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Regional and North Portugal Golf Holiday Tour ….. We Will Return ….. 12 Day Holiday Journal, Following Our First Hand Experiences
Introduction: –
Last Was Our First year trip to Porto via a week's cruise down the Douro River, Organised by PortGolf brilliantly. At the end of That week, Peter Evens, WHO PortGolf runs, we should Suggested return for the festival of S. Joao and Perhaps Some play golf. This Seemed a good idea so on Our return to the UK we ORGANISER Other dinner for two couples, one of Whom (Gerry and Catriona) HAD Played golf around Porto and Jim and Margery. We discussed the idea and It Was eight AGREED That would be a good number. Shortly After We Had supper with Another couple, John and Marion volunteered WHO to join us. None of us ever HAD holidayed together so it would be Before a test of friendship. Due to Other Commitments Gerry and Catriona and John and Marion would stay for a week whilst we and Jim and Margery would stay for Twelve Days.
There FOLLOWS to Journal of That Trip: –
Thursday 21st June 2007
We Decided to catch the first Porto flight out of Gatwick at 6:30 a.m. The Others Were whilst catching the 1.30pm flight. We Were met at Porto Airport at 9:00 a.m. by Peter Evens WHO whisked us off to the four star Hotel Fenix, conveniently Placed close to the Boa Vista area. The weather Was bright with a light shower around Midday. Having unpacked in Our spacious room on the 9th Floor with splendid views of a cemetery and Truly magnificent the city in September we off on Our first adventure to walk to the city center and explore the area. We Had a pasta and wine lunch at the Simbiose Restaurant (€ 30) Overlooking the river and watched Port wine the boats ferrying people to and fro. Walked back uphill to the hotel calling in at the local supermarket for gin and whiskey for Nightcaps. The rest of the gang Arrived late at 6.15pm Somewhat due to delays. Having checked in we all got Into the lift to travel to the 9th floor. Now this lift you to notice That says it is for 10 persons – Unfortunately, They mean 10 persons Portuguese Who Happen to be in Stature Somewhat Smaller than 8 Brits for the lift to descend to -5 Decided floors Before coming to a halt with a resounding bang. Not Exactly the start we where looking for, But we managed to extract ourselves and walk back to the ground floor we proceeded to travel in the 2nd lift and the lift service – time for a drink! Peter found us in the bar at 8pm When We Were Taken in two vehicles to the Maria Moita, a Porto local restaurant for dinner. Peter stayed on to interpret as not much is spoken Español and take photographs of the evening. Fun with an interesting food menu and carafes of wine. Bed by 11.30 Somewhat exhausted.
Friday 22nd June 2007
Up at 8:15 a.m., dry, gray But with a smattering of blue. Breakfast, Then a quick look round the local shops. Peter and Paul Collected us at 12.30 for Our first game of golf at Wake.
The course lies about an hour from the center of Porto on the Atlantic coast. The drive Was pleasant and informative and the entrance guarded by two automatic gates. A drink and a toasted sandwich started the event four ball Which Was a Better ball with Husbands partnering wives. Typically for a links course, the wind blew like hell and Was a Factor Contributing to the round taking 4 ½ hours. Gerry and Catriona Were the winners and copious Amounts of beer and gin & tonic Was consumed. Before change showered and whisked off to Casa do Frango in a nearby town – problem Was Our driver dropped us at the wrong place Which Held up proceedings, But Did not stop the flowing wine Before The chicken and chips Arriva – Turned out to be a fun night and tested Some People's Ability of alcohol consumption. On Our return to the hotel John and Marion join us in our room for a nightcap and left at 1:30 a.m..
Saturday 23rd June 2007
Up at 8:30 a.m. and a glorious summer day. Everyone Into city focus to sightsee, But It Was for us to shop for prizes meeting up with the gang at Majestic café – In the Place to be seen – coffee and brandy Was the order of the day. Off to lunch to Foz at Praia da Luz, a super restaurant on the beach Which We Had sampled last year – with great food and wine Variety of local dishes, ridiculously cheap at € 30 per couple. Back to the hotel at 4pm to rest Before the night's Activities. Midnight At Porto celebrates the Festival of S. Joao!
Peter and cab collect us at 9.10pm and we are Taken to Taylor's Port Wine Lodge Where the atmosphere is electric – a couple of hundred people are Seated at round tables for a set menu of Kale & Potato Soup; breads, sardines, Roast & Vegetables Kid Followed by Almond tart and ice cream. The best wines are served basis and we try a couple of bottles of 20 year old vintage Port. The lodge is Situated at Gaia on the southside of the Douro River and at 12.05am we adjourn to the terrace to watch a firework display over Porto Which Was out of this world – we are all stunned by the magnificence of the scene. John & Marion Have to leave by cab due to John's bruised Achilles heel while the rest of us Have to walk as vehicles are not Allowed in the area for Medical Reasons Other Than. The crush is Worse Than a cup final at Wembley, But everyone is in Such Great humor and It Seems the whole of Porto's Inhabitants are bashing you over the head with a hammer or a long plastic garlic plant (Both old Traditions) – Eventually we Stagger across the bridge, Which HAD Been closed at one point due to too many people on it Causing it to sway. Street parties, dancing and singing all the way back to the hotel and so to bed at 3:00 a.m. HAVING Survived a most enjoyable adventure.
Sunday 24th June 2007
Up for breakfast, lots of orange and black coffee Seem to the order of the day. Collected Later to go to Amarante Golf Course Another hour drive away. Seems we HAD the course to ourselves. Said to be hilly, true, Difficult to find your way round at times; Some spectacular holes all afternoon Accompanied by bangs as S. Joao Continued to be Celebrated. Men versus Ladies this time, the men HAD no chance. Showered and changed off to a restaurant in Amarante – Our driver problem Was Seem to Have Forgotten Until He Was Informed by Peter via mobile phone Then I proceeded to drive at 120 kph to get back on track. Not English spoken at all at the restaurant Which made life a tad difficult. Remove Food nice, But we Appeared to be in a quieter mood – at age Our very late nights dog play havoc with people's Some constitution.
Monday 25th June 2007
Today we are moving to the Oporto Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club, so ITS bag packing time as six of us are off on an adventure – a day on a boat trip up the Douro. Gerry & Catriona trip Have Done This Before So They go back to Estela for golf. Superb weather and the trip is just fine with breakfast Provided and lunch and the river is so peaceful. We make friends with Lourdes Who is the tour guide. Later she is surprised to find us drinking champagne – she asks What we are celebrating, we tell her a birthday, she asks Whose birthday it is and we tell her we do not know, But we are pretty sure it's someone's birthday somewhere. We arrive at Regua Taken at 4.15pm and are by coach for about 200 yards to the railway station Where we are to continue Our adventure by train back to Porto to journey of about two hours. Peter meets us at the station and Takes Our new quarters to us at the OC & LTC a little oasis in the middle of Porto. Very colonial style and Every One is so friendly. Shower and change and meet for drinks in the lounge Before walking a couple of hundred yards up the road to Black Layer 2 local restaurant Where we are served basis by Olivetti Who speaks good Español and adviser on the local dishes. Plenty of wine and a fun evening all for the princely sum of € 30 per couple. John and Marion Insist on Having a nightcap in our room – Another late night.
Tuesday 26th June 2007
Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Then walk around the Grounds of the club and the tennis courts INSPECTED, cricket pitch (Thought we would bat first) and the swimming pool. We got ready for golf and soon we where on Our way to Ponte de Lima on a lovely sunny day. Again about an hour drive to the golf course, But Somewhat mountainous and very scenic – a Necessity buggies. Drinks and a sandwich first, But You Never Need to be in a hurry In These places Which Was a good job as the round took over five hours, something we are just Not Used to, But we're on holiday so what the heck. A quick shower and drink Restaurant Before setting off to Attend. A limited menu and quite expensive for the region, But we enjoy it. Drove back to the club and home by 12.30am – a long day.
Wednesday 27th June 2007
Up at 8:15 a.m. nice shower and a leisurely breakfast. Today is a relaxing day Where we all do Our Own Thing. A day by the pool for some, shopping for Some of the ladies and bridge for Others. We all meet in the bar at 8pm for tonight we are eating in the club's superb dining room and prize Giving. That it work out everybody got a prize of sorts and Margery and Jim won Peter Evens "PortGolf" prize for the best score on the Stroke Index 1 holes on all the courses we played. Food, wines, service and atmosphere Could not be Bettero a fantastic end for Those Departing the next day. Somewhat late to bed!
Thursday 28th June 2007
Missed Our farewells to Catriona and Gerry, But managed them for Marion and John Who Were Later catching a flight. Today is Peter and Jim and Margery taking us for a road trip up the Douro Valley. We at 9.45pm again in September off with glorious sunshine. Our first stop is at the winery of Quinta de Aveleda.
A guided tour Including tastings with cheese. Wanderer We Have Which round the beautiful gardens Grounds Including resident peacocks. In the shop, a loud mouthed American, Who Was buying a six pack of wine, WAS boasting to the young lady at the counter back home That I Had a Thousand bottles of wine – to Which she replies, And Now You Have A Thousand and Six, sir. – Priceless!
Our next stop at Amarante Was to see the famous bridge and a quick walk round the town, very pretty. On through rolling hills filled with vines to Regua and stopped for lunch at the Pousada. Sat Outside in the glorious sun and admired The views across the valley. We Moved on to Quinta do Panascal – Fonseca winery / port lodge, Had a guided tour-through the grape terraces with the Aid of an audio tape and earphones Giving a history and the workings of the company. Back to the lodge for more tastings Then to return journey via Vila Real-through mile after-mile of hills laden with vines from top to bottom. Back to the club for a shower and change Before Peter dropped us off at the Port Restaurant. We Were all intrigued to see Jim's starter as I HAD ordered Fish Soup in Pastry. (Was the pastry on the top!)
Friday 29th June 2007
Breakfast at 9am – today we are back to Estela golf course, But what a difference, loads of sunshine and no wind. Versus the Boys Girls (yes, of course the Girls won, But only at the 18th) – back to the club for a rest and shower.
A special evening as we meet Peter's wife, Anabela, for the first time and we go to Praia de Luz for dinner. A great meal with lively conversation and a beautiful sunset, of Which We Have Several photos if Anyone wants a copy. Home to bed Another long day.
Saturday 30th June 2007
Uncle Tom last night's sunset, we wake to a gray sky and much cooler temperatures. The girls, (I use the term loosely), go shopping off to Vila Nova de Gaia, English Court. Us chaps do Our Own reading and watching the thing Members Who are barbequing for lunch – Jim tries the sardines. Lorna and Margery arrive back at 2.15pm and after-hearing of Their Adventures We Have tea and scones – How civilized.
Peter collects us at 6.45pm as we are to Have drinks at His House at Senhora da Hora. We meet up again with Anabela And Also Later with one of Jacquay His Twin Daughters Who Entertains us on the piano. Then we are off to a fish restaurant, O Manel in Matosinhos – no spoken and we Español Struggle with the menu, NOT the best place to eat In Our opinion, Also quite expensive. An early night for all.
Sunday 1st July 2007
A free day – weather a bit gray and not very hopeful. Margery and Jim decided to tour the city by open-top bus whilst we decide to walk to the Palacio de Cristal Which spacious park houses a circular building for concerts, There Are Also Some nice views of the river and across the city. We continue to S. Our walk through Where we Bento Station Metro Attempt to purchase a machine from day two tickets – we fail miserably Uncle Tom help of a couple the of locals, But Were rescued by a station security guard Who Help us to purchase the correct tickets. The Metro is very modern and is a cross Between a tram, a trolley bus and an underground train – Very clean and quiet. Out Takes us first journey across the very top of the Ponte do Luis and up to the terminus outside "English Court." We return back down, But alight at Jardim Morro do Where we Have Been Advised There are some good photo across the river Opportunities. Then we decided to walk over the top of the bridge Rather Than ride. In Hindsight This Was not a good idea as Reckon we That the bridge is similar in construction and height to the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia – we would not walk across Even If They Do That chain you to the railing so What on earth are we doing here? Español Being So, we put Our heads down and just keep walking until, Somewhat relief, we get to the other side – phew! That I Have to add the Metro trains are passing by you just inches away Which Tends to add to the Excitement. We did get some nice pictures of the trains crossing the bridge and Entering the tunnel Below us. With shaking legs we descend Through hundreds of steps and winding alleys to get to the riverside Where We Had a bottle of wine and lunch and watched the world go by. We Return to the station and went as far as the Estadio do Dragao, recently completed stadium to back down Before Returning To Our Nearest station to home, the Casa da Musica. The weather HAD much Improved by this time so we Walked back to the club in sunshine.
We Margery and Jim met with by the pool and Exchange stories and adventures, Then snooze for a while Before getting ready to Embark for Our last night to the Caffeine Restaurant. A very smart establishment and nice food, But Not again would be in Our top five. Peter Collected us and Returned Safely us back to the club.
Monday 2nd July 2007
One wonderful attribute That club is of the clients are required to vacate Not Until Midday Their rooms. We took advantage of this by HAVING time to pack in a leisurely Manner and Having Our bags stored by Peter We Were Collected to take us for lunch at Rio Ar, a modern riverside restaurant in Cais da Gaia. We sat inside by an open wall looking out across the Douro River in glorious sunshine. Peter Collected us and took us Crofts to Port Wine Lodge for a tour and tasting – a lovely way to end a holiday in Porto.
We Collected Our baggage from the club, said Our goodbyes to the staff and Peter dropped us off at the Airport in good time for the flight Which Was delayed for fifty minutes.
All in all a most enjoyable holiday, well Organized by PortGolf in the shape of
Peter Evens Whose Care and Attention of historical clients is second to none.
Without a Doubt Once Again We Shall return to this most interesting of cities.
Mike Lorna & Gizzy
June 2007
About the Author
As specialists in Tourism in North Portugal you can contact Peter Evens (00351) 966618332 and he will Call you back, email portgolf@netcabo.pt or look at the website http://www.portgolf.com/cervyferias.htm
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