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.
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.
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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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to itinerary]
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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to itinerary]
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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to itinerary]
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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to itinerary]
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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to itinerary]
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