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PORTUGAL WINE TRAVEL
Mario Ferreira and Roy Hersh are planning two exhilarating excursions for 2009. Unlike mega-tour operators that lack flexibility, their itineraries for the Fortification Tour (visiting Port & Madeira) and Port Harvest Tour are not finalized until after they’ve had a chance to personally communicate with each interested party. First they determine the potential clients’ level of interest in the wine and regions they’ll be enjoying. Once the dynamics of the group are clear, Mario and Roy personalize the tour, focusing on the specifics that their guests desire. This bespoke trip planning perspective along with an extensive network of Port & Madeira industry contacts make for consistently excellent guest experiences. They stay focused and don’t offer tours all over the globe and their vast expertise in Port and Madeira is unrivaled in the tour business. The high quality of wines their guests will encounter and the trade personalities that guests get to meet along the way simply cannot be matched by any other tour company, period. Ferreira and Hersh are at your service at all times and with no more than ten guests, you are assured of the utmost attention to your every need from the moment you arrive in Oporto to your departure. Most importantly, they design these excursions as if they were planning their own great wine and fine dining vacation. This is what Mario and Roy call their “specialized fortification process” and their guests really seem to love it. Mario and Roy look forward to providing each guest with the most extraordinary and unique wine trip they’ll ever take!
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“Every day was an incredible learning experience and the things I learned about Port & Madeira will never be forgotten. I have already decided to start planning to go on the trip next year.” “I think you mention somewhere in your description that you provide an experience that could not be duplicated elsewhere and I left thinking exactly that. There was just no other way to try the wines we did in the settings we drank them, with the insights of the winemakers and/or owners right before us.” “This was my second trip with Roy and Mario. It was every bit as great as the first and I plan to go again. This is a must do trip for anyone that likes Port and Douro wines. A truly wonderful and educational experience. Bravo!” “Your generosity and the quality of care from both of you were excellent. It was obvious that you were entirely at our service, and that you had done everything in your power to provide us with peak experiences. I can’t imagine kinder and more professional tour guides.” “I think I was one of the most inexperienced people on the trip, and everyone made me feel very comfortable and I learned a great deal. I think a lot of people might shy away from these tours if they think they are not ‘into’ port enough. I definitely found myself questioning whether I was ‘ready’ for such an immersion (literally) but in the end I am very glad I did. "Unbelievable! Much better than I ever expected. I felt like Robert Parker or James Suckling (well, BETTER than them) at every stop!" “Roy and Mario provided us with the opportunity to meet people, see places and taste wines that independent travelers and other wine tour companies simply do not have access to. If you are passionate about Port and Madeira, put your trust in these guys to give you an experience you will never forget.” “I learned more in one week than the last several years combined. Truly an educational experience that even a knowledgeable port drinker would love, yet perfect for a novice at the same time.” “Expectations were exceeded across the board and the little surprises made the trip very special.” "At each of the port houses we visited, the producers and shippers treated us as honored guests. It was a port-lover’s dream" "How do you rate a priceless experience … “It's like Chateau d’Yquem. You'll pay a lot, but given the quality, it's still a bargain.” |
What's Included
This is an all-inclusive* tour from the airport upon arrival to the airport upon departure. Your trip includes:
- Small groups – our exclusive trips range from eight to ten guests, with 2 experienced guides.
- Airport Transfers – arranged for all singles/couples on an individualized basis
- Baggage handling – exceptional service from arrival to departure
- Meals – 3 meals per day which include Douro wines & Port of our choice, flowing freely throughout lunch and dinner.
- There will be one lunch (Thursday) and one dinner (Sun.) the night before we get started, which are not included and where you’ll be free to explore on your own.
- Options: these are offered for guests that would like to discover other cultural experiences such as golf, museums, shopping etc.
- We reserve the right to include a couple of very pleasant surprises which are not listed on the itinerary.
- Winery visits and all wine tastings
- Professionally chauffeured (insured) and comfortable transportation
- All taxes and tips throughout your stay
- More!
* NOTE: You only pay for gifts, shopping, bottles of Port, Douro wines or Madeira that you choose to bring back home and “non-vinous” alcoholic beverages which are not included with meals. Airfare is not included to and from Portugal. We can provide you with our preferred travel consultant who is familiar with our guest’s needs and specializes in Portuguese air travel and destinations. We urge you to purchase your own travel insurance!
Booking Conditions
1. We do not get involved in booking air travel for our guests. We can provide a great travel consultant that is familiar with the airlines and the needs of our customers, to assist in the booking of flights.
2. We will meet in the hotel lobby on Monday morning at 9 a.m. and the trip officially begins at this point.
3. We do not charge our guests a “single supplement” as we price our trips on a per room basis.
4. To maintain a small group size, no more than 10 guests will accompany us. Bring 9 guests and your trip is free!
5. NOTE: We will not travel with less than six guests and reserve the right to cancel the trip for this reason.
6. Roy Hersh & Mario Ferreira (tri-lingual) will personally accompany guests throughout the entire trip. We have included some free time for guests to explore and dine on their own. We can assist you with suggestions of cultural activities, shopping destinations and dining recommendations.
7. Please advise us at the time of registration, if you or your travel companion has any dietary restrictions, allergies or medical/physical restrictions.
8. We reserve the right to make minor modifications to the planned itinerary, based on availabilities of the wine producers, especially around the harvest time. But you can be assured we have your very best interests at heart in making these trips extraordinary! We do not finalize the itinerary until 45 days prior to the trip … but they won’t vary much. We always listen to potential client’s requests and ascertain their level of interest and experience.
9. Payment methods to be discussed by phone, during our pre-trip consultation where Roy can personally answer all of your questions. We price our trips in Euros and use www.xe.com for conversion rates.
10.For reservations or to request further details including trip pricing, please email:
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(Please type in: May 2009 Fortification Tour into the subject line)
11.Guest cancellation of the 2009 Fortification Tour from March 30th-April 12th will result in a 30% cancellation fee. Any cancellations from April 13th-April 24th will result in a 60% cancellation fee. Thereafter, 100% forfeiture will take place as it is impossible to find a replacement for the spot you’ve vacated.
Visit www.fortheloveofport.com and join our interactive community of Port lovers by clicking on the FORUM
Links to some articles on Madeira by Roy Hersh:
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_three_centuries.htm Three Centuries of Port & Madeira
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_madeira_for_the_holidays_by_roy.htm Madeira for the Holidays
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_madeira.htm Madeira's Sweet Nectars: Malvazia and Moscatel
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_2006_07_madeira_miami.htm Long Lost Madeira Tasting in Miami
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_2006_07_discovering_madeira.htm Discovering the Island of Madeira
Links to a 3 part series on one of our Tours:
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_Tour1.htm
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_Tour2.htm
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/articles/a_Tour3.htm
Our guests have documented their experiences of our tours:
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopforum/viewtopic.php?t=1174
http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?t=107430&highlight=Port+tour
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