Itinerary
- Day 1
Porto
You'll arrive in Porto and get picked up at the airport for transfer to the Emerald Radiance cruise ship. After settling into your cabin, head to dinner on board this evening to meet other guests.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Douro Valley Sailing
Spend the day sailing through the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region with 2,000 years of wine production history. The landscape passes small villages and vineyards as you relax on deck. Tonight there's a welcome dinner and cocktail reception for all passengers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner and cocktail reception)
Included Activities
- Portuguese cooking demonstration on board
Landmarks Douro Valley - Day 3
Vega de Terrón
In the morning, visit Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the Douro Valley, or choose between a guided walk through local vineyards or a kayak trip on the river. After lunch, sail to Vega de Terrón and spend the afternoon relaxing on the Sun Deck.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Quinta do Tedo with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided active walk through the vineyards
- Kayak experience in Pinhão
Landmarks Quinta do Tedo Douro River - Day 4
Salamanca
Travel to Salamanca, the Golden City with roots in Roman times. Your guided tour covers Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas with its shell carvings, and Salamanca's university, one of Europe's oldest established in 1218.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca
Optional Activities
- Tuna music band performance in Salamanca
Landmarks Plaza Mayor Casa de las Conchas Salamanca University - Day 5
Régua
From Pocinho, head to the medieval town of Castelo Rodrigo to learn about its fortress and sample local products. Return to the ship for lunch, then take a Port wine cocktail lesson on board as you sail toward Régua.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour to Castelo Rodrigo
Optional Activities
- Port wine cocktail lesson on board
- Archaeological tour by 4x4 at the Côa Valley Museum (extra expense)
Landmarks Castelo Rodrigo Côa Valley Museum - Day 6
Lamego
Visit Lamego and see the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, where 686 steps connect the sanctuary to the main square. Have lunch at Quinta da Pacheca, a top estate on the Douro River, and learn about Portuguese mosaic painting traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lamego
- Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca
- Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
Optional Activities
- Mosaic tile painting lesson on board
- Visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)
Landmarks Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies Quinta da Pacheca Mateus Manor House - Day 7
Porto
Explore Porto's blend of modern and historic architecture at the Douro River mouth. The included tour covers Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo. Choose an active walking tour to see local life, or take an optional cruise through the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Porto
- Guided active walk in Porto
Optional Activities
- Evening cruise through Porto
- Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (extra expense)
- Guided bike tour to the Atlantic (extra expense)
Landmarks Castelo da Foz Castelo do Queijo Douro River - Day 8
Porto to Lyon
After breakfast, transfer from Porto to Lyon and board the Emerald Liberte. Meet the crew on this ship known for its excellent food and dining program.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Lyon
Explore Lyon, France's third-largest city and former Roman capital, called the gastronomic heart of France. Your guided tour includes the UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviére and walks through cobblestone streets with traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. Or bike through the city on a guided tour instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tastes of Lyon
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)
- Lyon by Night (extra expense)
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière - Day 10
Vienne
Take a walking tour of Vienne, an important Rhone-Alpes town with history back to the Allobroges tribe and Roman period. See monuments from Roman and medieval times. Later, try cheese and olive tasting on board the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne
Optional Activities
- Cheese and olive tasting on board
Landmarks Vienne - Day 11
Tournon
Visit Tournon on the Rhône, where a 16th-century castle and ancient watchtowers dominate the village. Your guided tour shows the area's cultural heritage. Alternatively, hike through local vineyards to see the grape rows that produce some of Europe's finest wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon with wine tasting
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 12
Viviers
Arrive in Viviers, a medieval town home to one of France's oldest cathedrals. The included walking tour highlights the city's monuments, ornate windows, and ornamental facades throughout the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense)
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral Chauvet Pont D'Arc - Day 13
Avignon
Explore Avignon's rich history from Celtic times through its role as papal residence from 1309 to 1377 and its importance during the French Revolution. Your morning tour passes the Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon crossing the Rhône. Tonight, a Provençal dinner from Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale precedes a classical concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale
- Classical concert in Avignon
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
- Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard Chateauneuf du Pape - Day 14
Arles
Discover Arles, once a Phoenician trading port and Roman city. Your included tour covers UNESCO-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments, including the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre. Walk in Vincent van Gogh's footsteps before spending the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)
- Provencal Cosmetics Workshop (extra expense)
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop (extra expense)
- Provencal Soap Making Workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre Les Baux de Provence - Day 15
Arles to Marseille
After breakfast, say goodbye to fellow passengers and transfer to Marseille airport, carrying memories of the French countryside and excellent food from your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
