Railway Portugal Programme to visit the main railway attractions and lines of Portugal

Transcription

1 7 days / 6 nights Railway Portugal Programme to visit the main railway attractions and lines of Portugal

2 The railways are one of the major developments of the Industrial Revolution, and since 1825 this evolution has been great and striking in our society, affecting the economy and even local culture. In Portugal this history is very rich and the first railway dates to 1856 and quickly spread to most of the country due to the King s wish to bring together the main cities. In this programme we will take you to know the Portuguese railways, through its history which is possible to find at the Museu Nacional Ferroviário (National Railway Museum) but also through different rail routes of great interest as well as the main cities it serves where it is also possible to taste the food, wines and get to know some of the culture. F H G A Lisbon E D B C Sintra Cascais B C A D Entroncamento E Tomar F Oporto G Peso da Régua H Lousado Railway Portugal 2

3 Day 1 - Welcome to Lisbon Reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to explore Lisbon. Accommodation: 4* hotel Extra option: Traditional dinner in a Fado house to listen to the performance of this unique, emotional, music style. Price on request. Day 2 - On Lisbon s rails Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Rossio to visit the train station which was opened to the public in 1891 and is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Continuing towards Rossio (Rossio Square) to taste the typical drink ginjinha and afterwards head to Praça Martim Moniz (Martim Moniz Square) to board a typical Lisbon Tram (Elétrico) from which much of the city centre may be appreciated. Getting off the tram at the Chiado area, it is time to go down to Estação do Cais do Sodré (Cais do Sodré Station) to take a train that connects the capital to the town of Cascais and which runs along the coastline, making it one of the most beautiful train journeys in our country, with beautiful beaches and the wonderful view of the Atlantic. Railway Portugal 3

4 Day 2 - On Lisbon s rails cont. Free lunch in Cascais and transfer to Sintra a beautiful and romantic town to visit the historical centre, Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Nacional Palace), an amazing monument in a unique setting. In the Summer it is also possible to ride on the Sintra Tram that departs from the town to the nearby beaches. Return to Lisbon. Day 3 - Living History Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Estação de Santa Apolónia (St. Apollonia Station). Another stunning train station in Lisbon inaugurated in Board the Intercidades (Intercity) train to Entroncamento.. The trip takes about an hour and when reaching Entroncamento transfer to Museu Nacional Ferroviário (National Railway Museum) for a guided tour and where the history of the Portuguese railways will be told. Railway Portugal 4

5 Day 3 - Living History cont. The visit is divided into 3 stages and is both interesting and dynamic. The highlight of this visit are definitely the two main symbols of the museum, the Presidential Train and the Royal Train dating back to Transfer to Tomar. Rest of the afternoon free to explore Tomar, city that once was the headquarters of the Knights of the Temple. Extra options: 1 - Guided tour of the Convent of Christ in Tomar. Price on request. 2 - During the morning visit to Fátima, religious centre of Portugal and one of the most important Marian Shrines in the World. Price on request. Accommodation: 4* hotel Day 4 - Oporto awaits us Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Free morning to visit the Templar city of Tomar. Free lunch in Tomar. Transfer to the city of Entroncamento, where we will again enter the Intercity train and travel to the city of Porto. Pick-up at Campanhã Station to visit the Port Wine Cellars and to learn some of the history of this wine as well as tasting it. Railway Portugal 5

6 Day 4 - Oporto awaits us cont. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation: 4* hotel Breakfast in the hotel. Day 5 - Heritage of the North Transfer to Lousado, location of the second most important railway museum in the country to learn more about the history of our railways specially in the north. In this region, the train once was the main means of transport with four narrow gauge lines. Transfer to Oporto. Rest of the day free to explore the city. Day 6 - Historical Douro Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Gaia pier to board cruise up the Douro River and visit this UNESCO World Heritage region. During this trip of some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, the Port wine vineyards stand out. Lunch on board. Railway Portugal 6

7 Day 6 - Historical Douro cont. Arrival at Peso da Régua and after a short walk to the station, board the Combóio Histórico do Douro (Douro Historical Train) *. The train has five carriages from the 1920s pulled by CP186 locomotive (modified to run on diesel), built in 1925 by the German company Henschel und Sohn. One of the most beautiful lines in the world that runs from Régua to Tua stations, following the bank of the Douro River. After returning the trip continues back to Oporto on the regional train arriving at the beautiful Estação de São Bento (St. Benedict s Station), a lovely station with particularly interesting and fascinating tile panels. Transfer to Hotel. *The Historical Train only travels from June to October on Saturdays, from July to September on Sundays, and in August on Wednesdays. To include these experiences it s necessary to organise the programme according to these timetables. Day 7 - Farewell Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Free morning to explore more of Porto. Transfer to the airport. Railway Portugal 7

8 Includes Accommodation in the locations described for 6 nights. Transfers to and from the airport and to and from the railway stations. Local guide in Lisbon / Cascais and Sintra HighSun representative that will travel with the clients from Lisbon to Entroncamento. Trip on a Lisbon Tram and on the Sintra Tram (where applicable). Train ride from Lisbon to Cascais, Lisbon to Entroncamento, Entroncamento to Porto and Régua to São Bento (Oporto). Douro River cruise with lunch. Travel in the Douro Historical Train. Guided tour at the National Railway Museum and at the Railway Museum Lousado. Visit to the Port wine cellars with a tasting. Admittance at the Pena National Palace Throughout the tours of the programme, participants are accompanied by a host who will help exploring and enjoying this extraordinary journey, always with complete freedom to make the most of the trip. Railway Portugal 8

9 Associated