industry news - feature destinations - interviews - travel events
MAY 2012
FEATURES
WINE TOURS
SPAIN
PORTUGAL
FRANCE and MUCH MORE!
WWW.TRAVELTRADEMAGAZINE.COM
IT FEELS GOOD TO BE HERE.
• Located in the heart of Condado tourist area • Just four miles from the Luis Muñoz Marin Int'l Airport and 3 miles to Historic Old San Juan • Walking distance to more than 25 restaurants, pubs and specialty shops • Best Casino in Puerto Rico • Enjoy the family ambiance of the Ambassador Grill & Sports Bar • Indulge in Mimo Beauty Salon & Spa • Four Meeting & Banquet rooms for successful meetings Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel & Casino 1369 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, PR 00907 Ph. 787-721-7300 Fax: 787-722-6778 rhi_sjpr@radisson.com www.radisson.com/sanjuanpr_ambassador
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MESSAGE FROM
the edItor edItor: paul weston | emaIl: paul@traveltrademag.com | web: www.traveltrademagazine.com
w
elcome once again to the latest edition of Travel Trade Magazine. Included in this month’s feature is our focus on European destinations. The France Tourism Development Agency released estimates for the number of foreign visitors this year and we highlight them and their 2012 developments. we also shine a light on Spain’s, infectious enthusiasm for life. In the cities there is always something happening - in bars and clubs, on the streets, and especially at fiesta times. Today’s Portugal is home to a thriving culture of fashion, music, food, and art, while remaining a meeting point for people worldwide. Its new nightclubs are some of the liveliest in Europe; its new bistros blend the pillars of Portuguese food with globally inspired new flavors.
magazine contact
It’s an exciting issue for us at Travel Trade Magazine and we hope you will share in our enthusiasm - this month and beyond. Safe Travels,
Paul weston Editor Travel Trade Magazine
traveltrade
Published by Select Digital Media, 100 western Battery Rd, Toronto, On, Canada
magazine team edItor: paul weston t. 647.933..9070 x 207 e. paul@traveltrademag.com
graphIc deSIgn:
contrIbUtor :
maxine chambers Jake diaz e. info@traveltrademag.com
kathleen convicto
wrIterS: prodUctIon manager:
kim walker
Jason alexander t. 647.933..9070 x 212 e. jason@traveltrademag.com
t. 647.933 9070 e. info@traveltrademag.com
prodUctIon manager: kevin baxter t. 647.933..9070 x 205 e. kevin@traveltrademag.com
richard king t. 647.933 9070 e. info@traveltrademag.com debra mclean t. 647.933 9070 e. info@traveltrademag.com
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contents meSSage From the edItor .............................................................03 A quick introduction and updates from our editor Paul Weston. Gadgets, gear and travel technology for the road warrior.
France.....................................................................................................10-17 European destination for American travelers.
SpaIn ......................................................................................................... 18-23 This is a country that fast becomes an addiction.
portUgal ............................................................................................ 24-30 Portugal is a home to a thriving culture.
the InternatIonal kItchen ................................................. 32-35 Cooking tours are a great way to combine your love of arts and travel.
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FRANCE DEVELOPING FRANCE
lUXUry doUro valley wIne toUrS ............................. 36-40 One of the most beautiful wine regions in the world.
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SPAIN MADRID, BARCELONA, COSTA BRAVE AND MUCH MORE
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PORTUGAL TOURISM PORTUGAL
THE INTERNATIONAL KITCHEN A CULINARY ADVENTURE
advertisers: radISon ...................................................................................................................02 emerIteS ..................................................................................................................22 vIrgIn atlantIc ................................................................................................31 Sabre .........................................................................................................................41 Ingle travel .....................................................................................................42
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DOURO VALLEY LUXURY wINE TOURS
EVENTS
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events THIS
may
May 8th-10th
The ASI Show in New York
The ASI Show New York is the industry’s first and only major trade show in New York for the world’s leading business and tourism destination. The ASI Show New York provides a national appeal with an exciting atmosphere and dynamic environment for suppliers and distributors to conduct business. The show will be held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. MORE INFORMATION:
www.biztradeshows. com/trade-events/ the-asi-show-newyork.html
stricter accordance with international professional standards, and buyers and exhibitors, who are local and international renowned enterprises, will be specially chosen to participate in the online pre-scheduled appointments. Tourist services users, tourist agencies & touroperators, owners of hotels, restaurants & other catering projects, general public, potential investors.
May 22nd-24th
IMEX
IMEX will be concerned with doing business and networking activity; and incentive travel industry. The event will be successful in gathering over 3,500 exhibitors from more than 150 countries for business in three days. The event will consists of seminars, including forums, meetings, presentations, IMEX awards program, press event, over 70 educational sessions and exhibition event. The event will invite 100 senior executives including around 30 politicians representing local and regional governments from Europe, Africa, North America and Asia Pacific region.
MORE INFORMATION: www.biztradeshows.com
MORE INFORMATION:
www.biztradeshows. com/trade-events/ tourism-fair-zagreb. html May 10th-12th
May 9th-12th
Hospitality Business Fair
CROTOUR - Tourism Fair will be conducted in
Almost 110 exhibitors are expected at the Hospitality Business Fair, to discuss the various
CROTOUR Tourism Fair
featured event
industry related issues while they display their products and services to current and potential clients. Hospitality Business Fair has become one of the most popular events bringing in the best heads and the top experts from the hospitality profession. Detailed discussions and interactive seminars focus on the many aspects of the discipline so that all the practitioners can be on an equal
comprehensive grounding in terms of know how and experience.
MORE INFORMATION:
www.biztradeshows. com/hospitalitybusiness-fair
EVENTS
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May 15th-17th
13th Annual Hotel Show
The Hotel Show is a spectacular event dedicated to the hospitality industry in the Middle East. Over 500 exhibitors of premium products and services participate in the event to form contacts with prospective clients and establish long term business relations with them. This event aptly represents the upward rise of the hospitality industry in the Arab world, with Saudi Arabia, U.A.E and Qatar accounting for nearly 89 percent of the total market.
for the hospitality and catering industry in China, Hotel China is entering it’s second decade of successfully uniting specialists from the entire spectrum of the hospitality equipment and services industry. Architects and Interior Designers, Bar Managers, Cafe, Restaurant, Hotel and Resort Owners and managers, Catering Managers and Chefs, Design & Construction companies. MORE INFORMATION:
wwww.biztradeshows.com/tradeevents/hotel-china. html May 29th-June 1st
Rail Transport for Poland
May 22nd-24th
18th Hotel China
The most established and well regarded international exhibition
May 24th-27th
6th Summer Holidays Expo Summer Holidays Expo is a big celebration for summer holidays. The event will offer a meeting place of tourism enterprises with the consuming audience where people arrive at the event determined to investigate, seek and buy. A committed Visitorship of- Travel Trade Members, Corporate and Business Travel Decision Makers, Leisure and Holiday Travellers (FIT & Groups), Travel Trade Members, Corporate and Business Travel Decision Makers, Leisure and Holiday Travellers.
MORE INFORMATION: www.tradeshows-biz.com MORE INFORMATION:
www.biztradeshows. com/trade-events/ rail-transport-poland.html May 30th - May 31st
HSMAI Affordable Meetings West
MORE INFORMATION:
www.biztradeshows. com/hotel-show
featured event
Being hosted by Poznan International Fair Limited, Rail Transport for Poland is recognized as highly prioritized show for Travel & Tourism services in Poland. For 4 days, it will offer enormous opportunities for Rolling stock and locomotives for passenger traffic, Rolling stock and locomotives for freight traffic, Vehicles for urban rail. It is an imperative show which will be organized at Poznan International Fair Grounds, Poland.
HSMAI Affordable Meetings is an easy shop floor plan sectionalized by state, hotel chain, meeting services, unique meeting sites & international destinations. Hotels, inns, resorts,
convention centers, airlines, convention and visitors bureaus, university conference centers will be targeting executives and decision-makers from corporations and associations, as well as government, military. MORE INFORMATION:
www.biztradeshows. com/trade-events/ hsmai-affordablemeetings-west.html
WANT YOUR EVENT FEATURED HERE? Feel free to keep us posted of any other industry events or conferences we may have left out.
Email: info@traveltrademag.com
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EDITORIALFEATURE
The France Tourism Development Agency released estimates for the number of foreign visitors, as well as figures for American travelers. Since the 1990’s, France has been the world’s number one travel destination. This holds true in 2011, with an estimated 78 million foreign visitors, resulting in $45 billion in tourism revenue. 2012 is already looking for similar numbers. For the last two years, France has also become the top European destination for American travelers. Figures for 2011 should remain at 3.1 million, a 3% increase over 2010. Americans visiting France in 2011 spent over $5 billion. Forecasts for 2012 are positive. The number of foreign and American visitors is expected to increase by 2 to 3 % percent. Due to a more positive economic outlook in the U.S. since 2010, as well as an increase in consumer confidence, several sectors of travel to France have rebounded. There has been a upturn in American business and luxury travel to France, in particular a strong return of meetings, conventions and incentives programs and a renewed interest in cruises, specifically in river and canal cruises on France’s waterways. Developing France “We are very gratified by our results, especially in light of the current economic climate,” said AnneLaure Tuncer, Director U.S.A. of Atout France. “This year should also be a good year for a number of reasons. There are important developments for 2012 that should pique the interest of American visitors. There is the recent launch of the highspeed rail line known as the Rhine-Rhone which
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allows travel from Eastern France to the south of France, without transiting through Paris. In December, we have the opening of a new museum, the Louvre-Lens, a regional branch of our oldest museum located in the heart of Northern France.” Ms. Tuncer went on to say, “We of course want American travelers, especially first time visitors, to know that we offer everything they expect from a European destination, including architectural heritage, fine wines and gastronomy—basically, the French art de vivre. But we also want visitors
to see that there is also a world of innovation and creativity to discover and experience in France. For instance, French savoir faire, or know-how, which is most evident in the areas of architectural and interior design, fashion, special events, craftsmanship, high-tech accomplishments and sustainability.” Whats new in France for 2012 One of the biggest developments this year is the opening of the regional branch of the Louvre in the city of Lens. Known as the
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EDITORIALFEATURE
Louvre-Lens, the new museum is designed by a team of Japanese and American architects, as well as a French landscape designer. Lens, a former coal mining center, is located in the most northern region of France, just an hour and ten minutes from Paris by high-speed train, right between the cities of Lille and Arras. The museum is being constructed on a 50-acre site, which was once a mine yard in the heart of Lens. The new museum will not have a permanent collection
but rotate works from the Louvre’s collection, displaying art from each period and style. When it opens December 4, 300 masterpieces from the Paris museum will be displayed. The LouvreLens will hold two major exhibitions a year, one in the summer, and the other in the winter. There will also be unique in that it will give a behind-the-scenes view of the inner-workings of the museum by making its storerooms and restoration rooms visible and open to the public.
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EDITORIALFEATURE
The museum will consist of five buildings, including four rectangular buildings with one large square building in the center, mirroring the design of the Louvre in Paris with its two outstretched wings. The central square structure, being constructed as a transparent glass pavilion, will be the main entrance to the museum. In total, the project will cost 150 million euros. In September 2012, the Paris Louvre will unveil its new wing and galleries dedicated to the arts of Islam, which will allow the museum to properly display its huge collection of Islamic Art. To house the new wing, architects Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti are creating an entirely new glass structure in the Visconti courtyard of the Louvre located near the Denon wing. This is the largest expansion project in the Louvre since the creation of the famous glass pyramid twenty years ago. In order to find the right balance between the 17thcentury facades of the Louvre and a contemporary
structure that pays hommage and evokes Islamic art, the architects have designed an undulating glass roof to shelter the galleries. Diffused natural light will flood into the exhibition spaces. The Louvre has a total of over 18,000 works of Islamic art in their collection; this new space will thus allow the museum to put much more of their collection on display. The first floor of the new wing will show works from the 7 – 11th centuries, and the second floor will feature works from the 11 – 18th century, notably their celebrated collection of textile works which include fabrics, rugs and carpets. The new W Hotel opens right across from the grandiose Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris. The first W Hotel in France, this new destination will offer 91 guestrooms, including 20 suites, each of which are uniquely designed to look like New York style lofts, with 10-foot high ceilings and spectacular views of the Opera house.
If you are coming to Spain for the first time, be warned: this is a country that fast becomes an addiction. You might intend to come just for a beach holiday, or a tour of the major cities, but before you know it you’ll find yourself hooked by something quite different - by the celebration of some local fiesta, perhaps, or the amazing nightlife in Madrid, by the Moorish monuments of Andalucia, by Basque cooking, or the wild landscapes and birds of prey of Estremadura. And by then, of course, you will have noticed that there is not just one Spain but many. Indeed, Spaniards often speak of Las Espaùas (the Spains) and they even talk of the capital in the plural Los Madriles, the Madrids.
This regionalism is an obsession and perhaps the most significant change to the country over recent decades has been the creation of seventeen autonomĂas autonomous regions - with their own governments, budgets and cultural ministries. The old days of a unified nation, governed with a firm hand from Madrid, seem to have gone forever, as the separate kingdoms which made up the original Spanish state reassert themselves. And the differences are evident wherever you look: in language, culture and artistic traditions, in landscapes and cityscapes, and attitudes and politics. The cities - above all - are compellingly individual.
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EDITORIALFEATURE
Barcelona, for many, has the edge: for Gaudí’s splendid modernista architecture, the lively promenade of Las Ramblas, designer clubs par excellence, and, not least, for Barca - the city’s football team. But Madrid, claims as many devotees. The city and its people, immortalized in the movies of Pedro Almodovar, have a vibrancy and style that is revealed in a thousand bars and summer terrazas. Not to mention three of the world’s finest art museums. Then there’s Sevilla, home of flamenco and all the clichés of southern Spain; Valencia, the vibrant Levantine city with an arts scene and nightlife to equal any European rival; and Bilbao, with a new entry on Spain’s cultural circuit is Frank Gehry’s astonishing Guggenheim museum. Monuments range just as widely from one region to another, dependent on their history of control and occupation by Romans and Moors, their role in the “golden age” of Imperial Renaissance Spain, or their twentieth-century fortunes. Touring Castile and León, you confront the classic Spanish images of vast cathedrals and reconsquista castles - literally hundreds of the latter; in the northern mountains of Asturias and the Pyrenees, tiny, almost organic Romanesque churches dot the hillsides and villages; Andalucía has the great mosques and Moorish palances of Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba, Castile has the superbly preserved medieval capital, Toledo, and the gorgeous Renaissance university city of Salamanca; while the harsh landscape of Estremadura cradles the ornate conquistador towns built with riches from the “New World”. Not that Spain is predominantly about buildings. For most visitors, the landscape holds just as much fascination - and variety. The evergreen estuaries of Galicia could hardly be more different from the high, arid plains of Castile, or the gulch-like desert landscapes of Almeria. Agriculture makes its mark in the patterened hillsides of the wineand olive-growing regions and the rice fields of the Levante. Spain is also one of the most
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EDITORIALFEATURE
mountainous countries in Europe, and there is superb walking and wildlife in a dozen or more sierras - above all in the Picos de Europa and Pyrenees. Spain’s unique fauna boast protected species like brown bears, the Spanish lynx and Mediterranean monk seals as well as more common wild boar, white storks and birds of prey. One of Spain’s greatest draws is undeniably its beaches, although with infinitely more variety than you would be led to believe from the sunand-sand holiday brochures. Long tracts of coastline - along the Costa del Sol, in particular - have been developed into many hotel and villa complexes but delightful pockets remain even on the big tourist costas. On the Costa Brava, the string of coves between Palamos and Begur are often overlooked, while in the south there are superb windsurfing waters
around Tarifa and some decidedly low-key resorts along the Costa de la Luz. In the north, the cooler Atlantic coastline boasts the surfing sands of Cantabria and the unspoilt coves of Galicia’s estuaries. Offshore, the Balearic Islands have some superb sands and, if you’re up for it, Ibiza also offers one of the most hedonistic backdrops to beachlife in the Mediterranean. wherever you are in Spain, you can’t help but notice the Spaniards’ infectious enthusiasm for life. In the cities there is always something happening - in bars and clubs, on the streets, and especially at fiesta times. Even in out of the way places there’s a surprising range of nightlife and entertainment, not to mention the daily pleasures of a round of tapas, moving from bar to bar, having a beer, a glass of wine and a bite of the house speciality
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Today’s Portugal is home to a thriving culture of fashion, music, food, and art, while remaining a meeting point for people worldwide. Its new nightclubs are some of the liveliest in Europe; its new bistros blend the pillars of Portuguese food with globally inspired new flavors.
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EDITORIAL FEATURE
M
odern designers are bringing bold fashions, impressive new architecture to blend with the historic ambiance of the cities, and new museums of contemporary art. Portugal is the closest point in Europe to the U.S. - easy to get to and to navigate. Blessed with a mild climate year ‘round, an excellent range of sports awaits the active traveler. Golf is considered world-class, and more courses are being added. Every corner of this country is rich with historical attractions.
Beaches, Spas, and Attractions Miles and miles of sandy beaches, secluded coves or peaceful lagoons await those who want to explore the coastline of Portugal, the coastline of Spain and their islands, such as Spain’s Canary Islands and Balearic Islands and Portugal’s Madeira Island and the Azores. Visitors can take advantage of the inviting waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea or even the Bay of Biscay. The mild climate and almost endless sun means they offer year round escapes for those who want to enjoy the azure waters. Vacations are meant for spoiling one’s self and there is no better place to do it than here. Soak in the mineral-rich curative waters of the countless springs or treat yourself to some of the numerous therapies available.
EDITORIAL FEATURE
Indulging in luxurious spa activities is nothing new in Spain and Portugal. The region’s thermal spas date back to Roman times and visitors have been coming to this part of the world for centuries to relax and rejuvenate. From Spain’s Madrid Spas and the spas of Andalucia to Portugal’s Lisbon Spas and the spas of Algarve, Portugal and Spain are considered two of Europe’s top spa escapes.
Marketing Objectives Tourism represents 6.5 percent of the country’s GDP, and companies and markets.com determined that the Portuguese travel and tourism industry has been facing a tourism crises since 2009 (the global crisis began in 2008). The decrease in consumer purchasing power in Portugal and its most important tourist source markets,
together with the consequent decline in demand levels, formed the basis for the slowdown. The major target markets for tourism have been Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and France, while markets under development include Scandinavian countries, Italy, the United States, Japan, Brazil, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium.
According to Trindade, the focus of Portugal promotions will be on: city attractions, culture and geography, food and wine, health and wellness, MICE market, nature, nautical tourism, resorts, and sun/sand. The National Strategic Plan for Tourism indicates that Portugal is seeking an annual growth rate of 5 percent with 20 million tourist visits by 2015. The
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EDITORIALFEATURE
areas contributing to growth will be Lisboa, Algarve, and Porto e Norte. It is anticipated that by 2015, tourism will represent 15 percent of the GDP and 15 percent of national employment. In a March, 2009 report, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) placed Portuguese tourism in 10th position (in terms of size) in the European Union and 6th in tourisms’ relative contribution to the national economy. The cruise market is currently a good source of tourism-generated revenue for Portugal. Approximately 300 cruise ships visit Lisbon each year. Many travelers start and/or end
their cruise in Portugal. In 2009, almost 90,000 visitors from the US visited Lisbon by ship surpassed only by the UK with 146,441. Cruise fans also come from the domestic market of Portugal (45,359), and the European Union including Italy (38,359), Germany (38,113), Spain (19, 277), and France (8,082). The industry is represented by Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, and Crystal who populate the three convenientlylocated cruise terminals. Investors see a bright future for the cruise industry, having invested approximately US$10 billion in this sector.
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EDITORIALFEATURE
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I
f you are looking for a vacation like no other, culinary tours may be exactly what you are looking for. Cooking tours are a great way to combine your love of arts and travel into an extraordinary experience. Cooking tours through The International Kitchen provide you with the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful regions of the world while
teaching you to make delicious gourmet foods. Their cooking tours are all in English and all of the equipment you need is provided for you. The cooking tours give you the chance to experience your vacation to the fullest extent possible and introduce you to some of the finest dining imaginable.
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They are delighted to have you visit the premier culinary travel company. Having pioneered the concept of “cooking vacations” in 1994, The International Kitchen remains the leader in the industry, now offering almost 100 cooking vacations and over 50 choices for one-day cooking classes. Their credo and promise to you: a top quality, authentic, intimate cooking experience, with lots of laughter and friendship and memories to last a lifetime. Experience Italy in ways you’ve always dreamed. The International Kitchen’s Tuscan cooking experiences let you explore the region while taking culinary classes in Tuscany. Each fun, hands-on Tuscan cooking class is taught by charming local chefs who introduce you to new
Cooking tours through The International Kitchen provide you with the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful regions of the world while teaching you to make delicious gourmet foods. wines at Chianti vineyards, quaint medieval and Renaissance towns, and of course that ineffable quality that has made Tuscany the most popular destination in Italy for centuries. Explore such renowned towns as Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano; form new friendships in the kitchen and around the table, and feast on luscious pastas and soups, meats and cheeses, wonderful produce and mouth-watering desserts. And to top it all off, this exquisite Tuscan cooking class experience is accompanied by an abundance of excellent local Tuscan wines. The wooded hills, olive groves, vineyards and hill towns have long been the destination
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of travelers; now make them your home during your authentic Tuscan cooking vacation. If you are traveling to France but don’t have time for a full French culinary vacation, they also offer one-day cooking classes in France a la carte. Whether your travels take you to Paris, Lyon, Provence, or any of their other many locations in France, they can help you find a French cooking class sure to be the highlight of your trip. Their cooking classes generally last about 3 hours and include the preparation of a multi-course meal, which you enjoy afterwards accompanied by fine local wines. Many of the
cooking classes in France also include a visit to a local food market where you can savor the colors and flavors of fresh local produce and of authentic local life. Prices range from $165 to $395 per person, and the cooking classes can usually be confirmed for as few as two people. If you are a solo traveler, please give them a call to discuss which classes they have already confirmed for your travel dates.
For more Informationhttp://www.theinternationalkitchen.com/
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T
he Douro Valley Douro is definitively one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world and a sublime destination for a romantic wine tasting weekend. The region is characterized by the steep terraced vineyards that line the wide and winding Douro River, and the white and yellow hacienda style wineries (called “Quintas”) that punctuate the hillsides. The source of the Douro River is in Spain, 200 km from where it spills out into the Atlantic in Oporto and the most beautiful part is certainly the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal. Main wine hubs on the river are Pinhão and Peso da Régua. This is the land of Portugal’s finest wines where you will find mythical names for wine lovers like Quinta do Crasto, Barca Velha, Napoles, Bomfin, Noval, Vesuvio, Quinta de la Rosa, Roriz, and Gaviosa. The spectacular vineyard terraces climb up on either side of the river like giant steps and the landscapes are extraordinary.
EDITORIAL FEATURE
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They have designed this ultra luxurious Mercedes chauffeured wine weekend tour of the Douro Valley for those of you who’d like to experience the best of the region and travel in style. You’ll stay at a fabulous luxurious spa hotel located in a historic manor house in a vineyard overlooking the Douro River. Visit top wineries and enjoy VIP tours and tastings at estates like Quinta do Crasto and Quinta do Infantado. Try your hand at Portuguese cooking with the Senhora Pimentel at the Quinta da Pacheca, after visiting their pretty vineyard and Lagar. Enjoy a private Rabelo River Cruise, sipping white port along the way as you pass the Quinta farmhouses along the river. In Oporto´s Vila Nova de Gaia area you will also
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visit historic port lodges such as the upscale Rozès lodge and the fascinating Ramos Pinto lodge (with a wonderful small wine museum). Dining is always an important aspect of their gourmet tours and you’ll try delicious Portuguese dishes like Carpaccio of presunto ham with fresh figs; Daurade with sautéed razor clams; “Sopa fria de melão com cubinhos de bacon
fumado” (cold melon soup with crunchy bacon sprinkled on top); “Vieiras recheadas gratinadas com espinafres” (stuffed scallops with spinach), and “Crocante de cherne con legumes e arroz de míscaros” (crispy Sea Bass with wild mushroom rice. You’ll have tasting menus paired with wines at some of our favorite restaurants like Douro In and Foz Velha in Oporto.
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What’s Included:
What’s Not Included:
* Accommodation for 3 nights in luxurious 5* Hotel
* Flights
* Private Airport Transfers and all transfers as per the itinerary by luxury Mercedes E and English speaking chauffeur
* Personal Expenses such as Telephone, Minibar, etc
* Bottle of Portuguese wine in your room upon arrival * 3 Full breakfasts * Two high quality lunches with wines
* Meals and Drinks not Specified
* Tips and Gratuities (Guides, Restaurants, etc) * Travel Insurance (Strongly recommended) * Cancellation Insurance
* One private cooking class * One extraordinary farewell dinnertasting menu with paired wines * 5 Professional and VIP Wine Tasting Presentations with Winemakers/ Owners/top staff in Douro and the lodges of Oporto * Private guided walking tour of Oporto * 1 keepsake itinerary with maps and ample information on Portuguese, food and wine, and all locations visited * Gourmet Gift * All Local taxes
More Information on Douro Valley Wine Tours Weekend: If you are interested in this package, contact them today for more information. This tour can also be adapted for bigger groups with a substantial discount. All of their tours are available year round upon request for your private group of minimum 2 people. If you would like them to customize a luxury gourmet tour for you, contact them with your requirements, and they can send you a free itinerary and quote with no obligations. They organize cooking packages and wine tours from 1 day, to weekends to longer food and wine discoveries throughout Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Visit http://dolcetours.com/wine-tours-portugal-port-overview.php
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EDITORIAL FEATURE
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