Porto Photography Holiday (June 5-12th 2024)
Porto Photography Holiday
June 5-12th 2024
Located in the north of Portugal by the outlet of the Douro River, it has a unique atmosphere with elegant neighbourhoods and large villas sitting on narrow cobbled streets. This soulful city was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
Porto is just the perfect size to explore by foot. You’ll enjoy wandering down its alleyways full of history and nostalgia. An evening walk along the Douro River, visiting the vibrant Mercado do Bolhão or sampling its renowned Port wine are just some of the many things you can do in this fascinating city.
Porto Photography Holiday
5-12th June 2024
Romantic Porto overlooks the Douro River. It is Portugal’s second-largest City. The old buildings tumble down the hillside to the river, with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and stately beaux-arts buildings piled on top of one another, the narrow lanes and steep steps illuminated by streaming shafts of sunlight. The historic district, the Ribeira, is a Unesco World Heritage site of village-style plazas and old houses where Roman ruins lie beneath the foundations. Once left to decay, the last two decades have seen Porto experience a remarkable transformation with many buildings undergoing major restoration.
We will explore streets like the Rua das Flores – a photographer’s paradise with eccentric buildings, colourful balconies and interesting street life. The many viewpoints and multitude of alleys provide ample opportunity to produce stunning photographs from a variety of angles. Old Port Lodges jockey for attention across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Cross the Dom Lui bridge, built by an assistant of Gustave Eiffel, for breathtaking views of the city and the port lodges far below.
To ensure individual tuition we will keep the group size small (12 max). The holiday is open to all abilities and any type of camera.
Accommodation & Flights
When the flights become available we’ll recommend a particular flight so that we can all travel together. However you are free to extend your holiday if you wish and not choose these flights.
You are however free to choose any accommodation but we highly recommend staying at the recommend accommodation as it will also be the location of our teaching sessions
Included in the price:
All tuition – there will be 3 (approx 1hr) sessions. Other tuition is individual by Adrian and I while we’re ‘out and about’
Services of local guide Ana for excursions
Group lunch in Porto
Price: £395.00 per person
Not included in the price:
Flights and accommodation (see above)
Breakfast, lunch or dinner (unless otherwise stated)
Entrance fees to visitor attractions
The holiday will be led by professional photographers Graham Parish and Adrian Wyatt. Our guide is registered Porto guide Ana
Any questions please ask your co-hosts:
Suggested itinerary (subject to change due to flight times)
Day 1
Transfer to hotel and settle into rooms. A walk if time allows
Transfer to hotel and settle into rooms. A walk if time allows
Day 2
Morning: Introductions and tuition session 1
Morning: Introductions and tuition session 1
Lunch: Group meal (included)
Afternoon: Our first walk exploring Porto with our guide Ana
Day 3
Morning: Tuition session 2 then continue our walk around Porto with Ana (includes a visit to a port lodge)
Afternoon: Trip to nearby Foz do Douro (by historic tram) Known locally as just Foz it is situated in the western part of Porto where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Foz is in a privileged location and is a very sophisticated neighbourhood with stunning mansions. It is one of the most expensive parts of the city to live in. It also houses numerous landmarks including two forts.
Morning: Tuition session 2 then continue our walk around Porto with Ana (includes a visit to a port lodge)
Afternoon: Trip to nearby Foz do Douro (by historic tram) Known locally as just Foz it is situated in the western part of Porto where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Foz is in a privileged location and is a very sophisticated neighbourhood with stunning mansions. It is one of the most expensive parts of the city to live in. It also houses numerous landmarks including two forts.
Day 4
Free day – lots of choice (perhaps a whole day river cruise to a Douro Valley winery or an evening river cruise with a traditional Portuguese dinner and some Fado?)
Free day – lots of choice (perhaps a whole day river cruise to a Douro Valley winery or an evening river cruise with a traditional Portuguese dinner and some Fado?)
Day 5
Day trip to Guimarães (by train* – dep approx 10.30am – just over an 1hr). The medieval centre is a warren of labyrinthine lanes and picturesque plazas. On an adjacent hill stands a 1000-year-old castle and, next to it, the massive palace built by the first duke of Bragança in the 15th century. Guimarães’ glory was officially recognised in 2001, when Unesco declared its old centre a World Heritage Site. More recently, in 2012, the city was the European Capital of Culture, which has led to several new openings on the cultural front and given the city a more creative edge.
Day trip to Guimarães (by train* – dep approx 10.30am – just over an 1hr). The medieval centre is a warren of labyrinthine lanes and picturesque plazas. On an adjacent hill stands a 1000-year-old castle and, next to it, the massive palace built by the first duke of Bragança in the 15th century. Guimarães’ glory was officially recognised in 2001, when Unesco declared its old centre a World Heritage Site. More recently, in 2012, the city was the European Capital of Culture, which has led to several new openings on the cultural front and given the city a more creative edge.
Day 6
Trip to Coimbra (by train, depart approx 11.40 – just over an 1hr) A riverfront city, the country’s former capital and home to a preserved medieval old town. The historic University of Coimbra is built on the grounds of a former palace. The university is famed for its baroque library and its 18th-century bell tower. In the city’s old town lies the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral Sé Velha
Trip to Coimbra (by train, depart approx 11.40 – just over an 1hr) A riverfront city, the country’s former capital and home to a preserved medieval old town. The historic University of Coimbra is built on the grounds of a former palace. The university is famed for its baroque library and its 18th-century bell tower. In the city’s old town lies the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral Sé Velha
Day 7
Day trip to Aveiro (by train, depart approx 10.30 – 1hr)
Day trip to Aveiro (by train, depart approx 10.30 – 1hr)
Easily accessible from Porto by train, Aveiro is located on the west coast of Portugal beside the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. It is often referred to as the “Portuguese Venice” due to its canals and beautiful boats that navigate them. The city is also famous for its salt production and architecture that’s half modern, half classic, and all colourful.
Day 8
Morning: Revue of images and Tuition Session 3. Check out
Morning: Revue of images and Tuition Session 3. Check out
Lunch
Afternoon: Douro River Trip (‘6 Bridges’ – approx 45mins) and a final walk around Porto and prepare to leave
