Venue
Conference Venue
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)
Escola das Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente (ECVA)
5000-810 Vila Real
Portugal
Vila Real city
The city of Vila Real, with a population of 52,000, is situated in the North of Portugal, halfway between the coast and the boarderline, one hour away by car from the city of Porto. The city rises at about 1,476 feet high (450 m) on the shores of the river Corgo, one of Douro tributaries. In the city center you can find beautiful examples of monuments that date back to 17 and 18th centuries, when Vila Real claimed the status of “Court of Trás-os-Montes”. The noble titles of families that established in Vila Real at that time is well visible in the countless stone coats of arms placed on the front of the buildings. Nearby, Casa de Mateus, credited by Nicolau Nasoni, is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Portugal.
Close to the city center you can admire the river Corgo, which flows through the city in a narrow but deep valley, forming a uniquely beautiful canyon. Along the river, you can enjoy Florest park, Corgo park and Corgo natural paths. The trails connect the city centre to the eco-campus of UTAD, allowing to enjoy the natural beauty and biodiversity that characterises this part of the city. In the surroundings, the landscape is mainly dominated by the terraced vines, Marão mountain and Alvão natural park, where it is located the highest iberian waterfall, Fisgas de Ermelo.
The University (UTAD)
UTAD is organized into 5 schools in a green, diverse and charming eco-campus, which is itself a Botanic Garden. The campus offers sport facilities, a central library, access to broadband wireless network, a printing shop, a veterinary hospital, a merchandising shop, bars, canteens and a restaurant. The Congress will be located in the building of the Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente (ECVA), close to the library. Make your way to the congress venue through the entrance gate, close to the lake, and follow ECVA, library (or rectory) arrows.
How to reach Vila Real?
GPS:
Latitude – 38°41’57.80″N
Longitude – 9°10’57.00″W
By Bus:
The main bus operators to/from Vila Real are Rede Expressos and FlixBus. In Porto, Rede Expressos terminal is located in Terminal Intermodal of Campanhã (TIC). Flixbus departs from Airport or from the Terminal Intermodal of Campanhã. Information on prices and timetables are available at www.rede-expressos.pt and www.flixbus.pt.
By plane:
Francisco Sá Carneiro international airport in Porto is located 100 km away from Vila Real. Subway trains (Metro) depart from the airport to Porto’s city centre every 20 minutes, from where you can reach Vila Real by bus. Take the purple line (the only line in the airport) in direction to “Estádio do Dragão”. Get out in “Campanhã”. At certain times, the train that leaves from the aeroporto only go to “Trindade”. If that is the case, get out in Trindade and take another train in the direction of “Estádio do Dragão” or “Fânzeres” or “Campanhã”. They all stop in “Campanhã”. Information on subway prices and timetables are available at www.metrodoporto.pt .
By car:
From Porto, using the A4 highway: exit the highway in the direction of Vila Real/Sabrosa and, at the first roundabout, take the second exit (university direction).
From Viseu, using the A24 highway: exit the highway in the direction of Vila Real/Sabrosa and follow EN 313 road directly to the university.
How to move in Vila Real?
To get around Vila Real you may take a bus of the public urban transport (ticket is 1.50 €). You may access bus lines and timetables at www.urbanosvilareal.pt. UTAD can be reached by buses # 1, 3, 4 and 12.