Embark in Porto on your journey through the dramatic Douro River Valley. To celebrate the authenticity and quality of the wines produced in the Douro, you’ll be treated to several visits to typical Portuguese quintas, including at Quinta da Avelada, Quinta do Seixo and Quinta da Roêda. Visit picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, the Lamego steps and Spain's golden-hued city, Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout your travels, soak up the genuine beauty and breathtaking charm of one of Europe’s most unadulterated landscapes.
Spend three nights in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, before beginning your journey down the Douro River, with its dramatic gorges, lush vineyards, and tranquil fishing villages. Begin in Porto and continue on to the ancient and picturesque city of Lamego. Enter Spain to visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the beautiful inland countryside and the palace and gardens of Mateus. Explore the 24th-century Alpendurada Monastery before concluding your cruise in Porto.
Enticing Douro (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
| | Welcome Aboard Wine Toast |
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Embark your cruise in Porto. Gather on board tonight for your Welcome Aboard Champagne Toast. (D)
| Day 2 | Porto | City tour with Port tasting |
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| | Onboard wine lecture & tasting |
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| Entre-os-Rios | Dinner at Alpendurada Monastery |
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Your Porto city tour will show you 16th-century arcaded buildings, Baroque churches and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. Later, you will take a drive through the elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast and explore the Old City. Tonight, take in the breathtaking view of the river valley from the terrace of the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery, where you will be served dinner. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Régua | Wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo |
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| | OR Lamego Steps hike and Bolas tasting |
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| | OR Port wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo |
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Cruise to Régua this morning and enjoy a tour of Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes just outside the city of Vila Real. Later, visit the Sandeman Company’s impressive visitors’ facility and winery, Quinta do Seixo, which offers a wine tasting and a comprehensive and fascinating look at port wine production. Cruise to Pinhão where the ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Barca d’Alva | Lamego City tour |
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Your morning begins with an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). After a guided city tour, enjoy some free time to explore the town on your own, perhaps to visit the Gothic Cathedral or the town’s museum. You may also want to visit a local café to sample delicious regional cakes or a glass of Raposeira (sparkling wine). Later, we depart for Vega Terrón, arriving this evening. You may take part in an onboard wine tasting tonight. The ship moors overnight in Vega Terrón. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Vega de Terrón | Salamanca excursion |
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Drive to Salamanca for a full day tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of the Castilla y León region of Spain. During your guided city tour, you will see the University buildings, the Salamanca Cathedral and the House of Shells. Later, spend some time exploring on your own, perhaps visit the locals’ “living room,” known as the Plaza Mayor. Rejoin the ship in Barca d’Alva, where we moor overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Pinhão | Castelo Rodrigo tour |
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After breakfast, tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop. See 16th-century walls and walk down very narrow and steep medieval streets. Among the sights is the Chafariz dos Pretos in the market square, a one-of-a-kind fountain decorated with striking black faces. Enjoy a tasting of honey, nuts and olives, then have lunch on board followed by a wine tasting as the ship sails to Regua. After arriving this evening, you will be treated to Moscatel de Favaios (a sweet fortified wine) and traditional Portuguese foods at a wine estate, Quinta Avessada. Your dinner with the quinta’s owner and his delightful family will be an unforgettable highlight of your trip. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Porto | Onboard wine lecture & sampling |
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| | Guimaraes excursion with Vinho Verde tasting |
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Today enjoy an onboard wine lecture and tasting as you cruise back into Porto. Your excursion to Guimarães departs from Lixa Pier and includes a tasting of Vinho Verde. Later Enjoy one last night with your new shipboard friends at the Farewell Cocktail. (B,L,D)
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
| Day 1 | Lisbon | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Lisbon and check-in to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free to explore on your own.
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon sprawls across several hills along the Tagus River. On your city tour see Belem Tower and visit the spectacular 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city’s other top sights, such as the Castle of São Jorge or the Santa Justa Elevator that overlooks the castle, river and Rossio Square. (B)
| Day 3 | Lisbon | Sintra excursion with wine tasting |
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Enjoy a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the most delightful mountain villages in Portugal, former home of the Portuguese royal family, and an inspiration for Lord Byron and other poets. You will also enjoy a visit to the Castelo da Pena. Perched high up on a rocky peak, it is a wonderful fairy tale castle dating from Portugal’s Romantic Period. Afterwards, you may enjoy a wine tasting or time on your own. (B)
| Day 4 | Lisbon | Transfer to Porto with wine tasting en route |
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| | Welcome Aboard Wine Toast |
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After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside to Porto. Stop along the way for wine tasting, then continue on to Fatima, famous for its shrine to the Virgin Mary and a world-renowned pilgrimage site. Explore the town before continuing on to Porto to board your ship. Gather on board tonight for a Welcome Aboard Champagne Toast. (B, D)
| Day 5 | Porto | City tour with Port tasting |
|
| | Onboard wine lecture & tasting |
|
| Entre-os-Rios | Dinner at Alpendurada Monastery |
|
Your Porto city tour will show you 16th-century arcaded buildings, Baroque churches and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. Later, you will take a drive through the elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast and explore the Old City. Tonight, take in the breathtaking view of the river valley from the terrace of the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery, where you will be served dinner. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Régua | Wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo |
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| | OR Lamego Steps hike and Bolas tasting |
|
| | OR Port wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo |
|
Cruise to Régua this morning and enjoy a tour of Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes just outside the city of Vila Real. Later, visit the Sandeman Company’s impressive visitors’ facility and winery, Quinta do Seixo, which offers a wine tasting and a comprehensive and fascinating look at port wine production. Cruise to Pinhão where the ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Barca d’Alva | Lamego City tour |
|
Your morning begins with an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). After a guided city tour, enjoy some free time to explore the town on your own, perhaps to visit the Gothic Cathedral or the town’s museum. You may also want to visit a local café to sample delicious regional cakes or a glass of Raposeira (sparkling wine). Later, we depart for Vega Terrón, arriving this evening. You may take part in an onboard wine tasting tonight. The ship moors overnight in Vega Terrón. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Vega de Terrón | Salamanca excursion |
|
Drive to Salamanca for a full day tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of the Castilla y León region of Spain. During your guided city tour, you will see the University buildings, the Salamanca Cathedral and the House of Shells. Later, spend some time exploring on your own, perhaps visit the locals’ “living room,” known as the Plaza Mayor. Rejoin the ship in Barca d’Alva, where we moor overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Pinhão | Castelo Rodrigo tour |
|
After breakfast, tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop. See 16th-century walls and walk down very narrow and steep medieval streets. Among the sights is the Chafariz dos Pretos in the market square, a one-of-a-kind fountain decorated with striking black faces. Enjoy a tasting of honey, nuts and olives, then have lunch on board followed by a wine tasting as the ship sails to Regua. After arriving this evening, you will be treated to Moscatel de Favaios (a sweet fortified wine) and traditional Portuguese foods at a wine estate, Quinta Avessada. Your dinner with the quinta’s owner and his delightful family will be an unforgettable highlight of your trip. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
| Day 10 | Porto | Onboard wine lecture & sampling |
|
| | Guimaraes excursion with Vinho Verde tasting |
|
Today enjoy an onboard wine lecture and tasting as you cruise back into Porto. Your excursion to Guimarães departs from Lixa Pier and includes a tasting of Vinho Verde. Later Enjoy one last night with your new shipboard friends at the Farewell Cocktail. (B,L,D)
| Day 11 | Porto | DISEMBARKATION |
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Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)