THE SCRATCH® EASTER ESCAPE 23 – 30 March 2016

GENERAL INFORMATION

DouroAzul is a leading river cruise company in Portugal, founded more than 20 years ago and operating a fleet of 8 luxury river cruise ships on the Douro River. We are pleased to have chartered their Douro Spirit exclusively for our 2016 Scratch Choral River Cruise.

Launched in 2011, the Douro Spirit is a modern and stylish ship with facilities including a sun deck, fitness room and spa, Wi-Fi hotspots, club lounge, lift, beauty salon, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and a boutique. All 64 cabins are air-conditioned and have WC, shower, telephone, flat screen televisions, hair dryer and Wi-Fi and a safe. 3 suites are available and all cabins have French balconies. Pictures of the cabins can be found on the attached Douro Spirit information sheet, and you can also find more information at: http://www.douroazul.com/Default.aspx?ID=1523&ProductID=PROD133015&PID=4699

OUTLINE ITINERARYDate Harbour Arrival Time Departure Time

Wednesday 23 March Vila Nova de Gaia 16h00 - EmbarkThursday 24 March Vila Nova de Gaia 06h30Thursday 24 March Régua 13h30 15h00Thursday 24 March Pinhão 18h00

Friday 25 March Pinhão 07h00Friday 25 March Vega Terron 14h00

Saturday 26 March Vega Terron 12h15Saturday 26 March Barca d’Alva 12h45Sunday 27 March Barca d’Alva 06h30Sunday 27 March Cais de Espinho 13h30 14h00Sunday 27 March Régua 17h30Monday 28 March Régua 13h00Monday 28 March Entre-os-Rios 17h30Tuesday 29 March Entre-os-Rios 07h00Tuesday 29 March Vila Nova de Gaia 11h00

Wednesday 30 March Vila Nova de Gaia 09h30 - Disembark

N.B. The itinerary has changed since the publication of the flyer. Please note that it may still be subject to changes.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Wednesday 23 March - Fly from London Gatwick to Porto. Coach transfer on arrival to the port. Douro Spirit will be ready for embarkation from 16h00. There will be a welcome cocktail party before dinner served on board. The ship remains docked in Porto overnight.

Régua

Salamanca

Porto

Alpendurada Monastery

Casa da Musica, Porto

Thursday 24 March - Our first choral session will be held this morning before the ship arrives at Régua just after lunch. Optional* guided tour of the Palace and Gardens of Mateus, home of the last Count of Vila Real. Return to the ship, which has, in the meantime, continued to Pinhão before dinner. Dinner is served at Quinta de Avessada. We remain docked overnight in Pinhão.

Friday 25 March – The second choral session is held this morning as we sail towards Vega Terron. Arrive in Vega Terron after lunch where you can take an optional* guided tour of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval hill-top village with impressive castle ruins. Return to the ship for the Captain’s Dinner. We remain docked at Vega Terron overnight.

Saturday 26 March – After breakfast an optional* full day city tour of Salamanca is offered including a Flamenco show and guided tour of the city including the 18th century Plaza Mayor, the House of Shells, the 13th century Salamanca University and the Gothic style New Cathedral. Return by coach to the ship at Barca d’Alva for a Portuguese barbecue dinner evening and our third choral session. The ship is docked in Barca d’Alva overnight.

Sunday 27 March - After breakfast we have our fourth choral session as we sail towards Régua. We arrive at Cais de Espinho just after lunch. This afternoon there is an optional* tour of the historical city of Lamego. The tour includes a port wine tasting and visits to Lamego Castle and the Cathedral. Return to Régua where the ship has docked for dinner with a Portuguese folk music show. The ship is docked in Régua overnight.

Monday 28 March - After breakfast there is an optional* tour to the Douro Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which represents the cultural and natural heritage of the Douro region. Return to the ship for lunch and our fifth choral session as we continue to Entre-os-Rios. Dinner this evening will be at the 13th century Alpendurada Monastery.

Tuesday 29 March – We have our final choral session this morning after breakfast on the way back to Vila Nova de Gaia where we stay overnight. On arrival there is an optional*city tour of Porto, the second largest city in Portugal. We visit the Old Town and the Cathedral before ending at one of the Port Wine Lodges where you have the opportunity to sample some of their world-famous port. Return to the ship for a farewell dinner and performance.

Wednesday 30 March - Disembarkation is after breakfast. Transfer to Guimarães for a guided tour including the iconic fortress. Walk the battlements and visit the outside of the 15th century Paço dos Duques de Bragança, house of the 4th and last Portugal Royal dynasty. Lunch is included before continuing on to Porto Airport for your flight back to London Gatwick.

*Shore excursions will be available to book in the latter part of 2015

FLIGHT INFORMATIONGroup flights from London Gatwick to Porto with TAP Portugal Economy class group flights from London Gatwick to Porto with TAP are included in the package price:

CARRIER AIRPORTS DATE FLIGHT & TIMES

TAP PORTUGAL

London Gatwick – Porto 23 March TP 331LGW 13h00 – 15h15 OPO

Porto – London Gatwick 30 March TP 332OPO 17h50 – 20h00 LGW

Group flights are subject to availability. Once our group allocation sells out, we may be able to accommodate you on the same flight, but at an individual ticket price.

Flight schedules are subject to changes. Flight upgrades are available – prices are on request and subject to availability. If you wish to organise your own flights and book a Land Only package, please deduct £140 from the cost of

your holiday. You will need to make your own way to and from the ship. If you would like Specialised Travel to book individual flight tickets on your behalf, there will be a service

charge of £25 per person added to the published fare given on the day of booking. You will need to make your own way to and from the ship.

THE SCRATCH® EASTER ESCAPE PRICES

All cabins are outside facing. All cabins have two beds that can be linked together to make a double bed or left as two separate beds. Please refer to the enclosed deck plan for more information.

Category Deck Price per person sharing twin or

double

Deposit per person sharing

Single Supplemen

t

Single supplement deposit

C-1 (150-161 square feet)

Main Deck £ 1970.00 £400.00 £ 795.00 £ 150.00

C- 2(161 square feet)

Upper Deck £ 2170.00 £ 400.00 £ 1215.00 £ 200.00

Junior Suite x 1(226 square feet)

Main Deck £ 2495.00 £ 500.00 £ n/a £ n/a

Suite x 2(237 square feet)

Upper Deck £ 2595.00 £ 600.00 £ n/a £ n/a

All cabin grades are subject to availability. If you would like to share a cabin, please request this from Specialised Travel at the time of booking and we will do our best to place you in a shared cabin, subject to availability.

Package cost includes: Return flight to/from London Gatwick to Porto Airport with TAP Portugal Private escorted coach transfers between Porto Airport and the ship Accommodation in the cabin category booked with full board throughout the cruise. All cabins have a

shower and WC. All cabins have two lower beds, which can be linked together as a double or left as twins on request

Unlimited house red and white wine, soft drinks and tea/coffee are included with dinner. All other drinks are not included and are to be paid for on consumption

Welcome cocktail & Captain’s dinner Participation in all choral sessions Assistance of Specialised Travel and Concerts from Scratch staff throughout the tour from London and back

to London Port charges

Package cost does not include: Laundry, drinks as specified above, and any other items of a personal nature Service charges, taxes, and tipping except for those services included in the tour package. It is suggested that

you give a tip to the cruise staff at the end of your cruise. The recommended amount is €12 per passenger per day. This can only be paid in cash (Euros) and credit cards are not accepted

Passport or visa charges (a visa is not required for UK passport holders) Transport within the UK to/from airports or train stations Optional excursions. Further details will be sent in the latter part of 2015 Travel insurance Fuel surcharges Any items not specified above as included

CURRENCYPlease note that the currency on board is the Euro. You can take Euros with you, purchase them on board, or go to an ATM on shore.

OPTIONAL SHORE EXCURSIONSFull details of 2016 excursions and prices will be released in the latter part of the year by post and/or email, and will be available to book via Specialised Travel in advance or on board during the cruise.

THE PALACE AND GARDENS OF MATEUS THURSDAY 24 MARCH, AFTERNOON EXCURSION

Travel by coach from Régua to Vila Real, the capital of the historical province of Trás-os-Montes. Enjoy some free time in the city, taking in sights such as the 15th century Gothic cathedral or the House of Diogo Cão, the 15th century explorer and one of the most notable navigators of the Age of Discovery. Continue by coach to the Palace of Mateus. Built in 1745, this Baroque Palace gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the Portuguese aristocracy from that period. A guided tour includes the library, vestments room, major salons, chapel, winery, and the beautiful gardens. Return to the ship, which has sailed to Pinhão, before dinner.

Palace of Mateus

DURATION – Approx. 4 hours PRICE – £TBC

FIGUEIRA DE CASTELO RODRIGO FRIDAY 25 MARCH, AFTERNOON EXCURSION

Visit the city of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, known as the white village due to the famous almond trees surrounding it. We see the town hall with its walls adorned with painted tiles depicting local village scenes and then we continue to the ruined Castelo Rodrigo castle. Built in the 15 th century by King Alfonso IX of Leon, this is the site of the Battle of Salgadela, fought on 7 July 1664 between the Spanish and Portuguese as part of the Portuguese Restoration War. There will be some free time to stroll along the narrow streets of this charming village before returning by coach to Vega Terron to board the ship.

Castelo Rodrigo

DURATION – Approx. 4 hours PRICE – £TBC

SALAMANCA CITY TOUR SATURDAY 26 MARCH, FULL DAY EXCURSION

Depart on a full day tour to the city of Salamanca, situated in the centre of the ‘Castilla e León’ region. The Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and the city is home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe. Today, Salamanca is home to some 40,000 international students, which gives it a very multicultural and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The tour will begin in the heart of the city at the 18th century Plaza Mayor. We visit the gothic House of Shells, built in 1493 to celebrate a marriage between two important historical families, and then we continue to the University, which dates back to the 13th century. We end at the Gothic style New Cathedral, which was built between 1513 and 1733. Lunch with a Flamenco show is included during the tour. Return by coach to Barca d’Alva and board the ship.

Salamanca University

DURATION – Approx. 10.5 hours PRICE – £TBC

LAMEGO SUNDAY 27 MARCH, AFTERNOON EXCURSION

Travel by coach to Lamego, a historical and picturesque town located on the banks of the Balsemão River. With origins before the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, Lamego is well known for its historic city centre. We have a short visit here before visiting the Lamego Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of both Portuguese and Flemish paintings. Free time will be given to explore the city or you may wish to visit the castle. Please note that if you do wish to visit the castle, you must be prepared for some strenuous walking at times. The castle houses one of Portugal’s most important places of pilgrimage, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. Built in the second half of the 18th century over the remains of a 14th century chapel, this is an outstanding example of Portuguese baroque style architecture. You will also have the opportunity to walk down the 686-step staircase back to the old town! Continue to the Lamego theatre for a short recital before returning to the ship, which is docked at Régua.

Sanctuary of our Lady of Remedies

DURATION – Approx. 5 hours PRICE – £TBC

PORTO CITY TOUR TUESDAY 29 MARCH, AFTERNOON EXCURSION

Visit the capital of the North of Portugal, Porto. Depart by coach along the Atlantic coastal road to Foz, an old fishing village at the mouth of the Douro River. Continue to the newest part of Porto to see the Diamond building that houses the Casa da Musica, the Clérigos tower and Bento station. We then visit the city’s cathedral, located at the top of the Penaventosa hill, with a stunning view over the Douro River. Inside the 17 th

century cathedral are golden carved altarpieces and paintings from the Nasoni period. The tour ends in Vila Nova de Gaia at one of the Port Wine Lodges for a tour and a tasting before returning to the ship.

Clérigos tower

DURATION – Approx. 4 hours PRICE – £TBC

SYMBOLS

COACH TOURIt is your choice whether you get off the bus on this tour, for example, to take pictures. You walk only short and even paths.

WALKING TOURThis tour is a walking tour, so please wear appropriate footwear.

WALKING AND STEPSThis tour will include lots of walking and also going up and down steps.

Specialised Travel12-15 Hanger Green

London W5 3ELT: 020 8799 8350 F: 020 8998 7965

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