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Portugal's Douro River Valley Cruise

Sail Portugal's River of Gold through its port-wine region: Porto, Regua, Ferradoas & Pinhao; also explore the golden city of Salamanca, Spain; optional independent extension in Lisbon

Overview

This package is currently unavailable.
Style Value VacationTravel in larger groups than our Small Group tours, but at fantastic value prices. These group tour packages are operated by our carefully selected partners and may be shared with other English speaking passengers ensuring guaranteed departures. More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
Departures
Themes History & CultureRiver Cruises
What to Expect This moderately-paced, escorted river cruise/tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.
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Experience Portugal’s River of Gold, and cruise the Douro River in comfort on your ship, MS Gil Eanes and CroisiEurope’s newest vessel MS Amalia Rodrigues. The Douro River Valley is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, where you’ll  sample the region’s famous Port wine.  Dine on superb French cuisine paired with an unlimited selection of wine and beer. Take part in daily shore excursions, visit UNESCO World Heritage sites and stroll through villages and palaces. After dinner, enjoy local entertainment such as traditional Portuguese Fado music and flamenco. Take advantage of your already-included airfare to enjoy more of Portugal by extending your stay in the capital city of Lisbon. 

Package includes

  • Flights
  • Cruise
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • Round trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
  • All ground transportation and transfers
  • 7 nights’ accommodation on superior first class MS Gil Eanes & MS Amalia Rodrigues
  • 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Complimentary unlimited beverages including bottled mineral water, coffee, tea, wine, beer and spirits on board throughout cruise
  • Evening entertainment
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
  • Complimentary Samsung Galaxy Tablet for use during cruise
  • Included daily Classic Shore Excursions
  • Wireless audio system during Shore Excursions
  • Daily briefing on the ports of call
  • Professional, English-speaking cruise manager and local guides
  • All port charges and local taxes

Optional add-ons

  • Upgrades to middle and upper deck cabins are available on request.
  • Independent extension in Lisbon available.

Why you'll love it

  • Cruise the Douro River
  • Welcome cocktail and Farewell Gala Dinner
  • Superb French Cuisine
  • Shore excursions in Porto, Guimaraes, Vila Real & gardens of Mateus Palace, Salamanca (Spain), Wine trail Porto with tastings
  • Evening entertainment on board

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

  • Depart the USA on your flight bound for Porto, Portugal

Day 2: Porto

7 nights on board MS Amalia Rodrigues on Aug 23, 2019, MS Gil Eanes on all other departures. Dinner.

  • Arrive in Porto, be met and transferred to your river cruise ship for boarding by 6:00 pm.
  • This evening, an introduction to the crew over a welcome cocktail
  • Dinner on board
  • Explore Porto by night

Full Day Itinerary: Arrive at Porto International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the port. Luggage can be stored as of noon, and check-in will be at 6:00 pm. After settling into your cabin, get to know the crew over a welcome cocktail, and dinner on board.  Then, enjoy a panoramic tour by bus of the city of Porto by night, including a stop at the São Bento railway station to take a close up look at its magnificent azulejos (Portuguese traditional ceramic tiles)

Day 3: Porto

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning guided tour of Porto with wine tasting
  • Afternoon at leisure in Porto
  • Evening of Fado music on board

Porto cityscapeFull Day Itinerary: Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, built on the steep banks of the Douro River, a mixture of grey facades and red tiles, interspersed with unusual architectural masterpieces, including the Dom Luis I Bridge built between 1881 and 1886 by French engineer Theophile Seyrig, one of Gustave Eiffel’s pupils. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Depart by coach from the Villa Nova de Gaia Quay, and visit the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building), including the former Tribunal Room, the Golden Room and the Arab Room. Then visit the Igreja de São Francisco, also known as the Golden Church, founded by Franciscan monks in the 12th century, and modified in the 15th and 16th centuries with a Baroque interior and Gothic windows. Cross the Dom Luis I Bridge again and visit a wine cellar for a tasting of the famous Port wine. Return to the ship in time for lunch. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Porto.  After dinner, there will be traditional Portuguese Fado music.

Day 4: Porto & Regua

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning guided tour to Guimarães
  • Afternoon sailing to Regua
  • Evening dancing on board after dinner

Palace of the Dukes of BraganzaFull Day Itinerary: This morning, board your coach to drive from Porto to Guimarães. Tour the university town on foot to discover its historical treasures together with your guide. Visit the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church, an important religious structure. Walk through the labyrinth of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th century buildings.  Continue to the striking Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Branganza. Return to Porto by coach. Enjoy the afternoon cruising along the Douro River. After dinner, partake in some dancing on board.

Day 5: Regua & Vega De Terron

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning guided tour to Vila Real and the gardens of Mateus Palace
  • Afternoon cruising
  • Evening of Flamenco on board

Mateus PalaceFull Day Itinerary: Depart by coach for Vila Real, a little town set among the vineyards. After a short tour, continue to Mateus, a small town with its famous manor of the Counts of Vila Real, as well as the rosé wine produced on the property. Visit the Manor Solar of Mateus, and stroll through the beautiful gardens. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing. After dinner on board, enjoy a Flamenco performance.

Day 6: Barca D’Alva (Salamanca)

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Full day guided tour of Salamanca and its cathedral with lunch en route
  • Evening entertainment on board

Cathedral in Salamanca, SpainFull Day Itinerary: Depart by coach for a full day excursion to Salamanca, Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. Visit the cathedral, and see the many extensions which created a mixture of style from late Gothic to Baroque and Renaissance. Then, visit the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. Also known as “Escuelas Mayores”, the University building has an ornate gate with a famous design of a frog atop a skull, a symbol of lust being punished after death.  Lunch will be at local restaurant (drinks not included). Enjoy some free time in Salamanca in the afternoon. Return to the ship in Vega de Terron for dinner and entertainment.

Day 7: Barca D’Alva, Ferradosa & Pinhao/Folgosa

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning cruising
  • Afternoon excursion to the wine trails of Porto
  • Festive gala evening on board

Chapel in Sao Joao da Pesqueria photo by NmmacedoFull Day Itinerary: Spend the morning cruising and lunch on board. Upon arrival in Ferradosa, depart by coach for your excursion along the Porto wine route, along the Douro River all the way to the Spanish border. Visit the two small towns of San Salvador do Mundo and São Joao da Pesqueria in the Rio Toro valley. Explore the arcaded main square of São Joao da Pesqueria, as well as the chapel and balconied white houses. Visit a quinta (wine cellar) for a Port wine tasting. Return to ship to board in Pinhoa or Folgosa. This evening, there will be a festive gala dinner on board.

Day 8: Pinhao & Porto

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning excursion to Lamego
  • Afternoon cruising to Porto
  • Traditional entertainment on board

Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary, Lamego photo by Paulo MonteiroFull Day Itinerary: After breakfast on board, depart by coach for a guided walking tour of the town of Lamego. Visit the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary, an 18th century church. See the white façade, a baroque staircase with 686 steps leading to a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The temple provides breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of cruising.  After dinner this evening, enjoy traditional Portuguese entertainment.

Day 9: Depart Porto/Arrive USA

Breakfast.

  • Disembark from the ship at 9:00am
  • Transfer to the airport for your return flight
  • Arrive in the USA later today
  • If your schedule permits, take advantage of an optional independent extension in Lisbon

Lisbon Optional Independent Extension

Take advantage of your already included international airfare and add two days in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Your extension includes 2 night accommodations with breakfast daily.

Day 9: Depart Porto/Arrive Lisbon

2 nights at Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel or similar. Breakfast. 

  • Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Lisbon.
  • Upon arrival, make your own way to your first class, centrally located hotel

Lisbon tramFull Day Itinerary: Transfer to the airport to board your short flight to Lisbon, the bustling capital of Portugal, spread across seven hills facing the Tagus River. Make your own way to your centrally located hotel. Balance of the day at leisure

Day 10: Lisbon

Breakfast.

  • Full day of leisure in Lisbon

Belem Tower, LisbonFull Day Itinerary: Enjoy the day in Lisbon, visiting World Heritage monuments and museums. Alternatively, your hotel concierge can assist to book optional tours to the fairy tale palaces in Sintra.

Day 11: Lisbon/USA

Breakfast.

  • Transfer independently to the airport for your return flight to the USA.

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* Advertised prices may include an "Instant Savings" discount and/or sale discount, available for a limited time. Prices reflect these discounts. Advertised prices are per person, based on double occupancy; single occupancy rooms may be available for an additional charge. Advertised prices are the best available based on the least expensive travel dates, departure city, and other options, and do not include optional excursions or other optional items. Your total price will vary based upon the dates, flights, and other options you select during the booking process. For packages including flights, prices include Airline Taxes, Fees & Sept. 11th Security Fee, but do not include excess baggage fees or advance seat reservations. Prices and availability subject to change. More about our prices.

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