Douro Discovery With Lisbon

Your adventure begins as you fly into Lisbon today, Portugal’s invigorating capital. Upon arrival, be transferred to your centrally located hotel and enjoy free time.

Stay: Three Nights, Lisbon, Hotel Altis

On a guided tour, explore the alleyways of the Alfama district and marvel at the Manueline-style Jerónimos Monastery. Then, visit World Heritage-listed Belém Tower and admire the beautiful Castelo de São Jorge.

Today, enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this vibrant city. Perhaps enjoy an optional excursion to the Sintra Mountain range of Serra de Sintra. Visit the World Heritage-listed Pena National Palace and take a guided tour of Sintra.

This morning after breakfast, you will travel by coach to Vila Nova de Gaia where you’ll board your premium river ship. Later this evening, meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception as you take in the sights along the Douro River on a sunset cruise.

Stay: Seven Nights, aboard your river ship, the MS Douro Serenity

INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.

Today you begin your cruise along the spectacular Douro River. As you cruise this morning, you’ll take part in a Portuguese language lesson, during which you’ll learn some essential phrases of this beautiful language. Disembark your ship in Régua and join an excursion by coach to the splendid Gardens and Palace of Mateus. Tour this living museum which is still owned by the Count of Vila Real. Afterwards, travel by coach to Pinhão for a special dinner.

Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terrón in Spain. Enjoy some time at leisure before joining an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. This tiny village sits atop a hill overlooking both Spain and Portugal, and features a number of well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle and a magnificent stone statue of Santiago Matamoros. After exploring this charming little town, you’ll board a coach and return to your ship.

INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a Flamenco show and lunch and be entranced by captivating Flamenco dancers as they astound you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance.

Today you’ll board a coach and set off for Salamanca, a glorious Spanish city that boasts sunlit sandstone buildings along with a majestic city square. Here you’ll enjoy an Insider Experience. Afterwards, return by coach back over the border to Barca d’Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro, where your ship awaits. Back on board this evening, enjoy a traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner.

INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a tasting of local port wine, Portugal’s most famous tipple.

This morning after breakfast, enjoy a Portuguese cooking demonstration on board as your ship cruises past Pinhão to Régua. On arrival, head to a local quinta, which boasts outstanding views over the Douro Valley. Afterwards, board a coach and take a scenic drive past swathes of expansive vineyards, visiting the village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated baroque cathedral, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, an important Portuguese place of pilgrimage. While in Lamego, visit one of Portugal’s best museums, home to a vast collection of paintings, tapestries and jewellery.

This morning, enjoy free time to explore Régua — you may like to wander along the riverfront, or venture into the lovely Old Town. Afterwards, continue on to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this gorgeous, vibrant town as you please. Tonight, be treated to an energetic performance of traditional Portuguese folk music back on board at a special Captain’s Dinner.

After breakfast, cruise back to the enchanting city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On arrival, join a fascinating tour of nearby Porto, which sits just across the river. Here you’ll be led past a collection of the city’s most famous attractions, and visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting. This afternoon, there’s ample time for you to step back out to explore Porto at leisure. You may choose to take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner.

After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight.