porto’s and northern portugal’s - incentives

Porto andNorthernPortugal

IncentivesPORTO DOURO MINHO TRÁS-OS-MONTES

Ribeira, Porto

PORTO AND NORTHERN PORTUGAL | INCENTIVES

04Porto Convention & Visitor’s Bureau on the web

06Porto and the North of Portugal: Maps

10PORTO

30MINHO

40TRÁS-OS-

MONTES

20DOURO

Index

3

www.portocvb.com

Porto Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

On the web


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PORTO CONVENTION & VISITOR’S BUREAU ON THE WEB 5

Porto and the North of Portugal

Maps

Unesco World Heritage

Natural Park andProtected Landscape

National Park

Tourist Information

AutoroutesA1, A3, A4, A7, A11, A24, A28Routes PrincipalesIP2, IP4, N206

Airport and Airfield

Cruises

Beaches62 With Blue Flag In 2011

Portuguese Way toSantiagon de Compostela

Tourist map of Porto and Northern Portugal

Douro River

Côa River

Tâmega River

Tua River

Câvado River

Lima River

Minho River

A28

A27

A3

N206

A28A3

A4

A1

IP4

IP2

IP4

IP4

A7

A7

A24

A24

A11

DOURO VALLEY

CÔA VALLEYROCK ART

GUIMARÃES

LeixõesInternational

Cruises TerminalDouro River

Cruises

LITORAL DE ESPOSENDEPROTECTEDLANDSCAPE

LAGOAS DEBERTIANDOSE S. PEDROD'ARCOS

CORNO DO BICOPROTECTED LANDSCAPE

PENEDA GERÊSNATIONAL PARK

MONTESINHONATURAL PARK

ALBUFEIRA DO AZIBOPROTECTED LANDSCAPE

INTERNATIONALNATURAL DOURO PARK

ALVÃONATURAL PARK

INTERNATIONALNATURAL DOURO PARK

AROUCAGEOPARK

CHAVES

BRAGANÇA

BRAGA

VILA REAL

LAMEGO

VIANA DO CASTELO

PORTO

PONTE DE LIMA

PONTE DE LIMA

PONTE DE LIMA

VALENÇA DO MINHO

MONDIM DE BASTO

MIRANDA DO DOURO

AMARANTE

PESO DARÉGUA

VIDAGO

TUA

VILA NOVADE GAIA

MOUGADOURO

MACEDO DECAVALEIROS

MIRANDELA

VILA NOVADE FOZ CÔA


Airlines Route Map

LISBON

FARO

CASABLANCAFUNCHAL PORTO SANTO

TENERIFE LAS PALMAS

PONTA DELGADA

MARRAKESH

MADRID

VALÈNCIA

PALMA MALLORCA

BARCELONA

BORDEAUX

CARCASSONE

LONDON

AMSTERDAM

EINDHOVEN

BREMEN

FRANKFURT

KARLSRUHE

LILLE

PARIS

LUXEMBOURG

BRUSSELS

TOULOUSE

LYONST. ÉTIENNE

DOLE

MILAN

ROME

PISA

BOLOGNE

GENÈVE

BASELZÜRICH

MUNICH

MARSEILLE

LA ROCHELLE

NANTES

TOURS

DUBLIN

PORTO

LUANDA

SÃO PAULORIO DE JANEIRO

CARACAS

NEW YORK

TORONTO

MAASTRICHTDÜSSELDORF

DORTMUND

STRASBOURG

NUREMBERG

HAMBURG

LIMOGES

RENNES

TERCEIRA

MONTREAL

CLERMONT-FERRAND

BERLIN

BIRMINGHAM

BREST

BRIVÉ

ISTANBUL

MANCHESTER

BRISTOL

LIVERPOOL

PORTO AND THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL: MAPS 7

Peneda-Gerês National Park


Join us on this trip and get a taste of Porto’s and Northern Portugal’s unique hospitality and charm.

We will take you to the most beautiful spots at down-town Porto where traditional shops and exclusive labels cohabit next door.

You will have a glance at World Heritage monuments, masterpieces of contemporary architecture, one of Europe’s most beautiful riverside and the ocean unforgettable coastline.

Your meals will be served in a traditional seafood restaurant or taverna, you will dine like a nobleman at a luxurious gala table and you will enjoy a tasty picnic in

the middle of Nature.

Maybe you will have the chance to drink the wine which you just finished bottling yourself but in any case you will taste some of the finest Port wines, red and white, and the refreshing ‘Vinho Verde’.

You will travel by coach, old tram, steamtrain, or riverboat, a great choice of outdoor activities and the most creative and unique teambuilding.After a day filled with such stimulating sensations and experiences, you will rest in a modern high category hotel, an ancient monastery, a castle, noble manor house or a rustic “Quinta”.

So let the journey begin...

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CC BY-NC-SA – Município do Porto http://goo.gl/G6tzPL


Porto, one of Europe’s oldest cities, is an event in itself!

Breathtaking monuments and masterpieces of contemporary architecture, a surprisingly traditional yet highly cosmopolitan lifestyle, World Heritage sites and stunning views, glamorous settings and charming amenities, Porto is like its wine.

Unique. Exquisite. Authentic.Release your senses and enjoy every bit of it!

Learn Morehttp://visitportoandnorth.travel/Porto-and-the-North/Visit/Porto

Ponte Luís I, Porto

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Urban essentialsDiscover the city by riding a bicycle, flying over it by helicopter, riding in an authentic old-timer, in a motorcyle sidecar or on a historic tram! Get ready for lots of surprises, including meeting angry passengers who want to take your seat in the tram…We promise you lots of action, excitement and fun!

Creative River CruisesBe a sailor on a Rabelo boat for one day! Learn how to make sailor’s knots, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch, a cocktail party while watching the sunset or a romantic candle light dinner accompanied by a guitar player while cruising up the Douro River.


Hidden talentsDiscover your skills as a Master of Portuguese cuisine, paint your own tile, or become a photographer by recording your experiences with a digital camera and then producing your own DVD. Your visit to Porto will surely be a stay to remember. Share it with your friends and family!

DOP Restaurant, Porto

RUI PAULA CC BY-NC-ND - Restaurante DOP http://goo.gl/VOiAsO

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The Soul of PortoGet in touch with the soul of Porto and get ready for an exciting photo rally!Start at the Clérigos Tower, past the famous Lello bookshop, through the picturesque Bolhão open air market, refresh body and mind at the Majestic Café, visit the baroque S. João Theatre, marvel at the azulejos in the São Bento train station and discover the splendid Bolsa Palace

Shop ‘til you dropHandicraft articles in little shops and the latest fashions in designer boutiques. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it in Porto at unbeatable prices! Best buys are leather goods, especially shoes andpurses, home textiles, jewellery, crystal and porcelain, wine and olive oil. Shop ‘til you drop!


Port Wine CellarsA simple wine tasting, the unique ritual of opening a bottle of Vintage Port with fire, becoming a member of a wine brotherhood, a wine & cheese party, an elegant wine tasting dinner or a treasure hunt. The Port Wine cellars doors are open for you, just choose your activity!

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/DRNlX

Cálem Port Wine CellarsVila Nova de Gaia

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You’ll find it hereWe offer you a selected variety of special gifts and personalized giveaways: the official Port Wine glass, tiles painted by the renowned artist Júlio Resende, precious silver and gold jewellery and special editions of books and old prints are only some of the many items you can choose from.


Cool and classicafter darkEnjoy the sunset and a drink at a beach bar and begin the evening in a trendy coffee house while listening to jazz. Gamble at one of the nearby casinos or go to a disco and dance until dawn. Porto offers you a truly cosmopolitan nightlife and a great variety of shows and entertainment.Find the right atmosphere for you.excitement and fun!

Green ExperienceYou will be surprised at how green the city is!How about a mini-marathon, a choice of traditional games in the City Park or some gardening in the Serralves Foundation grounds? Perhaps you would rather delight in a lovely picnic lunch in the green!

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Timeless venuesRelive history in the Arab room at the Bolsa Palace or at a concert iin theS. Bento da Vitória Monastery.Catch up with time at the Museum ofContemporary Art designed by the renowned architect Siza Vieira, or atPorto’s most recent auditorium, the Casa da Música, one of Rem Koolhas’masterpieces. In any of these buildings your gala dinner will be a success!

CC BY-NC-ND - Fundação Casa da Música http://goo.gl/m1zrF


Casa da Música,Porto

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CC BY-NC-ND Turismo do Douro, Rui Pires http://goo.gl/Dou9Pl


The Douro River, after which this region was named, flows eastward from Porto as far as the Spanish

frontier. Explore the river by boat or by train and delight in all that Nature offers you.

Depending on the time of year, the hills may be dotted with almond or cherry trees in flower or they may exhibit a hive of activity as the grape harvest sends pickers up and down the terraced vineyards that rise up the hills along both banks of the river.

Enjoy the vistas as you relax on the deck of the boat and bask in the summer sunshine.

By the time that you arrive in the heart of the Douro river valley, you will be in the right mood to immerse yourself in the universe of wine and to explore all its secrets and pleasures…

Learn Morehttp://visitportoandnorth.travel/Porto-and-the-North/Visit/Douro

Douro Valley

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The Harvest ActivitiesIn the Douro, vintage is the name we give to the grape harvest that takes place in late summer or early fall. Join in the winemaking activities at a quinta: pick the grapes and crush them with your bare feet to the tune and rhythm of folk songs. After a hard day’s work, enjoy a homemade dish of “massa à lavrador” and a glass of Douro or regional sparkling white wine.

Quintas & VineyardsVisit some of the most celebrated wine estates, or quintas, in the Douro.Share the table with your hosts, listen as they passionately tell you about the history of their family and their long Port winemaking tradition. You will be amazed at the number of different activities and events that we can organize for you.


All aboard!How about a happy picnic with entertainment on board a riverboat as you slowly cruise up the Douro River? No matter whether you choose a pantomime, accordion player or a magician, we guarantee lots of fun and laughter! Afterwards, enjoy a refreshing swim in the river, thrill to the speed of a water bike or stop at a quinta to taste some wine.

CC BY-NC-ND - Douro Azul http://goo.gl/0iTLO

Douro River Cruises, Douro

DOURO 23

Battles & BottlesChoose one or more of the following games and activities: Hunt the barrel, basket or bottle of vintage; fill your own bottle of wine, seal it and mark it with your own personal label that you will have created yourself; or test your palate and oenological skills at a blind tasting.

When the going gets thoughThere is nothing better than a 4x4 trip to the Douro Valley’s most beautiful sites! At each checkpoint you will be rewarded with extraordinary views and also with typical local snacks such as roast chestnuts or succulentcherries. The final gathering point is a quinta where a special barbecue lunch awaits you!


A Journey by TrainPut on a straw hat and wrap a scarf around your neck! It’s time to join a traditional folk band on the historical steam train and take a ride back in time right into the heart of the Douro Valley.Enjoy a tasty lunch or a very special cocktail party, watch the sunset over the river and get in the mood for elegant food and wine tasting dinner.

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/qBCn8

Historical Train in the Douro Valley

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Best kept Dining SecretsNow that you have almost become a wine and food expert, you will be able to even better appreciate your gourmet dinner. Each course is accompanied by a different, carefully chosen wine and commented on by a chef or oenologist. Have you ever tried different Port Wines with different kinds of chocolate? A truly divine experience!

CC BY-NC-ND - Entidade Regional de Turismo do Douro http://goo.gl/hpUkpG

Port Wine


Best BuysDon’t miss the chance of buying a few bottles of Port, red, white and sparkling wine directly from the producer! Several quintas have their own little gift shops where you will also find some excellent regional olive oil, almonds, jam, honey and crafts. Many of these items can be personalized.

Be an ExpertRelease your senses and let yourself be initiated in the fine art of wine and – olive oil! – tasting! These unique workshops are supervised by professionals and your participation will be rewarded with a certificate of expertise. For those who are more gastronomically inclined, we suggest learning the fine art of making regional orange and quince jam. Taste and discover!

DOURO 27

The Great PretenderConsider a very different setting for your evening program: A romantic Shakespearean Midsummer Night dinner, the Golden 20s with Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, Opera-singing waiters at your dinner table, acrobats or magicians. Let your imagination loose! How about fireworks over the river at the end of the evening?

CC BY-NC-ND Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/BYKFh0


Gaia - Cais daRibeira, Porto

DOURO 29

CC BY-NC-ND - TURIHAB http://goo.gl/OTe88p


Adistinctive coastline with countless unspoiled beaches, evergreen mountains, great history,

imposing manor houses and patrician estates, well preserved monuments and masterpieces of contemporary architecture, joyful country festivals, a variety of colorful handicrafts and the unique Vinho Verde, Portugal’s northwest province has it all. All the major cities in this beautiful region, proud guardians of the nation’s origins, are less than an hour’s drive from Porto.

Learn Morehttp://visitportoandnorth.travel/Porto-and-the-North/Visit/Minho

Santa Luzia Hill - Viana do Castelo

MINHO 31

Manor Houses and Vinho VerdeToday you’ll have lunch at a superb stately home surrounded by vineyards. Enjoy a homemade meal and a glass of Vinho Verde, whilst listening to your hosts’ fascinating family story. Afterwards, get ready for some wine games!

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/8Fv2Te

Wine Estate


Deep Sea FishingJoin the fishermen in their boats and challenge the open sea! Learn from the professionals how to fix the nets, prepare and bait the hooks and at the end of the day, how to prepare a traditional stew with the fish you yourself caught! Don´t miss the chance to take photos, this will be an unforgettable day!

WildlifePut on some strong shoes or walking boats and come on hiking in the mountains! In the well-preserved ecosystem of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, explore the unique flora and fauna, visit local ancestral villages, see some amazing Megalithic, Celtic and Roman ruins and enjoy the regional roast lamb.

MINHO 33

Be an ArtistLearn how to dance popular folk dances, the art of linen working and making beautiful pieces of embroidery or discover your artistic talents at a potter’s studio. Choose your way of getting in touch with the most authentic popular culture and traditions of Northern Portugal!

Sun, Sea, Sand...and gamesProtect your skin with a good sun screen and get ready for teambuilding activities on the beach: a volleyball tournament, a sack race, tug-of-war, archery or a variety of traditional games are at your disposal. Finish the day relaxing at a stylish seafron restaurant while enjoying a delicious fresh fish dinner.


Hit a Hole-In-OneCan you resist the relaxed atmosphere of a golf day in an oceanfront golf course? Challenge those who want to improve their handicap for a tournament at one of the professional golf courses in Northern Portugal: Estela (18 holes), Amarante (18 holes), Ponte de Lima (18 holes) and Oporto Golf Club (18 holes).

Golf Course,Minho

MINHO 35

Must-have CraftsAll linen products, excellent pieces of fine embroidery, traditional pottery, precious gold jewelry and some bottles of Vinho Verde directly from the producers are just a few of the many ideal gifts we offer you. Don’t miss the chance!

Folklore & TraditionsJoin the party when the whole city goes out on the streets to celebrate the local religious or pagan festivals. Get ready for colorful traditional dressing and rich jewelry, authentic food and drink, folk music and dancing, fairs and open air markets.


Architecture & EventsHunt for a treasure in the Guimarães Castle where Portugal was first declared a nation or organize your own private game in the new soccer stadium in Braga, designed by the renowned Architect Souto Moura, and wrap it all up with an awards ceremony in the ancient cloisters of a charming Pousada.

Bom Jesus Church,Braga

CC BY-NC-ND - Entidade Regional de Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal http://goo.gl/aQonz

MINHO 37

Gypsies and KingsRemember the brave Portuguese navigators and spice your event with native flavors from the former Portuguese colonies. Have fun at an authentic gipsy party with all the musicians, the costumes and the fortune teller or become a princess or a knight in a medieval castle and enjoy an ancient banquet where forks and knives are unavailable.

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/cAOBc


Duques de Bragança Palace,Guimarães, Minho

MINHO 39

Montesinho Natural Park, Trás-os-Montes

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação Montesinho Vivo http://goo.gl/tLqoT


Beyond-the-mountains could not be a more appropriate name for this province in the northern hinterland

of Portugal. Rugged mountains, an unspoiled countryside, untouched historical villages, the healing and purifying virtues of thermal springs, traditional cuisine and the genuine hospitality of a people proud of their roots and traditions, all are hallmarks of a region that has been cherished and has remained relatively unchanged generation after generation. Get ready for the upcoming adventures!

Learn Morehttp://visitportoandnorth.travel/ Porto-and-the-North/Visit/Tras-os-Montes

TRÁS-OS-MONTES 41

Historic SitesBond with nature and explore local popular culture by strolling around the most remote country villages where roots and traditions have remained almost unchanged throughout the ages, visit authentic prehistoric and Roman sites and dare to relive the past by following the Route of the Castles.

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/h1NqVk

Casa de MateusFoundation, Vila Real


Rough and ToughHere, where the mountains are high and the rivers run wild, you will find the ideal setting for ballooning, canoeing, rafting, climbing, mountainbiking, paintball or any other adventurous sports or ‘high-energy’ teambuilding activity you like.

Thermal Springs & Style SpasAfter so much activity, you must not miss the chance of taking a beauty break in one of the local Spas! Doze while you relax in the whirlpool or steam bath and are pampered with a special antistress or soothing beauty treatment. We promise you 100% natural spring water, professional care and wellness.

TRÁS-OS-MONTES 43

Grandma’s SecretsOrganize traditional arts and crafts workshops where participants can learn how to make the typical rye and corn breads and then taste them with some homemade smoked ham and sausages and some fresh local goat or sheep cheese that they themselves have made, or learn how to spin the wool and weave the typical blankets of this region.

4x4 RallyNot only for “tough guys”, but also for “smart girls”! Split up into small teams and get on the road and drive tough jeeps. Follow the treck in your instruction book; pass each checkpoint and speed up for the fastest time. Are you hungry yet? A tasty country style picnic awaits you at a beautiful gathering point in the midst of the countryside.


ECOsensationsStar gazing and bird watching, playing traditional Portuguese games, picking wild mushrooms or learning from a shepherd how to milk and shear his flock. You would be surprised at how many ways there are of exploring the regions and discovering the traditions of the countryside.

CC BY-NC-ND - Município de Freixo de Espada à Cinta http://goo.gl/NOxw5c

Freixo de Espada à Cinta Landscape, Trás-os-Montes

TRÁS-OS-MONTES 45

A feast for the PalateThe gastronomy of this region is characterized by the quality of its products and by the ease with which they are prepared. Some of the most typical specialties of the region include sausages, steaks of Mirandês beef, Montesinho roast kid, bean hot pots and fresh trout prepared in a variety of ways. To preserve the memory of traditional cuisine, the dishes may be cooked in the village oven.

CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR http://goo.gl/FmF0Lh

Traditional Smoked Sausages - Vinhais


BewitchedHave you ever had dinner with a witch or a wizard? In the rustic and cozy atmosphere of a rural taverna, enjoy a typical meal whilst the Druid mixes a special magic potion according to ancient rituals. Have your fortune read in the rising smoke and then sip the mysterious cocktail.

Magical Mystery TourThis is a kingdom of legends, mysteries and profane, magic and religious traditions whose origin is lost in the sands of time. Enjoy the euphoria of the Caretos, enigmatic figures garbed in colourful clothing and hidden behind tin masks; dance to the rhythm of the Pauliteiros de Miranda Morris dancers; or celebrate a Witches Sabbath every Friday the 13th at Montalegre Castle.

TRÁS-OS-MONTES 47

Creative AccommodationThere are numerous types of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. These range from bijou hotels, luxury spas, pousadas, castles and forts, to shepherd’s huts or tents in the mountains, even small villages where every building is totally dedicated to country tourism. Whichever you choose, you will be certain of a warm welcome. Dare to be different.

CC BY-NC-ND - Vidago Palace Hotel http://goo.gl/5rNW0y


Vidago Palace Hotel,Trás-os-Montes

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Notes


Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR.Porto Convention & Visitors BureauAv. Inferior à Ponte D. Luís I, 53 - 1º4050-074 Porto - PortugalTel: +351 223 326 751 | Fax: +351 223 326 752

www.portocvb.com

CC BY-NC-SA – Município do Porto http://goo.gl/G6tzPL

porto’s and northern portugal’s - incentives

Documents

town porto

compostelatourist map

traditional shops

beautiful riverside

beautiful spots

taste of portos

world heritage monuments

traditional seafood