Porto, Portugal
Activities will include sightseeing around the city of Porto, sampling traditional culinary offerings, an academic discussion, and a gala dinner, as well as plenty of other opportunities for socializing and getting to know your fellow Law School alumni!
Please note that this conference is open to ALL Law School alumni - LLMs and JDs alike (as well as partners and family). As PCLES was informally re-named the Penn Carey Law “Everywhere” Society by our President during the 2015 meeting, all alumni from outside Europe are welcome to attend too!
Didier Goudant LLM’90 and his son, Thomas, have kindly agreed to serve as the organizer for PCLES 2019. Thank you! You may also contact Kim Benenhaley at kbenen@law.upenn.edu with any additional questions or requests for more information.
Friday, July 19
7:00PM: Welcome Reception
Join your fellow PCLES alumni for a welcome reception at the Yeatman Hotel, known for its spectacular views of the city and Douro River. (Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia)
Saturday, July 20
9:30AM: Walking Tour of Porto
Please meet at the Hotel Torel Avantgarde to begin the tour (Rua da Restauração 336, 4050-50)
12:00PM: Boat Crossing to Gaia
At the end of the city tour, we will take a taxi boat across the river and visit Taylor Fladgate Port.
12:30PM: Visit and Lunch at Taylor Fladgate Port
4:00PM: Academic Session with Professor Elizabeth Pollman
Professor Pollman’s research focuses on corporate governance, purpose, and personhood as well as on startups, entrepreneurship, and law and technology.
7:00PM: Gala Dinner at the Palácio da Bolsa
As per annual tradition, please join us for our Gala Dinner at the historical Palácio da Bolsa. The Palácio da Bolsa, which translates to the Stock Exchange Palace in English, was built in 1842 by the Associação Comercial do Porto and is a designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO. *Business attire or black tie. (Rua de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253)
Sunday, July 21
10:30AM: Electric Vintage Tram Tour
These tours are organized by the Museum of Electric Transport in Porto and are an ideal way to discover some of Porto’s most famous sites, learn its history, and delve into its culture, all the while on one of the city’s original electric trams. Please meet at the Hotel Avantgarde by 10:15am to begin the tour.
1:00PM: Farewell Lunch at O Escondidinho
Join us for lunch to conclude another incredible PCLES gathering. Until next year! (Rua Passos Manuel 144, 4000-382).
*Optional Extension Programme:*
Monday, July 22 - Wednesday, July 24
This year’s Extension Programme will be a tour up the Douro River by steam boat to visit many towns and Quintas (wineries) in the Douro Valley. This is truly a unique experience since it has been tailor-made by our amazing hosts according to their knowledge of the region’s most interesting and beautiful places. It is an opportunity to really get to know this amazing country!
More details are below.
Monday, July 22
Departing Porto at 9:00AM, the group will visit the Museum of the Douro in the town of Peso da Régua, followed by lunch and a visit of the famous Quinta da Pacheca vineyard. From Peso da Régua we will take a boat cruise to Pinhão where we will check into the Vintage House Hotel and have dinner.
Tuesday, July 23
After having breakfast in the hotel, the group will continue the boat cruise to Tua. We will visit and lunch at another of Portugal’s beautiful Quintas. We will return to Pinhão via the historical steam train along the waterline. Upon arrival in Pinhão, guests will have time to explore the town before dinner. The day will conclude with a stop at one of the most stunning viewpoints, Casal de Loivos, to watch the sunset on our way to a traditional Portuguese dinner at a Quinta in Favaios.
Wednesday, July 24
The group will depart Pinhão via bus along one of Portugal’s most scenic roads, N222. We will stop at the second most stunning viewpoint on the Douro, Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura, and for lunch and a Port wine tasting in a traditional Quinta. The group will also visit the town of Lamego, known for its elegant Baroque style. The group arrive back in Porto around 18:00.
**The hosts strongly recommend that guests plan on staying longer, travel South, and spend some time across the country. They suggest stops in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve, and are available and happy to give advice on the best things to do in Portugal.
The hosts have arranged a block of rooms at the Torel Avantgarde. This hotel will be the “conference hotel” in that it will serve as a meeting point for group activities. Rooms are first come, first served.
Room rates:
EUR 220.00 (Classic room) including breakfast
EUR 245.00 (Executive room) including breakfast
To take advantage of the reduced rates, rooms must be reserved by 19 April 2019! To reserve a room, please fill out this form and email it to the hotel at reservas@torelavantgarde.com.
If you would prefer to stay elsewhere, we recommend the below options:
Conference Fee
Early Bird Rate and Young Alumni Rate until April 1: €380.00
Standard Rate for all reservations after April 1: €400.00
Children under 12 years of age: €170.00
This fee covers all meals, tours, tour guides, beverages and venues listed on the schedule for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
**REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1**
Optional Extension Programme
This year’s optional extension programme is a trip up the Douro River and a stay in a Douro Valley winery. See above for a more detailed itinerary. The cost for the extension programme is not included in the conference fee.
The Extension Programme fee is €789 per person in double occupancy and €969 for single guests. The extension fee includes all meals, tours, transport and accommodation.
Please note: before submitting your payment for the extension trip, we will confirm that space is still available during the extension trip as reservations are being made on a first come, first served basis. Thank you for your understanding.