Lisbon & Douro Cruise

Meet your group and Tour Manager at the Hotel Mundial or Hotel Portobay Marques in Lisbon. On arrival, we are greeted with a welcome drink after which you are free to settle into your room. For dinner this evening, we head to our hotel's excellent restaurant for our first meal of the vacation. Afterward, you may wish to acquaint yourself with the city a little before you retire for the night.

• Dinner

Our excursion today whisks us away on a splendid tour of Portugal's famous capital. As a special touch, our tour includes a segment in a specially-chartered tram from the 1930s and 40s, lending a nostalgic feeling to proceedings. Our tour reveals the brilliant 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 villas. Here, we stop off at one of the pastry shops to sample the Belem pastries.

• Breakfast

Today, we travel to the beautiful town of Sintra, located up in the hills behind Lisbon. A tantalizing selection of summer palaces of all colors and shapes await us here, at what is famously the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty. We enjoy free time in this fairytale town, giving you an opportunity to discover its history and the people behind the magnificent buildings lining its streets before dinner tonight.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Lisbon this morning, we set out on a rail journey through the Portuguese countryside to the historic city of Porto - famous for the explorers who gathered here to journey to the New World.

Upon arrival in this fantastic Portuguese city, we are escorted by coach to our excellent ship, the Douro Serenity, where after settling into our cabins, we are welcomed with a cocktail as the captain and his crew are introduced. Later we are sat down to our first onboard meal, after which you are free to enjoy your first night on the ship. Perhaps take in the evening air with a drink or sit back to the live music in the lounge area.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we explore Porto further on a guided walking tour. We wander its winding streets, historical townhouses, and regal churches as well as the iconic iron bridge. We also visit a wine cellar to sample the city's famous wine. We rejoin our ship for lunch on board and then later this afternoon, begin our cruise along the Douro river, enjoying its fabulous landscapes enroute to the town of Regua. After dinner this evening, we enjoy entertainment on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We pay a visit to the gorgeous Mateus Palace today and its stunning gardens. Located at the heart of the Vila Real region, this 18th century stately home is a delight to explore, with its classic, Italianate exterior, decorative interiors, and beautifully manicured parks and gardens that lead up to the palace itself. Originally built in the 18th century by acclaimed Portuguese architect Nicolau Nasoni, the design lends it a timeless, yet quintessentially Portuguese quality. We take a tour of the building itself, before enjoying free time to visit the built-in chapel and the winery. On our return to the ship later, we sit down for dinner, after which, we enjoy Flamenco entertainment on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our travels today take us across the border into Portugal's beautiful neighbor Spain, where we travel through the enchanting countryside to the golden city of Salamanca in the Castille y Léon region. Salamanca is the academic capital of Spain, and its educational prowess is evidenced in the glorious sandstone university buildings which make up one of the most prestigious centers of learning in the country. Our tour here takes us to see these buildings, as well as the decorative House of Shells and the thriving Plaza Mayor. Enjoy free time afterward before we sample a traditional Spanish lunch at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we begin out cruise back downstream through scenic landscapes to Ferradosa. After lunch, we join our fabulous excursion along the Porto wine route where we visit San Salvador do Mundo and Sao Joao da Pesqueira, two small towns set amongst the vineyards on the Rio Torto valley. We also visit a local Quinta where we indulge in some of the region's finest Ports. Later, we rejoin our ship in Pinhao before enjoying our Gala dinner on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we pay a visit to Lamego, a picturesque village near the banks of the Douro for a guided tour. The cathedral is the center point of Lamego, a remarkable example of Baroque architecture. Arguably more impressive, however, are 700 steps that lead up to its doors, decorated as they are in cheerful white and blue tiles. This afternoon we continue our cruise back to Porto where tonight, we enjoy an evening of Fado-themed entertainment.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving into Porto this morning, you have time at leisure in Porto before lunch on board. This afternoon we travel to the nearby city of Guimarães. What sets Guimarães apart is its fantastically well-preserved medieval buildings, which date as far back as the 10th century. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the jewel in Guimarães' crown is the imposing medieval fortress which watches over the city. We enjoy a tour through the colorful streets and the lively squares before visiting the castle and its gardens. In the afternoon, you are free before your 4-course farewell dinner on board. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After our final breakfast, your tour concludes and you are free to make your way to the airport for your flight home.

• Breakfast