PORTUGUESE OPEN – TOMAR – 2007 - Dates to be announced!
Please, note that this tournament has been postponed (see newsitem)meaning that some of the information below might not be up to date!
Sports Complex - Complexo Desportivo Municipal de Tomar
TOURNAMENT INFO
Dates
Dates to be announced
Time Schedule
To be announced
Sport Complex
Complexo Desportivo Municipal de Tomar
Address: Estrada do Barreiro
2300 – 442 TOMAR
Phone: +351 249 310 320
Fax: +351 249 310 329
Mail: desporto @ cm-tomar.pt
Classes
MA-Open, MB-Advanced, MC-Amateur, LA-Open, MV
+45
Depending of the number of entries classes can be cancelled or combined.
Table tennis and Badminton
It will occur in a school gymnasium (in parquet), near the Sports Complex (200m). The players equip in the Sports Complex and then go to play TT and Bad. There will be 2 courts for the games and 1 court for practice.
Squash and Tennis
In the Sports Complex there are 2 courts of squash (in parquet) and 4 courts of tennis. During the event there will be 2 courts of squash for the games (and none for practice). For tennis it will be 2 courts for the games and 1 for practice. The other one will be for use of the Sports Complex.
ABOUT THE CITY - www.rttemplarios.pt
"On the hill, a jewel of Manueline Art is present in the Convent of Christ (World Heritage) and the remaining walls of the castle that was the headquarters of the Order of the Temple in Portugal.
The square lined city, founded by the monk-knights, the Manueline art and the Renaissance is present in the churches of São João Batista, Santa Iria and the chapels of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, São Gregório and São Lourenço.
Tomar has even more to charm its visitors. From the freshness of the park in the margins of the Nabão River to the curious Museum of the Fósforos (Matches) to the gothic church of Santa Maria do Olival and the evocation of Henry, the Navigator and his influence in the historical feats that were the Discoveries.
History and art reach the churches and spread along the green landscape that surrounds Tomar. Nearby is the Castelo do Bode lagoon, the water permits the practice of water sports. "
FESTA DOS TABULEIROS (30th June – 9th July) - www.tabuleiros.org
"With a remote origin, where one can guess fertility cults, it is one of the most profound demonstrations of popular religiousness in Portugal.
This procession of hundreds of white-clad "virgins" carrying Tabuleiros (trays), ornamented with bread and magnificent flowers, is an unforgettable spectacle of colour and grandiosity.
The Holy Spirit festivities are based on the Christian appropriation of ancient pagan rites linked to fertility, which is still maintained in the Tabuleiros of Tomar.
The Feast starts on Easter Sunday with the laying of Holy Spirit Wreaths. Other processions follow, like the ones called Mordomo (Butler) and Rapazes (Boys). In the latter, smartly dressed children transport small trays and flower baskets through the streets of the city. On the main day of the Feast, hundreds of girls dressed in white carry trays on top of their heads, which contrast with the colour of the flowers and the golden bread.
This Feast is one of the most ancient and genuine manifestations of popular religiousness and tradition, but it is also a unique spectacle in which colour, grandiosity and scenography are allied in a singular show."
ACCOMODATION
The best way to see all the conditions and prices is in the internet. Go to www.booking.com and search accommodation in Tomar.
For a quick search, there´s a list of the existing places:
Other accomodation to search in the web:
THE TRIP
By plane
Lisbon Airport (Aeroporto Sá Carneiro) – www.Ana.pt
When you arrive at the airport you may rent a car or catch a taxi to the train station. If you want to rent a car, you can see in the internet that there are several locators (rent-a-car). If you are going to the train station (Estação do Oriente), do it by taxi (around 7/8€ - 10/15 minutes).
Oporto Airport (Aeroporto Pedras Rubras) – www.Ana.pt
When you arrive at the airport you may rent a car or catch a taxi to the train station. If you want to rent a car, you can see in the internet that there are several locators (rent-a-car). If you are going to the train station (Estação de Campanhã), do it by taxi (around 7/8€ - 25/30 minutes), or metro (www.metrodoporto.pt).
By Car
After leave the Lisbon Airport take the direction to A1 Norte - Porto. After around 90 km exit to Torres Novas. In the A23 exit after 10 km to Tomar. IC3 drive for around 10 Km and exit to Tomar. More 5 km (Valdonas) and you start to enter in Tomar. In the third O turn right, go straight and turn left, to the Sports Complex. (estimated time: 1 hour 20 minutes)
After leave the Oporto Airport take the direction to A2 Sul – Lisboa. After around 200 km exit to Torres Novas. In the A23 exit after 10 km to Tomar. IC3 drive for around 10 Km and exit to Tomar. More 5 km (Valdonas) and you start to enter in Tomar. In the third O turn right, go straight and turn left, to the Sports Complex. (estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes)
If you’re coming from Europe by Spain, the best entry in Portugal is Vilar Formoso. Take the A23 in direction to Lisboa. After around 200 km exit to Torres Novas. In the A23 exit after 10 km to Tomar. IC3 drive for around 10 Km and exit to Tomar. More 5 km (Valdonas) and you start to enter in Tomar. In the third O turn right, go straight and turn left, to the Sports Complex.
By Train – www.cp.pt
At the train station, Estação do Oriente (Lisboa) or at Estação de Campanhã (Porto) you have to buy the tickets to Tomar. In the internet you can see the schedules and all the information you need.