~ River Cruises in Portugal ~
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 128-passenger river boat (12 days - 11 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.

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 pre-cruise tour of Spain and Portugal: leave a few days early and enjoy a tour of Spain - including Madrid, Granada, Gibraltar and Seville - before your arrival in Lisbon (total including cruise 17 days - 16 nights). Pre-tour starts in Madrid with departure from the US on the previous Friday - see itinerary details. Subject to minimum of 20 participants.

Standard program with pre-cruise tour of Lisbon and Coimbra:

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.

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).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.

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. 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 8 - 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 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, 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 10 - 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 11 - 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.

Day 12 - Sunday: Porto. (B) 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
• 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"

Included

• 7-night cruise in a riverview 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: 245 ft x 37 ft
• Number of decks: 3 plus sun deck
• Staterooms: 61 outside staterooms plus 2 suites and 1 junior suite. All have sliding glass doors with French balcony and all have 2 hotel-style twin beds that can be positioned separately or together.
• 2 suites: upper deck, 237 sq. ft.
• 1 junior suite: main deck, 226 sq. ft.
• 23 category 1 staterooms: upper deck, 161 sq.ft.
• 28 category 2 staterooms: 2 upper deck, 26 main deck, 161 sq.ft.
• 6 category 3 staterooms: main deck, 161 sq.ft.
• 4 category 4 staterooms: main deck, 150 sq.ft.
• All staterooms have private bathroom with hairdryer, L'Occitane toiletries and bathrobes, a vanity and make-up mirror, generous built-in closets, safe, individual climate-control thermostat, direct-dial telephone, and flat-screen TV with satellite reception
• Wireless Internet access in public areas
• Panoramic restaurant with open seating
• Beautiful lounge with a full-service bar and dance floor
• Sun deck with hot tub and swimming pool
• Gift shop with sundries and gifts
• Fitness room
• Massage room
• Beauty salon
• Elevator

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2012 Tour-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.

*Prices are per person double occupancy in Category 4 (deluxe outside stateroom with fixed window). To upgrade to a higher category, add the following amounts per person:

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

A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement.

For pre-cruise tour to Spain/Lisbon instead of Lisbon tour described above, add $1,729 per person, double occupancy to the above prices (single supplement $439). Available Apr 29 - Oct 14 only. Subject to minimum of 20 participants.

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

If you book your own air transportation, free transfers are available for flights arriving between 7 am and 3 pm on the tour start day in Lisbon and for departures from Porto between 7 am and 5 pm on the cruise end day.

Specials

2012 early booking discounts: Contact us for details

• Book and deposit by Feb 29, 2012 to save $300 per couple OR
• Pay in full at time of reservation to save $800 per couple on cruise plus air package. Selected departure dates; offer expires Feb 29, 2012. OR
• Single supplement waived on selected departures (suites not included).

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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More on Excursions and Activities

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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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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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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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(R) Riverboat cruises
(C) Private charters only

France: Burgundy

Burgundy - Chablis
Burgundy - Dijon I (C)
Burgundy - Dijon II (C)
Burgundy - Sancerre
Burgundy - Tanlay
Burgundy - Vézelay
Burgundy - Vougeot
Chablis - Tanlay

France: Paris & Vicinity

Ile de France - Briare
Ile de France - Loire
Paris - Champagne
Paris - Honfleur (R)
Paris - Normandy (R)
Paris - Rouen (R)

France: Rhone River

Burgundy - Provence I (R)
Burgundy - Provence II (R)
Lyon - Provence (R)
Paris - Barcelona (R)
Paris - Riviera (R)
Provence - Camargue II
Rhone - Provence

South of France

Midi - Beziers (C)
Midi - Carcassonne I
Midi - Languedoc I
Midi - Languedoc II
Midi - Marseillette (C)
Midi - Narbonne
Provence - Midi I (C)
Provence - Midi II (C)

France: Bordeaux Region

Aquitaine - Armagnac
Aquitaine - Garonne
Bordeaux - Medoc

France: Loire Valley

Loire - Chenonceau

France: Alsace

Alsace - Lorraine

Portugal: Douro River

Douro - Lisbon (R)
Douro - Porto I (R)
Douro - Porto II (R)
Douro - Porto III (R)

Spain: Rail Cruise

Andalusia - Seville (T)
Galicia - Leon (T)
Galicia - Vasco (T)

(R) Riverboat cruises
(C) Private charters only
(T) Train tours