Itinerary
- Day 1
Lisbon
You'll arrive in Lisbon and head to your luxury hotel for three nights. This evening, meet your Tour Director and other guests for a welcome drink to start things off.
- Day 2
Lisbon
A guided tour takes you through Belem where you'll see Jeronimos Monastery and try Pasteis de Nata, plus check out the Belem Tower and Padrao dos Descobrimentos monument. After that, head to Rossio square in the city centre. The afternoon is yours to shop or take Tram 28 around and explore more.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Belem district
- Visit Jeronimos Monastery
- Taste Pasteis de Nata
- View Belem Tower
- View Padrao dos Descobrimentos monument
- Walk through Rossio square
Optional Activities
- Browse shops in the city centre
- Take Tram 28 to explore the city
Landmarks Jeronimos Monastery Belem Tower Padrao dos Descobrimentos Rossio square - Day 3
Lisbon
Today you choose your own experience. Either visit the hilltop town of Sintra to see Palacio Nacional with its mix of Moorish and Portuguese Gothic style, or take a hands-on traditional Portuguese cooking class. You'll wrap up with dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Sintra & Palacio Nacional - orientation tour of Sintra and visit to the national monument Palacio Nacional
- Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class - learn about Portuguese cuisine and cook a traditional dish
Landmarks Palacio Nacional Sintra - Day 4
Lisbon to Porto
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Porto and board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship river cruise. From here, the Douro River journey begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board Scenic Space-Ship for river cruise
- Day 5
Porto - Entre-os-Rios
Porto is a 2,000-year-old city with energy and streets full of restaurants and colorful tile decorations. Pick a guided tour of the city's culture and history including Palácio da Bolsa, or go active with a cable car ride to Dom Luis bridge and visits to Porto Cathedral and São Bento railway station. Later, you'll join a tile painting workshop to learn about Portugal's traditional decorative tiles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tile painting workshop
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Porto - includes visit to Palácio da Bolsa
- Active tour of Porto including cable car - includes 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 - Day 6
Entre-os-Rios - Regua
From Entre-os-Rios you'll choose your activity in the Douro Valley: hike the scenic Paiva River, explore the Quinta da Aveleda wine estate, or visit Guimarães, a World Heritage city known as the 'cradle of Portugal' with its 15th-century palace. As you cruise to Regua, the heart of Port wine production, stop by the Douro Museum this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Douro Museum
Optional Activities
- Paiva Walkways - active hike along the Paiva River
- Quinta da Aveleda - explore the fairytale-like wine producer estate
- Excursion to Guimarães - visit World Heritage-listed city, explore the 15th-century palace with historic collection of tapestries, furniture, weapons and more
Landmarks Douro Museum Paiva River Quinta da Aveleda Guimarães - Day 7
Regua
In Regua your morning offers several choices: visit Varosa Valley and the Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca, learn about olive oil at a family Quinta, or do wine tastings. This afternoon pick from more options like a coach trip to the Baroque town of Lamego, Mateus Palace with its exceptional Baroque design, or a Port wine blending class at Quinta de Pacheca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch on board
Optional Activities
- Visit Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha - discover Varosa Valley, visit charming village of São João de Tarouca, explore restored Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca (Note: St John closed on Mondays, replaced with visit to Vila Real), walk fortified bridge of Ucanha spanning the Varosa River built in 14th-15th centuries
- Quinta visit with olive tasting - visit Quinta and learn about olive oil production at family-run estate handed down for 11 generations
- Excursion to Lamego - coach tour to town nestled among terraced vineyards, tour of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, option to walk down the zigzagged staircase decorated in traditional blue and white tiled mosaics or journey by coach, tasting of local produce at a nearby Bodega, free time to explore
- Mateus Palace - coach transfer to Mateus Palace, considered one of the best examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal
- Port Wine Blending Class - visit Quinta de Pacheca and take hands-on workshop on the Port blending process
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
Regua - Vega de Terron
Spend a relaxed day cruising through the Vinhateiro wine region. Terraced vineyards, traditional red-roofed farmhouses, and small villages line the Douro Valley hillsides. This UNESCO World Heritage area was the first demarcated wine region globally, set up in 1756. You'll arrive in Vega de Terron by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Vinhateiro wine region - Day 9
Vega de Terron - Pocinho
Vega de Terron sits on the Portugal-Spain border where the Douro and Águeda rivers meet. Choose a full-day trip to Salamanca to see two historic cathedrals and local markets, or visit Freixo de Espada à Cinta, known for handcrafted silk. There you'll see the silk museum and visit a local estate for tastings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Salamanca Full Day Excursion - guided tour of two cathedrals dating to 12th and 16th centuries, visit local market to taste local delicacies, free time to explore and enjoy lunch at leisure
- Visit the village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta - guided tour of the village, visit local silk museum to learn about handcrafted silk processing, visit local Quinta for tasting of regional produce, return to ship for lunch
Landmarks Salamanca Freixo de Espada à Cinta - Day 10
Pocinho - Pinhao
You'll wake in Pocinho, set up as the Douro Railway terminus in 1887. Explore the valley with your choice: visit the Côa Valley Museum, the world's largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site, or explore the traditional village of Freixo Numão and Casa Painova estate to learn about local life and sugared almond production. Later you'll cruise toward Pinhao.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Côa Valley Museum - coach transfer to Côa Valley Museum, largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site, enjoy pre-historic workshop
- Village life in the Côa Valley - visit small traditional village of Freixo Numão lived in for centuries, learn about local life, visit Casa Painova estate to see family home and demonstration of sugared almond production, enjoy tasting of almonds and local products
Landmarks Côa Valley Museum Freixo Numão - Day 11
Pinhao
Pinhao sits on one of the prettiest stretches of the Douro River with terraced vineyards surrounding it that produce exceptional Port wine. This morning, transfer to the charming village of Provesende on a plateau with great views. Walk around, check out the church, see the old bakery, and explore the historic manor house Morgadio da Calçada where you'll taste bola. This afternoon choose between kayaking the Pinhao River, hiking through Quinta da Roada vineyards, or visiting an estate for tastings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit charming village of Provesende
- Visit church in Provesende
- Discover old bakery in Provesende
- Witness traditional handicraft in Provesende
- Visit historic manor house Morgadio da Calçada and taste bola
Optional Activities
- Kayaking along the Pinhao River - glide past impressive landscapes via kayak on the Pinhao River tributary of Douro
- Quinta vineyard hike - guided hike through breathtaking vineyards of Quinta da Roada in Douro Valley
- Quinta tasting - visit Quinta da Roada estate for tasting of region's most famous export, guided walking tour to learn secrets of vineyard
Landmarks Provesende Morgadio da Calçada Quinta da Roada Pinhao River - Day 12
Pinhao - Porto
You'll have leisure time as the ship sails back along the spectacular Douro River toward Porto this afternoon. This evening, catch an exclusive classical concert at São Francisco Church, a 13th-century Gothic building with an altar decorated in intricately carved wood covered in gold.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert in São Francisco Church - performance of classical music in 13th-century Gothic church with gold-decorated alter
Landmarks São Francisco Church 
- Day 13
Porto
Back in Porto for the day, you can take a guided walking tour and canal cruise in Aveiro on a brightly colored moliceiros boat, play 6 holes at Quinta do Fojo Golf club, or visit Cockburn's Port cellar for a tour and tasting. The afternoon is free to explore Porto on your own. Before dinner, go on an illumination cruise through Porto passing six bridges over the Douro.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Illumination cruise through Porto
- Farewell dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Aveiro with a cruise - guided walking tour of canal city Aveiro, cruise the waterways 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 famous cellar Cockburn's Port, guided visit and tasting
Landmarks Aveiro Quinta do Fojo Golf club Cockburn's Port Vila Nova de Gaia - Day 14
Porto to Paris
You'll fly from Porto to Paris and then cruise out of the city as your backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise departure from Paris
- Day 15
Les Andelys
A relaxed morning on board as you cruise the Seine to Les Andelys, arriving just after lunch. This Norman-era village, nearly 900 years old, has well-kept houses and public buildings overlooked by Château Gaillard ruins, King Richard the Lionheart's castle. Stroll the river, see limestone cliffs, or explore the town centre. The afternoon offers several choices like a medieval hike to the château, a walking tour, a cider farm visit, or the 16th-century Renaissance Château Gaillon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' - medieval-themed walking tour, uncover historical secrets of Les Andelys, venture up to Lionheart's castle Château Gaillard
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard - explore picturesque Norman town of Les Andelys with local guide before reaching the château overlooking the city
- Cider farm visit - visit local Normandy farm to see cider production in action and taste this distinctive effervescent drink
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon - explore extraordinary 16th-century château, one of the earliest Renaissance-style châteaux in France, admire remnants of lavish interior, learn about its importance to French history
Landmarks Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 16
Rouen
Rouen, Normandy's capital with over 2,000 years of history, is where Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke and Joan of Arc was executed. Much was destroyed in WWII but faithfully restored, including the exquisite Old Town. Pick a guided city tour exploring the 'city of a hundred spires', a Viking-themed tour as Rollo the Walker, or a photography tour with a local photographer. Back on board, hear an interactive WWI lecture about life during the Western Front.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- WWI Lecture - Day in the life of a Tommy - interactive evening experience understanding life of soldier on Western Front, try on soldier equipment and weapons, taste rations
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour - guided tour seeing cathedral district, old marketplace and Saint-Maclou Quarter, explore Medieval alleys and half-timbered houses, learn about Joan of Arc, free time afterwards
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking - authentically dressed Viking warlord guide takes you around city to learn about Viking raiders who made Rouen their capital, focus on Medieval past, free time afterwards
- Photography discovery - join local photographer to learn secret of century-old art form, use Rouen as landscape for digital portrait like modern impressionist artist
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Quarter - Day 17
Rouen
Another full day in Rouen to explore the region's military history or try local food. Choose to visit Normandy producers for tastings of soft cheeses, cider and calvados, take a full-day trip to WWI Battle of the Somme sites including Newfoundland Memorial Park, or visit the Somme Battlefields with Thiepval Memorial and Caterpillar Valley Cemetery holding over 5,500 Commonwealth graves.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Normandy - visit local producers to taste delicious soft cheeses, cider and calvados from the high quality dairy industry and fruit orchards of Normandy
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park - full day excursion to site of WWI Battle of the Somme claiming lives of more than 150,000 soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth, visit Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Memorial Park
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval - full day excursion following same itinerary as above visiting Somme Battlefields, Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, then Caterpillar Valley Cemetery with 5,500+ Commonwealth graves, Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Lochnagar Crater
Landmarks Somme Battlefields Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) Franco-Australian Museum Newfoundland Memorial Park Lochnagar Crater Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Caterpillar Valley Cemetery - Day 18
Rouen - Honfleur
A relaxed morning on board as you cruise west to Honfleur, a colorful port city on the English Channel edge. This charming town was where Impressionism began and has inspired countless artists. The harbor features half-timbered houses, restaurants, shops and art galleries. A guided walking tour shows you the Inner Harbour and Church of Sainte-Catherine before free time to explore. This evening, hear a lecture on Operation Fortitude and Honfleur's citizens during D-Day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur - charming Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, Garden of Personalities
- On board lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day campaign
Landmarks Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 19
Honfleur
A full day in Honfleur to explore the region's important WWII role. Choose from four options: visit Utah Beach memorial and Sainte-Mère-Église where 30 US Paratroopers landed, then Normandy American Cemetery and Omaha Beach Memorial, visit Bayeux and the Museum of the Battle of Normandy plus Arromanches Landing Museum, explore Canadian D-Day sites including Juno Beach Centre, or take a guided tour of Bayeux including Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) - start at memorial on Utah Beach where 20,000+ US troops landed June 6 1944, visit Sainte-Mère-Église where 30 US Paratroopers landed during Normandy Invasion, lunch at local restaurant, visit Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, stop at Omaha Beach Memorial
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) - visit Bayeux War Cemetery and Museum of the Battle of Normandy describing chronological events from D-Day, visit state-of-the-art Landing Museum at Arromanches located across artificial harbour built to dispatch reinforcements, lunch at local restaurant, visit British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) - begin at Abbey d'Ardenne founded 11th century now memorial to Canadian Prisoners of War from D-Day landings, visit Juno Beach Centre memorial to 20,000 Canadian troops landed, lunch at local restaurant, visit Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery with 335 Canadian men killed in D-Day and early campaign, Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour - guided tour including Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux built 11th-14th centuries considered masterpiece of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture, free time afterwards to explore town
Landmarks Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Normandy American Cemetery Omaha Beach Bayeux War Cemetery Museum of the Battle of Normandy Arromanches Landing Museum British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge & Museum Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 20
Honfleur - Caudebec-en-Caux
Cruise inland early to Caudebec-en-Caux, a small town on a Seine curve with handsome homes, stately gardens and crumbling stone walls. From the Middle Ages, it keeps historic buildings including the ornate 15th-century Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux. Pick excursions: bike to Villequier on e-bikes to see Victor Hugo Museum, visit seaside Fécamp and the 19th-century Bénédictine Palace, explore French Resistance stories on a walking tour, or discover Normandy abbeys.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum - active biking tour on e-bikes along banks of River Seine following flat eight-kilometre each way route, visit museum dedicated to Victor Hugo famous French poet/playwright/novelist, return to ship
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace - coach transfer to historic seaside town Fécamp surrounded by some of tallest cliffs in Normandy, guided tour of Bénédictine Palace 19th-century architectural masterpiece famous for producing Bénédictine liquor said to contain 27 plants and spices, enjoy tasting during visit
- Tales of the French Resistance - walking tour learning stories of French Resistance who fought against Nazi Occupation of France during World War II, hear local stories of heroism and daring missions
- Normandy Abbey Road - explore fascinating history with local guide on Abbey Road where many grand abbeys sit on banks of River Seine
Landmarks Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 21
Vernon - La Roche-Guyon
Vernon was historically a border town between Normandy and the Kingdom of France with rich heritage. Nearby Giverny was where Impressionist Claude Monet lived for over 40 years. Visit Monet's House and Garden with its famous Japanese-inspired water garden and lilies, or take a self-guided e-bike tour to Giverny. Optionally join a painting class inspired by these gardens. Later, cruise to La Roche-Guyon for an exclusive concert at the Château built into a chalk hillside from the 16th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon - drink and classical concert focusing on music by French composers
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden - journey to Giverny to tour town and visit home of founder of Impressionism, built by Monet with gardens comprising Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies, free time to explore
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny - self-guided biking tour from ship in Vernon to Giverny approximately five kilometres each way, option to visit Monet's House and Garden or wander charming town, return to ship
- On board painting class - create masterpiece of your own during on board painting class inspired by Giverny gardens
Landmarks Giverny Monet's House and Garden Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 22
Conflans - Paris
Wake in Conflans-Saint-Honorine, a Medieval town where the Seine and Oise rivers meet. A castle was built here in the 9th century by monks to protect relics of Saint Honorine. Wander quiet streets, enjoy riverside paths, grab coffee at open-air cafés, and see the beautiful ancient church. Choose four options: visit where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final works in Auvers-sur-Oise, tour Château de Chantilly, explore the Musée de la Batellerie inland transport museum, or visit Château de Malmaison, once home to Napoleon and Josephine. Later, cruise back to Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise - travel to village where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final masterpieces, see landmarks immortalised in his works including Notre Dame de l'Assomption church, entry to Van Gogh's room rented during final months that sat empty since 1890, free time to wander
- Château de Chantilly - guided tour of castle magnificent tribute to France's cultural heritage built by Henri d'Orléans son of last King of France, see fine collections amassed in lifetime, explore gardens, free time (Note: Chantilly Castle closed on Tuesday, replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden instead)
- Musée de la Batellerie (inland water transport museum) - active tour in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine to visit Inland Water Transport Museum, Conflans called barge capital of world at confluence of Oise and Seine rivers
- Château de Malmaison - visit historic estate once residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and first wife Josephine de Beauharnais, renowned for elegant neoclassical architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens, museum showcasing furniture, artwork and personal items from Napoleonic era
Landmarks Auvers-sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace and Garden Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 23
Paris
Back in Paris to explore this iconic city. First-timers can take a highlights tour checking off bucket-list items like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, while return visitors might discover the trendy Marais District or the opulent Opera Garnier. Or tour an exquisite château south-east of the city. The afternoon is free to explore Paris at your own pace, perhaps people-watch from a Champs-Élysée café or relax on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian - guided walking tour of Marais district with Parisian guide, melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, eclectic arts scene and high-end fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour - coach tour with local guide seeing famous sites from Eiffel Tower to Champs Élysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, view 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral recently reopened after devastating fire in 2019
- Opera Garnier - tour this spectacular opera house in theatrical heart of Paris resplendent with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases and glistening chandeliers, learn about magnificent building commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - coach tour to château located one hour's drive from Paris, credited as founding French formal garden inspiring Versailles, laid out in typical symmetrical fashion with stunning gardens creating theatrical setting
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Champs-Élysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 24
Paris
Your journey ends this morning. Disembark after breakfast with memories of this unique part of France. Transfer to Paris airport or train station for your next destination. Note this itinerary is a guide only and may change for operational reasons like water levels.
- Meals
- Breakfast
