Social and Cultural Programme
It is our pleasure to provide a cultural and social programme to all IAPS conference participants.
For those who want to take this chance to know Portugal and Porto a little better, we suggest the two following programmes:
1) Walk Tour in Porto and Cruise in a Rabelo boat, Friday Afternoon, 14th Semptember
15h00 Pick-up at Faculdade de Desporto Universidade do Porto (University).
Departure by tourism bus in direction to Porto’s Historic City Center.
Brief guided walking visit through Porto’s Historic City Center.
During this calm walk through the historic streets and medieval allies, you will pass by some of the most important monuments in Porto, such as, the Sé Catedral (Main Cathedral); São Bento Train Station with its beautiful Portuguese tile decoration. Discover on the steep and narrow streets that go towards the river the unique architecture of the houses that create an ensemble like no other in the world, and thus this being a UnescoWorld Heritage Site.
Cruise on the Douro River on a traditional Rabelo Boat (exclusive for the group)
From medieval Porto, you will now go on a cruise on the Douro River on a boat similar to the historic “Rabelos” that since the 16th century transport wine barrels from the Douro Valley to the wine lodges. On this cruise you will see the 6 bridges that connect the city of Porto to its neighbor city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Above all, you can admire the rich and spectacular scenery around you and the exciting moment when the boat arrives at the mouth of the river where it meets the ocean.
Visit and tasting at a historic Port Wine Lodge.
Port Wine, a Portuguese symbol all over the world, contains the history of a country and its people, becoming over the years a cultural heritage representing the collective work, experiences, knowledge, and art brought down from generation to generation. The Port Wine Lodges are the perfect place to have contact with not only the wine, but also all of its history. Upon your arrival, you will have a guided tour of the Wine lodge and a detailed explanation about Port wine and its secrets, passing by the numerous wine barrels filled with Port and ageing to perfection. To finish this memorable and fun day let’s make a toast with one of the two Port wines you will have the privilege to taste.
Return to the University and Hotels in the City Center
End of the Program
The price of this program is included in participants registration's fee. Companions and family are very welcome. In this cases we ask you to please let us know, and the prices are the following:
- From 0 to 2 years old: free
- Between 3 and 12 years old: 9,75€
- Over 12 years: 19,50€
2) Closing banquet, Friday, 20h30, 14th September
We are happy to provide to all IAPS conference participants and their companions a closing banquet at an emblematic place of the city, the Taylor’s port wine lodge restaurant. The transfer will be done by bus at 8h pm from a place to be announced in the city center, near the hotels.
The closing banquet is included on participant's fee. Participants’ companions are very welcome. In this cases, participants should inform IAPS's secretariat on the first day and pay the companions’ dinner fee (45€) at the registration desk on the conference venue.
3) POST CONFERENCE PROGRAM (not included in the registration fee)
Discovering the Douro Valley, Sunday, 16th September
08h45 Departure from Grande Hotel do Porto.
Transfer in luxury mini-bus to the Douro Valley Winemaking Region, classified as a World Heritage Landscape by Unesco.
The valley is spectacularly beautiful with the hills falling steeply down to the water’s edge becoming more and more sparsely populated and wild the further inland one travels, with more of the land being given over to terraces of vines and, to a lesser extent, olive groves. This is port country and was, in fact, the world’s first demarcated wine region being established in 1756. Evidence of the port industry can be seen along the valley with all the famous company names – Cockburns, Taylors, Sandeman and others – appearing on large placards on the hillsides. The colour of the land changes throughout the year as the vines mature.
Guided visit to the Palace of Mateus and its beautiful gardens
Also known as the Solar de Mateus, and famously depicted on bottles of Mateus rosé wine epitomizes the flamboyance of Baroque architecture in Portugal, this baroque recreation was built in the early 18th century, probably by Nicolau Nasoni, for António José Botelho Mourão, his descendants still live here, but visitors can tour the gardens and part of the house. Its granite wings shelter a forecourt dominated by an ornate balustrade stairway and overlooked by rooftop statues. Behind the palace is an Alice in Wonderland garden of tiny box hedges, prim statues and a fragrant cypress tunnel. Inside, you can visit a few rooms, heavy with velvet drapes and fussy period furnishing. As the rosé, it is actually made down the road by the Sogrape company (Portugal’s biggest exporter of bottled wines). The palace does produce its own range of jams and wines, which are sold in a shop on the premises.
Visit, wine tasting & buffet lunch in a Port wine Estate
This beautiful scenic Quinta (wine estate) is located in the Upper-Corgo, in the heart of the Douro Demarcated Region. Following the Douro River from Régua to Pinhão, one can easily discover this ancient property and modern winery perfectly integrated into the landscape. With a total area of around 100 hectares, 65 of which planted with the traditional grape varieties of the Douro, this Quinta is one of the most interesting estates in this region, producing both Porto and Douro wines.
Here guest will have an outdoor experience of contact with the nature and the incredible landscape of terraces. After a welcoming and winery tour, a delicious buffet lunch will be prepared and served in the outside. Take the best of this site in a gentle walking by the paths of the property and enjoying a wine tasting.
Transfer to Porto in luxury mini-bus.
Prices and conditions
Price of program per person, including all taxes (Regime Especial das Agências de Viagens, DL 221/85) is:
- From 0 to 2 years old: free
- Between 3 and 12 years old: 46,50€
- Over 12 years: 93€
Included in the price:
- Organization of program as detailed;
- Transfer in a deluxe minibus;
- Official guide for the tour in English;
- Visit and wine tasting and buffet lunch at a Port wine producer;
- Guided visit to the Palace of Mateus and gardens.
Not included:
- Travel insurance;
- Personal expenses;
- Items not described.
Reservation conditions:
To make your reservation on the tours, please click on the registration form where you must fill in your personal data and the tours of your choice.
IMPORTANT
Bookings on tours will be confirmed upon receipt of full payment.
Note: VINITUR has the right to make changes to the program. This implies that tours and socialevents can be cancelled if there are not sufficient participants for the specific event(s). In that case the applicable booking costs will be refunded.
Payment and cancellation conditions:
Cancellation charges on the tours:
- Before August 12th 2012: full refund less bank charges
- From August 13th to the 28th 2012: 50% refund deducting a handling fee of 20 EUR
- From August 29th 2012: no refund
All changes or cancellations have to be addressed in writing to VINITUR by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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