Portugal Itinerary

Bon voyage! Embarkation day is finally here and we are thrilled to have you on board for this exquisite journey through the Douro Valley! As you step onto the luxurious cruise ship, prepare to immerse yourself in a world of flavors, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. In the evening, you will enjoy the illuminated landscapes of Porto on a scenic cruise aboard your ship.

***On-Board Event: Meet the Winemakers Happy Hour

Dinner included on board.

This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. In the afternoon, visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens. Inside the house, you’ll see interesting furnishings, paintings and a ceiling of intricately carved wood. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal.

Included Excursions:
Lunch at a local quinta or Mateus Palace & gardens visit

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

In the morning, spend time soaking up the beauty of this picturesque port before you visit Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries­ old walls, steep narrow streets and fantastic views. You can also opt to hike up to the village should you wish a more active exploration.

Included Excursions:
Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare OR Castelo Rodrigo hike with tasting of regional fare

***On-Board Event: 7 Course Wine Pairing Dinner with the Winemakers

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a “living museum,” and you will have an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages during your escorted tour, which includes the city’s elegant university buildings, the New Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells and Plaza Mayor.

Included Excursions:
Salamanca excursion

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Pinhão. Be treated to an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. Quinta da Avessada is also a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region, so you’ll have fun discovering all the various stages of wine production as well as doing plenty of tasting. Savor the flavors of Portugal’s renowned fortified wine, vinho do porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley. Head to a local quinta for your authentic Port­wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region.

Included Excursions:
Quinta de Avessada lunch or Local quinta wine tasting

***On-Board Event: Wine Tasting hosted by Don Burns of Turtle Rock Vineyards

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Travel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, where you’ll go to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps, beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles, which the more active adventurer will want to climb on a guided hike. Concluding both tours, you will have the opportunity to sample local traditional specialties, such as bôlas de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; presunto, a type of dry­cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine.

Included Excursions:
Lamego tour and Bôlas tasting OR Holy Staircase hike and Bôlas tasting

***On-Board Event: Q&A with winemakers + rare/library wine tasting.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

The colorful city of Porto blends the best of old and new, which you can discover on an escorted tour of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; and the São Bento Railway Station, known for its blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike. In the afternoon, you’ll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine.

Included Excursions:
“City of Bridges” tour OR Porto hike OR Port Wine Cellar Tasting

***On-Board Event: Farewell post-dinner cocktails with Don Burns & Friends.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included on board.

DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Porto and prepare for your flight home.

Breakfast included on board.