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River Cruise-Tour: Douro - Lisbon

A taste of Portugal and Spain:
Historic places, gentle beauty,
rich wines and hearty meals

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 126-passenger river boat (12 days - 11 nights).

New optional pre-cruise tour for 2010: leave a few days early and enjoy a tour of Spain - including Madrid, Granada, Gibraltar and Seville - before your cruise (total 17 days - 16 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 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.

Photos and deck plan of elegant river boat. All-inclusive river cruising vacation in the Douro River valley of Portugal plus tours of Lisbon and Coimbra.

Map of Portugal and Spain: Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Salamanca. Douro-Lisbon river boat cruise with regional cuisine plus private tours.

The river boat has elegant stained hardwood interiors. All upper deck cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies to view the passing countryside. Main deck cabins have picture windows.

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

TYPICAL RIVER CRUISE-TOUR ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

Optional Spain pre-tour starts in Madrid with departure from the US on the previous Friday - see itinerary details.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 - Wednesday: Depart home gateway city for Lisbon.

Day 2 - Thursday: Lisbon. Arrive in Lisbon, where you’ll be greeted by a company representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3 - 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. Optional: Spend the afternoon exploring the communities of Sintra and Cascais. Evening Fado dinner.

Day 4 - Saturday: Lisbon (B). Free day to enjoy sightseeing in this beautiful city, with its old world atmosphere, museums and numerous outdoor cafes.

Day 5 - 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 6 - 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. 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 7 - 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.

Day 8 - Wednesday: Pinhão, Vega de Terrón (Spain) (B, L, Captain’s Dinner). The small town of Pinhão is the epicenter 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 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.

Day 9 - 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, 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 10 - Friday: Barca d'Alva, 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 11 - Saturday: Pinhão, Régua, Porto (B, L, D). Today you'll tour the old Episcopal city of Lamego, with a wealth of baroque buildings, including the 18th-century pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.

Day 12 - Sunday: Porto. Disembark the riverboat and transfer to the Porto Airport for your flight home.

This itinerary is subject to change without notice.

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Highlights

  • Lisbon, capital of Portugal
  • Bibiloteca Joanina in Coimbra
  • Porto, "City of Bridges"
  • Port wine tasting
  • 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

Included

  • 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom
  • 3-night luxury hotel stay in Lisbon with breakfast
  • All meals beginning on Day 5, including Captain’s Dinner on board, plus 2 dinners and 2 lunches ashore featuring traditional cuisine in unique settings
  • Wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea and water with dinner during the cruise
  • Bottled water in staterooms each day
  • Coffee and tea station open 6 am to 6 pm
  • 8 excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides using portable audio headset system
  • Onboard entertainment and lectures
  • Services of a cruise manager and English-speaking staff
  • Transfers on arrival (flights arriving between 7 am and 3 pm) and departure days (flights departing between 7 am and 5 pm)

Available at Additional Cost

  • 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

Not Included

  • Crew gratuities (suggested 115-120 euros per passenger)
  • Personal expenses
  • Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

River Boat Features

  • Size: 254 ft x 37 ft
  • Number of decks: 3 plus sun deck
  • Staterooms: 63 outside cabins with river view. Of these, 60 cabins have 2 hotel-style twin beds that can be positioned separately or together; the remaining cabins have double beds.
  • 38 upper deck (category 1) cabins: 162 sq.ft. including balcony with floor to ceiling patio door
  • 25 main deck (category 2 & 3) cabins: 135 sq.ft. with 12 sq.ft. picture windows
  • All staterooms have a vanity and make-up mirror, generous built-in closets, a hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom
  • Wireless Internet access in public areas
  • Beautiful lounge with a full-service bar and dance floor
  • Sun deck with hot tub and swimming pool
  • Elevator
  • Panoramic restaurant with open seating
  • Gift shop with sundries and gifts

2010 Cruise Dates & Prices (in US$)

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. Optional 10-day pre-cruise Spain/Lisbon extension starts on Friday.

Sale:

  • Save $300 per couple (expires 7/30/10) or
  • Single supplement waived on selected departures (expires 7/30/10) Contact us for details
USA Departure
Lisbon Tour + Cruise*
Airfare
Port Charges/
Fuel Surchg
3/17
$2,099
$98
3/24
$2,199
$98
3/31
$2,349
$98
4/7
$2,449
$98
4/14
$2,549
$98
4/21
$2,649
$98
4/28
$3,049
$98
5/5 - 6/9
$3,199
$98
6/16 - 8/18
$2,949
$98
8/25
$3,149
$98
9/1 - 10/6
$3,199
$98
10/13
$2,999
$98
10/20
$2,949
$98
10/27
$2,549
$98

*Prices are per person double occupancy in Category 3 (deluxe outside stateroom with fixed window). To upgrade to a higher Category, add the following amounts per person:

Category 1
$500
Category 2
$250

For each passenger, add $5 document shipping fee plus port charges and fuel surcharge (if applicable) as shown above.

A limited number of singles are available in Categories 1 and 2 for an additional supplement.

For pre-cruise tour to Spain/Lisbon instead of Lisbon tour described above, add $1,249 per person, double occupancy to the above prices (single supplement $399). Available Apr 23 - Oct 8 only.

For cruise only (starting in Porto), subtract $400 per person from above prices.

Photos and deck plan of elegant river boat. All-inclusive river cruising vacation in the Douro River valley of Portugal plus tours of Lisbon and Coimbra.  Availability of Douro-Lisbon river boat cruise  Register for this river boat cruise and tour in Portugal

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More on Excursions and Activities

Porto - Spreading along the banks of the Douro River, Porto, a World Heritage city, owes its history and development to the river that runs through it. A Celtic settlement at first, it became a prosperous Roman village thanks to its busy harbor. As a medieval town of fishermen, sailors, merchants and ship builders, it contributed to the great success of the Portuguese world discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 18th century, Porto gave its name to some of the finest wines in the world: port.

The tour will drive through narrow streets to view 16th century arcaded buildings and ornate Baroque churches. We will cross a 19th century iron bridge, built by disciples of the famed French engineer Gustav Eiffel. Then on to Foz, at the mouth of the Douro River, to discover the upscale neighborhoods of the city. The tour ends with a visit to one of the port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will see old casks full of port and sample the delicious wines of Portugal.

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Alpendurada Monastery - Dating back to 1024, this convent was used by pilgrims on their way north to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela (St. James). In this peaceful environment they could rest for a few days before their final stages to the holy city in the Spanish province of Galicia. Today the monastery has been remodelled into a modern hotel where the monks' cells accommodate a different type of travellers. The hallways, corridors and lounges are all decorated with furniture, chandeliers and tiles from the 17th and 18th century. The medieval kitchen is still in use, and its firewood oven is still used to roast the meat you will be served at dinner. Enjoy the simplicity of a meal cooked in traditional Portuguese style.

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Lamego - Lamego is a very old historical town. Small but picturesque, warm and very charming, it houses one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos Remédios). Built during the second half of the 18th century, it is a good example of the Portuguese Baroque style. Embracing the whole town from the top of the hill, its impressive staircase, with almost 700 steps, is beautifully decorated with enormous panels of blue and white tiles (the famous azulejos). Thousands of pilgrims gather here at the beginning of September every year to seek healing and consolation.

Besides the shrine, you will have free time to visit the Gothic cathedral and the museum or just wander around the narrow, winding streets or watch the world go by in one of the outdoor cafes. Lamego is also famous for its gastronomy: smoked ham, "Bola e Lamego" (bread filled with smoked ham), oven-roasted lamb, regional cakes and the well-known sparkling wine called "Raposeira."

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Vintage House Hotel - Uniquely located on the majestic Douro River, 60 miles inland from the coastal city of Porto, the elegant Vintage House Hotel is built on the site of an 18th century wine estate. The hotel's year-round program of activities includes wine courses and wine-tasting operated by the Vintage House Wine Academy.


Salamanca - Salamanca is a city full of traditions, located at the center of the "Castilla y León" region of Spain. It was founded by Celtic tribes on the banks of the river Tormes and was later occupied by the Romans and the Arabs. It was finally reconquered by the Christians in the 12th century. During the 13th century the oldest university of the Iberian Peninsula was founded there. The city was visited many times by kings, princes, bishops and artists who contributed to its enrichment over the ages.

The visit of Salamanca (a World Heritage city) vividly reminds us of the Middle Ages. The monuments are impressive, but so is the large modern university of some 40,000 students coming from all over the world. (The city itself only has 160,000 inhabitants.) The walking city tour will take you to the New Cathedral, the University, the House of Shells and, of course, the beautiful "Plaza Mayor."

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Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo - Castelo Rodrigo is up in the hills at about 2,200 feet above sea level. The steep and narrow streets, the 16th century façades of the buildings and the Manueline windows give this village a uniquely medieval atmosphere. The Romans were the first to build a fortress there. In 1209 king Alfonso IX built the walls around the fortress. The village became part of the Portuguese territory in 1297. For centuries, Jews, Arabs and Christians peacefully coexisted in this small town, and signs of this can still be seen in Sinagoga Street. Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo is also known for its many almond trees scattered around the village.

The region's economy is primarily based on agriculture: grain, olives, cattle and cheese. Wine has been produced in the region by monks since the 12th century. Every year, Figueira welcomes the beautiful storks that stay in the village for about 9 months (the stork is the symbol of the village).

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Mateus Palace and Gardens - The palace and gardens of Mateus are located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes just outside the city of Vila Real. Built in 1745, this magnificent mansion is considered a perfect example of Baroque architecture. We start the excursion with a panoramic bus ride along the river banks, through quaint villages and grandiose vineyard-covered terraces. In the gardens of the palace of Mateus you will find out about the history of Mateus rosé wine and its connection to this 18-century mansion. The property is still owned by the current Count of Vila Real but a cultural foundation called "Casa de Mateus" is now in charge of preserving the palace and its archives and promoting a variety of cultural, scientific and educational activities. Several concerts take place there every year, during the "Festival Mateus" in the summer.

Inside the palace, you will visit the library, a small museum with liturgical vestments, a collection of silver reliquaries from the 18th century, a 17th century woodcraft altar, ivory images of Our Lady of Conception (17th century), and a "Descent from the Cross" (18th century), among many other artifacts. You will also have a chance to see Portuguese, French and English furniture, mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, and a few paintings from the same periods.

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Coimbra, Portugal