Rambling vineyards and charming native farms cling to the steep sides of the Douro River Valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions and to Port country— the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Visit colorful Lisbon, the city that launched countless explores; Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges”; and Salamanca, the “Golden City.” Taste wines from historic wineries and soak up the genuine beauty of one of Europe’s most unadulterated landscapes.
Cosmopolitan Lisbon offers a treasure trove of Old World architecture. And then there is the town of Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal. Both places provide the perfect start to an incredible Iberian experience before embarking 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.
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.
Arrive in Porto and board the ship for your Enticing Douro cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Porto | “City of Bridges” tour with Port wine tasting |
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| | OR Porto hike with Port wine tasting |
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| Entre-os-Rios | Dinner at a local quinta |
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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. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike and then enjoy a Port wine tasting. In the evening, indulge in a traditional Portuguese dinner with your fellow travelers in Entre-Os-Rios at a local quinta – a country estate – for a truly authentic culinary experience. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Régua | Lamego tour and Bôlas tasting |
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| | Local Quinta wine tasting |
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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 dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine. You’ll then go to the formal Episcopal Palace Museum. Later in the day, 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 Port-wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Barca d’Alva | Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare |
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| | OR Castelo Rodrigo hike with tasting of regional fare |
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Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d’Alva, where you will 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. While here, taste some delicious locally grown produce. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Barca d’Alva | Salamanca excursion with flamenco show |
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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. You can also enjoy a traditional flamenco show and lunch in Salamanca. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Pinhão | Quinta de Avessada lunch |
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| | Mateus Palace and Gardens excursion |
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PINHÃO, PORTUGAL. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Porto | Guimarães excursion with wine tasting |
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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. Watch the beautiful scenery go by on your way to Porto and enjoy a free afternoon to explore all its charms on your own. (B,L,D)
Disembark the ship and you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Lisbon | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel.
Day 2 | Lisbon | “City of Seven Hills” tour |
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One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon, stretches across several hills along the Tagus River. On your escorted tour, you’ll see Belém Tower, a fortified 4-story tower made of limestone, and visit the late Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the burial place of many Portuguese kings and heroes. You will also taste a typical Portuguese pastry, Pastéis de Belém, before going to Discoveries Monument, built in honor of Portugal’s greatest maritime explorers. (B)
Day 3 | Lisbon | Royal Sintra excursion |
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Enjoy a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal and a favorite summer residence of the Portuguese royal family for more than 500 years. Long an inspiration for artists and poets, Lord Byron once called it “perhaps the most delightful village in Europe.” High up on a rocky peak, you will tour Pena Palace, a wonderful fairytale castle dating back to Portugal’s Romantic period. (B)
Day 4 | Lisbon | High-speed train to Porto |
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Ride a motorcoach to Tomar and take in the Castle and Covent of the Order of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a brilliant work of 12th- to 16th-century architecture. Continue on to Porto and board the ship for your Enticing Douro cruise. (D)
Day 5 | Porto | “City of Bridges” tour with Port wine tasting |
|
| | OR Porto hike with Port wine tasting |
|
| Entre-os-Rios | Dinner at a local quinta |
|
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. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike and then enjoy a Port wine tasting. In the evening, indulge in a traditional Portuguese dinner with your fellow travelers in Entre-Os-Rios at a local quinta – a country estate – for a truly authentic culinary experience. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Régua | Lamego tour and Bôlas tasting |
|
| | Local Quinta wine tasting |
|
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 dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine. You’ll then go to the formal Episcopal Palace Museum. Later in the day, 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 Port-wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Barca d’Alva | Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare |
|
| | OR Castelo Rodrigo hike with tasting of regional fare |
|
Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d’Alva, where you will 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. While here, taste some delicious locally grown produce. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Barca d’Alva | Salamanca excursion with flamenco show |
|
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. You can also enjoy a traditional flamenco show and lunch in Salamanca. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Pinhão | Quinta de Avessada lunch |
|
| | Mateus Palace and Gardens excursion |
|
PINHÃO, PORTUGAL. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Porto | Guimarães excursion with wine tasting |
|
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. Watch the beautiful scenery go by on your way to Porto and enjoy a free afternoon to explore all its charms on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Porto | DISEMBARKATION |
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Disembark the ship and you prepare for your flight home. (B)