Study Tour 21 | 22 MARCH & 29 | 30 | 31 MARCH EuroXpro Conference Oporto, Portugal
Hello
Welcome to the Pre Study Tour Booklet! We prepared some amazing things for you to experience, taste and have fun.
Elected European Best Destination, Oporto is waiting to be explored – its monuments, streets, food, culture and typical environment… We have prepared for you 2 days of fun allowing you to visit the famous Douro River, the Porto Wine Cellars, our beaches and the heart of the city which has incredible things to see – Clérigos Tower, São Bento Train Station, Lello’s Library, Aliados Avenue and The City Hall and much, much more…. The purpose of this tour is to show you our city and culture! Don’t miss this “OPORTOnity”!
The Study Tour includes:
official
AGENDA
SATURDAY
21
MARCH
On the 1st day of the Study Tour organized under EuroXpro 2015, the delegates will have the unique opportunity to discover the downtown of Oporto. The tour will begin at 10:30 at the front door of Garden Hostel. Our schedule includes long strolls at the Oporto streets because we believe that the best way to see the city is by walking. Since some of the attractions are paid, you are not obligated to go so we will arrange meeting points right before the breaks to get together again. You will have access to the sights that you can visit for free in that area. The price for the day with attractions expenses included is 30€ and covers: One night at the hostel (21st to 22nd) Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner 30€ Attractions
1st Day all included
Clérigos church tower was the tallest structure in Portugal when completed in 1763 and as the main feature of the city's skyline, ships used it as a guide when Clérigos Tower coming into Cais da Ribeira. It's a remarkable baroque landmark designed by the Italian architect Nasoni, who also designed the adjoining church. It has become a popular tourist attraction for the aerial view of the city from the top (76 meters up after a steep flight of 240 steps). The imposing Avenida dos Aliados is the heart of the city, a sloping boulevard lined with grand Aliados Avenue buildings and a central promenade. At the top of the avenue stands the Town Hall, a palatial building with a tall bell tower (70m high). In front of the building is a modernist statue of Portuguese writer Almeida Garrett. At the other end of the avenue is Praça da Liberdade, a square adorned with a statue of King Pedro IV on a horse.
Lello's Library
Lonely Planet considered Lello &Irmão Bookstore as the third most beautiful library in the world. The store has an excellent neo-gothic facade! The building was inaugurated on January 13th, 1906. As you walk through the doors of this bookstore you’ll notice that there is a marvelous stairway and the wooden walls are also very exquisite. The stained glass ceiling adds an amazing detail with Lello’s motto “vecus in labore”. Rumor has it that J.K. Rowling’s inspiration to write Harry Potter has begun in Porto, particularly at this library. The well-known writer lived in Porto for 10 years working as an English teacher in the early 1990s and she used to drink a cup of coffee at the second floor of Lello’s bookstore. There are indeed great similarities between Lello’s bookstore staircase and the one described in Hogwarts. It is also believed that the Hogwarts’ costume was inspired by the costumes of college students in Portugal, composed of a black suit and a black coat – these students are very likely to be found around this area.
The first train arrived here in 1896, but the building (designed with a French Renaissance touch) was only officially inaugurated in 1916 where a convent once stood.
São Bento Station
This is the city's most central station, standing downtown just around the corner from the monumental Avenida dos Aliados. Around 20,000 magnificent tiles alluding to the history of transport and Portugal cover most of the atrium. They're the work of artist Jorge Colaço and date from 1916.
This mostly-pedestrianised shopping street is a magnet for both locals and tourists. Most come Santa Catarina simply for a stroll, to shop, Street or to seek refreshment at the wonderful Café Majestic. This could be seen as the city's shopping center, although there is also a mall halfway down the street. That's "Via Catarina", with international retailers such as "H&M" and "Zara," as well as a very attractive food court with restaurants built into what was made to look like traditional Portuguese houses.
Wine Tour Visit the cellars where our wines age for many years until they achieve their perfect balance and learn how to distinguish the different aromas and flavours in a wine tasting. Learn more about the unique landscape of the demarcated region of Douro Valley and get to know the features which make this wine a special and unique one. Take part in an unforgettable experience which will teach you how to really enjoy a Port..
SUNDAY
22
MARCH
On the 2nd day of the Study Tour, the delegates will have the unique opportunity to discover the heart of the city! The tour will begin at 10:30 at the front door of Garden Hostel. Our schedule includes long strolls at the Oporto streets, gardens and the amazing Music House… On this day, some of the attractions are paid, you are not obligated to go so we will arrange meeting points right before the breaks to get together again. You will have access to the sights that you can visit for free in that area. The price for the day, with attractions expenses included is 30€ and covers: One night at the hostel (22nd to 23rd) Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner Attractions 30€
2nd Day All included
This twelve-storey, irregular-shaped building was designed by world-renowned architect Music House Rem Koolhaas exclusively for musical performances. It opened in 2005 and for admirers of architectural marvels it justifies a visit to Oporto on its own. It's located on the city's main avenue (Avenida da Boavista that stretches for 7km toward the sea), on a roundabout that is overlooked by a column bearing a lion and a flattened French eagle -- a monument that celebrates the victory of the Portuguese and British in the Peninsular War. This world-class museum displays cutting-edge international contemporary art in a striking minimalist building by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alvaro Siza Vieira.
Serralves There is no collection permanently on display, with temporary exhibitions taking up the entire space, as well as that of the separate "Casa de Serralves," a pink Art Deco construction located in the surrounding formal gardens (which are magnificent and worth a visit in their own right).
"The Garden House Hostel is a new hostel in Oporto. Located in the heart of the old city, in the famous Rua de Santa Catarina, a pedestrian street where you can feel the Oporto essence. After a day of walking and sightseeing, nothing feels better than returning to the beautiful 19th century house where the Garden House Hostel is installed. The building has been fully restored and improved, with all the modern commodities, and has a wonderful garden where you can relax… feel at home in a cozy, warm and friendly atmosphere!"
ADRESS: Rua de Santa Catarina 501 4000-452 Porto Web-site: www.gardenhousehostelporto.com
Lounge Area Common Room Free Internet access Cable TV DVD's Games Books
Breakfast Milk Tea Coffee/ Cacau Juice Bread Honey Jam Butter Cereals
Outdoor Terraced Area Guest Kitchen 24 hours reception
Facilities Security Lockers Luggage Storage Hairdryer for Hire Bar / Coffee
We know you must be pretty excited by now but we have only reveal our plans for Pre Study Tour. Check out what you cannot miss after the Euro Xpro Conference 2015!
Pos Study Tour is waiting for YOU!
Wait there's more!
Now you will have the unique opportunity to get to know more portuguese cities with beautiful sights, monuments and treasures to find... DO YOU THINK PORTUGAL IS ONLY OPORTO AND LISBON?!
Here is a bit of what you can find!
SUNDAY
29
MARCH
Nothing better than finishing of the last day of conference by participating in Pos Study Tour. On this day, we plan to take you to a wonderful place: GUIMARÃES! Guimarães is a northern Portuguese city. It is an historical city that had an important role in the formation of Portugal and it was settled in the 9th century. Is one of the country's most important historical cities. Its historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the largest tourist centers in the region. The city is often referred to as the "birthplace of the Portuguese nationality" or "the cradle city" (Cidade Berço in Portuguese). This might be because the administrative seat of the County of Portugal was established there by Henry of Burgundy, or that it might also been the birthplace of Afonso I of Portugal, the first Portuguese king. The price for the day with attractions expenses included is 25€ and covers: One night at the hostel 29th to 30th) 25€ Snack Dinner 1st Day Attractions
All included
Majestic manor house of the fifteenth century, which was built by King Afonso - future Duke Castle and of Braganza, bastard son Palace of the Dukes of King John I - which became his residence and his second wife, Constança de Noronha . Palace of vast dimensions, with architectural features of fortified house, strong strands and numerous cylindrical chimneys covers that show the influence of stately architecture of northern Europe, it is a unique example in the Iberian Peninsula. Here you can also find a statue of D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. The historic town of Guimarães is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12th Historical century. An City Center exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town, its rich building typology exemplifies the specific development of Portuguese architecture from the 15th to 19th century through the consistent use of traditional building materials and techniques.
MONDAY
30
MARCH
On the 2nd day of the Pos Study Tour organized under EuroXpro 2015, the delegates will have the unique opportunity to discover BRAGA. Our schedule includes long strolls at the city streets because we believe that the best way to see the city is by walking. Braga is a city in the northwestern Portugal . The city was the European Youth Capital in 2012. It is host to the archdiocese, the oldest in Portugal. Under the Roman Empire, known as Bracara Augusta, the settlement was centre of the province of Gallaecia. Braga is also the third largest metropolitan area of Portugal. The price for the day with attractions expenses included is 30€ and covers: One night at the hostel (30th to 31th) Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner 30€ Attractions
2nd Day All included
The Arch of the New Gate, in Portuguese “Arco da Porta Nova”, is a Baroque and Neoclassical arch, designed by André Soares in the late 18th Arch of the century, in New Gate the civil parish of Sé, municipality of Braga, in northern Portugal. The triumphal arch which decorates the western entrance to the medieval wall of the city, was opened in 1512 and traditionally used to present the city's keys to dignitaries and celebrities.
The Garden of Santa Barbara is a municipal garden alongside the eastern wing of the historical Stª Bárbara Archbishop's Palace of Braga. Garden Is manicured with diverse architectural elements; specifically, the remains of cornices, statues and coat-of-arms in rock. Delimiting this space, are the broken ruins of an arcade, that pertained to the medieval palace. Located in the middle of the garden is a statue of Saint Barbara on a fountain, which represents the patron saint of the garden, and namesake.
TUESDAY
31
MARCH
At your last day of Study Tour we are going to take you to VILA DO CONDE to show our amazing beaches and its modern surroundings . Vila do Conde is one of the oldest settlements in northern Portugal. Geological artifacts dating to the Paleolithic have been discovered in sites in the parishes of Modivas, Malta, and Labruge dating from 100,000 to 15,000 years. In other parishes there have also been discoveries of implements and mounds dating back to the Bronze Age and Neolithic periods indicating a period of transition between forging and sedimentary civilizations. BUT WAIT, the last stop will be in Oporto here we will visit the city center... So we will visit and lunch in Vila do Conde and then return to Oporto so you will only have to pay for the meal and transport!
20€ 3rd Day All included
Vila do Conde, a city and council siege located on the northern Beach & coast of Portugal, bathed by Surrounding the Atlantic Ocean and with Area the River Ave at its feet, is a city with millennial references. To visit Vila do Conde, means discovering 18 kms of beaches, enjoying the countryside of its parishes , the hospitality of its people, the beauty and sheer magnitude of its monumentality and history, combined with the most modern architectural trends.
Located along the Douro river estuary in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and its historical core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. One of Portugal's Oporto internationally famous exports, port wine, is named for Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the adegas of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the production and export of the fortified wine. In 2014, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency.
Study Tour
Information & Conditions The price for the second day, all included, gives you access to the transports you will need to get to the sights. You can personalize your own tour. Please contact us for more information. We will help you by providing everything we think you need to have a wonderful time! We recommend you to stay at the hostel presented if youwant to join the study tour. You won't regret! The hostel cannot provide towels for everyone. If you wish to hire one (hand + shower towel) you have to pay 3€. You have till 12th of March to book. If you do not to so, you will have to pay an extra fee of 10€ The price for the 2 days of the Pre Study Tour costs 60€ and for the Pos Study Tour is 75€ . The whole amount you have to pay for the Pre and Pos Study Tour is 135€. YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR STUDENT'S CARD TO GET DISCOUNTS! Any questions or further informations please contact: Marta Tista Santos CC Special Events --------------------------------marta.santos@aiesec.net skype: mtista12
Study Tour
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