Lisbon & the Douro Valley Cruise

Your vacation begins today as you arrive in Portugal, a nation famous for its explorers, making it the ideal starting point for a river cruise adventure on the golden Douro River. Make your own way to our four-star hotel in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, where colorful houses in distinctive tones of gold and claret contrast with the deep blue Atlantic and white sand beaches.

After checking into our hotel for the first of three nights, you can take some time to relax in your comfortable accommodation or walk around near our hotel, getting acquainted with this vibrant city. This evening, return to the hotel to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and then we kick off our journey with our first dinner together in the on-site restaurant. Overnight Lisbon

• Dinner

Our excursion today takes us on a tour of Portugal's intriguing capital city. Guided by an expert, we uncover the vibrant colors of Lisbon and the history of its streets, squares and boulevards. We finish in the waterfront district of Belem, famous for its pastries and grand villas. Here, we stop off at one of the shops to sample some famous Belem tarts.

This evening is free to explore the city at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of one of Europe's oldest cities, wander the cobblestone streets and experience the soulful melodies of Fado music at a cozy tavern.

Lisbon is known for its seven hills with amazing lookout points, and you could watch the light change as the sun sets this evening from St. George's Castle or the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte - a unique spot with panoramic views over the city. Overnight Lisbon.

• Breakfast

After breakfast at our hotel, we walk to Lisbon's train station to travel to the beautiful town of Sintra, located up in the hills behind Lisbon. Once a favorite summer retreat for the Portuguese royals, Sintra has an array of palaces reflecting the town's history and unusual architectural styles.

There is time at leisure to discover the history and people behind the magnificent buildings of this fairytale town. Marvel at the colorful Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, and explore the lush gardens at Monserrate Palace, savoring panoramic views. During your visit, you may also like to wander about Sintra's historic center, where you can sip Portuguese coffee or enjoy lunch at one of the cafés or restaurants.

We return to Lisbon by train this evening, arriving in time for drinks at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Lisbon.

*Please note: to enter Pena Palace it is necessary to book in advance.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Lisbon this morning, we set out on a rail journey through the Portuguese countryside to the historical city of Porto on the northern coast. This destination sits on the golden Douro River with its buildings stacked up the hillsides and alluring bridges crisscrossing the riverbanks.

Upon arrival, a coach transfers us to the waterfront, where we are welcomed aboard our floating hotel. After getting settled in your cabin, take some time to explore the ship's layout and get acquainted with its amenities. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink before our first three-course dinner on board.

After dinner, we set out on a panoramic evening coach tour of Porto. Our tour takes in the preserved areas of the city - a UNESCO World Heritage site - and we hop off the coach at São Bento railway station to admire its magnificent azulejos before returning to our ship. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we are introduced to Porto on a guided tour. As we wander its winding streets, steeped in centuries of history, we admire townhouses adorned with distinctive blue azulejos tiles and view regal churches and the city's iconic iron bridge - an emblem of Porto's industrial prowess and architectural ingenuity.

A highlight of our guided tour is a visit to a wine cellar, where we sample the region's port wine and learn about the viticulture and craftsmanship behind every drop. From the luscious sweetness of Tawny to the robust complexity of Vintage, each sip unveils a distinct character.

Rejoining our ship for lunch, we begin our cruise along the Douro. Enjoy the river's picturesque landscapes en route to historic Régua, a charming town surrounded by terraced slopes. After docking this evening, we enjoy drinks, a three-course dinner and entertainment on board. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another extraordinary attraction lies ahead this morning as we disembark our ship and make our way by coach to Mateus Palace, one of the most beautiful houses in northern Portugal.

This 18th-century masterpiece has a classic Italianate exterior, lavishly adorned interiors and lush gardens. Our visit includes the chance to explore the grand halls and preserved rooms of the palace, followed by time at leisure to explore the property's chapel and 16th-century winery.

Returning to our ship in time for lunch, we spend the afternoon cruising through breathtaking scenery to Vega de Terrón on the border with Spain. This evening, over dinner onboard our ship, we enjoy an evening of entertaining music and dance during a colorful flamenco performance. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Soak up ever-changing views on today's excursion by coach into Spain and through the countryside to the golden city of Salamanca in the Castilla y Léon region. Founded in 1218, Salamanca is the oldest center of learning in the Hispanic world and boasts an impressive array of sandstone university buildings.

On arrival, you can delve into its attractions on a guided walking tour showcasing the highlights of Salamanca, including the House of Shells, Plaza Mayor and other magnificent buildings. Lunch follows at a local restaurant.

Afterward, there is a free afternoon to wander at leisure and discover the city's hidden gems. You might like to continue exploring at your own pace or to sample Salamanca's culinary offerings in the Central Market. We return to the ship this evening for drinks and dinner on board. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our cruise back downstream through scenic landscapes to Ferradosa today. Spend some time relaxing in the ship's lounge or have a seat on one of the loungers on the sun deck, admiring the views while the route unfolds.

After having lunch on the ship, we discover the wines of Portugal on an excursion along the port wine route. Our excursion takes us to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, two small towns set amongst the vineyards on the Rio Torto Valley. We also visit a local quinta, where we indulge in a tasting of some of the region's finest ports.

We rejoin our ship in Pinhão this evening and settle back in for the night with dinner and fado-themed entertainment*, experiencing another taste of Portuguese culture. Overnight ship.

*Please note: The fado music performance may instead take place on Day 9 on select departures.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day begins with a morning tour in the picturesque destination of Lamego, known for its stunning cathedral. Standing at the heart of the village, the cathedral is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture. But the real highlight of this masterpiece is the 700 steps leading up to its doors, each beautifully decorated with cheerful white and blue tiles.

We return to our ship in time for lunch before a relaxing afternoon and evening of sailing along the serene Douro River. Our route takes us back to Porto, where we began our cruise, allowing us another opportunity to admire the small towns and heavenly scenery lining the Valley as we approach the city.

You might like to soak up the changing views from the sun deck or relax in your cabin ahead of dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning is yours to have breakfast on board and explore Porto at your leisure. Having spent the last few days on the Douro, you might like to get another perspective of its beauty - and that of Porto - while riding the Gaia Cable Car. You could also revisit favorite sites from our previous tour or find a spot to sit in one of city's squares, soaking up the atmosphere while savoring a coffee.

After lunch on the ship, we visit the charming medieval city of Guimarães, known for its well-preserved 10th-century buildings, vibrant squares and picturesque castle gardens. A guided tour presents the city's most enticing sights and history before we return to our ship later this afternoon.

Tonight, a three-course farewell dinner and traditional folk entertainment on board offer the perfect conclusion to our time in Portugal. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This evocative tour has allowed us to experience the culture, traditions and flavors of Portugal in memorable ways, both on the ship and when exploring the Douro's famous ports of call. Besides exploring the highlights of the Douro River - including the city of Porto, the towns of Régua, Pinhão, Lamego and Guimarães - we also enjoyed an excursion into Spain to the stunning Spanish city of Salamanca.

Your journey comes to a close this morning as you bid farewell to the crew and disembark the ship for the final time. Making your way ashore, you can begin your travels home independently.

• Breakfast