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Prospectus for:
THE PORTO & DOURO EXPLORER
Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th September 2012
● Porto –World
Cultural Heritage Site
● Historical
Centre, Port Wine Lodges visits
● Trams – old
and new, Funicular, Cable car
● Fascinating
bridges, River Douro cruise
● Private Tram
Tour
● Tram &
Wine Museums – and more
OPPORTUNITY CITY*
Overlooking
the Douro River, Porto (also known as Oporto) is one of the most ancient
European cities, dating from the Middle Ages. It is located on the northern
bank of the river. The city’s Historical Centre is the Ribeira
, right on the river bank. A hilly city means that the old trams,
which have returned to the centre are a very
useful means of getting around there. The new (Strasbourg style) broad
gauge trams form the Metro; underground in the city and spreading out on
the north side over routes that were once worked by smoky, narrow-gauge
steam locos. Examples of fine painted tile panels abound in great numbers
on beautiful buildings from the Neoclassical to Art Nouveau. Good value
restaurants also
abound – the Portuguese are very good cooks, often
offering large portions.
WEDNESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2012
The tour
begins with your arrival at Porto Airport, handily connected to the city by
tram, less than thirty minutes from the 4* Hotel Trindade. This is right
opposite the main Tram station stop, where the trams delve into the city
tunnel. Your 72-hour transport tickets will be purchased at the airport.
You should have some time to start exploring before our welcome dinner at a
private room in the restaurant Via Garrett, a few minutes’ walk from the
hotel. A menu will be provided for your pre-selection.
THURSDAY 6th SEPTEMBER
We are making
our organised visits today to assist you in your orientation of the city.
The group will depart the hotel at 1000 by tram to the south side of the
Douro, travelling to the terminus and back to the stop at the high bridge
end in the twin town of Vila Nova de Gaia. After a photo stop to take in
the great views, we shall use the new cableway down to the river bank
arriving amongst the Port Lodges. A visit to the fine Sandeman Museum will
precede our call at the Calem Lodge for a tour with tasting (naturally!).
After this we shall take a cruise on a Porto Dow vessel to view the six
magnificent bridges from the water. The cruise will end on the northern
bank at Ribeira where you will have time for lunch.
The afternoon
will start with a short walk to the base of the Tram bridge (Thomas Eiffel,
1887) which is also the lower station of the funicular which takes us up at
a very steep incline to Batalha, reversal point of historic tram 22. The
tour will officially end here to allow for a refreshment drink if required,
as the tram only has 23 places. Some can use the first tram to reach Sao
Bento railway station to see the famous 28,000 tiles in the huge booking
hall. The second group may wish to walk or use the next departure 30
minutes later. Each ride costs €2.50. Remainder of day free.
FRIDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Today is for
you to explore the city according to your wishes. Your ticket is valid on
buses, funicular, tram Metro, but not city routes
1, 18 or 22.
SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
Today has
been kept free of mandatory tours to give you some options. You may wish
to:
● Continue
enjoying the city itself with its dozens of different museums
● Ride more of
the longer tram routes, many over the former steam lines. A narrow gauge
museum is located on one route.
● Ride the CP
train to Regua (€19.00 return) where the steam train to Pinhao and Tua
could be operating. This year’s programme is still awaited, hoping that
economic pressures will not cancel it. Back at Porto about 2120.
● Ride the same
train (0910) to Regua and join a cruise back down the Douro River. This
offers fine views of the vast vineyards and riverside scenery. You will
also descend through two very deep locks (14.1 & 35 metres drop) and
enjoy lunch on board. Back at 1830. For 15+ passengers. Fare circa €50
t.b.c.
SUNDAY 9th SEPTEMBER
Our final
organised tour is not only for tram aficionados but everyone. We shall
charter one of the larger cars for a complete tour of route 1, which runs
along the riverside and coastline. A visit to the tram museum is also
included. After this morning event there will be time for lunch before
departing the hotel for the airport and your flight home. There is the
option of additional nights at the hotel or travelling to Lisbon on the CP
version of a Pendalino (much more comfortable than ours!) where you may
wish to include in your visit to Iberia.
GETTING TO PORTO
Both TP (Air
Portugal) and Easyjet serve the city from London but some of the times of
the former tend to eat into days as some arrive from Portugal mid morning
and leave late afternoon. Reasonable timings cost around £180 return.
Easyjet’s schedule
is from Gatwick at 1140 arr. 1405, back Sunday 1550, LGW 1800. Their
current price (including luggage) is around a very reasonable £115 return.
Ryanair fly from Liverpool at a higher cost than from London and arrive
back at 2340. With all the options offered by Easyjet it will be much
easier for you to provide your own flight tickets but if you are not
hard-wired or are uncomfortable with the booking procedure you may request
us to provide your tickets in a separate transaction.
It is also
possible to ride the rails from St. Pancras to Porto/Lisbon, via Paris and
Madrid, if you have the time and money!
YOUR HOTEL
The Hotel Trindade is a nine
storey tall, thin property in a terrace of others, situated across the road
from the principal tram station. A one-minute walk uphill is involved
unless you brave the passing traffic. There are six rooms,,
accessed by lifts, on each floor very well furnished in a modern “designer”
way. The breakfast buffet is vast with some hot food items.
www.portotrindadehotel.com Tel: +351 222 061 520
Rue de
Camoes, 129/131, 4000-144 Porto.
*with acknowledgement to
Porto Tourism
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY
The cost of
this 5-day 4-night holiday should not exceed £340 single room or £290 twin
share at current prices. This excludes flights. Items included are:-
● Four nights
B&B in 4* Trindade Hotel, with en-suite shower and WC
● Three day
transport ticket
● Private
historic tram tour
● Six bridges
River Douro cruise with drink
● Welcome
dinner with wine
● Visits to
Port Wine Lodge and Sandeman Museum
● VAT at
current rates (6,13 &23%)
● IPP financial
cover insurance
● Crookham
Travel Courier throughout the ground tour
HOW TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE
Please
complete the booking form and send it with your deposit of £130 per person,
payable to Crookham Travel, or send it by bank transfer to a/c No. 87825884
sort code 09-01-27 at Santander using reference PTO deposit. About 35
places are available so you should reserve yours without delay – we have 17
registrations already! Also, early bookers get the best flight prices.
Click HERE to download the
BOOKING FORM
● Most of the
arrangements for this tour have been confirmed but the right is reserved to
amend as necessary the itinerary in the event of unforeseen circumstances
INTERNATIONAL
PASSENGER PROTECTION
In accordance with "The
Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992"
all passengers booking with Crookham Travel are fully protected for the
initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us,
including repatriation if required, arising from cancellation or
curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Crookham
Travel. There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and
none is provided. This insurance is only valid for packages booked that DO
NOT include flights .Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and
its panel of insurers. - This insurance is only valid for passengers who
book and pay directly with/to Crookham Travel. For further information
please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk..This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the
Association of British Insurers & Lloyds Syndicates.
Tour arranged by Crookham
Travel. Registered Office: 11 Attlee
Gardens, Church
Crookham, Fleet GU52 6PH. Tel: 01252 628647
E-mail: crookhamtravel@gmail.com.
www.crookhamtravel.co.uk
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