Begin your journey in beautiful Lisbon for a 3-night stay. Travel to Porto to embark your ship and begin to traverse through one of Europe’s wildest and unexplored regions, filled with vineyards, dramatic gorges and steeply terraced hillsides. Visit the small town of Pinhão, a Mecca for wine lovers, the beautiful region of Tras-os-Montes and the village of Entre-Os-Rios. Conclude your cruise in Vega Terrón, then travel to Madrid, Spain for 3 nights.
Highlights
Take a city tour of Lisbon, including Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery
Enjoy winery visits and savor port wine from the Douro Valley
Visit Quinta de Avelada, a historic family-owned wine estate
Tour Lamego, home to the pilgrimage site Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
Sightsee in Madrid, the capital and largest city in Spain
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free to explore on your own.
Day 2: Lisbon
1 Breakfast
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon stretches across several hills along the Tagus River. On your escorted tour, you’ll see Belem Tower, a fortified four-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.
Day 3: Lisbon
1 Breakfast
Enjoy an excursion to Serra de Sintra, former home of the Portuguese royal family, one of the most picturesque mountain villages in Portugal and a source of inspiration for generations of poets. You have a guided tour of the Pena National Palace, a fairy tale castle from Portugal’s Romantic period, situated high up on a rocky peak.
Join a guided tour of Porto’s historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; the main square, ringed with shops and cafes; 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. For the more active adventure, join a hike in Porto and explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto.
This morning take an excursion to Guimarães, one of the most historic towns in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy some scenic cruising through the Douro valley on your way to Entre-Os-Rios. This evening savor a glass of Port wine and take in the breathtaking view of the river valley from the terrace of the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery, where you are served dinner. The ship moors here overnight.
This morning take an excursion to Quinta de Avelada, a historic family-owned wine estate near the city of Penafiel. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the winery followed by a delicious wine and cheese tasting. Afterwards you have some free time to explore the grounds and admire the estate’s famous gardens before returning back to your ship. This afternoon, cruise to Régua where you have some free time to explore at your leisure.
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 for the more active adventurer will want to hike. Concluding the walking and hiking 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. Afterwards, you’ll go to the formal Episcopal Palace Museum. Later in the day, cruise along the scenic Douro to Pinhão.
After breakfast, take an excursion to the Baroque palace and gardens known as the Palacio de Mateus, located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes near the city of Vila Real. This afternoon experience a unique port wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo, a lovely 108-acre country estate that offers an interactive wine museum and breathtaking views of steeply terraced hillside vineyards, the Douro River and the nearby village of Pinhão. All port made here is destined for Sandeman, a company known around the world for its quality wines.
Venture to Castelo Rodrigo, known as the “White Village” because of its almond trees. The site offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and as far away as Spain. Join a walking tour through its medieval streets and see the houses and establishments with 16th-century facades and Manueline style windows. Prefer a more active adventure there, you can hike to the town. At the end of both tours, enjoy a tasting of local favorites, such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine.
Day 11: Barca D’alva | Vega Terron, Spain | Disembarkation | Salamanca | Madrid
1 Breakfast
Disembark your ship and head off for a full-day tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. Your guided city tour includes the university buildings, the 12th century Romanesque church of San Martin, the House of Shells, and also some free time to explore the city on your own. Later, transfer to Madrid and check in to your hotel.
Day 12: Madrid
1 Breakfast
Today you have a guided tour of Madrid, the capital and largest city in Spain. Known for its many historic districts as well as its modern infrastructure, the city’s top landmarks include the elaborate Royal Palace, Buen Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and renowned art galleries such as the Prado Museum and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.
Day 13: Madrid
1 Breakfast
Today, take an excursion to the walled city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital of Spain. Populated since pre-Roman times, its landmarks include the Alcázar, Cathedral of Toledo and the El Greco Museum.
Day 14: Depart Madrid
1 Breakfast
Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,549
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Category E
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category D
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category B
Lisbon Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Category A
Porto Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Suite
Porto Deck Balcony, 323 sq. ft.
Notes
Single Supplement for Cruises: 50% of twin price; Suites 100% of twin price.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.