single Supplement: A$1,150 Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the sole-use surcharge will apply. Minimum Group size: 7 guests Accommodation: 4-5 star inns and boutique hotels Special Interest: Food, Culture, History, Geology Note: Can be joined with Southern Italy and Northern Spain For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 1

2 WALK RATING Moderate: Age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience, and anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to join this tour. We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions and group fitness. INCLUSIONS 10 nights twin share accommodation Luxury inns and boutique hotels Meals include - 10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9 Dinners All transfers as listed in itinerary National park and museum entry fees Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides Basic group tips where required Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour information and destination tour companion EXCLUSIONS Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour Airport transfers Passport & visa expenses Heavy or excess baggage Travel insurance Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, telephone, or optional tours / excursions TOUR LEADER Leo San Sebastian grew up in Spain s Basque Country and has been a professional tour leader for over 25 years, leading walking holidays throughout Spain, Morocco, the French Swiss & Italian Alps, South America and Asia. Over the past 10 years he has created and lead IPT s Spain and Morocco programs and also travelled several times to Portugal. Leo s care and concern for travellers, his passion and desire to showcase the areas we visit along with engaging local guides will ensure an enriching trip and one not duplicated if travelling independently. FAQ S How & when to book? Our biggest message to you is BOOK EARLY!! We have had many tours book out very quickly this year so the moral of the story is the early bird catches the worm! To qualify for any of the early bird prices, you simply need to send a completed booking form and deposit of A$400 per person per tour, by the early bird dates listed at the front of the tour itinerary. We offer A$500 discount per person if you book by the Advanced Early Bird date and A$300 discount per person if you book by the Early Bird date. If your deposit arrives after any of the early bird dates, the tour balance will be at the regular price. To place your booking, simply visit to pay your deposit and book online, or complete a Tour Booking Form, and post / fax / it to us with your deposit. Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact with regular mailings (see below). What information and contact can I expect? When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to confirm your booking. Once the tour has been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive information pack will be sent to you, including a Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, balance of payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation options. The final mailing is sent out approximately three weeks before departure and includes final tour documents, address list for family and friends, meeting points, and any final travel information. How fit do I have to be? When you are assessing your agility to participate, age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience. Please read the tour walk rating and the day by day walking descriptions in the itinerary to determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness. If you have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch with either the tour coordinator or tour guide to discuss your fitness in more detail. When should I book my flight? Please don t book flights until our office contacts you to confirm that your tour has been confirmed to operate. This information will confirm best arrival & departure times based on the itinerary (as the first and last day travel activities may influence your arrangements). What is the group size? We specialise in small group travel with an average group size of around guests. Please see the front page for details on the minimum group size for this particular tour. All tours need a minimum number of passengers to operate at the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge. For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 2

3 ITINERARY TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Fri 02 Jun Porto Ola! Welcome to Portugal and the romantic city of Porto. The adventure begins at 5:30pm when we meet our tour leader, Leo San Sebastian, and the remainder of the group in the hotel foyer for group introductions followed by a tour briefing and welcome dinner either in the hotel or a nearby restaurant. Our hotel is situated in the UNESCO World Heritage listed area of Ribeira, right beside the River Douro (the river of gold). Meals: D Walks: at own leisure Day 2 Sat 03 Jun Porto Portugal s second largest city is renowned for its food, wine (the birthplace of port), medieval and baroque history. This morning we take a private walking tour of Porto and discover this enchanting city with a local guide. Built along the hillsides beside the Douro River, we explore the narrow laneways of Riberia and explore where old and new Porto meet (from ancient Roman ruins to contemporary art museums). The afternoon is free to further explore Porto. Take advantage of the modern transport system to explore further afield or sample some of the wine tasting cellars, delightful markets, cafes and plazas. Dinner is not included tonight so you can try the city s wide range of good restaurants or tapas bars and perhaps be entertained by Fado. Meals: B Walks: city and surround strolls Day 3 Sun 04 Jun Porto / Pinhao The morning is free for you to continue your exploration of Porto. You may like to attend a service in one of the beautiful historic cathedrals or simply soak up some sun with coffee and a Portuguese pastry! After lunch we meet our bus and local guide who will accompany us for the next 6 days as we journey east into the famous Douro Valley. On the way to Pinhao, we visit the Douro Museum with its detailed history of the Port wine industry. The museum, housed in a restored Casa in Regua, is a great example of how archaeology, artefacts, history, imagery, archival film treasures and presentation can be harnessed to tell the story of a region and its products. Surrounded by farmlands and vineyards, Pinhao is a charming village in the north located on the Douro River and is one of the areas classified by UNESCO as cultural heritage. This is where the famous Vinho do Porto is produced. Our accommodation for the next 2 nights is the award winning luxury hotel and vineyard Quinta Nova. Meals: B, D Walks: city and surround strolls Day 4 Mon 05 Jun Pinhao estate walks Set on a stunning ridge, surrounded by ancient vineyards, overlooking the deep green Douro river with mountains in the distance, the Quinta Nova estate is worth an in-depth exploration. The three hiking trails on the estate (the longest is 2½ hours) are the best in the region, and you can also try the Geocaching Challenge. Guests use a GPS to locate five wine caches, replacing the corks in each. If you complete the task, you ll win a prize! Crossing the orchards, make sure you pick some fresh fruit! You can meet with the local winemakers at the winery dating from 1764 and taste the local produce and wines of this historical region. All your meals are prepared by chefs dedicated to working in harmony with the wines of the property and the best seasonal produce. Walks: estate trails For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 3

4 ITINERARY TOUR ITINERARY continued... Day 5 Tue 06 Jun Meda / Marialva Our day will start with a short train ride up to the town of Pocinho on the famous Douro railway road. The Pocinho railway station was built in the late 19 th century with the interior entirely lined with azulejos panels, painted tin-glazed ceramic tiles typical of Portugal. After a short transfer, we begin our walk in the village of Meda. This ancient trail is still used by the local people connecting Meda to Marialva. The trail follows old stone walls, passing vineyards, almonds trees and small farms where ancient forms of agriculture are still practised. We arrive in Marialva, one of the most beautiful Portuguese 12 th century historical villages with its lofty castle, narrow cobbled streets and cluster of granite-built houses. Its history dates back to an age when this was the frontline of battle between Spain and a newly born kingdom of Portugal. Nowadays with a population of just 30, the spirit of the place is far less aggressive, a place conducive to quiet contemplation of the views across the surrounding plain. Walks: 8.4km on ancient trail Day 6 Wed 07 Jun Coa River Valley Today we walk the Coa valley and the Coa River which features various stone carvings from the Palaeolithic era and is considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The Coa is a tributary of the Douro River and one of the few Portuguese rivers that flows south to north. Whilst wine-tasting and enjoying local produce in the famous property of Casa Ramos Pinta in Quinta da Ervamoira for lunch, we learn more history of the Douro Region and Port wine and find out why this nectar is said to be divine. After lunch we visit the world renowned Archaeological Park to view panels where thousands of animal figures have been engraved over several millennia. The rock-art site of Foz Coa represents the most remarkable open-air collection of Palaeolithic art on the Iberian Peninsula. We return to Marialva and dine in-house at the stunning Casas do Coro. Walks: 14km of walking trails Day 7 Thu 08 Jun Douro rail-trail walk / river boat / Castelo Rodrigo Today we transfer to the Douro valley with breathtaking views of the vineyards and olives plantations on the terraces above the Douro River. After walking along the disused trails of the famous Douro railroad to the banks of the Coa River, a boat will transport us to the last Portuguese village along the Douro, Barca d Alva, less than 2km from the Spanish border. With mountains on all sides, and on a placid bend in the Rio Douro we will indulge in the local produce and wines. After lunch we have the option to continue our walk up the famous path of Alpajares or Devil s Path (Calcada do Diabo), as known locally, which was part of a Roman road that crossed the Douro river and the Mosteiro stream. For the next two nights we stay in the beautiful fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo. In ancient times, it stood on the route taken by the pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela. Legend has it that none other than St. Francis of Assisi spent the night here on his pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James. Walks: 8km trail walks with longer option Day 8 Fri 09 Jun Faia Brava Natural Reserve Today we visit Faia Brava Natural Reserve, the first and only private reserve in Portugal. The reserve straddles the wild and beautiful Coa River Valley and boasts 25 mammal, 180 plant and 100 bird species including the majestic Golden and Bonelli s eagles, Egyptian For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 4

5 ITINERARY TOUR ITINERARY continued... and Griffon vultures, Black stork and Eagle owl. ATN, a Portugal registered environmental non government organistaion purchased the land in 2000 and is slowly extending the Faia Brava Nature Reserve with a focus on ecological restoration, habitat enhancement and increasing natural food availability for some of Iberia s most endangered species. In 2011 ATN signed a partnership agreement with Rewilding Europe initiative. Tonight we stay one more night in the village of Castelo Rodrigo. You will notice that the castle, dating from the 13 th century, still shows the scars left by the constant disputes over the territory with both Spanish and British troops. Outside Castelo Rodrigo stands the Santa Maria de Aguiar Convent founded in the 12 th century. Walks: short walks Day 9 Sat 10 Jun Almeida / Lisbon This morning we follow a pilgrimage trail past several small chapels to Alto da Marofa, where the statue of Christ blesses the surrounding lands. From the top of this 975m mountain we can see pretty much all the places we have visited during the week. A short transfer takes us to the historical village of Almeida. This is one of the crown jewels of Portuguese military architecture with the hexagonal shaped walls of Almeida s fortress built in the 17 th century. Because of its location, only 7km from the Spanish border, Almeida played a very important role from the Middle Ages to the 19 th century. In the afternoon, we transfer to hotel in the historic centre of Lisbon for our final two nights in the bustling capital. Walks: 6km on pilgrime trails Day 10 Sun 11 Jun Lisbon This morning we enjoy time in Portugal s capital with a local tour guide showing us the highlights of this magnificent city including a visit to the Belem area by local tramway. The afternoon is free for extra sightseeing, shopping or side trips. You may like to travel to the nearby coastal town of Sintra by local rail. We gather together tonight for our final dinner. Meals: B, D Walks: city and surround strolls Day 11 Mon 12 Jun Lisbon Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. Meals: B Walks: nil For bookings call visit or info@parktours.com.au 5

6 REDISCOVER EXPERIENCE CONNECT WHY TRAVEL WITH US? InterNATIONAL PARKtours have been leading small group walking holidays since Our like-minded guests bond easily and after tours they often create reunions, celebrations and friendships, many of them life-long. Our tours are active with regular half and full day walks. Aside from walking, we also spend time meeting local people, tasting regional food and immersing ourselves in the culture and history of a destination. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, dislikes and agility of our travellers, and changing situations such as weather and unforeseen circumstances. In most locations, we stay 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. This allows us to slow down, unpack our bags and enjoy the local atmosphere at different times of the day. Accommodation is comfortable, unique plus locally owned and operated where possible. Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share their passion and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife & topography. Our journeys are designed to safeguard the ecosystems; benefit the communities we visit and contribute to the sustainability of destinations. Travel is a chance to change your perspective. Nature always provides a new view if we take the time to look. IPT offers great value for money with their programmes. There is minimum spending money needed once on tour and there are no hidden extras along the way. Judy & Peter Hughes General Information international PARKtours is an accredited travel agent, Licence No Your payments are kept in a trust account until required for the payment of your tour, a guarantee that your money is secure. Serendipity of travel Our guides will work 24/7 on your behalf to make sure that we are doing all we can to ensure your enjoyment. We have planned an intimate adventure, but adventure cannot be guaranteed. If indeed it could then it would lose its appeal. Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth journey, sometimes things change at short notice. Some things may take longer than anticipated, transport and accommodation arrangements may alter, and you may experience occasional shortcomings and be frustrated by the manana attitude; at other times you will be amazed by local efficiency. Tour itineraries may need to be modified but this is done so with your needs in mind and to provide the best tour experience. So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the serendipity that comes from being open to the unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is ultimately up to you. Disclaimer of Liability Although international PARKtours has prepared the Information contained in this itinerary with all due care and updates the Information regularly, international PARKtours does not warrant or represent that the Information is free from errors or omission. Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and international PARKtours is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user. Itinerary Updated: August 10, :44 AM I know that you get the blue ribbon extras with IPT and I was in the mood to be spoilt. Judy Potkonen T T F Timbarra Drive Beechmont QLD 4211 Australia info@parktours.com.au