Itinerary
- Day 1
Embarkation
You'll board your luxury river cruise ship and get settled into your outside stateroom. Take time to walk around and familiarize yourself with the vessel, meet other passengers, and enjoy the onboard dining and entertainment options. This is when you'll start preparing for the Douro River journey ahead.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Board the ship
- Day 2
Douro River Village
Head out to explore a tranquil village that shows what life along the Douro River is really like. You'll visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus, where you can see beautifully carved wooden ceilings, interesting furnishings, and paintings throughout. Spend some time wandering the gardens, which are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Palacio de Mateus
- Explore the gardens at Palacio de Mateus
Landmarks/POIs Palacio de Mateus - Day 3
Castelo Rodrigo
The morning focuses on a picturesque port area where you can take in the scenery. After that, you'll travel to Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village sitting on a hilltop. Walk through centuries-old walls and steep narrow streets, then take in the views from up there. If you prefer more activity, there's a guided hike option available to reach the village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Castelo Rodrigo
Optional Activities
- Guided hike up to Castelo Rodrigo village
Landmarks/POIs Castelo Rodrigo - Day 4
Salamanca
You'll travel to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as a 'living museum.' An escorted tour takes you through this golden sandstone city where you can see university buildings, the New Cathedral, the House of Shells with its decorated facade, and the beautiful Plaza Mayor. The whole experience feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted tour of Salamanca
- Visit university buildings
- Visit the New Cathedral
- Visit the House of Shells
- Visit Plaza Mayor
Landmarks/POIs Salamanca Plaza Mayor, Salamanca New Cathedral, Salamanca House of Shells (Casa de las Conchas) - Day 5
Pinhão - Wine Tasting
The ship cruises along the Douro River heading to Pinhão. You'll have an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada with entertainment, then explore an interactive museum about wine history in the Alto Douro region. There you can learn about wine production stages and taste vinho do porto, the fortified wine made only in the Douro Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada with entertainment), Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Pinhão
- Exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada
- Visit Quinta da Avessada interactive museum
- Port wine tasting at a local quinta
Landmarks/POIs Quinta da Avessada Pinhão - Day 6
Lamego
You'll travel to Lamego and visit the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, one of Portugal's most important pilgrimage sites. The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps decorated with white and blue tiles that's worth seeing. A guided hike option is available if you want more activity. Later, sample local specialties like bôlas de Lamego, presunto, and Espumante before having lunch at a local quinta.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local quinta), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies)
- Sample local traditional specialties
- Lunch at a local quinta
Optional Activities
- Guided hike up the staircase at Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
Landmarks/POIs Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Lamego - Day 7
Porto and Guimarães
An escorted tour takes you through Porto's historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll see the Cathedral and São Bento Railway Station with its famous blue and white tile panels. You'll have a Port wine tasting, or you can choose a guided hike followed by tasting instead. Later, head to Guimar aes, the 'birthplace of Portuguese nationality,' to explore Quinta de Sezim and the baron's winery for wine tasting. The day ends with a scenic illuminated cruise around Porto aboard your ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted tour of Porto historic quarter
- Visit Porto Cathedral
- Visit São Bento Railway Station
- Port wine tasting
- Visit Guimarães
- Visit Quinta de Sezim
- Wine tasting at baron's winery in Guimarães
- Scenic illuminated cruise around Porto
Optional Activities
- Guided hike with Port wine tasting (alternative to standard tasting)
Landmarks/POIs Porto Cathedral São Bento Railway Station Porto Historic Quarter Guimarães Quinta de Sezim - Day 8
Disembarkation
You'll disembark from the river cruise ship and get ready for your flight home. This wraps up your Douro River adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembark the ship
