Portugal, Spain, & the Douro River Valley 2009
Day 1 - Depart Home Gateway City to Lisbon
Day 2 - Lisbon Arrive at Lisbon's Portela Airport where you - ll be transferred to the hotel.
Day 3 - Lisbon Become acquainted with the historic district of Belém and Belém Tower, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition. Explore the Royal Coaches Museum, housed in an 18th-century riding academy, and the ornate 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery. (Buffet Breakfast)
Featured Excursion: Lisbon city tour
Day 4 - Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto En route to Porto, stop in Portugal's third largest city, Coimbra, birthplace of six of Portugal's kings and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and its gem of a library, the Biblioteca Joanina. Enjoy lunch in a local pousada before continuing on to the ship docked in Porto. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Coimbra tour with family style lunch
Day 5 - Porto, Bitetos Traipse through the UNESCO World Heritage designated medieval city center of charming Porto, and see Porto's impressive Romanesque cathedral. Later, sail to Bitetos for a spectacular dinner at the former 14th-century Benedictine Monastery of Alpendurada, perched high above the river. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursions: Porto city tour, dinner at Alpendurada Monastery
Day 6 - Bitetos, Régua (Lamego), Pinhão Be amazed by the breathtaking scenery of the Douro River Valley as we cruise from Bitetos to Régua in the morning. Our next stop is the old Episcopal city of Lamego with its impressive 18th-century pilgrimage church, Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, which is an 11th-century castle. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Lamego tour
Day 7 - Pinhão, Barca d - Alva The small town of Pinhão is the epicenter of the Port winemaking area and a place where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best. Visit the famous Wine Academy at the Vintage House and learn about the history of Port and the Port winemaking process, which goes back to the 17th century. Sample this country's most celebrated beverage. You?ll have some leisure time before sailing to Barca d - Alva in the afternoon. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Captain's Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Port wine tasting at the Wine Academy
Day 8 - Vega de Terrón (Salamanca) From Vega de Terrón, where the ship docks, travel overland to Salamanca, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Spain. Visit the historic university founded in 1218, and stroll through one of Spain's largest and grandest squares - Plaza Mayor. After an authentic lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy free time in this magical city. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Full-day Salamanca tour with traditional Spanish lunch
Day 9 - Vega de Terròn (Castelo Rodrigo), Pinhão Visit the picturesque medieval walled city of Castelo Rodrigo which dates back to the 12th century, and learn about its Jewish heritage. Be amazed by the breathtaking scenery of the Douro River Valley as you cruise to Pinhão in the afternoon. In the evening, be our guest at a delicious dinner which takes place at the Vintage House Day 10 - Régua, Porto Visit the impressive baroque Mateus Palace and Gardens, world-famous for being featured on the label of Mateus Rosé wine. This impressive facade features beautiful rooftop pinnacles and an ornate stairway, all reflected in a pond in front. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Mateus Palace and Gardens
Day 11 - Depart Porto Disembark the ship and transfer to Porto Airport for your flight home.
Day 12 - Cruise Ship operating this itinerary: Douro Queen
|
