Itinerary
- Day 1
Porto
You'll arrive in Porto and board your ship this evening. After settling into your suite, there's a cocktail reception where you can meet fellow travelers and get ready for the week ahead on the Douro River.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Cocktail reception on board
Landmarks Douro River 
- Day 2
Porto
Porto gives you options this morning. You can take a guided tour to see the Palácio da Bolsa and ride the cable cars, or pick an active route through the city's historic landmarks. Then this afternoon you'll join a tile painting workshop to learn about Portugal's signature blue tiles and create your own piece.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tile painting workshop
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Porto including visit to Palácio da Bolsa
- Active tour of Porto including 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 3
Entre-os-Rios to Régua
You'll start from Entre-os-Rios in the Douro Valley with options for how to spend your morning. If you're up for hiking, the Paiva Walkways offer scenic trails through the region. Alternatively, you can tour Quinta da Aveleda, a well-known winery, or head to Guimarães, a historic city considered Portugal's birthplace. After you've finished with your morning activity and had lunch, you'll cruise down to Régua. Once there, you'll visit the Douro Museum to learn about the valley's wine and river heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Douro Museum in Régua
Optional Activities
- Paiva Walkways - active hike along Paiva River
- Quinta da Aveleda - tour of renowned wine estate with fairytale-like property
- Excursion to Guimarães - explore World Heritage-listed city, 15th-century palace with historic tapestries, furniture, weapons
Landmarks Douro Museum Quinta da Aveleda Guimarães Palace Paiva River - Day 4
Régua
Morning brings several options to choose from. The Varosa Valley tour takes you to the Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca and the fortified bridge at Ucanha. You could also visit a family-run Quinta for olive oil tasting or explore other regional activities. After lunch, the afternoon opens up with its own set of choices. You might see Lamego's elegant streets, check out Mateus Palace with its Baroque design, or try a hands-on Port wine blending class at Quinta de Pacheca if you're interested in getting involved in winemaking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha excursion - explore valley, visit Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca, walk fortified bridge of Ucanha (14th-15th century toll bridge)
- Quinta visit with olive oil tasting - learn about olive oil production at 11-generation family-run estate
- Excursion to Lamego - guided tour of Baroque city with Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedios, traditional blue and white tiled zigzagged staircase, local produce tasting at Bodega, free time to explore
- Mateus Palace - coach transfer to one of Portugal's finest examples of Baroque civil architecture
- Port Wine Blending Class - hands-on workshop at Quinta de Pacheca on Port wine blending process
Landmarks Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca Ucanha Bridge Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Mateus Palace Quinta de Pacheca - Day 5
Régua to Vega de Terrón
Today you sail through the Vinhateiro wine region where terraced vineyards and traditional farmhouses dot the landscape. This area became the world's first demarcated wine region back in 1756 and carries World Heritage status. By evening you'll arrive in Vega de Terrón.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Vinhateiro wine region Douro Valley - Day 6
Vega de Terrón
You'll wake up in Vega de Terrón, a small town right on the Portugal-Spain border. Your day splits into two main paths. One option takes you on a guided tour of Salamanca, where you'll see two historic cathedrals, visit the local market for tastings, and have free time to explore on your own. The other choice keeps you closer, exploring Freixo de Espada à Cinta and its distinctive silk heritage, including a silk museum and tasting at a local Quinta. Whichever you pick, you'll be back at the ship by lunchtime.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Salamanca Full Day Excursion - guided tour of two cathedrals (12th and 16th century), visit market for local delicacies, free time to explore and enjoy lunch
- Village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta - guided tour of town with handcrafted silk processing, local silk museum visit, visit to local Quinta for regional produce tasting
Landmarks Salamanca Cathedral (Old Cathedral) Salamanca Cathedral (New Cathedral) Freixo de Espada à Cinta - Day 7
Pocinho to Pinhão
You're based in Pocinho today, known for the historic Douro Railway terminus from 1887. Your morning choices include visiting the Côa Valley Museum, home to the world's largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site with its modern architecture and prehistoric workshop, or spending time in Freixo Numão exploring village life at Casa Painova estate. There you'll learn how traditional sugared almonds are made and can sample local products. In the afternoon, you'll cruise toward Pinhão while reflecting on what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Côa Valley Museum - coach transfer to largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site in world, explore museum opened in 2010, enjoy pre-historic workshop
- Village life in the Côa Valley - visit traditional village of Freixo Numão, tour Casa Painova estate, learn about and taste sugared almond production
Landmarks Côa Valley Museum Freixo Numão Casa Painova - Day 8
Pinhão
Pinhão sits in one of the Douro's prettiest sections surrounded by Port wine vineyards. You'll transfer to Provesende, a charming village on a plateau with incredible views. There you can wander the streets, visit the church, check out the old bakery, and taste wine at a historic manor house. Afternoon options include kayaking, vineyard hiking, or estate tastings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Provesende village including church, old bakery, traditional handicrafts, and historic manor house Morgadio da Calçada with tasting of bola
Optional Activities
- Kayaking along the Pinhão River - glide past impressive landscapes on the Pinhão River tributary of the Douro
- Quinta vineyard hike - guided hike through Quinta da Roada vineyards in the Douro Valley
- Quinta tasting - visit Quinta da Roada estate for tasting of Port wine with guided walking tour learning vineyard secrets
Landmarks Pinhão Provesende Morgadio da Calçada Pinhão River Quinta da Roada - Day 9
Porto
Today is relaxed as you sail back to Porto along the Douro. This evening you'll have an exclusive classical concert at the 13th century São Francisco Church, one of Porto's most important buildings with its magnificent gold-covered wooden altar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert in São Francisco Church
Landmarks São Francisco Church Douro River 
- Day 10
Porto
Your final day in Porto gives you choices in the morning like traditional boat rides, golf, or wine cellar visits. Afterward you can explore the city on your own before returning for a farewell dinner. Before eating, you'll take an illumination cruise seeing the six bridges that cross the Douro.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Illumination cruise through Porto viewing the six bridges
- Farewell dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Aveiro with cruise - guided walking tour of city famed for canals, cruise in brightly coloured moliceiros flat-bottomed boat unique to the city
- Round of golf - play 6 holes at Quinta do Fojo Golf club, one of Porto's most popular courses
- Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia - travel to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit Cockburn's Port cellar, guided visit and tasting
Landmarks Porto Aveiro Quinta do Fojo Golf Club Vila Nova de Gaia Cockburn's Port Douro River - Day 11
Porto to Lyon
You'll fly from Porto to Lyon and transfer to your new ship for a 10-night cruise down the Saône and Rhône Rivers. This shifts your focus from Portuguese wine to French river scenery and regional specialties.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Porto to Lyon
- Day 12
Chalon-sur-Saône
Your ship cruises toward Chalon-sur-Saône, a charming town with half-timbered houses and a Gothic cathedral. From here you can choose guided tours of Beaune and its famous wine estates, Burgundy wine tastings at local properties, or WWII history tours exploring the Franco-German border zone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices - travel through countryside to Beaune, highlight visit to Les Hospices de Beaune (Gothic-style hospital from Middle Ages now housing museum), free time to explore
- Burgundy wine tasting - visit local estate in heart of Burgundy with history, taste wines from Côte de Beaune surrounded by unique architecture
- WW2 in Chalon-sur-Saône - Life on the Franco-German demarcation line - learn about town's crucial role in WWII, walk along old demarcation line dividing the town, discover French Resistance efforts, learn about living in divided city during Nazi Occupation
Landmarks Chalon-sur-Saône Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune Côte de Beaune - Day 13
Tournus
Early morning brings river scenery as you approach Tournus, a Roman-founded riverside town with a beautiful Romanesque abbey. Morning choices include the Château de Cormatin with its gardens, truffle tasting with a local farmer, or a cooking demonstration at three-star Michelin chef Georges Blanc's restaurant. Everyone watches a cooperage demonstration about barrel making. Your ship leaves this afternoon for Tournon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration - ancient craft of barrel making, secrets of artisan skill and importance of barrels to wine and spirit making
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin - explore historic castle built 1606, carefully restored to original condition, guided tour of gilded rooms, moat, water features and more than 10 hectares of manicured gardens
- Truffle Tasting - meet local truffle farmer and hound, learn tricks and techniques of truffle farming, enjoy tasting of produce
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration - short orientation tour of village of Vonnas, cooking demonstration at three-star Michelin chef Georges Blanc's restaurant, visit village museum created by Blanc dedicated to his family's 150-year history in region
Landmarks Tournus Château de Cormatin Vonnas - Day 14
Tournon
Tournon is a pretty hillside village with a 10th century castle and cobblestoned streets overlooking terraced vineyards. Your morning options are a guided walking tour, hiking through the slopes, or cycling along the Rhône banks toward Glun. You'll explore the town at your own pace this afternoon, then gather on the castle terrace for drinks and views over the vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Aperitif on castle terrace with views
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon - explore town on foot, learn fascinating history, visit castle built 10th-16th centuries, free time (may cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage, home to prestigious chocolatiers Valrhona)
- Hiking through vineyards in Tournon - hike through sloping vineyards overlooking Rhône River, learn about local wine production, taste delicious regional wines
- Biking along the Rhône - cycle picturesque banks of Rhône River past charming villages and spectacular scenery to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Tournon Castle Rhône River Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona Glun - Day 15
Avignon
After lunch you arrive in Avignon, the City of the Popes. Choose morning excursions like a guided walking tour with the Pope's Palace, visiting the ancient Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, or kayaking under it. Tonight there's an exclusive gala dinner and classical concert inside the Palais des Papes after it closes to the public.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gala dinner and classical concert at Palais des Papes)
Included Activities
- Exclusive gala dinner and classical concert at Palais des Papes
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including visit to the Popes Palace - guided walk through Avignon visiting historic city walls and Pope's Palace (seat of Papacy and Western Christianity in 14th century), note: cobblestoned streets and numerous palace steps require moderate fitness
- Excursion to Pont Du Gard - guided tour of ancient Roman aqueduct from first century, engineering masterpiece designed to carry water to city of Nîmes
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard - paddle kayak on tranquil waters of Gardon River beneath World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct for unique perspective on its grandeur
Landmarks Avignon Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard Gardon River Nîmes - Day 16
Avignon
You have a full day in Avignon to explore this gateway to Provence. Options include visiting Luberon villages like Gordes and Sénanque Abbey, shopping at the market with the ship's chef for a cooking demo, exploring lavender fields near Roussillon, or wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénaque Abbey - visit Gordes village (one of France's most beautiful), visit picturesque Sénague Abbey (note: Abbey not open Sundays - exterior visit only on Sundays)
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire - join ship's chef at local market to shop for and taste best ingredients, return to ship for interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school (note: Avignon Market closed on Mondays)
- Lavender Museum with visit to village of Roussillon - visit local lavender producer to learn how it's grown, harvested and utilised, guided tour of beautiful Roussillon village
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape - sample region's most celebrated wines in village with centuries of wine production history on fertile banks of Rhône
Landmarks Gordes Sénaque Abbey Luberon Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rhône River - Day 17
Arles
Arles is your southernmost stop, founded by Julius Caesar around 56BC and full of Roman ruins. You can tour the Arènes d'Arles amphitheatre, visit medieval Les Baux with its visual art installation, take an olive farm tour, or join a lavender workshop making herbal creams. The afternoon is free to explore or try an on-board painting class.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles - insightful walking tour departing ship, visit heart of Arles to see ancient Roman amphitheatre Arènes d'Arles (20,000-seat arena still in use), experience vibrant colours and striking light that inspired many artists
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières - journey to stunning medieval village of Les Baux, visit former quarry site of Carrières de Lumières (7,000 square-metre site) hosting immersive visual and musical installation highlighting works of notable artists
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill - visit local olive farm, learn techniques of olive oil production, farm owner shares experience of life in region and traditional Provençal recipes
- Lavender fields to cream, A Provence Herbal Workshop - visit local organic farm specialising in production of essential oils from lavender, thyme, rosemary and other herbs (typically available late June to mid-August when fields are in bloom), learn health benefits of plants, learn essential oil extraction process, create own lavender-based cream to take home
Landmarks Arles Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières - Day 18
Viviers
Viviers feels like an open-air museum with medieval streets that haven't changed much in 1,600 years since its founding in the fifth century. Morning tours include exploring the Cathedral of St. Vincent and architecture, or learning about the French Resistance. Afternoon choices are the Ardèche Nature Park with its replica cave museum, natural areas and Madeleine Caves, or an excursion to Grignan with its castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers - join local guide to explore Viviers on foot, admire monuments and architectural treasures including Cathedral of St. Vincent (first built 11th century, now 18th-century Gothic style with Renaissance facade), free time to explore at leisure
- French Resistance walking tour - walking tour of Viviers hearing stories of French Resistance fighting against Nazi Occupation during WWII, learn local stories of heroism and daring missions as you explore historic town
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - explore mountains and medieval fortress ruins of sprawling park, immerse in Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum (largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica in world), original site too fragile for public access so replica built few kilometres away
- Ardeche National Park and Madeleine Cave - drive through rugged natural beauty of Ardèche Nature Park (Ardèche Gorge to Madeleine Caves), admire intricate rock formations, stalagmites and stalactites, underground lakes (note: caves underground with numerous steps, moderate fitness and sturdy shoes required)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence - local guide exploration of beautiful provincial town of Grignan, see mighty castle dominating town, visit Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour, free time at leisure
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral of St. Vincent Ardèche Nature Park Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Madeleine Cave Ardèche Gorge Grignan Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour - Day 19
Viviers to Lyon
You have a relaxed day sailing back toward Lyon. Spend time on the Sun Deck, use the Salt Therapy Lounge, or join a French cooking lesson. This evening features an acapella choir performance in the ship's Trinity Chapel, a 17th century Baroque building with Carrara marble interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel
Optional Activities
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel Rhone River - Day 20
Lyon
Lyon sits where two rivers meet and was founded by Romans in 43BC. It became France's culinary capital with thousands of restaurants and 20 Michelin-starred places. Choose from a guided tour of historic traboules and secret passageways, visiting the medieval village of Pérouges, or learning about the city's five-century silk heritage through a painting workshop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon - discover Lyon's historic significance traversing hidden traboules and secret passageways dating to fourth century, visit Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière offering fabulous vantage point for views across Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges - visit medieval walled village located atop hill overlooking Ain River, beautifully preserved with vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways and market square centred around centuries-old lime tree (note: uneven surfaces and extensive walking up and down hill, recommended only for guests with high degree of fitness)
- Silk painting workshop - learn about Lyon's rich heritage of silk production dating almost five centuries (since Louis XI established as potential base for silk weaving industry), learn history and process of silk painting
Landmarks Lyon Rhône River Saône River Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière Pérouges Ain River - Day 21
Lyon
Your journey ends this morning as you say goodbye to fellow guests and the crew. You'll leave with memories of two weeks traveling through Portuguese and French wine country, from Porto's hills to Lyon's rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
