Portugal: Vintage Steam Tour
September 10-19, 2003
Itinerary
Wednesday, September 10
Depart U.S.
Departure from U.S. for Porto on individually arranged flights.Thursday, September 11
Arrive Porto (D)
Upon arrival in Porto, you will be met and transferred by motorcoach to our hotel at Cinfães on the river Douro. This evening we'll have a welcome reception, where you will get to know your fellow travelers and tour leader, Graham Garnell. This will be followed by dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Cinfães.Friday, September 12
Amarante; Quinta da Aveleda (B, D)
This morning we transfer to the station of Mosteirô and hop aboard a service train to Livração, and then up the "Linha do Tamega" narrow-gauge line to the old town of Amarante. This line is operated by two vintage NoHab units; we have charted one of these for our group this morning.Linha do Tãmega
This line opened to its full length of 32 miles in stages from 1906 to 1949. However, the line suffered in the "Beeching style" cuts of 1/1/1990 and was cut back from Arco de Baulhe to Amarante, reducing the length to a mere 8 miles. Fortunately, due to the efforts of our guide and organizer Graham Garnell, the line has remained intact. Even when the new Celorico bypass cut through the line in two places, Graham influenced the authorities to build bridges over the closed line. Graham is hoping this line will reopen as Portugal's first tourist line. It runs through a varied and spectacular landscape. Already original carriages and steam locomotives have been safeguarded, although heavy restoration will be needed. Reopening of the line has been put at a very modest £200,000 (about $315,000).We have a break of three hours in Amarante to explore this pretty riverside town. Amarante is one of the gems of northern Portugal. Rows of 17th-century mansions with brightly painted balconies line the narrow streets. Those who wish may have lunch in one of the many restaurants here.
This afternoon we ride a service train to the town of Penafiel. Upon arrival, we transfer to the nearby Quinta da Aveleda for a guided tour of this most famous of vinho verde (green wine) producing quintas. See the grounds and beautiful gardens followed by a wine tasting.
We'll then continue on to Paço de Sousa, the 13th-century church of São Salvador which contains the tomb of Egas Moniz. A legendary figure of loyalty, he was counselor to Afonso Henriques (1139-85), the first king of Portugal. After a short break here we return to Penafiel station and on to Mosteirô by service train. Enjoy a group dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight in Cinfães.
Saturday, September 13
Quinta da Casa Amarela; Steam along the Douro River (B, L)
This morning we hop a service train from Mosteirô to Regua, the "capital" of the port wine region. Transfer by coach to the nearby Quinta da Casa Amarela (named after its yellow house) for a guided tour of this delightful port wine-producing quinta. The quinta has been owned by the same family since 1885 and produces quality wines and ports. We shall start with a visit to the vineyard followed by a tour around the adega (cellar), with an explanation of the production process of port winefrom the picking and treading of the grapes to the time the wine is transferred to Porto. This will be followed by a wine tasting and lunch.
Next we transfer back to Regua where we will join the first of our steam-hauled specials: a restored 1920/30s broad gauge train consisting of five lovingly restored wooden bodied carriages and steam locomotive 0187. This 2-8-4T locomotive was built in Germany by Henschel in 1925 and was one of a series given to Portugal as war reparations after the first World War. It operated suburban services south of Lisbon until it was withdrawn in the 1970s. However, it was restored to running order in 1998 as part of the SPIDOURO project to promote tourism in the Douro Region.
The train will take us on one of the most scenic lines in Portugal, along the banks of the magnificent Douro River to the little village and railway junction of Tua. We will have a photostop en route. In Tua, we will have time to view the interesting railway relics stored here and to refresh ourselves at one of the local bars before returning to Regua. From here we will take the service train back to Mosteirô. For those wishing to dine, the hotel restaurant will be open for a la carte dining. Overnight in Cinfães.
Sunday, September 14
Regua; Douro river cruise (B, L)
Today we transfer hotels to Regua. Our baggage will be transferred separately. We will again catch a service train from Mosteirô to Pinhão, another town in the center of the port wine growing region. Leaving Regua we travel over the only "dual gauge" section of track left in Portugal but soon the narrow-gauge Corgo line branches off on our left. This meter-gauge line is probably the most spectacular in Portugal. Again this line was heavily cut back in 1990. Following the river we arrive at Pinhão, another port wine town. Many of the most famous names in port production have quintas close to this town. We will leave the train at this beautiful station, decorated with 24 dazzling azulejo (painted and glazed ceramic tile) panels.
Here we will pick up our river cruise along the Douro up to the frontier town of Barca D' Alva. After about one hour we shall reach the Valeira dam. This is one of the series of five dams between Porto and the Spanish border and, at 32meters (105 feet), is one of the deepest. Port wine will be served on board before we retire to the restaurant for a superb regional lunch. After lunch we will pass through the final dam at Pocinho (only 20 meters, or 66 feet deep). Pocinho is also the current terminus of the Douro Valley railway. The railway beyond Pocinho and into Spain was closed on 18th October 1988, soon after the new government had promised it would never close We shall return here later to catch our train back to Regua. As we travel up river, look out for the isolated stations at Coa, Castelo Melhor and Almendra. You will wonder where the passengers ever came from because there are no houses in sight. The villages they served were up to 6 miles away. We should arrive at Barca d'Alva at about 4:30 p.m. This small village has a huge station complex, one of the biggest in the whole of Portugal, now sadly abandoned.
A coach will return us to Pocinho where we will pick up a service train for our journey back to Regua. Having had a stop between Barca D' Alva and Pocinho for a "snack" it is unlikely that anybody will want to do anymore than either to retire to bed or to the bar for a nightcap! Overnight in Regua.
Monday, September 15
Steam to Vila Real and return; Mateus Palace (B)
Today we will have the second of our steam specials: a trip up the highly scenic narrow gauge line from Regua to the town of Vila Real. Our train this morning is the "Comboio Historico" a beautifully restored meter-gauge train consisting of Henschel & Sohn steam locomotive E214 and three wooden-bodied carriages. This train is only used for special hire, and today's outing will be for our group only! We will be traveling on the "Corgo" line, which used to run through to Chaves but was cut back to Vila Real on 1/1/90. This line is spectacular as it climbs steeply; during our 15.5-mile journey we will climb more than 2,950 feet. At one point, we travel around an amazing horseshoe curve, where we can look down on the track where we have just traveled. We will have several stops for photography on the way up.Upon arrival in Vila Real, our coach will meet us for the short journey to Casa de Mateus, where a tour will be given of the manor house and gardens. . The name of Mateus will be well known to many as the producer of the famous pink wine in the distinctive bottle. The splendid manor house epitomizes the flamboyance of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Built in the early 18th century, the house was conceived to present carefully created vistas and a series of mirror images. The romantic inner courtyard and formal gardens are a delight to explore, including the vast 115 ft. x 25 ft. cedar tunnel.
Our coaches will return us to the center of Vila Real, the largest town in this region. Even though it is spoiled by the many blocks of modern towers, the old center, with its cobbled streets, is charming. There will be time for you to explore on your own before our return journey down the valley to Regua. Developed from the villages of Peso and Régua in the 18th century, Peso da Régua (commonly called simply Regua) is the major hub for rail and road connections in the region . The evening is free to either dine in at the hotel restaurant or at one of the local restaurants in town. Overnight in Regua.
Tuesday, September 16
Narrow gauge to Mirandela (B)
Today we shall retrace our steps on a service train along the Douro valley to junction of Tua. Here we will leave our broad-gauge train and board our reserved carriage on the narrow-gauge Tua line. The line is spectacular; today we climb up the Tua valley. Look out for the primitive cable cars that used to take people from the railway station to their villages high on the far bank of the river.This line, opened in 1906, used to operate through to the important town of Bragança and survived the cuts of 1990 only to be closed north of Mirandela in 1992. The line is now owned by the Mirandela Metro Company which has reopened the section north for 1.6 miles to Carvalhais, operated as a separate "metro" service. There are plans to extend beyond Carvalhais to Macedo, but it is extremely unlikely that the railway will ever return to Bragança.
We will have a break of an hour and a half at Mirandela. The town has pretty gardens running down to the River Tua and an elegant Roman bridge with 20 asymmetrical arches. Built for the deployment of troops and to aid the transport of ore from local mines, it was rebuilt in the 16th century and is now for pedestrians only. During the break, you may if you wish travel on the metro unit to Carvalhais. There should be plenty of time for lunch in one of the many restaurants. Return to Regua will be made via Vila Real. Overnight in Regua.
Wednesday, September 17
Regua to Porto; Porto tram tour & tram museum (B)
After a leisurely breakfast we shall take the train from Regua to Mosteiro, following the banks of the Douro. From here we head inland to an area of small farmsteads and vineyards. As we get nearer to Porto you will see that this line is being heavily modernized and electrified, and thus losing some of its charm. Fortunately, the line from Mosteiro to Pocinho has been protected from modernization by the World Heritage Site status of the Douro Valley. We are soon in the suburbs of Porto and we arrive at the main Campanha station. From here the main line services to Lisbon and Spain depart.In Porto we will transfer by coach to our hotel. After time to freshen up we will have a vintage tram tour. Our tram car dates from 1900-1910 and is part of the museum collection. The tramway system in Porto, having been rundown over the last 30 years, is now seeing a renaissance . This is partly thanks to the money given to Porto in 2001 because of its status as a European City of Culture. As well as a new surface metro system, the old tramway system is being rebuilt along streets which have not seen trams for 40 years. At the same time, the routes (1 & 18) which managed to survive to the present day are being modernized with new track formations. New tram cars are on the way. All this modernization, although good for the long-term, does mean that the operational system is currently quite short.
Departing from Infante, our tram travels along the waterfront to Massarelos. Here is Porto's last remaining tram depot, part of which has been converted into a museum. We have a break here to see all the superbly restored cars and other historical equipment. From there we head down river towards the mouth of the Douro at Foz. The evening will be free to dine in one of the many local restaurants. Overnight in Porto.
Thursday, September 18
Porto to Lisbon by Pendolino; Sintra (B, D)
After checking out and transferring by coach to Campanã, the principal station in Porto, we will take one of the luxurious pendolino tilt trains to the capital city of Lisbon. The high-speed train will take us between Portugal's two largest cities-a distance of 330 miles-in just over three hours.Upon arrival we will check into our hotel and have time for lunch on your own. This afternoon, a motorcoach will take us to the famous hillside town of Sintra. For this part of the tour we will be joined by well known American expat, Joseph Abdo, author of Tram Tours of Lisbon. He will give us a guided tour, including a visit to one of the palaces, and fill us in on the history of this ancient town. We will also enjoy a chartered trip on the 99-year-old Sintra tramway in one of the open "toast track" American Brill tram cars.
Return to Lisbon this evening for our farewell dinner together at the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Lisbon.
Friday, September 19
Lisbon (B, D)
After breakfast this morning we explore Lisbon."Lisbon is one of Europe's smallest and most likable capital cities. In the oldest parts of town, pastel-color houses line tiny, stepped alleys, while in the grand 18th-century center, wide boulevards are bordered by black-and-white mosaic cobblestone sidewalks. There's a legacy of fine art-nouveau buildings, too, and everywhere you'll see the striking blue-and-white azulejos (painted and glazed ceramic tiles) for which Portugal is famous." (Fodor's 2002)
Joseph Abdo will again join the group to give us a guided tour of Lisbon including a charter on the fascinating tramway system. After our tour, it is time to say goodbye to one another as our tour ends this afternoon. Departure from Lisbon on your own.
We are happy to help with any additional arrangements whether extending your stay in Portugal or elsewhere in Europe. One suggestion: take the Spanish overnight Trenhotel to Madrid (departing Lisbon at10:45 p.m., arriving Madrid 8:15 a.m. the next day). From Madrid, we recommend a one-week train cruise on the Al Andalus Expreso, featuring deluxe accommodations; delicious, traditional Spanish meals served on the train and at local restaurants; and the beautiful scenery of the Spanish countryside. Please call for details about this train.
Included in the cost of the tour:
- Accommodation as mentioned above with full buffet breakfast daily, service charge, taxes and porters in and out
- Separate luggage transfers
- Supplements for all special trains
- Seat reservations in first-class wherever possible
- Tram tours of Porto, Sintra and Lisbon
- Motorcoach transfers as listed in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to Mateus Palace
- Private visits to Quinta da Aveleda and Quinta da Casa Amarela
- Welcome cocktail party and dinner with wine and coffee at hotel
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Douro river cruise with lunch on board
- Service of professional tour guide Graham Garnell
- Society of International Railway Travelers luggage and nametags
- Gratuities for all included services and meals, except that of your tour leader. Gratuities, of course, are a personal matter and optional.
Land-only price of trip:
SAVE $200 per person by booking before March 10, 2003
$ 2,375 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $375After March 10, 2003:
$ 2,575 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $375Reduction for INTRAV cruise travelers : $200 per person
(Cruise participants will meet the group on the morning of September 13 in Porto, thus missing the first two days of the tour)
A 9-day INTRAV Douro River cruise makes an ideal pre-tour to the steam program. If you are interested in the cruise and have not received a detailed brochure, please request this information.Not included in the tour cost: Airfare; costs of obtaining passports; meals not listed in the itinerary; optional sightseeing unless specified; any expenses of a personal nature, including all forms of travel insurance, laundry service, all alcoholic beverages and all personal beverages other than those included at group meals. Gratuities for tour leader.
Terms & Conditions
How to Book: Call our Tour Desk at 1-800-IRT-4881 to make a reservation. A deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is made by check 90 days before departure.
Passport: A valid passport is required, valid for six months after departure from U.S.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations must be received by this office in writing before 90 days prior to departure and are subject to a $250 per-person administrative fee. This fee may be applied to a future trip taken within one year. Final payment is due 90 days before the trip. Cancellations occurring within 90 days prior to the trip are non-refundable . No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows" or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given for unused portions of the tour.
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Prices: This tour price is based on currency exchange rates in effect at the time of printing. In the event of revaluation or devaluation of U.S. currency, the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments.
Price does not include: Airfare, passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the included section; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; transfers and baggage handling on the day of arrival and departure; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges on aircraft. Gratuities to your tour leader.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition which may require special medical attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking to take full advantage of the transportation systems of each country we visit.
Baggage: Porterage is limited to one main bag per person. Passengers will be responsible for their own bags upon arrival in Porto and upon departing Lisbon. Baggage will be handled throughout the rest of the tour. Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip, and baggage insurance is strongly recommended.
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No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare nor make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
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By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT tour guides and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of the tour guide, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger to safety of other passengers the tour manager will issue him or her with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter a second, written, warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his or her own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untravelled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Rates quoted are based on tariffs and exchange current at the time of printing and are subject to changes therein, at or before the time of departure. No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are anticipated; however, the right is reserved to make any changes without notice, that might become necessary, with the mutual understanding that any additional expenses will be paid by the individual passenger. Baggage is at the owner's risk throughout the trip, unless insured. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
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