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AOP’2011 |
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Braga
Located in the northwest of Portugal close to Galicia, Braga is a modern town with over twenty centuries of well documented history.
Portugal' tourism info (external link)
Please follow the link for more images and info about Braga and Portugal
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International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics |
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Braga was founded by the Celts in 300 AC and in 27 AC Bracara Augusta was set as an important roman administrative centre. It is the oldest Portuguese town. A major religious center from the earlier times of Cristianity alternated with Santiago de Compostela in Galicia the role of religious capital of the Iberian Peninsula. Ilustrating Braga' evolution along the centuries diferent and diverse arquitectural styles apear side by side. Nowadays the town holds a charming Baroque splendour. |
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Braga: a short overview |
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Travel
You may also want to check this external link: Travel
How to get to Braga The best flight destination to get to Braga is Francisco Sá Carneiro airport, in Porto (OPO). Braga is located in the North of Portugal about 50 km from the city of Porto and 35 to 45 minutes drive to the airport. There are direct flights from most EU capitals. Low cost companies also operates to OPO (Ryanair, Easyjet, Transavia, Airberlin,…).
• By Plane The nearest airport to Braga is the Sá Carneiro International Airport (in Porto, OPO), Vigo Airport (VIG) in Galicia, Spain, is also only roughly one hour drive to Braga. Other options are Lisbon (LIS) airport 400km away (from 3:15 to 4:30 by train or bus) and Santiago de Compostela airport in Galicia (2:30 hours drive away).
Porto airport is an half hour drive to Braga (around 60€ to 75€ by taxi). www.ana-aeroportos.pt If you would like to use less expensive public transportation you may take the efficient underground (lightrail) from the airport terminal to Porto’ Campanha train station and then take train to Braga. The full trip takes tipically 1:45 to 2:30 (you may also stop in the center of Porto, Trindade, and than the bus to Braga). By Car from Francisco Sá Carneiro airport: take IC24, direction A3, Braga, Maia; take highway A3, direction Valença, Braga.
• By Car When travelling by car you will find many ways to get at Braga. Traveling from the North you may take the highway from La Coruña or Vigo (Spain) and then from the border the A3 highway in Valença. From East you have the highways A5 and A4 from Bragança and Vila Real or Vilar Formoso, Viseu and Covilha. From South there is the highway A3 to Porto and A1 Porto to Lisbon connecting to Algarve, and to the Spanish border at Badajoz.
• By Train Train is a good option to travel to Braga from Porto or Lisbon. Braga train station is 10 to 20 minutes walk to most hotels’ in the center and a direct bus connects to the University campus. You may find timetable and reserve tickets at www.cp.pt
• By bus From the centre of Porto you may take a bus to Braga from the bus station at Porto center near Trindade metro station. From Lisbon there are also direct or semidirect bus to Braga. From Vigo and Vigo’ airport there are two buses at noon and around 23:00. |
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Manuel F. M. Costa’ 2010 |
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Accomodation
Braga is served by a good number of hotels from smaller familly like run 2 to 4* hotels up to large 3, 4 and 5* star hotels. The conference venue (University of Minho’ Gualtar campus and Hotel & SPA Melia Braga) is easily reacheable from most hotels by bus or walking.
HOTELS:
The conference’ hotel is: MELIÃ BRAGA HOTEL & SPA
Open recentely its the only 5* hotel in Braga. Its located less then 5 minutes walk to the University of Minho campus at the base of Bom Jesus hill and near the jogging trails and open soccer and sports fields, 20 to 30 minutes walk to city center. Its spa, El SPA, offers excellent services at affordable prices in an exclusive environment.
Special prices for the conference (promo code AOP2011): Single room with buffet breakfast (free wireless and 50% off fitness center prices): 73€; Double room with buffet breakfast (free wireless and 50% off fitness center prices): 83€.
Hotel description and leaflets (1, 2)
Conference’ travel agency: TAGUS TRAVEL
Other usefull links
ANA (airports)
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Universidade do Minho Melia Braga Hotel & Spa Braga, Portugal May 3 to 7, 2011 |
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From the center of Braga the University’ campus and Melia Hotel’ area are easily reachable by walking (~30 min) or by bus lines: 7 (S. Mamede/Celeirós), 24 (Gualtar/Sequeira) both passing through Largo Sra-a-Branca; 43 from the train station to the university campus; and line 2 to Bom Jesus with stops at the Av. João XXI and right in from the Melia Hotel |