Perhaps one of the most popular of our destinations, Portugal is revealed to you over the Douro. Departing from Porto, you will sail from the Atlantic to the heart of the country , the Douro Valley. In fact, the Golden River draws sumptuous curves in the hilly landscape of the centre of the country, where terraced vineyards impose order and architecture to the decor. The quintas (artisanal vineyards) are, with the picturesque and isolated villages, the only few people living in this landscape as vast and sublime or wild.
Our cruises on the Douro are designed so that you do not miss any of the most beautiful sites of the country. After having seen Porto by day and by night, you will sail in the lands until you reach Salamanca, the golden city and "Small Rome", a city with immense history. On the way, our excursions will have taken you to Guimarães, one of the oldest towns in the country, or to Lamego and its sanctuary connected by no less than 700 steps. For wine lovers, it will also be possible to follow the Wine Route of Porto and enjoy some of the best local produce. You will also see Vila Real and the Manor of Mateus with the magnificent gardens.
Through our excursion you will discover the very identity of Portugal, and dive into the heart of its traditions and history.
This tour will begin on foot, accompanied by our onboard host or hostess. The first stop is the Douro Museum to learn about the passionate history and winemaking heritage in the region. Afterwards, we'll leave by coach for the Quinta do Tedo, a magnificent 18th-century estate that offers dramatic views of rivers on each side of the terraced hill it sits on. We’ll visit the estate and enjoy a tasting of its wine and olive oil.*
PLEASE NOTE
You’ll be transferred by coach to Sao Joao da Pesqueira, where you’ll set off for a full-day hike through the surrounding vineyards. This is a great way to get a feel for what nature in Portugal has to offer. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch.
PLEASE NOTE
Discover Porto and its history through emblematic blue and white tiles known as Azulejos. These lovely tiles date back to the invasions of the Moors in the 12th century, although the artwork didn’t become part of Portuguese culture until the time of King Manuel I. We’ll visit the cathedral, the outside of Batalha Palace, the Church of Santo Ildefonso, San Bento Station, and Bolsa Palace, all of which have beautiful examples of Azulejo frescoes.
We’ll then cross over the river to Afurada, a small fishing village for lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch, enjoy a sun-soaked stroll through the streets lined with brightly colored homes. Inhabitants here still base their lives around their boats and nets. This is Portugal at its casual best.
PLEASE NOTE
We’ll leave by coach for the fortified town of Penafiel. The Penafiel Municipal Museum, located in the heart of the city’s historical district, houses permanent exhibits dedicated to the region’s cultural identity, land, archeology, and crafts. We’ll then head over to the Quinta da Aveleda, a beautiful wine estate with lush gardens, fountains, and stone decorations that give it a unique, enchanting atmosphere. Enjoy some free time on your own strolling the gardens and estate before we enjoy a tasting of the local Vinho Verde.* We’ll have lunch in this idyllic setting and take advantage of a bit more free time to explore the estate.
PLEASE NOTE
Departure by coach from the Villa Nova de Gaia Quay, facing Porto from across the Douro river and the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, built between 1881 and 1886 by French engineer Theophile Seyrig, one of Gustave Eiffel's pupils.
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, stands out from the steep banks of the Douro river with its mixture of grey facades and red tiles interspersed with unusual architectural masterpieces.
Its historical center was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. We'll discover The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building), built in 1834 by the city's Commercial Association. It has remained their headquarters to this day. After climbing up the beautiful granite and marble stairway, we'll visit the former Tribunal Room, the Golden Room and the Arab Room, decorated in the exotic Moorish Revival style. Afterwards, we'll visit the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), also known as the "Golden Church”. It was originally a modest convent founded by Franciscan monks in the 12th century, before being further altered by prominent Porto families in the 15th and 16th centuries. They were responsible for the Baroque style interior which mingles with the large, elaborate rose window in Gothic style on the main façade in a fascinating mixture of styles reflecting the various eras it went through.
We'll cross the Dom Luis I Bridge again back to Villa Nova de Gaia for the visit of a wine cellar. Porto's pride notably stems from its famous wine known the world over, which you will get to taste*. We'll return on board by coach.
PLEASE NOTE
We'll leave by coach for the mouth of the Douro River. Here, you'll set out with your guide for a hike along the Douro, passing through the traditional fishing village of São Pedro da Afurada. We'll have a great view of Porto and its famous Ribeira Square before arriving in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the prestigious wine is aged in renowned cellars. We'll visit a wine cellar and enjoy a tasting*. After our hike, we'll return to the ship on foot.
PLEASE NOTE
We'll set out by coach for a visit to the heart of Port Wine country and the small town lost in the middle of the Douro Valley, Favaios. The origins of this civil parish date back to the Iron Age. Today, Favaios has almost 1,500 inhabitants, most of whom earn their living through wine production. We’ll take a walk through the village and then visit the Bread and Wine Museum. We’ll enjoy a tasting of the region’s best-known liquor, Moscatel, a naturally sweet sherry wine.*
PLEASE NOTE
We'll leave from Regua or Pinhão for Vila Real, where aristocrats built grand palaces during the 16th and 18th centuries. The architecture of the religious buildings is here extremely varied. We'll take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, followed by a tasting of the local pastry, Cristas de Galo.
We'll then set out to explore Mateus Palace, the most beautiful and astonishing manor in all of Northern Portugal. This 18th-century beauty is set in a hilly landscape reminding us of Mexico. The subtle mixture of granite, white walls and extravagance from the Age of Enlightenment such as ledges covered in statues and Baroque style pilasters is a striking feature. Behind the manor is a delightful garden with box hedges, more statues, and a spectacular 115-foot cedar tunnel. After our tour, we'll return to our ship in Regua or Pinhão.
PLEASE NOTE
We'll leave from Vila Nova de Gaia by coach for downtown Porto. Once we arrive, we'll board one of the city's trams and partake in this urban-tourism experience all the way to the mouth of the Douro. Our visit will include a stop at the tram museum (Museu do Carro Eléctrico), housed in a former thermo-electric power plant. The museum collection comprises the oldest cars pulled by horses, called "Americanos,” to the last trams from the 1950s and 1960s. We'll finish up our excursion with a tasting of some of the local specialties*. At the end of our tour, we'll return to the ship by coach.
PLEASE NOTE
Transfer to the Wold of Discoveries interactive museum. Follow in the explorers' footsteps and discover how they navigated without modern technology. Follow their journey and board a replica of a 16th-century ship. You will be able to sail through the equatorial forests, as far as India, Japan... and discover the odyssey of discovery. Adventure guaranteed! Return by coach to the ship.
This hike will take place among the wild, mountainous settings of the park and offers magnificent views of the Douro and Spain. The steep banks are home to rich wildlife, especially various types of nesting birds of prey. Don’t forget your binoculars for this one! You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch.
PLEASE NOTE
Situated in the northern foothill of Marofa Mountain, in the middle of cultivated plains, this once-medieval town is a historic treasure thanks to the outstanding renovations that preserved the houses and important buildings. Here, we'll visit the Museu de Escalhão. Don't forget to take in the magnificent view of the valley. We'll return to the ship in Senhora da Ribeira.
PLEASE NOTE
Departure from Ferradosa for our excursion along the Porto wine route.
We'll discover this incredible vineyard extending over 100 km along the Douro river all the way to the Spanish border. We'll visit San Salvador do Mundo and Sao Joao da Pesqueira, two small towns set among the vineyards in the Rio Torto valley. In Sao Joao da Pesqueira, you will have the opportunity to explore the arcaded main square, the chapel and the white houses with their balconies. You will visit a quinta (wine cellar) to taste the famous Porto*. We'll return on board in Pinhao or Folgosa.
PLEASE NOTE
A unique opportunity to admire the city of Porto by night during a panoramic tour by bus. You will love the old, preserved districts of this city of immense character, classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Porto is not only a city rich in vestiges from a glorious past, but also the young-spirited, warm capital city of a region marked by its winemaking as well as its closeness to the ocean. During the tour of the historic center, your guide will schedule a stop at the Sao Bento railway station to look at its magnificent azulejos. Return on board by coach.
PLEASE NOTE
Departure by coach from Regua to Lamego for a guided tour of the city center by coach and on foot. Lamego is a charming episcopal and commercial town where you'll get to discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary. This 18th century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The first stone was laid on February 14th, 1750 and gave way to the construction of a massive temple overlooking the city and providing a breathtaking view over the misty mountains of the surrounding landscape. Return on board in Regua.
PLEASE NOTE
You'll leave by coach with your host/hostess from Barca d'Alva for Salamanca where you'll meet up with your guides.
Is there a more unusual way to tour this Spanish city than on a comfortable bike? Along with your guide, you will ride along the banks of the Tormes river before discovering Salamanca's Old Town, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will get to know all the must-see sites but also the places off the typical touristic paths. The tour includes a visit of the gothic cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles going from late Gothic to Baroque, including Renaissance. Afterwards, we'll visit one of the world's oldest Universities which first opened in 1218. Also known as "Escuelas Mayores”, the University building has a sumptuous gate adorned with the city's most famous design: a frog atop a skull - symbolic of the sin of lust being punished after death. Its wonderful library brims with old manuscripts dating back from prior to the 19th century. We'll have lunch in a local restaurant before enjoying some free time to wander the city alone. After our long day, we'll return to the ship in Vega de Terron.
PLEASE NOTE
We'll leave by coach from Porto for Guimarães. With our guide, we'll begin the tour of this university town on foot to discover its historical treasures. We'll get the chance to discover the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church (outdoors), the most important religious building in the city. The medieval heart of Guimarães is a labyrinth of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings. We'll continue on to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza with striking architecture. The palace is closed on May 1 and Easter Day.
At the end of our visit, we'll return on board in Porto.
PLEASE NOTE
Included in tour package
Afternoon excursion to Aveiro by coach. Often called the "Venice of Portugal”, and known as the salt capital of Portugal, Aveiro is surrounded by salt marshes, beaches and lagoons and is dominated by the Central Canal that runs through the town. This little medieval town, built on a lagoon, expanded rapidly during the 15th and 16th centuries as a sea port thanks to cod fishing. It is also a center for baroque art with its many buildings and monuments. Aveiro has kept several of its typical boats with half-moon shaped prows, the "moliceiros”. Nowadays, Aveiro and its surroundings form a very significant industrial region with naval shipyards, engineering, iron and steel works, cellulose-producing factories, porcelain and pottery, and where salt production and fishing are still important activities. Its university is one of the largest in Portugal and there are also several further higher studies buildings. Aveiro is a bright and friendly little town with art-nouveau style architecture, brightly colored houses and charming little alleyways for you to take a lovely stroll. Afterwards, we'll set off for Costa Nova, a typical little fishermen town and former family-friendly resort which has now been restored. The resort is located between the beaches on the Atlantic coast and the lagoon and is open onto the ria. Here there are lots of traditional multi-colored, striped wooden houses lining the promenade which is also planted with palm trees. Return on board by coach in Porto.
PLEASE NOTE
Join us for this magnificent hike along the Douro towards its estuary and the Atlantic coastline found just to the south. You’ll get some great views of the ocean. You’ll be transferred back to Porto by coach from Lavadores.
PLEASE NOTE
Join us for a fascinating hike through Alvao Nature Park. Mountainous scenery peppered with granite boulders and deep valleys are on the program!
PLEASE NOTE
We’ll spend the morning on a guided visit of Lisbon. Ruled by Germanic tribes beginning in the fifth century, captured by the Moors in the eighth century, Aphonso Henriques conquered the city during the Crusades, and it has since been the major political, economic, and cultural center of Portugal. The city spans seven rolling hills, and its colors, accents, and charm have not faded over the thousands of years it has existed. Discover the distinctive buildings and landmarks the Belém District, including its famous tower and the Jerónimos Monastery—the most prominent example of Late Gothic Manueline architecture in the country. The imposing monastery also houses the Maritime and National Archeology Museums. We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll take a panoramic tour of Lisbon (known as Portugal’s “City of Lights”) and discover the São Jorge Castle, as well as the traditional neighborhoods of Alfama and Mouraria.
PLEASE NOTE
We’ll leave by coach for Coimbra, once the medieval capital of Portugal and the site of the country’s largest university. We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. Enjoy a guided visit of this charming city that cascades down the hillside to the Rio Mondego. You'll discover its laid back atmosphere, gorgeous medieval old town packed with history, narrow and picturesque streets, and majestic cathedral built in the 13th century (exterior only).
PLEASE NOTE
Departure by coach towards Salamanca where you'll meet up with your guides.
Since 1988, the Old Town of Salamanca has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The classified area extends on the major part of the city as it used to be until the middle of the 20th century and is responsible for its growing popularity. We'll visit the cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles going from late Gothic to Baroque, including Renaissance. Afterwards, we'll visit one of the world's oldest Universities which first opened in 1218. Also known as "Escuelas Mayores”, the University building has a sumptuous gate adorned with the city's most famous design: a frog atop a skull - symbolic of the sin of lust being punished after death. Its wonderful library brims with old manuscripts dating back from prior to the 19th century. You'll enjoy lunch and be free to discover the city on your own. Return on board in Vega de Teron.
PLEASE NOTE
We will leave by coach for Salamanca for the pool located in the center of town; it is easily accessible on foot. This is the perfect moment for everyone in the family to relax and have fun. We will then take you to the restaurant for lunch. You’ll have some free time to sightsee on your own before heading back to the ship by coach.
