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Texas Ski Council Fall Expedition - Portugal 2019

Trip Opening - Act Fast  (Others Might Also Be Available - See Club Links)


Trip Summary


Start Date1: Aug 21, 2019
End Date1:  Aug 31, 2019
Start Date2: Sept 25, 2019
End Date2:  Oct 5, 2019
Start Date3: Oct 9, 2019
End Date3:  Oct 19, 2019

Join one of the TSC member clubs listed below and enjoy a stress free, no hassle, fall vacation. 


Clubs Participating
(Subject to Change)

Departure-1    Aug 21, 2019
Dallas Ski Club
Ski Jammers SC (Houston)


Departure-2   Sept 25, 2019

Clear Lake Area SC
 (Houston)
Dallas Ski Club
Lone Star Skiers (Dallas)
Space City SC (Houston)

Departure-3  Oct 5, 2019
Los Amigos SC (San Antonio)



Prices vary based on cabin assignment

Total Ship Capacity: 100

Non-Refundable Deposit:  $400 pp (unless Travel Insurance is also purchased)

Travel Insurance is offered for $429 pp (suggested by Tour Operator: Mayflower)
(Cost of Insurance is not refundable)



George Lopez
TSC Trip Coordinator
tc-fall_expedition_2019@texas-ski.org 




Demand for this trip exceeded the capacity of the boat, so two additional departures were added: 
  • The First Departure is August 21, 2019
  • The Original Departure: September 25, 2019
  • The Third Departure is October 9, 2019


TRIP AT A GLANCE

Experience the unique sites and culture of Portugal with a taste of Spain on this combination land and river cruise Main trip. We start our journey by flying into Lisbon and we stay there for two nights in a four-star hotel. We then travel to Fatima and sightsee in Coimbra and then board the brand new, exclusively chartered river vessel the MS Emerald Radiance for our seven-night river cruise along the Douro River. We also venture to Rodrigo, Vega Terron, and Salamanca Spain. We end the Main trip in the home of Port wine, Porto, and fly back to the US. Or there is an optional three-night, four-day post trip to Barcelona.

  
Portugal-MS Emerald Radiance Common Area
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 –Depart the USA Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.

DAY 2 –Lisbon, Portugal. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Mayflower Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Lisbon. This evening, join your Mayflower staff and fellow travelers for an included dinner. Included Meal: Dinner

DAY 3 –Discover Lisbon. After breakfast, an included tour highlights the famous sites of the city. See Jerónimos Monastery, ‘Monument to the Discoveries,’ and Belem Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a free afternoon to shop, dine and experience this cosmopolitan city on your own. Included Meal: Breakfast

DAY 4 –Fátima / Coimbra. Enroute to the ship in Porto visit Fátima, home to the Sanctuary of Fátima, an important Catholic pilgrimage site. The city’s fame originates from the apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary that appeared to three shepherd children in the nearby fields. Continue to Coimbra and its famous university before arriving in Porto to embark the MS Emerald Radiance, home for the next seven nights.  Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Portugal-MS Emerald Radiance Exterior
Portugal-MS Emerald Radiance Details

DAY 5 –Porto / Pinhão. Today is a day of sailing through the twists and turns of the Douro Valley. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area is sparsely populated by small quaint villages and typical communities with vineyards and small farms. This afternoon, the ship arrives in the village of Pinhão, perfectly situated on a river bend surrounded by terraced hillsides that produce some of the world’s best Port wine. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


DAY 6 –Pinhão / Vega de Terron. Begin the day with a visit to a beautiful quinta vineyard with spectacular views of the Douro Valley. Learn about wine production and its importance to the culture and economy. This afternoon, the ship sails for Vega de Terron, gateway to Spain. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Portugal-Plaza Mayor, Salamanca, Spain
DAY 7 –Salamanca, Spain. Today’s excursion takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salamanca, Spain. During the guided walking tour, see amazingly detailed and intricately carved buildings of the university, the 12th century Romanesque church of San Martin and the house of Shells. Regal splendor abounds in the Plaza Mayor, the heartbeat of the city. You’ll have free time to explore independently before returning to the ship in Portugal. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


DAY 8 –Pocinho. Arrive in Pocinho and disembark for a morning excursion to the Coa Valley Museum. Designed to blend in with its surroundings, the concrete structure houses prehistoric stone carvings made by the early inhabitants of the Douro which were uncovered during construction of a nearby dam project. Return to the ship for lunch and relax on deck as the ship sails through idyllic surroundings on the way to Régua. This evening, enjoy an off-ship dinner at a traditional vineyard estate. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Portugal-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, Lamego, Portugal
DAY 9 –Régua. After arriving in Régua, journey to the marvelous baroque village of Lamego, home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal. See the Sanctuary perched atop the hill, with its iconic 686-step granite staircase, decorated with the traditional Portuguese blue and white ‘azulejos’ tiles. Return to the ship in Régua after the excursion. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10 –Porto. Having traversed the Douro River, the ship returns to Porto – a city with an eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture. An included tour highlights the sights from historic landmarks to the scenic beauty. And it wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a wine cave for a tour and tasting of Port wine. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure in Porto. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 –Porto / USA. This morning, disembark the MS Emerald Radiance and bid a fond farewell to Portugal, filled with memories of this remarkable cruise along the ‘river of gold.’  Included Meal: Breakfast


Since this trip includes a river cruise, there are different cabin levels on the ship and pricing will vary based on cabin levels. This is a TSC trip so there will be many clubs selecting cabins and there will be others vying for the same cabin choices. Sign up early for your best chance at the cabin of your choice!! Pricing includes airfare provided that you register and pay the non-refundable deposit of $400 per person before October 1st. The deposit is non-refundable unless you buy trip insurance and it refunds your cost in full.  Our Tour Operator Mayflower, is offering optional Trip Insurance at a cost of $429 per person.  As with all travel insurance, the cost of the insurance is a non-refundable cost.  If you register on or after October 1st, the cost will go up significantly to cover airfare.

Portugal-MS Emerald Radiance Fine Dining
Portugal-MS Emerald Radiance Pool

Details of cabin options and number available listed below.  Color refers to the ship diagram below. Contact your club or Trip Coordinator for additional details.


Riverview Suite, 2 cabins, Dark Blue
(300 sq ft, floor to ceiling windows that open with screen)

Owners Suite, 2 cabins, Burgundy
(285 sq ft, floor to ceiling windows that open with screen)

Horizon Deck Cat P, 2 cabins, Yellow
(170 sq ft, large balcony type window that opens with screen)

Horizon Deck Cat A, 18 cabins, Dark Green
(160 sq ft, large balcony type window that opens with screen)

Vista Deck Cat R, 6 cabins, Dark Purple
(188 sq ft, large balcony type window that opens with screen)

Vista Deck Cat B, 16 cabins, Light Blue/Green
(160 sq ft, large balcony type window that opens with screen)


Riveria Deck, 7 cabins, All Colors
(lowest level 153 to 170 sq ft, at river level with small window that does not open)


Portugal-MS Emerald Radiance Cabin Plan


All cabins have bathroom with shower and hair dryer; complimentary WiFi; two twin beds that can be put together,16 dresser, closet, telephone safe, individual climate control, flat screen TV; mini-fridge.


All images used with the permission of Mayflower Cruises & Tours