Portugal, Azores & Madeira — Europe — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

ga T Tua T EUROPE Optional whale watching, Pico Island/Pedro Madruga PORTUGAL Ponte de Lima AZORES Rambling in Portugal TREKKING GRADE A Ref PG Azores Island Hopping TREKKING GRADE A Ref AZ JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 12 DAYS HOTELS/PENSIONS RAMBLES IN VINHO VERDE' COUNTRY 14 DAYS HOTELS VOLCANIC ISLANDS & CRATER LAKES Here, in the extreme northern corner of Portugal, are some of the Iberian peninsula's most wild and dramatic landscapes. Highlights of our tour include the old seaport of Porto, the scenic Douro river, the historic cities of Bragan�a and Braga and optional walks in Ger�s and Montesinho National Parks. Porto & the Douro Valley From Porto we head inland to Peso da Regua in the spectacular Douro Valley, laced with vineyards and olive groves. Several walks are possible you can walk through steep gorges and terraced hills to the baroque pilgrimage town of Lamego, you may also want to take the famous Corgu Valley narrowgauge railway to Vila Real and visit the Mateus Ros�' Palace. Historic Bragan�a We take the scenic route to the remote frontier town of Bragan�a, the capital of Tras os Montes region the land beyond the mountains. The medieval town, ringed by city wall and studded with 18 watch towers, was the birthplace of Portuguese nationalism in the 11th century and home to the last line of monarchs. We plan a walk in the nearby Montesinho National Park, set up to preserve the strongly traditional villages of the area. Then, continuing through the mountains via Chaves, a strategic crossroads in Roman times, we reach the spa town of Ger�s. Walking in Ger�s National Park Based in Ger�s, we plan to walk along a historic Roman road as it passes timeless villages and meanders through a landscape punctuated by rivers and resevoirs. In spring the valleys are ablaze with colour and in autumn the forest turns to gold. After a day in historic Braga, we travel by bus to the Rambling in Portugal Ref PG Optional NP walks S PA I N Optional walks Montesinho NP Azores Island Hopping Ref AZ Grottos, fajas BISCOITOS Quatro Ribeiras A T L A N T I C O C E A N PONTE DE LIMA Chaves VELAS Caldiera 1043m GERES Spa town BRAGANCA e �m Mirandela SAO JORGE MADALENA Angra PRAIA DA VITORIA TERCEIRA SAO MIGUEL Sete Cidades Crater lakes Walk to Fire Lake km 0 100 BRAGA Historic town HORTA PICO Pico Alto 2351m Lajes Whale watching Vila Real u a el FAIAL AZORES (PORTUGAL) PONTA DELGADA PORTO Walk in Old town PESO DA REGUA D o u r o Lamego Pilgrimage town PORTUGAL km 0 100 medieval town of Ponte de Lima. Our time here is left free you may wish to ramble the wooded hills or explore the town's cobbled streets. Finally we return to Porto, to walk through the alleyways and quays of the Old Town and visit the port wine lodges of Vila Nova da Gaia. The archipelago of the Azores lies midAtlantic, bathed by the warm air and temperate currents of the Gulf Stream. Treasure galleons from the Americas once found shelter here, safe from the ravages of corsairs and pirates. Never far from the sea, our emphasis will be on day-walks, sightseeing and off-beat exploration, with the itinerary left flexible to suit individual interests and the curiosities of the group. Sao Miguel Beginning at Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, we walk the steep slopes of Sete Cidades crater and view the legendary Blue and Green Lakes, perhaps exploring the picturesque village deep inside the crater. Next we make for the huge hollow of Furnas Valley, where diverse volcanic activity has created hot thermal springs and boiling mud pools. Coastal walks/Elaine Jones Terceira & Sao Jorge A short flight brings us to Terceira, and a full day's walk on the slopes of the island's hills. Then it's on to the strangely elongated island of Sao Jorge, a place of precipitous cliffs, narrow valleys and tiny coves. Here, we may take a coastal walk to Furnas das Pombas the rocky habitat of numerous seabirds and perhaps a walk from the ridge of Sao Jorge, down through the beautiful Caldeira de Cima gorge to the coast. We continue along the rocky shoreline from one faja to another. Pico & Faial On the nearby island of Pico, weather permitting, we may be able to ascend Pico Alto (2345m), the majestic volcano which dominates the horizon. It may be possible to take a boat trip to go whale-watching (optional) or visit the whaling museum at Lajes, a relic of the island's seafaring past. Finally, we cross to the charming isle of Faial, its hillsides ablaze with flowers and shrubs. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Porto. 2 Train Peso da Regua; optional visit to Vila Real and Palace of Mateus. 3 In Peso da Regua; optional walk. 4 Train and bus Bragan�a; city walk. 5 In Bragan�a, optional walks in Montesinho Natural Park. 6 Drive Ger�s National Park via Chaves. 7 In Ger�s; optional walks. 8 Drive Braga; walking tour, optional visit to Bom Jesus. 9 Bus Ponte de Lima. 10 In Ponte de Lima; walks, relaxing. 11 Bus Porto; visit Port wine lodge (optional). 12 In Porto; Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel/pension; 11 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Train/Bus/Taxi/On foot. Comment: A remote region, rich in history and blessed with beautiful landscapes. Walks are easy. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Sao Miguel (Ponta Delgada). 2 to 4 On Sao Miguel; explore Sete Cidades crater lakes (approx 4hrs walk), Caldiero Velho and Furnas Valley (approx 2hrs walk). 5 Fly Terceira (Praia da Vitoria). 6 On Terceira; drive/walk Biscoitos village (approx 3hrs walk). 7 Fly Sao Jorge (Velas); optional walk. 8 & 9 On Sao Jorge; day walk to fajas. 10 Ferry to Pico (Madalena). 11 On Pico; free for optionals. 12 Optional Pico ascent; ferry to Faial. 13 On Faial; optional walks. 14 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel; 13 breakfasts & 1 lunch are included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Flights as itinerary/Ferry/Local bus/Taxis/On foot. Comment: Green, peaceful, incredibly beautiful and with an unhurried pace of life, these tiny islands allow us to step out of time and relax. Day-walks are fairly easy and there is plenty of opportunity to do your own thing. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and boatmen. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Trek length and gradients 1500m 1250m 1000m 750m 500m 250m 0m Madalena Ponte Ponte Delgada Praia Praia Velas Velas Velas Madalena Horta optional ascent to 1053m Rest Day optional walk Rest Day optional walk Rest Day Rest Day Rest Day optional walk Rest Day optional walk Day 2 9km Day 3 2.5km Day 4 4km Day 5 Day 6 8km Day 7 Day 8 8.7km Day 9 12km Day 10 Day 11 8km Day 12 18km Day 13 5km 40 Request a tour dossier for comprehensive tour information

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