2023 Wine Architecture + Gastronomy (September 30-October 3, 2023)
Detailed itinerary and pricing under construction, see most recent e-blast under NEWS for additional information.
2022 WINE ARCHITECTURE + GASTRONOMY ™
Available only as a post-tour option following the Creative Spirit 2022 Tour. Capacity limits apply.*
Porto to the Douro Valley return, Portugal
September 17-20, 2022
An exquisite and unique landscape of historical significance and deep wine culture, embraces the very best of contemporary Portuguese architecture and cuisine.
The Douro Valley known for 200+ years as the source of the worlds’ finest Port Wine is now so much more. Join Culture Viewfinder on a new type of wine travel experience, driven as much by presenting compelling contemporary ‘wine architecture’ as by the spectrum of fine wines, and top-notch cuisine.
The first of Culture Viewfinder's ‘wine architecture’ series begins in 2022 with a focus on the Douro Valley, the most famous and acclaimed of Portugal’s wine regions. Each destination has been selected for its superior wine, cuisine, and architecture in equal measure, as well as for breathtaking physical beauty and deep respect for the traditions of the region. Let yourself be transported as you enjoy personal tours by architects, an artisanal UNESCO World Heritage site and take in the Douro’s exceptional charm and bounty.
NEARLY SOLD OUT! Only 1 room still available (with a maximum of 2 people per room). First come, first served. No exceptions. Contact Esther Shipman directly at info@cultureviewfinder.com to ensure you are not disappointed.
*The number of participants in this optional tour add-on is limited, necessitated by the requirement of a smaller bus to navigate the narrow back roads of the Douro, where a number of the finest wineries are located.
PORTO & DOURO VALLEY
Booking Closes July 15,'22 10:am EST
Tour Includes:
Hotels
3 nights at 4* hotels
depart Porto, September 17 by coach
Douro Valley, September 17-20 at
2 Wine Experience hotels
return to Porto late morning September 20
Meals
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included everyday of this tour up to and including breakfast at the hotel on
September 20.
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3 Breakfasts, everyday at the hotels
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3 lunches, select lunches include a glass of wine
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3 dinners, select dinners include a glass of wine, or wine pairing
Transport
All land transportation as outlined in the tour itinerary, via luxury A/C coach
Visits and Admissions
Intimate tours, tastings and/or meals at six outstanding wineries; dinner at the premiere Douro restaurant DOC, by Chef Rui Paula; private visits and tours provided by architects of their work; tour of Museu do Vinho; visits to a working ceramics studio and tour of the regional potter kilns designated a UNESCO heritage Site; vintage Rabelo boat Ride on the Douro River; PLUS the unbeatable beauty of the Douro Valley.
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Gratuities
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Services of a Culture Viewfinder Tour Manager – Esther Shipman
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includes all applicable taxes and service charges as of September 27, 2022
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24-hour Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd, Emergency Contact Number while on tour
Estimated Tour Cost:
$1995.00 CAD Double Occupancy
$550.00 CAD Single Supplement
Not Included
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International airfare
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Passport photos, government processing fees
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Luggage handling
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Incidentals
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Additional taxes, fuel surcharges or service charges levied by the governments or our suppliers
Optional
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Upgrade to superior accommodations for final night in the Douro Valley (SOLD OUT)
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Manulife Travel Insurance (coverage available for Canadian residents who have a valid provincial health card—includes emergency medical coverall, cancellation and interruption, limited baggage insurance—see policy for terms and conditions. Ask our agent at Ellison Travel & Tours for details.
Payments
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Terms of Payment will be through online portal with use of EFT, Visa or Mastercard.
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Deposit $700.00 at time of booking
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second payment April 15, 2022
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Balance due July 15, 2022.
Cancellation Penalties
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All payments received by Ellison Travel & Tours are 100% non-refundable, except in the case of government designated international travel bans and/or forced tour cancellation due to COVID 19. Please confirm payment dates and COVID refund policy with our Ellison representative prior to payment.
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$40.00 service fee for NSF transactions
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Please note that there are no changes to the itinerary or number of travellers
Booking Closes July 15, 2022 10am EST
To book contact Sandie Vanderschot
Ellison Travel + Tours
4-1930 Hyde Park Road,
N6H 5L9 London, ON
1. 800.265.7022 x 236
Email: sandiev@ellisontravel.com
Direct link:
https://www.ellisontravel.com/ET/culture-viewfinder/
For info and updates, subscribe to our mailing list here
Tour Itinerary
A further detailed itinerary will be provided only registered tour participants.
Day 1 Porto to the Douro Valley
Please deposit All luggage at Reception prior to breakfast.
Early departure 8:30 am (post breakfast) from the Carris Porto Ribeira Hotel for our first full day in the Douro Valley. Enroute, take in the beauty of the landscape as it shifts from verdant forest to mountainous stone vineyards. Our first stop is the Museu do Vinho (housed in an architectural gem), for an introduction to the colourful history of Douro viticulture.
Lunch with a wine pairing will follow at a famed Quinta (farm) and winery, that boasts both exceptional wine and the most incredible view of the Douro River and Valley as framed by Pritzker Award Winning architect Edouardo Souta da Moura.
After lunch we journey nearby to another acclaimed Quinta for a wine-tasting where the wine is superb and the winery building is designed by Alvaro Siza Vieira, Portugal's most renowned architect.
Our final destination for the day will be our beautiful Wine Experience Hotel, where we settle in for two nights. Rest in your well appointed room, walk the grounds, or have a swim/relax at the outdoor rooftop lounge and pool which features a 360 degree Douro view.
Dinner tonight is regional cuisine at the hotel restaurant.
Day 2 in the central Douro
Today we move northward across the river to destinations in and around Vila Real, where we visit a rare working ceramics studio still practicing the unique traditional Black Pottery techniques of the region. This is a disappearing craft that has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Lunch will be in an excellent regional restaurant located in central Vila Real, the largest town in the Douro Valley.
We will be joined for the day by well-known locally-based architect António Belém Lima who will personally lead tours of two of his projects, a small, but very special Archeological Museum and a winery located enroute back to our hotel.
Enjoy a couple of hours R+R at the hotel before dinner.
Tonight we dine at the Michelin listed DOC restaurant, created by celebrated Chef Rui Paula.
Day 3
Please deposit All luggage at Reception prior to breakfast, as we change hotels for tonight.
Today we follow the Douro River east, to the river town of Pinhão, with its charming tile fronted train station and Gustave Eiffel bridge, for a morning Douro River 'cruise' aboard a vintage Rabelo boat.
Lunch today is very close by at a Quinta literally perched right above the Douro River. We will enjoy lunch with paired wines and will be joined by architect António Belém Lima who designed the winery's very sympathetic reception/tasting room and restaurant pavilion.
Our afternoon is dedicated to settling into our new hotel, an award-winning winery and intimate wine-experience hotel where we will occupy all eight rooms in their exceptional new wing. Enjoy the wonderful lounge, patio, grounds and pool, before a late afternoon wine tasting and an evening dinner at the hotel's highly acclaimed restaurant.
Day 4 return to Porto
Please deposit All luggage at Reception prior to breakfast.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then we join together for a Group Picture before returning to Porto.
The return trip will take approximately 90 minutes. The coach will make two stops in Porto. First at the Campanhã Train Station and secondly at the Porto International Airport.