Excursions

Pre-Symposium Excursion – A Journey through the Historical Gardens of Northern and Central Portugal

2nd – 5th May 2018

(Optional)

This four-day trip will enable you to discover the landscape art of the historical and botanical gardens of Northern and Central Portugal. You will discover recreational estates, monastic grounds, manor gardens and botanical gardens (Porto and Coimbra) and the Alto Douro Vinhateiro landscape – notable examples of the cultural and artistic expression of various periods and styles ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Day 1
Wednesday, 2nd May.
Departure from Lisbon to Porto

Day 2
Thursday, 3rd May 
Day 3
Friday, 4th May
 Day 4 
Saturday, 5th May
 8 a.m.
Departure to Porto12 p.m.
Visit to Parque de Serralves, Porto1.30 p.m.
Lunch in Parque de Serralves, Porto

3 p.m.
Visit to Jardim Botânico do Porto, Porto

4.30 p.m.
Departure to Guimarães

5 p.m.
Check-in at Hotel do Toural, Largo do Toural. Free for dinner – suggestion of restaurants in the historic centre.

 9 a.m.
Departure to Vila Real – Mateus10.30 a.m.
Visit to the Gardens of the Solar de Mateus Continue to the Douro Valley – Pinhão
1 p.m
Boarding for a ‘Rebelo’ boat ride with a picnic on board. This mini-cruise along the river will pass by the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, a UNESCO cultural heritage landscape.

3 p.m.
Visit to Quinta do Bomfim and Port wine tasting. Visit to a Historical Quinta to appreciate a different perspective of the Douro Valley.

4 p.m.
Departure to Lousada

5.30 p.m.
Visit to the Gardens of Casa de Juste, Lousada, followed by dinner.

9 p.m.
Return to Guimarães

 9 a.m.
Departure from Guimarães 9.30 a.m.
Visit to the Grounds and Monastery of Tibães, Braga11.30 a.m.
Brief stop at Bom Jesus do Monte

1 p.m.
Visit to the Gardens of Casa do Campo, Celorico de Basto: visit and lunch

3 p.m.
Departure to Penafiel

4 p.m.
Visit to the Aveleda Gardens

5.30 p.m.
Return to Guimarães

 9 a.m.
Departure to Lisbon

11 a.m.
Visit to the Coimbra Botanical Gardens

12.30 p.m.
Visit to the Joanina Library

Lunch at the restaurant in Quinta das Lágrimas

3 p.m.
Visit to the gardens of the Quinta das Lágrimas 

Return to Lisbon

PRICE PER PERSON = €750 (20% to be paid by 31st January, non-refundable, 80% to be paid by 9th March), for single room the value will be increased by 100 euros per person

PRICE INCLUDES

  • 3 nights at Hotel do Toural, Guimarães, breakfast included
  • 1 dinner at Casa do Juste, drinks included
  • 4 lunches, including one picnic, drinks included
  • Luxury bus according to itinerary
  • ‘Rebelo’ boat ride on the Douro
  • All the visits mentioned in the programme
  • Port wine tasting in Quinta do Bonfim
  • Tour Leader: Prof. Ana Luísa Soares

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE GARDENS INCLUDED IN THE ITINERARY: link

Mid-Symposium Excursion (9 May 2018)

A mid-symposium excursion is included with your registration. Additionally, you can choose to attend a pre-symposium and/or post-symposium excursion (additional fees apply).

Mid-symposium excursion (more info will be added) will be held in Sintra. Cultural Landscape of Sintra was classified World Heritage by UNESCO in 1995.

Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua S.A. (PSML) has, among other missions, the responsibility to manage the most important natural and cultural values located in the area of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra and in Queluz: the Park and Palace of Pena, the Gardens and the Palace of Monserrate, the Moorish Castle, the Convent of the Capuchos, the Garden and Chalet of the Countess of Edla and, since 2012, the National Palaces of Sintra and Queluz and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art based at the historic Gardens of Queluz, with performances and training sessions open to the general public at the Henrique Calado Riding Ring (Belém).

The management of these properties involves their restoration, requalification, revitalisation, conservation, research, publicity and operation, opening them to public fruition and enhancing their touristic valour.

Post-Symposium Excursion – A journey across three Azores islands

(Optional)

For the excursions, please bring with you trekking shoes, windbreaker, sun-protection cream and sun hat. Lunch boxes and water will be provided. The temperatures can range between 15 and 22 °C, with very little probability of rain.

12th–18th May 2018

Post-symposium excursion to Azores islands. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the archipelago of the Azores is the westernmost part of Europe and the meeting point of unique plant species. Of recent volcanic origin and a temperate oceanic climate, the Azores are an isolated archipelago spread in 9 islands along 600Km. The rich natural history associated with a recent but intensive human settlement, show a diversity of habitats and landscapes where colonization, adaptation and speciation processes are evolving before our eyes. From peat bogs to lava flows of chasmophyte vegetation and Laurel forest, Azorean endemic vegetation is an interesting and beautiful starting point for a visit to one of the hidden gems of the Atlantic.
The fee includes accommodation, meals, airflights, bus transfers.

A journey across three Azores islands

This seven-day trip will enable you to discover the landscape and gardens of Faial, Flores and S. Miguel, Azores islands.

Day 1
Saturday,
12th May

Day 2
Sunday,
13th May
Day 3
Monday,
14th May
Day 4
Tuesday,
15th May
Day 5
Wednesday,
16th May
Day 6
Thursday,
17th May
Day 7
Friday,
18th May
3 p.m 
Departure from Lisbon to Faial4.45 p.m 
Arrival at Horta airport and private transportation with local assistant of hotel unit in the city of Horta, Hotel do Canal 4 *, check-in procedures, accommodation, free dinner.

Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant

9.30 a.m
 Full day visit to the island of Faial, Horta  Botanical Garden Caldeira, Capelinhos Volcano and Monte da Guia complex with lunch at a local restaurant. Free dinner.

Buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant

10.15 a.m 
Departure from Horta to island of Flores

11.00 a.m 
Arrival at Santa Cruz airport and private transportation with local assistant of Aldeia da Cuada. Lunch and dinner at the venue. Possibility of hikes.

Breakfast at Aldeia da Cuada

9.30 a.m 
Full day visit to the island of Flores: Central Plateau, Rocha dos Bordões, Fajã Grande  and The Boqueirão Interpretation Centre with lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at Aldeia da Cuada.

 Breakfast at Aldeia da Cuada

11.25 a.m
Departure from Santa Cruz to Island of S. Miguel

1.25 p.m
 Arrival to Ponta Delgada and private transportation with local assistant of Hotel Marina Atlântico or Hotel Vip Executive Azores.

2.30 p.m
Visit to Sete Cidades Lagoon and pineapple greenhouses. Free dinner.

 Breakfast at the hotel

9.00 a.m
Full day visit to the island of S. Miguel: Terra Nostra Park, Centro de Monitorização e Investigação das Furnas, The Furnas Protected Landscape Area, and Lagoa do Fogo. Typical lunch in Furnas. Free dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning and lunch free.

3 p.m
Departure from Ponta Delgada

6.10 p.m
Arrival at Lisbon

PRICE PER PERSON = €1175 in double room (20% to be paid by 31st January, non-refundable, 80% to be paid by 9th March). Supplement for single €252. 

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Flights: Lisbon – Horta – Santa Cruz – Ponta Delgada – Lisbon
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights at Aldeia da Cuada (houses with 1-2 rooms, for 1-4 persons)
  • 3 lunches, drinks included
  • Bus according to itinerary
  • All the visits mentioned in the programme
  • Local guide
  • Tour Leader: Dalila Espírito Santo or a local Botanist

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ITINERARY: link