Cruise the Douro River in Portugal and Tour Lisbon

Tour the historic cities of Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto, then cruise the meandering Douro River across northern Portugal to the Spanish border on an elegant 118-passenger river boat (11 days - 10 nights).

Portugal, a small country tucked into a corner of the Iberian Peninsula, changed the course of world history, leading to the “discovery” of many new lands. Before embarking on your river cruise, enjoy 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 grape vines a sheltered hold on the steep rocks. This is port wine country, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, established in 1756. Taste new wines from old village vineyards – Régua, Pinhão and Lamego. Stroll through Salamanca, Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and all along the way uncover a land of unspoiled beauty and charm.

Sipping luscious port wine on a clear blue river surrounded by vineyards and olive groves... an ideal setting for total relaxation!

Day 1 - Thursday: Lisbon. Arrive in Lisbon, where you’ll be greeted by a company representative and transferred to your hotel. (Note: departure from the US or Canada on Wednesday.)

Day 2 - Friday: Lisbon (B). Your guided tour of the city takes you to one of the historical districts of the city, Belem, to see the Belem Tower, a fortress that kept watch over the great navigators who left Portugal to seek their fortunes elsewhere. You’ll also visit the 16th-century ornate Jerónimos Monastery.

Day 3 - Saturday: Lisbon (B). Free day to enjoy sightseeing in this beautiful city, with its old world atmosphere, museums and numerous outdoor cafes.

Day 4 - Sunday: Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto (B, L, D). En route to the cruise ship 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 at a local restaurant before continuing on to Porto to meet the riverboat. Dinner on board.

Day 5 - Monday: Porto, Bitetos (B, L, D).Visit historic Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal in the 12th-century, home to the first king of Portugal, Don Afonso Henriques, and a 2012 European Cultural Capital. It has been referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. Dominated by Afonso Henriques’ grand castle, Guimarães was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its extremely well-preserved city center. You will be guided through the narrow streets of the Medieval quarter, toward the beautiful main square, the Largo da Oliveira, and then on to the splendid Monastery and Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Ducal Palace, and the 14th century Gothic Padrão do Salado. Later, sail to Bitetos and visit one of the prestigious port wine cellars in Cais de Gaia. (2013: Choice of Porto city tour or Ribeira District walking tour instead of Guimarães)

Day 6 - Tuesday: Bitetos, Régua, Pinhão (B, L, D). Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Douro Valley as you cruise from Bitetos to Régua in the morning. After lunch, 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. Later, enjoy dinner at the family-owned winery Quinta da Avessada in the heart of the Douro region, built a century ago, and producing Moscatel, the treasure of the region.

Day 7 - Wednesday: Pinhão, Vega de Terrón (Spain) (B, L, Captain’s Dinner). The small town of Pinhão is the center of the port winemaking area. Visit a quinta (vineyard) 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 River Valley and the port wine making process, and of course, indulge in some of this country's most celebrated beverage. Cruise to Vega de Terrón in the afternoon. Captain's dinner on board the riverboat.

Day 8 - Thursday: Vega de Terrón, Salamanca, Barca d'Alva (B, L, D). The riverboat will dock in Vega de Terrón, Spain, in the morning. From here, you’ll travel by motor coach to the Spanish city of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 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 with a flamenco show at one of the city’s wonderful restaurants, enjoy some free time before returning to the cruise ship.

Day 9 - Friday: Barca d'Alva, Régua (B, L, D). Visit the small town of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval walled town dating back to the 12th century with a parish church perched high on a hilltop.

Day 10 - Saturday: Régua, Porto (B, L, D).Cruise back to Porto, the “City of Bridges,” 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. Later, enjoy a farewell evening and reception while sailing to the mouth of the Douro River. (2013: Choice of "Hidden Treasures of Porto" walking tour or Guimarães city tour)

Day 11 - Sunday: Porto. (B) Disembark the riverboat and transfer to the Porto airport for your flight home.

Lisbon, capital of Portugal
Bibiloteca Joanina in Coimbra
Guimarães (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Port wine tasting
Mateus palace and surrounding gardens
Salamanca (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval town
Porto, "City of Bridges"

7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom
3-night luxury hotel stay in Lisbon with breakfast
All meals beginning on Day 4, including Captain’s Dinner
Soft drinks during lunch on board. Wine, beer, and soft drinks with dinner.
Bottled water in staterooms each day
24-hour specialty coffee and tea station
11 excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides using portable audio headset system
Onboard entertainment and lecture
Services of a cruise manager and English-speaking staff
Transfers on arrival (flights arriving between 5 am and 5 pm) and departure days (flights departing between 6 am and 6 pm)

Roundtrip air from many US cities
Beverages not specified above
Items not included on regular menus
Laundry (not self-service)
Internet access
Optional tours and activities
Health and travel insurance

New in 2013
Size: 258 ft x 37.5 ft
Guests: 118
Number of decks: 3 plus sun deck
2 suites, upper deck, full balcony: 323 sq. ft.
18 junior suites, upper deck, full balcony: 215 sq. ft.
23 category 1 staterooms, main deck, French balcony: 161 sq.ft.
12 category 2 staterooms, lower deck, panoramic fixed window: 161 sq.ft.
4 category 3 staterooms, lower deck, panoramic fixed window: 161 sq.ft.
All staterooms and suites have private bathroom with hairdryer, L'Occitane toiletries and bathrobes, generous built-in closets, safe, individual climate-control thermostat, flat-screen TV, radio, alarm clock, iPhone/iPad charger and player and bottled water.
Beautiful lounge with a full-service bar
Restaurant
Sun deck with swimming pool
Boutique
Fitness room
Serenity River spa
Reception service
Complimentory coffee and tea station
Free internet and Wi-Fi access
Elevator

Note: Departures from the US on Wednesday. Land portion of cruise-tour starts in Lisbon on Thursday. River cruise begins in Porto on Sunday evening and ends in Porto the following Sunday morning.

Start Date	Lisbon Tour + Cruise*	Start Date	Lisbon Tour + Cruise*
Mar 28	$3,299	Aug 22	$3,599
Apr 4, 11, 18	$3,399	Aug 29 Sep 5, 12	$3,999
Apr 25	$3,449	Sep 19, 26 Oct 3	$3,899
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Jun 6	$3,669	Oct 10	$3,699
Jun 13, 20	$3,499	Oct 17	$3,399
Jun 27	$3,449	Oct 24	$3,299
Jul 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug 1, 8	$3,349	Oct 31	$3,199
Aug 15	$3,399	Nov 7, 14	$3,099

*Prices are per person, double occupancy, in Category 3. To upgrade to a higher category, add the following amounts per person:

For cruise only (starting in Porto), subtract $500 per person from above prices.

Document shipping to countries outside the US and Canada is available for an additional fee.

If you book your own air transportation, free transfers are available for flights arriving between selected hours on the start and end days.

Note: Offers are subject to availability at time of reservation and are capacity controlled. Other restrictions may apply. The cruise company reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

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