Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages along the Douro

Welcome to Portugal, where your ship is ready for boarding; please ensure flights into Porto arrive by 3:30 pm and be on board by 5 pm. Spend your day exploring Porto at your leisure, and in the evening, enjoy an illumination sailing, followed by dinner and time to explore the ship.

Visit the Adventure Center on board to check out today's activities with your Adventure Host.

Classic Excursion: Take a guided tour of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its historic heart. Then head to the riverside town of Matosinhos and travel up Avenida da Boavista, where ancient streets blend with contemporary flair and vibrant graffiti art.

OR:

Classic Excursion: Step into the world of Celtic legends and Roman rule on a full-day guided tour of Braga. Continue to Guimaraes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the striking medieval castle and the historic Church of San Miguel.

In the evening, enjoy an intimate performance of Portugal’s soulful Fado music by local musicians aboard the ship.
Note: On March, October, and November departures, the Braga & Guimaraes tour is offered on Day 7 and replaced by a Porto wine tasting or a guided bike tour.

Enjoy a short sailing to Pinhao. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy free time in Pinhao to browse the artisanal markets for woven textiles, terra cotta creations, and culinary delights, or consider joining an optional excursion to learn about the Douro Valley’s “liquid gold” at a traditional olive-oil mill or to visit Casa de Mateus.

Discovery Excursion: Experience life on one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley with a personal tour by the owner of the house, including a wine tasting.

OR:

Discovery Excursion: Join a wine painting class with the guidance of a resident artist. A unique experience to try something different and portray an image linked to the culture of wine through an innovative process.

OR:

Classic Excursion: Take a guided walking tour of the charming town of Lamego. Enjoy a taste of the local bola de Lamego with sparkling wine and stroll past iconic landmarks like the majestic Lamego Cathedral.

Kayaks and Quintas in the Douro Valley

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Discovery Excursion: Join a Workshop conducted by a professional painter to discover the process of painting azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile).

Active Excursion: Discover the Douro River by kayak on a guided adventure through Portugal’s stunning valley. Enjoy breathtaking views and unforgettable moments (operates April to September only – weather dependent)*,

OR:

Discovery Excursion: Experience the charm of the Douro region with a visit to a historic vineyard estate. Enjoy a tasting of exquisite red, white, and port wines while soaking in stunning views and uncovering the rich heritage of this renowned winemaking region.

Discovery Excursion: Join an onboard workshop to learn Portuguese language and culture. Discover essential words, charming stories, and clever tricks that bring this centuries-old language to life in an interactive and memorable way.

This evening, enjoy an onboard Flamenco show with local artists.
*On March, October & November a bike tour will be offered to replace this excursion.

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Classic Excursion: Join a guided tour this morning to one of the most remote villages of the country, Freixo de Espada a Cinta village in the Douro International Natural Park, home to majestic birds of prey.

OR:

Classic Excursion: Enjoy a guided tour to the historical village of Castelo Rodrigo, which, from the top of a hill, dominates the plateau that stretches from Spain in the east to the deep valley of the Douro in the north. Stroll through its medieval streets and discover the small details that give it color, such as the Hebrew inscriptions and crosses carved on the doorposts and voussoirs.

OR:

Classic Excursion: Get a taste of Spain with a full-day excursion to Salamanca. This Spanish city will take your breath away with its stunning streets and squares, featuring a feast for the eyes with Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and "Plateresque" architecture.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

This morning, enjoy a nice and relaxing sailing through the Douro River.

Discovery Excursion: Enjoy an onboard pastry demonstration.

Discovery Excursion: Join and visit a wine-producing property and taste the freshness and lightness of iconic Vinho Verde wine, considered one of the world’s unique white wines.

OR:

Classic Excursion: Join a guided sightseeing tour of Amarante, poised against a breathtaking backdrop of the great Serra do Marao mountain and the Tamega River, which courses through the heart of the city and an assortment of houses lining the riverbanks.

This evening, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

Active Excursion: Enjoy the wharfs of the Douro River and the coastal magnificence of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, on a guided bike tour.

OR:

Discovery Excursion: Enjoy a guided visit to one of the many Port wine cellars, where a guide will accompany you through the cellar's facilities, explaining where the grapes are harvested and how the wines are made. At the end of your explorations, taste some of the wines.

OR:

Classic Excursion: Join a guided sightseeing tour of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue your experience with a ride to the riverside city of Matosinhos and up Avenida da Boavista to admire some of the modern charms of Porto – from ancient avenues to avant-garde graffiti street art.

This afternoon, you may choose to join in a guided optional excursion such as a scenic canal cruise on the Aveiro (Venice of Portugal) or explore a family-owned factory to witness the Portuguese art of cork and barrel production, or a culinary tour experience. Perhaps simply spend time strolling through Porto’s cobblestone lanes, lovely shops, and tempting tapas bars this afternoon before experiencing the energy of Porto’s buzzing nightlife.

*In March, October & November, the Porto sightseeing excursion, the bike tour, and the Porto wine tasting will be offered on day 2. The full-day excursion to Braga and Guimaraes, originally planned for day 2, will be offered on this day. As an alternative, enjoy a sailing morning and free time in the afternoon in Porto.

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.