Before embarking on your Douro River cruise, tour the capital city of Lisbon, a treasure house of old world architecture set on seven low hills bordering the River Tejo. Stop in Coimbra, “Birthplace of Kings,” and Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges.”
The Douro River starts in Spain and reaches the Atlantic Ocean in Porto. The river has carved a valley of spectacular beauty, with hills falling steeply down to the water’s edge and stone terraces built over generations to give the vines a sheltered hold on the steep rocks.
This is port wine country, the first and oldest demarcated wine region in the world, established in 1756. Taste new wines from old village vineyards – Régua, Pinhão and Lamego. Enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Alpendurada Monastery. Stroll through Salamanca, Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and all along the way uncover a land of unspoiled beauty and charm.
Typical Tour/Cruise Itinerary: (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Day 1, Thursday: Depart home gateway city for Lisbon.
Day 2, Friday: Lisbon. Arrive in Lisbon where you’ll be greeted by a company representative and transferred to your hotel.
Day 3, Saturday: Lisbon (B). Your guided exploration of the city takes you to one of the historical districts of the city, Belem, to see the Belem Tower, a fortress that kept careful watch over the great navigators who left Portugal to seek their fortunes elsewhere. You’ll relive the opulence of the former times with a visit to the Royal Coaches Museum and the 16th-century ornate Jerónimos Monastery. Optional Tour: Spend the afternoon exploring the communities of Sintra and Cascais.
Day 4, Sunday: Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto (B, L, D). En route to the riverboat docked in Porto, you’ll learn about Portugal’s third largest city on a tour of Coimbra, the birthplace of six of Portugal’s kings and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Visit the Biblioteca Joanina, the jewel of Coimbra University. Enjoy a family-style lunch in a local pousada before continuing on to Porto to meet the ship.
Day 5, Monday: Porto, Bitetos (B, L, D). Porto, the “City of Bridges,” is Portugal’s second largest city. Its charm stems from its dramatic position above the river, with gabled houses closely terraced on the hill. You’ll be guided through the medieval city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then on to see the Romanesque cathedral. During the afternoon, cruise to Bitetos and spend the evening dining at the former 14th-century Benedictine Monastery of Alpendurada, perched high above the river in a stunning setting.
Day 6, Tuesday: Bitetos, Régua (Lamego), Pinhão (B, L, D). Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Douro Valley as we cruise from Bitetos to Régua in the morning. During the afternoon, tour the old Episcopal city of Lamego, with a wealth of baroque buildings, including the 18th-century pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and an 11th-century castle.
Day 7, Wednesday: Pinhão, Barca d’Alva (B, L, Captain’s Dinner). The small town of Pinhão is the epicenter of the port winemaking area, where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best. Visit the famous Wine Academy at the Vintage House and learn more about the history of port, which goes back to the 17th century. Find out about the unique climate conditions of the Douro Valley and the port winemaking process, and of course, indulge in some of this country's most celebrated beverage. Enjoy some leisure time before sailing to Barca d’Alva in the afternoon.
Day 8, Thursday: Vega de Terrón, Salamanca, Spain (B, L, D). The ship will dock in Vega de Terrón, Spain, in the morning. From here, you’ll travel overland to the Spanish city of Salamanca, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Spain. Visit the historic university founded in 1218 by Alfonso IX of León and stroll through one of Spain’s largest and grandest squares - the Plaza Mayor - with its warm, gold-colored sandstone. After a typical Spanish lunch at one of the city’s wonderful restaurants, enjoy some free time before returning to the ship in Vega de Terrón.
Day 9, Friday: Vega de Terrón (Spain), Pinhão (B, L, D). Visit the small town of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval walled city with a parish church perched high on a hilltop that dates back to the 12th century. In the evening, dine at the Vintage House Hotel, set in a magnificent 18th-century mansion overlooking the Douro River.
Day 10, Saturday: Pinhão, Régua, Porto (B, L, D). Today, visit the Mateus Palace and Gardens. The palace is a perfect example of baroque architecture, with an impressive facade made up of beautiful pinnacles on the roof and an ornate stairway, all reflected in a pond in front of the palace. The gardens are among the most beautiful in Europe, with a tunnel of cypress trees shading the path.
Day 11, Sunday: Porto. Disembark the ship and transfer to the Porto Airport for your flight home.
Tour Details:
* Highlights:
- Porto, "City of Bridges"
- Mateus palace and surrounding gardens
- Salamanca, a World Heritage city
- Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval town
- Lamego and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
* Price Includes:
- 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom
- 2 nights hotel stay in Lisbon with breakfast
- All meals beginning on Day 4, including Captain’s Dinner
- 8 excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides
- Onboard entertainment and lectures
- Services of a Cruise Manager and English-speaking staff
* Available at Additional Cost:
- Roundtrip air from many US cities and transfers to/from the ship
- Wine or liquor, except as indicated
- Items not included on regular menus
- Laundry (not self-service)
- Internet access
- Optional tour of Sintra and Cascais
- Health and travel insurance
* Price Excludes:
- Crew gratuities (suggested 115-120 euros per passenger)
- Personal expenses
- Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above
* Ship Features:
- Size: 254 ft x 37 ft
- Number of decks: 3 plus sun deck
- Staterooms: 65 outside cabins with river view, each with 2 hotel-style twin beds that can be positioned separately or together
- 38 upper deck (category 1) cabins: 162 sq.ft. including balcony with floor to ceiling windows
- 27 main deck (category 2 & 3) cabins: 135 sq.ft. with 12 sq.ft. picture windows
- All staterooms are appointed with a vanity and make-up mirror, generous built-in closets, a hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, direct-dial telephone, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom
- Beautiful lounge with a full-service bar
- Sun deck with hot tub and swimming pool
- Panoramic restaurants with open seating
- Gift shop with sundries and gifts
* 2008 Departures: Every Thursday from April - November.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices are per person, double occupancy. Cruise+Air packages are also available.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Portugal
Spain
Food & Wine
Cultural Journey
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