Itinerary
- Day 1
Lisbon
You'll arrive in Lisbon and get transferred to your luxury hotel for a three-night stay. Later this evening, you'll meet your Tour Director and the other guests at a welcome drink to kick things off.
Included Activities
- Welcome drink with Tour Director and fellow guests
- Day 2
Lisbon
This morning takes you on a guided tour through Lisbon's Belém district where you'll see the iconic Jerónimos Monastery and try some Pasteis de Nata. You'll also walk past Belém Tower and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, then head to Rossio square in the city centre. Dinner at a local restaurant is included this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Lisbon's Belém district
- Visit Jerónimos Monastery
- Taste Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese pastries)
- See Belém Tower
- Visit Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Explorers)
- Walk through Rossio square
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Jerónimos Monastery Belém Tower Padrão dos Descobrimentos Rossio Square 
- Day 3
Lisbon
You can pick between two different excursions: head to the hilltop town of Sintra to explore Palacio Nacional, or sign up for a hands-on Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class. The afternoon is yours to shop around Lisbon or take Tram 28 to discover other parts of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Visit Sintra & Palacio Nacional: Coach tour of Sintra (approximately 45 minutes from Lisbon), orientation tour of the town, and visit to Palacio Nacional, a medieval palace with Moorish and Portuguese Gothic architecture that served as a royal residence for nearly 500 years
- Scenic Freechoice - Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class: Learn about Portuguese cuisine history and popular ingredients, then cook a traditional dish hands-on
- Browse elegant shops on doorstep
- Ride Tram 28 to explore more of Lisbon
Landmarks Palacio Nacional Sintra - Day 4
Lisbon to Porto
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Porto and board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship to start a river cruise down the Douro.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Porto
- Board Scenic Space-Ship for Douro River cruise
- Day 5
Porto
You'll wake in Porto, a 2,000-year-old city famous for its colorful tile-decorated buildings and streets full of local restaurants. Choose between a guided tour covering Palácio da Bolsa, or an active option with a cable car ride to Dom Luis bridge and Porto Cathedral. In the afternoon, there's a tile painting workshop where you'll learn about Portugal's blue tile tradition.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tile painting workshop
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided tour of Porto: Discover culture and history of Porto, visit iconic Palácio da Bolsa
- Scenic Freechoice - Active tour of Porto including cable car: Travel to Vila Nova de Gaia, cable car ride to Dom Luis bridge, walk across bridge towards Porto Cathedral, São Bento railway station, and Rua das Flores
Landmarks Palácio da Bolsa Dom Luis Bridge Porto Cathedral São Bento Railway Station Rua das Flores - Day 6
Entre-os-Rios to Regua
You'll arrive at Entre-os-Rios and pick one of three Scenic Freechoice activities to start your day. There's the Paiva Walkways along the Paiva River if you want to hike, the Quinta da Aveleda wine estate for something more leisurely, or head to Guimarães to see the 15th-century palace in this World Heritage city. After lunch, the ship heads to Regua where you'll visit the Douro Museum to learn how Port wine gets made in this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Douro Museum in Regua
Optional Activities
- Paiva Walkways hike along the Paiva River
- Quinta da Aveleda estate tour with wine exploration
- Excursion to Guimarães with palace visit and historic tapestries, furniture, and weapons collection
Landmarks Paiva River Quinta da Aveleda Guimarães Palace Douro Museum Regua - Day 7
Regua
Morning starts with your Scenic Freechoice pick from several options. You could explore the Varosa Valley and the Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca with its fortified Ucanha bridge (if it's closed on Monday, you'll visit Vila Real instead), learn about olive oil at a family quinta, or check out Lamego's Baroque architecture and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedios. In the afternoon, choose between touring Mateus Palace or taking a Port wine blending class at Quinta de Pacheca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch on board
Optional Activities
- Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha excursion with Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca visit and fortified bridge walk
- Quinta visit with olive oil production learning and tasting
- Excursion to Lamego with Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies tour, Baroque architecture exploration, staircase descent, and bodega tasting
- Mateus Palace visit and Baroque architecture viewing
- Port Wine Blending Class at Quinta de Pacheca with hands-on workshop
Landmarks Varosa Valley Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca Ucanha Bridge Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Lamego Mateus Palace Quinta de Pacheca - Day 8
Régua to Vega de Terrón
You'll have a relaxed cruise through the Vinhateiro wine-growing region with terraced vineyards, traditional red-roofed farmhouses, and small villages lining the Douro Valley. You'll arrive in Vega de Terrón this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Vinhateiro wine-growing region
Landmarks Vinhateiro Wine Region - Day 9
Vega de Terrón to Salamanca / Freixo de Espada à Cinta
You wake up in Vega de Terrón on the Portugal-Spain border and decide between two options for the day. Go on a full-day Salamanca excursion with guided tours of two cathedrals, a market visit, and free time for lunch, or stay closer and visit Freixo de Espada à Cinta to see the silk museum, learn traditional hand-processing techniques, taste regional produce at a local quinta, then return to the ship for lunch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Salamanca Full Day Excursion with guided cathedral tours (12th and 16th century), market visit for local delicacies tasting, and free time to explore and enjoy lunch
- Freixo de Espada à Cinta village visit with local silk museum tour, silk processing tradition exploration, Quinta estate visit, and regional produce tasting
Landmarks Salamanca Cathedral (Old) Salamanca Cathedral (New) Freixo de Espada à Cinta - Day 10
Pocinho to Pinhão
You're in Pocinho, where the 1887 Douro Railway terminus is located, and you'll choose your morning activity. Visit the Côa Valley Museum to see the world's largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site with a prehistoric workshop, or explore village life in Freixo Numão with a traditional tour, a stop at Casa Painova estate, and a demonstration on handcrafted sugared almond production with tasting. Later this afternoon, the ship continues toward Pinhão.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Côa Valley Museum visit with pre-historic workshop and Paleolithic rock art introduction
- Village life in the Côa Valley excursion with Freixo Numão traditional village tour, Casa Painova estate visit, sugared almond production demonstration, and almond and local product tasting
Landmarks Côa Valley Museum Freixo Numão Casa Painova - Day 11
Pinhão
You wake surrounded by terraced vineyards in Pinhão. You'll transfer to the charming village of Provesende on a plateau with great views, wander the streets, visit the church, find the old bakery and traditional handicraft, and tour the historic manor house Morgadio da Calçada for a bola tasting. Afternoon options include kayaking on Pinhão River, a vineyard hike at Quinta da Roiada, or estate tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Provesende village
- Visit church in Provesende
- Visit old bakery in Provesende
- Witness traditional handicraft in Provesende
- Tour Morgadio da Calçada manor house
- Bola tasting at Morgadio da Calçada
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice Afternoon - Kayaking along Pinhão River: Glide past impressive landscapes via kayak on Pinhão River, tributary of Douro
- Scenic Freechoice Afternoon - Quinta vineyard hike: Guided hike through breathtaking vineyards of Quinta da Roiada in Douro Valley
- Scenic Freechoice Afternoon - Quinta tasting: Visit Quinta da Roiada estate, guided walking tour, learn secrets of vineyard, tasting of region's famous export
Landmarks Provesende Morgadio da Calçada Quinta da Roiada - Day 12
Pinhão to Porto
You'll have leisure time sailing down the spectacular Douro River as your ship heads back to Porto. This afternoon, you'll experience an exclusive classical concert at São Francisco Church, a 13th-century Gothic church with a magnificent gold-decorated altar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Classical concert in São Francisco Church: Performance in 13th-century Gothic church with altar decorated with intricately carved wood swathed in gold
Landmarks São Francisco Church - Day 13
Porto
Porto offers unique experiences to choose from: ride a traditional boat, play golf at Quinta do Fojo Golf Club, or do wine tasting at Cockburn's Port cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia. The afternoon is free to explore Porto on your own. You'll return to the ship for a farewell dinner and an illumination cruise through Porto, passing its famous six bridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner on board
- Illumination cruise through Porto
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Excursion to Aveiro with cruise: Guided walking tour of Aveiro (city famed for canals), cruise waterways in brightly coloured moliceiros flat-bottomed boat unique to city
- Scenic Freechoice - Round of golf: Play 6 holes at Quinta do Fojo Golf Club (one of Porto's most popular courses)
- Scenic Freechoice - Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia: Travel to Vila Nova de Gaia, visit Cockburn's Port cellar (one of Porto's most famous), guided visit and tasting
Landmarks Aveiro Quinta do Fojo Golf Club Cockburn's Port Cellar - Day 14
Porto to Lyon
You'll board an included flight from Porto to Lyon and then board the luxurious Scenic Sapphire for a 10-night cruise along the Saône and Rhône Rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Porto to Lyon
- Board Scenic Sapphire for Saône and Rhône River cruise
- Day 15
Lyon to Chalon-sur-Saône
You'll cruise north into the Burgundy wine region and arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône, known for its half-timbered houses and Gothic cathedral. Choose from Burgundy wine discovery at a local estate, a guided tour of medieval Beaune and Les Hospices, or a lesson about WWII history and the Franco-German demarcation line.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise into Burgundy wine region
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Burgundy wine discovery: Visit local wine estate in heart of Burgundy, join winemakers in vineyard to learn secrets of grapes, proceed to cellar to learn fermentation and wine production methods, finish with guided wine tasting
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices: Travel through countryside and vineyards, guided tour of beautiful medieval town of Beaune, visit Les Hospices de Beaune (Gothic-style hospital founded in Middle Ages, now housing museum), free time to explore at leisure
- Scenic Freechoice - WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône: Learn about French Resistance efforts, Franco-German demarcation line that divided Chalon-sur-Saône, crucial role town played during WWII
Landmarks Chalon-sur-Saône Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune - Day 16
Chalon-sur-Saône to Tournon
The ship cruises south before dawn so you arrive early in Tournon, a riverside town founded by Romans with a grand Romanesque abbey. Pick between excursions to Renaissance Château de Cormatin, a cooking demonstration at Michelin-starred Georges Blanc restaurant, or a truffle farm visit with tasting. The afternoon has a cooperage demonstration about barrel-making linked to wine production, then you cruise back to Tournon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration on barrel-making craft
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Excursion to Château de Cormatin: Admire exquisite Renaissance architecture, gilded rooms, moat, more than 10 hectares of manicured gardens; built in 1605, abandoned for many years, beautifully restored in 1980s
- Scenic Freechoice - Georges Blanc cooking demonstration: Travel to Vonnas, cooking demonstration at world's longest-standing Michelin-starred restaurant, explore gourmet village, visit museum created by Blanc dedicated to his family
- Scenic Freechoice - Truffle Tasting: Visit local truffle farm, meet farmer and truffle-hunting dogs, learn how gourmet delicacies are grown and harvested, enjoy tasting
Landmarks Tournon Château de Cormatin Georges Blanc - Day 17
Tournon
You arrive in Tournon, a hillside village with terraced vineyards, a 10th-century castle, and cobblestoned streets in the Northern Rhône Valley wine region. Choose between Côtes du Rhône wine tasting with expert guidance, hiking through famous vineyards, a walking tour of the ancient town and castle, or biking the Via Rhona route along the Rhône. You'll have free time to explore the town in the afternoon, and dessert from a local pastry chef is served on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board from local pâtissier
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Côtes du Rhône Tasting: Guided tasting of famed Côtes du Rhône wines, local wine expert shares knowledge
- Scenic Freechoice - Hiking through vineyards in Tournon: First-hand look at famous vines of Rhône on hike through sloping vineyards flanking town, learn about local wine production, taste delicious wines of region
- Scenic Freechoice - Walking tour of Tournon: Explore ancient town on foot, visit castle built between 10th and 16th centuries, cross France's oldest suspension bridge to neighbouring town Tain l'Hermitage (home to prestigious chocolatiers Valrhona)
- Scenic Freechoice - Biking along Rhône: Cycle section of famed Via Rhona bike route along Rhône River between Tournon and Gun, admire charming villages, lush orchards, historic bridges, see daily life of locals
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona Chocolatiers - Day 18
Tournon to Avignon
You can spend a relaxing morning on board with the option to book a massage or relax on the Sun Deck. The ship docks in Avignon, the City of the Popes. Choose between a guided walking tour of Avignon's cobblestone streets, a visit to the ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct with its museum, or kayaking at Pont du Gard. This evening features an exclusive gala dinner inside Palais des Papes with a classical quartet performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Exclusive gala dinner inside Palais des Papes with classical quartet performance)
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive gala dinner inside Palais des Papes: Sit down to exclusive gala dinner in banquet hall Popes used to host formal feasts, immersed in beauty of classical pieces performed by quartet of musicians
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided walking tour: Learn rich and fascinating history of Avignon, wander ancient cobblestone streets to reach Pope's Palace (home to Papacy and seat of Western Christianity in 14th century); moderate degree of fitness required
- Scenic Freechoice - Excursion to Pont du Gard: Visit ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct built by Romans around 2,000 years ago, learn about this engineering marvel and how it carried water at engaging museum
- Scenic Freechoice - Kayaking at Pont du Gard: Get different perspective on Pont du Gard from tranquil waters of Gardon River, paddle kayak beneath World Heritage-listed aqueduct, marvel at intricate stonework
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont du Gard Gardon River - Day 19
Avignon
You can watch the sunrise from your balcony over Avignon's ancient rooftops. Explore the city's food scene or venture into surrounding Provence. Pick between wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (famous for grenache), visiting Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey, shopping and a cooking demonstration at Avignon Market, or the Lavender Museum with a visit to Roussillon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Wines of the Popes – Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Drive to town surrounded by magnificent vineyards, discover and taste wines that made Châteauneuf-du-Pape famous (including iconic grenache), experience centuries of wine production in one of world's most exclusive appellations
- Scenic Freechoice - Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey: Explore Luberon Valley famous for beautiful hilltop villages, drive to village of Gordes, visit picturesque Sénanque Abbey; note: Abbey not open Sundays (exterior visit only on Sundays)
- Scenic Freechoice - Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire: Discover best fresh produce and local ingredients at Avignon Market with chef, enjoy interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school; note: Avignon Market closed on Mondays
- Scenic Freechoice - Lavender Museum with visit to village of Roussillon: Immerse in beauty of Provence lavender at Lavender Museum and adjoining field, guided tour of beautiful village of Roussillon and striking Ochre Trail
Landmarks Châteauneuf-du-Pape Gordes Sénanque Abbey Avignon Market Lavender Museum Roussillon - Day 20
Avignon to Arles
You'll cruise through Provence early to arrive in Arles, the southernmost point near the Mediterranean. Founded by Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago, Arles has more Roman ruins outside Rome than anywhere else and inspired many of Van Gogh's works in 1888. Choose between Provence rosé wine tasting, a guided tour of Arles and Roman ruins, or visiting Les Baux with its Carrières de Lumières immersive digital art space. The afternoon includes painting a masterpiece.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Paint a masterpiece (art activity)
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Provence in Pink – Rosé wine tasting: Discover sun-drenched vineyards producing Provence's signature rosé, learn about unique terroir and popular grape varieties
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided tour of Arles: Set out from ship on foot to visit heart of Arles and impressive Roman ruins, experience vibrant colours and striking quality of light that inspired many artists, local guide provides insights about city's history and modern culture
- Scenic Freechoice - Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières: Marvel at Carrières de Lumières (former quarry transformed into 7,000-square-metre immersive digital art space), explore stunning medieval village of Les Baux
Landmarks Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières - Day 21
Arles to Viviers
You cruise north overnight and arrive early in Viviers, an ancient city founded in the fifth century and often called an open-air museum. Pick between a walking tour of Viviers including the Cathedral of St Vincent with medieval, Gothic and Renaissance styles, or a French Resistance Walking Tour about WWII heroism. Afternoon options are Côtes du Rhône wine tasting, Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, or an excursion to Grignan de Provence.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice Morning - Walking tour of Viviers: Admire architectural treasures of Viviers on foot, including Cathedral of St Vincent (mix of medieval, Gothic and Renaissance styles), free time to explore at leisure
- Scenic Freechoice Morning - French Resistance Walking Tour: Hear tales of heroism from French Resistance who fought against Nazi Occupation during WWII, learn about their most daring missions exploring historic town
- Scenic Freechoice Afternoon - Côtes du Rhône Villages tasting: Guided tasting excursion, experience diverse terroir and time-honoured winemaking traditions of Southern France
- Scenic Freechoice Afternoon - Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum: Explore natural beauty and historic sites in Ardèche Nature Park, immerse in Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum (largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica in world); replica built only few kilometres from original site deemed too fragile for public access
- Scenic Freechoice Afternoon - Excursion to Grignan de Provence: Travel to beautiful provincial town, local guide accompanies to mighty castle dominating town and Collegiate Church of Holy Saviour, free time at leisure
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral of St Vincent Ardèche Nature Park Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Grignan - Day 22
Viviers to Lyon
You'll spend a full day on board cruising back toward Lyon. You can admire the beautiful vistas of the Rhône River, taste local wines over lunch, or join a French cookery lesson. This evening features an exclusive acapella choir performance in the grand Trinity Chapel, a Baroque beauty with an interior covered in Carrera marble.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local wines), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel: Step inside grand Trinity Chapel (Baroque beauty with interior decadently covered in Carrera marble), exclusive acapella choir performance made breathtaking by sublime acoustics of chapel
Optional Activities
- Taste local wines over lunch
- Join French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel - Day 23
Lyon
Your final day is in Lyon, France's culinary capital at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, home to over 4,000 restaurants including 20 Michelin stars. Choose between a guided coach tour past Roman ruins and secret traboules (fourth-century passageways) with Notre Dame Basilica, the medieval walled village of Pérouges (steep terrain, high fitness required), or a silk painting workshop celebrating Lyon's textile tradition since the 15th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided tour of Lyon: Experience essence of Lyon on coach tour past Roman ruins and hidden traboules (secret passageways dating to fourth century), visit Notre Dame Basilica offering fabulous vantage point for city views
- Scenic Freechoice - Excursion to Pérouges: Travel to medieval walled village perched atop hill overlooking Ain River, walking tour through vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways and market square centred around centuries-old lime tree; recommended only for guests with high degree of fitness due to uneven surfaces and lot of uphill/downhill walking
- Scenic Freechoice - Silk painting workshop: Immersive workshop learning about Lyon's rich textile heritage (fine silk produced since 15th century), create your own masterpiece
Landmarks Notre Dame Basilica Pérouges - Day 24
Lyon
Your journey ends this morning. You'll say goodbye to your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you memories of France's most famous wine regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
