Getting ready for the HARVEST trip

Jay Powers · Post by **Jay Powers** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:43 pm

Im getting more excited for this trip every day. The only downside is the flight from CA, with my 4-hour layover in Newark. Eric, it sounds like your the lucky one, I guess it's just a quick hop to Newark and right onto a TAP flight!

Jay

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:21 am

Jay, dont worry I'm sure we can find something to do to kill time on the layover and then the flight from Newark to Porto. I thnk Derek and Christopher are the two lucky ones. Just a short hop from the UK down to Porto. Funny how almost everyone is from the west coast. Derek and Christopher, don't believe all those crazy TV stereo types of us west coasters, they are only 95% true

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:23 pm

I got a stupid question. I have not been overseas in a long long time (ok ok, since 1995...boy-oh-boy time flys). Since Portugal is using Euro's, should I buy euros before I leave, should I just take travelers checks, use my credit card, etc. Any help on this one is appreciated. :help:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:04 pm

Sorry Andy...you need to move this to the "European Currency and Macro-Economics" Forum... :joker:

Not sure, but for the most part I've always heard you should use your Credit Card as much as possible (better exchange rates), and I usually get enough cash for everything else from a bank's ATM when I arrive in country.

Jay Powers · Post by **Jay Powers** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:15 pm

Buy a small amount of euros before you get there (or even in the airport), but primarily use credit cards.

Of course I have only been to Northern Europe lately, so take with a grain of salt.

Jay

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:43 pm

It is best to purchase $100 worth of Euros from your local bank that handles currency conversions. I find the airport currency exchange booths one of the least "efficient" ways to wind up with Euros. Use your CC for all significant purchases for the best rates. Should you get into Portugal early, know that we are arranging your transportation from the airport to hotel (for 6 day guests). Should you take any taxi around town (you can walk almost anywhere) you will have to pay in Euros. Most small local shops take debit cards, some ONLY Euros and fewer do take CCs. But all of the Lodges etc. will take CCs and once in the Douro, you won't need them, unless you choose to purchase a bottle here and there. You are not obliged to buy wine during this trip, but that is up to you. Again, if you plan to come back with bottles (and you WILL) I strongly advise bringing an empty styro-shipper and tape with you. You won't regret having at least a six pack or full case with you.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:06 pm

Stewart, Jay, and Roy, thank you for the info. I have had friends tell me about using CC's, but it was info they got second hand. So good to hear it from the source.

Roy, I got my styro 12 pack shipper already to go 8)

I get more and more excited as the day draws nearer

P.S. Stewart, can you just add that forum under the "Other Discussion" forum :wall:

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:07 pm

Appart from the Douro, I'd say most of the shop are taking CC. I've encountered some restaurant where you need to enter a NIP to validate the transaction, at some place you can dismiss it but some really need it but they are not the majority.

Anyway in the cities and villages there is electronic casher where you can easily withdraw money almost every corner.

When I go to Portugal, I really only care about money when I go in the Douro, appart from that, you should not have troubble finding some.

Eric Duprey · Post by **Eric Duprey** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:19 pm

Hello everybody, just thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself. This is Eric from New Jersey (by way of San Francisco and Rhode Island). I've confirmed with Roy that I will be joining you all on this oenological adventure! This will be my first trip to Portugal and I can't wait!

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:54 pm

Eric,

Welcome to the site and what a great first post. I'm glad you are joining in on the fun and I look forward to meeting you. The anticipation of this trip is just killing me :twisted: I can't wait :!:

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:53 am

Eric,

Glad you have stopped lurking and have shown your face here. 8)

Ok, here is the latest update re: the Harvest Trip:

Mario - Portugal
Stewart - Seattle
David S. - No. CA
Derek - UK
Andy - So CA
Jay - a late but welcome entry from No. CA
Christopher G. - UK
Eric D. - NJ
Alex Bridgeman - UK
Roy - Seattle-ish

Welcome aboard to Alex Bridgeman, who was holding out waiting for applause. For those who are new here, Alex was one of the original FTLOP members and held a fabulous tasting in London last Novemeber. I have a feeling we will be drinking many Ports together in a couple of months.

Eric Duprey · Post by **Eric Duprey** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:07 pm

Roy,

You knew I had been lurking, didn't you?

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:43 am

In case you haven't heard you can no longer bring liquids or gels in your carry on lugage on a plane. Seems the recent arrests overseas have caused a tightening of security. The ban extends to ALL LIQUIDS and also hair gel, toothpaste, and anything else in a paste form. The only exception is medication and baby formula.

So there will be no hand carrying bottles home from the trip this year. Everything must be checked lugage. This also has caused massive delays at the airports right now. I hope they get it sorted out soon!

Just wanted to give everyone the heads up to plan ahead.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:46 pm

This is crap! I already have 8 bottles in Portugal waiting for me to bring them back. On the other, this is a good reason to save money 8) But I'll probably bring another extra luggage only to bring back bottles, I'm planning to get 12-15 bottles again.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:54 am

Fred,

Bring a styro shipper with you and put the bottles in the belly of the plane and you will have nothing to worry about. I have flown home from Italy with 3 full cases of wine with no issues when coming into the USA, and always have one or two when I come back from Portugal. Of course, I don't touch the bottles for quite awhile ... but that is another story altogether.

Eric Duprey · Post by **Eric Duprey** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:24 pm

If the bottles were carry-on items you might have to open them and drink them to prove that they weren't explosive...but then any corkscrews would be confiscated!

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:00 am

So make sure you always travel with a pair of port tongs in your carry-on baggage. That way, when you have to open your bottle of NN 1963 to prove its not an explosive, you don't need a corkscrew

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:06 am

I think the TSA just added Port tongs to the banned items list.... :devil:

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:36 am

Thousands Standing Around

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:34 pm

Roy Hersh wrote:Thousands Standing Around

I second that

Pretty soon we are not going to be allowed to bring anything on a plane...we will have to overnight ship all bags and wear TSA approved loin cloths while on the plane. I used to work in the helicopter and, in person only, I can tell you things that will make you shake your head. I can't stand the TSA.

Ok, I feel better,

For The Love Of Port

Getting ready for the HARVEST trip

Sorry Andy

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Sir Lurkalot lurks no more

Nope...