Cruising the Douro River with Lisbon

The Cruise-Tours begin in Lisbon and end in Porto. The cruises only begin and end in the city of Porto.

2012 Douro River Cruise-Tour Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1 Lisbon       

Arrive at Lisbon’s Portela Airport where you’ll be transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 Lisbon

Featured Excursion: Lisbon city tour

Your guided exploration of Lisbon takes you to the historic district of Belem and the Belem Tower, the traditional starting and ending point of Portuguese voyages of discovery. You’ll then visit San Jeronimos Church, built in the early 16th-century. (BB)

Day 3 Lisbon

Spend leisure time enjoying this cosmopolitan city often referred to as the “City of Seven Hills.’’ (BB)

Day 4 Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto (embark)

Featured Excursion: Coimbra tour with family-style lunch

In the morning, you’ll head north to Porto. En route, you’ll 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. Within the university is the Biblioteca Joanina, a gem of a library with books from the 12th-century. After your library visit, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to the ship docked in Porto. (BB, L, D)

Day 5 Porto (Guimarães), Bitetos

Featured Excursion: Guimarães city tour

Visit historic Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal in the 12th-century, home to the first king of Portugal, Don Afonso Henriques, and a 2012 European Cultural Capital. It has been referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. Dominated by Afonso Henriques’ grand castle, Guimarães was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its extremely well-preserved city center. You will be guided through the narrow streets of the Medieval quarter, toward the beautiful main square, the Largo da Oliveira, and then on to the splendid Monastery and Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Ducal Palace, and the 14th century Gothic Padrão do Salado. Later, sail to Bitetos and visit one of the prestigious port wine cellars in Cais de Gaia. (BB, L, D)

Day 6 Regua, Pinhao

Featured Excursion: Mateus Palace and Gardens, and dinner at Quinta da Avessada

After a morning lecture at the Douro Museum, visit the impressive Mateus Palace and Gardens, with one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Later, enjoy dinner at the family-owned winery Quinta da Avessada in the heart of the Douro region, built a century ago, and producing Moscatel, the treasure of the region. (BB, L, D)

Day 7 Pinhao - Bega de Terron (Spain)

Featured Excursion: Wine tasting at a local quinta

Pinhão is the epicenter of the Port winemaking, so it is only fitting you visit a quinta to learn the history of, and sample, the country’s most celebrated beverage. In the afternoon, enjoy the breathtaking scenery while sailing the remote Douro Valley. (BB, L, Captain’s Dinner)

Day 8 Vega de Terron (Salamanca, Spain)

Featured Excursion: Full-day Salamanca tour with traditional Spanish lunch and flamenco show

From Vega de Terrón, on the Spanish border, travel overland to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city. This charming town is untouched in its architectural purity, and throughout the centuries the sandstone buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow, giving the city the nickname the “Golden City.” Visit Salamanca’s historic university before having lunch with a flamenco show at a local restaurant. (BB, L, D)

Day 9 Barca d'Alva (Castelo Rodrigo), Pinhão

Featured Excursion: Castelo Rodrigo tour

Visit the 12th-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, a charming and captivating place with Medieval streets, thick stonewall houses, and a remarkably distinctive fountain, Chafariz dos Pretos. (BB, L, D)

Day 10 Régua (Lamego), Porto

Featured Excursion: Porto city tour

Sail along the Douro back to Porto, and then venture through the UNESCO World Heritage designated Medieval city center of charming Porto. Visit the 19th-century UNESCO Palacio de Bolsa with its famous Arab Room. Later, enjoy a farewell evening and reception while sailing to the mouth of the Douro River. (BB, L, D)

Day 11 Porto (disembark), transfer to the airport

Disembark the ship and transfer to the Porto airport for your flight home. (CB or BB)

Tour includes

• 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the chic Douro Spirit
• 3 nights in Lisbon at the deluxe Tiara Park Atlantic* (or similar) with breakfast
• All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
• 1 dinner and 2 lunches onshore featuring traditional cuisine in unique settings
• Captain’s Farewell Dinner
• Complimentary soft drinks during lunch onboard; complimentary fine wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks during dinner onboard; bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar
• 9 excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides
• An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
• Signature Lecture: “The Magical Douro River Valley”
• All transfers on arrival and departure days
  

*Hotel is subject to change

2012 Prices and Dates

- Per Person, double occupancy

Lisbon Begin Date (cruise-tour)	Cruise/Tour Only
Thursday, March 15, 2012	$3,199
Thursday, March 22, 2012	$3,249
Thursday, March 29, 2012	$3,249
Thursday, April 05, 2012	$3,349
Thursday, April 12, 2012	$3,349
Thursday, April 19, 2012	$3,349
Thursday, April 26, 2012	$3,399
Thursday, May 03, 2012	$3,649
Thursday, May 10, 2012	$3,649
Thursday, May 17, 2012	$3,649
Thursday, May 24, 2012	$3,649
Thursday, May 31, 2012	$3,649
Thursday, June 07, 2012	$3,649
Thursday, June 14, 2012	$3,449
Thursday, June 21, 2012	$3,449
Thursday, June 28, 2012	$3,399
Thursday, July 05, 2012	$3,299
Thursday, July 12, 2012	$3,299
Thursday, July 19, 2012	$3,299
Thursday, August 09, 2012	$3,299
Thursday, August 16, 2012	$3,349
Thursday, August 23, 2012	$3,549
Thursday, August 30, 2012	$3,799
Thursday, September 06, 2012	$3,799
Thursday, September 13, 2012	$3,799
Thursday, September 20, 2012	$3,699
Thursday, September 27, 2012	$3,699
Thursday, October 04, 2012	$3,699
Thursday, October 11, 2012	$3,599
Thursday, October 18, 2012	$3,349
Thursday, October 25, 2012	$3,249
Thursday, November 01, 2012	$3,149
Thursday, November 08, 2012	$3,049

The Single Supplement Waived offer applies to the following 2012 cruise dates: Mar 15, 22, Jun 28, and Aug 9

Note: For Porto to Porto, 7 night cruise-only rate, subtract $400 per person from cruise/tour rate. Airfare is not included. Air departures from North America are booked the day prior to the start of the Cruise-Tour or Cruise only.

Prices exclude additional port charges of $126 and are per person, cruise/tour only based on double occupancy. Other restrictions may apply.

• Prices listed in US dollars.
• Travel document shipping/handling fee of $5 per person applies.
• Airfare is not included in prices listed above. Please inquire at time of booking for best available airfare pricing.
• Prices shown above include cruise in lowest category stateroom.
• A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement.

To upgrade to a higher category, add per person the following prices below:
Category 3	$310
Category 2	$520
Category 1	$845
Junior Suite	$1,195
Suite	$1,445

Abbreviations

Meals

• (BB) = Breakfast
• (L) = Lunch
• (D) = Dinner

For reservation and information click here to submit a request

You may call us at 800-652-9151 if you reside in the United States. From other countries call 1-209-667-2405