Douro - Lisbon River Cruise

A taste of Portugal and Spain:
Historic places, gentle beauty,
rich wines and hearty meals

Tour the historic cities of Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto, then cruise the meandering Douro River across northern Portugal to the Spanish border on an elegant 130-passenger river boat (11 days - 10 nights).

Portugal, a small country tucked into a corner of the Iberian Peninsula, changed the course of world history, leading to the “discovery” of many new lands. Before embarking on your river cruise, enjoy the capital city of Lisbon, a treasure house of old world architecture set on seven low hills bordering the River Tejo. Stop in Coimbra, “Birthplace of Kings,” and Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges.”

The Douro River starts in Spain and reaches the Atlantic Ocean in Porto. The river has carved a valley of spectacular beauty, with hills falling steeply down to the water’s edge and stone terraces built over generations to give the vines a sheltered hold on the steep rocks. This is port wine country, the first and oldest demarcated wine region in the world, established in 1756. Taste new wines from old village vineyards – Régua, Pinhão and Lamego. Enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Alpendurada Monastery. Stroll through Salamanca, Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and all along the way uncover a land of unspoiled beauty and charm.

The river boat has elegant stained hardwood interiors. All upper deck cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies to view the passing countryside. Main deck cabins have picture windows.

Sipping luscious port wine on a clear blue river surrounded by vineyards and olive groves... an ideal setting for total relaxation!

TYPICAL RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 - Thursday: Depart Home Gateway City for Lisbon.

Day 2 - Friday: Lisbon. Arrive in Lisbon where you’ll be greeted by a company representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3 - Saturday: Lisbon (B). Your guided exploration of the city takes you to one of the historical districts of the city, Belem, to see the Belem Tower, a fortress that kept careful watch over the great navigators who left Portugal to seek their fortunes elsewhere. You’ll relive the opulence of the former times with a visit to the Royal Coaches Museum and the 16th-century ornate Jerónimos Monastery. Optional Tour: Spend the afternoon exploring the communities of Sintra and Cascais.

Day 4 - Sunday: Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto (B, L, D). En route to the river boat docked in Porto, you’ll learn about Portugal’s third largest city on a tour of Coimbra, the birthplace of six of Portugal’s kings and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Visit the Biblioteca Joanina, the jewel of Coimbra University. Enjoy a family-style lunch in a local pousada before continuing on to Porto to meet the ship.

Day 5 - Monday: Porto, Bitetos (B, L, D). Porto, the “City of Bridges,” is Portugal’s second largest city. Its charm stems from its dramatic position above the river, with gabled houses closely terraced on the hill. You’ll be guided through the medieval city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then on to see the Romanesque cathedral. During the afternoon, cruise to Bitetos and spend the evening dining at the former 14th-century Benedictine Monastery of Alpendurada, perched high above the river in a stunning setting.

Day 6 - Tuesday: Bitetos, Régua (Lamego), Pinhão (B, L, D). Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Douro Valley as you cruise from Bitetos to Régua in the morning. During the afternoon, tour the old Episcopal city of Lamego, with a wealth of baroque buildings, including the 18th-century pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and an 11th-century castle.

Day 7 - Wednesday: Pinhão, Barca d’Alva (B, L, Captain’s Dinner). The small town of Pinhão is the epicenter of the port winemaking area, 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 more about the history of port, which goes back to the 17th century. Find out about the unique climate conditions of the Douro Valley and the port wine making process, and of course, indulge in some of this country's most celebrated beverage. Enjoy some leisure time before cruising to Barca d’Alva in the afternoon.

Day 8 - Thursday: Vega de Terrón, Salamanca, Spain (B, L, D). The river boat will dock in Vega de Terrón, Spain, in the morning. From here, you’ll travel overland to the Spanish city of Salamanca, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Spain. Visit the historic university founded in 1218 by Alfonso IX of León and stroll through one of Spain’s largest and grandest squares - the Plaza Mayor - with its warm, gold-colored sandstone. After a typical Spanish lunch at one of the city’s wonderful restaurants, enjoy some free time before returning to the river boat in Vega de Terrón.

Day 9 - Friday: Vega de Terrón (Spain), Pinhão (B, L, D). Visit the small town of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval walled city with a parish church perched high on a hilltop that dates back to the 12th century. In the evening, dine at the Vintage House Hotel, set in a magnificent 18th-century mansion overlooking the Douro River.

Day 10 - Saturday: Pinhão, Régua, Porto (B, L, D). Today, visit the Mateus Palace and Gardens. The palace is a perfect example of baroque architecture, with an impressive facade made up of beautiful pinnacles on the roof and an ornate stairway, all reflected in a pond in front of the palace. The gardens are among the most beautiful in Europe, with a tunnel of cypress trees shading the path.

Day 11 - Sunday: Porto. Disembark the river boat and transfer to the Porto Airport for your flight home.

This itinerary is subject to change without notice.

[top]

Highlights

• Porto, "City of Bridges"
• Mateus palace and surrounding gardens
• Salamanca, a World Heritage city
• Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval town
• Lamego and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies

Included

• 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom
• 2 nights hotel stay in Lisbon with breakfast
• All meals beginning on Day 4, including Captain’s Dinner
• 8 excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides
• Onboard entertainment and lectures
• Services of a Cruise Manager and English-speaking staff
  

Available at Additional Cost

• Roundtrip air from many US cities and transfers to/from the river boat
• Wine or liquor, except as indicated
• Items not included on regular menus
• Laundry (not self-service)
• Internet access
• Optional tour of Sintra and Cascais
• Health and travel insurance

Not Included

• Crew gratuities (suggested 115-120 euros per passenger)
• Personal expenses
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

River Boat Features

• Size: 254 ft x 37 ft
• Number of decks: 3 plus sun deck
• Staterooms: 65 outside cabins with river view. Of these, 60 cabins have 2 hotel-style twin beds that can be positioned separately or together; the remaining cabins have double beds.
• 38 upper deck (category 1) cabins: 162 sq.ft. including balcony with floor to ceiling windows
• 27 main deck (category 2 & 3) cabins: 135 sq.ft. with 12 sq.ft. picture windows
• All staterooms are appointed with a vanity and make-up mirror, generous built-in closets, a hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, direct-dial telephone, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom
• Beautiful lounge with a full-service bar
• Sun deck with hot tub and swimming pool
• Panoramic restaurants with open seating
• Gift shop with sundries and gifts

Cruise Dates & Prices

Note: Departures from the US every Thursday from March/April to October. Land portion of cruise-tour starts in Lisbon every Friday. River cruise begins in Porto Sunday evening and ends in Porto the following Sunday morning.

USA Departure	Cruise Only*	Cruise & Air from**	Port Charges/ Fuel Surchg
2008
4/24	$2,299	$3,199	$84
5/1	$2,689	$3,589	$84
5/8 - 5/15	$2,799	$3,699	$84
5/22 - 6/12	$2,799	$4,149	$84/$49
6/19	$2,579	$3,929	$84/$49
6/26 - 8/21	$2,579	$3,829	$84/$49
8/28 - 9/4	$2,799	$4,049	$84/$49
9/11 - 10/9	$2,799	$3,699	$84/$49
10/16 - 10/23	$2,579	$3,479	$84/$49
10/30	$2,099	$2,899	$84/$49
2009
3/19	$2,029	Click on Availability button below to request Cruise & Air prices	$98
3/26	$2,129		$98
4/2	$2,249		$98
4/9	$2,359		$98
4/16	$2,469		$98
4/23	$2,579		$98
4/30	$2,999		$98
5/7 - 6/11	$3,129		$98
6/18 - 8/20	$2,889		$98
8/27 - 10/8	$3,129		$98
10/15	$2,889		$98

*Prices are per person double occupancy in Category 3 (deluxe outside stateroom with fixed window). To upgrade to a higher Category, add the following amounts per person:

	2008	2009
Category 1	$475	$500
Category 2	$225	$250

For each passenger, add $5 document shipping fee plus port charges and fuel surcharge (if applicable) as shown above.

A limited number of singles are available in Categories 1 and 2 for an additional supplement.

**Included airfare from New York is estimated and includes fuel surcharges but does not include government taxes and fees. Airfare from other cities is available on request. Restrictions apply and availability is limited. Actual airfares from all gateways will be advised at time of booking.

   

[top]

More on Excursions and Activities

Porto - Spreading along the banks of the Douro River, Porto, a World Heritage city, owes its history and development to the river that runs through it. A Celtic settlement at first, it became a prosperous Roman village thanks to its busy harbor. As a medieval town of fishermen, sailors, merchants and ship builders, it contributed to the great success of the Portuguese world discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 18th century, Porto gave its name to some of the finest wines in the world: port.

The tour will drive through narrow streets to view 16th century arcaded buildings and ornate Baroque churches. We will cross a 19th century iron bridge, built by disciples of the famed French engineer Gustav Eiffel. Then on to Foz, at the mouth of the Douro River, to discover the upscale neighborhoods of the city. The tour ends with a visit to one of the port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will see old casks full of port and sample the delicious wines of Portugal.

[back to itinerary]

---

Alpendurada Monastery - Dating back to 1024, this convent was used by pilgrims on their way north to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela (St. James). In this peaceful environment they could rest for a few days before their final stages to the holy city in the Spanish province of Galicia. Today the monastery has been remodelled into a modern hotel where the monks' cells accommodate a different type of travellers. The hallways, corridors and lounges are all decorated with furniture, chandeliers and tiles from the 17th and 18th century. The medieval kitchen is still in use, and its firewood oven is still used to roast the meat you will be served at dinner. Enjoy the simplicity of a meal cooked in traditional Portuguese style.

[back to itinerary]

---

Lamego - Lamego is a very old historical town. Small but picturesque, warm and very charming, it houses one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos Remédios). Built during the second half of the 18th century, it is a good example of the Portuguese Baroque style. Embracing the whole town from the top of the hill, its impressive staircase, with almost 700 steps, is beautifully decorated with enormous panels of blue and white tiles (the famous azulejos). Thousands of pilgrims gather here at the beginning of September every year to seek healing and consolation.

Besides the shrine, you will have free time to visit the Gothic cathedral and the museum or just wander around the narrow, winding streets or watch the world go by in one of the outdoor cafes. Lamego is also famous for its gastronomy: smoked ham, "Bola e Lamego" (bread filled with smoked ham), oven-roasted lamb, regional cakes and the well-known sparkling wine called "Raposeira."

[back to itinerary]

---

Vintage House Hotel - Uniquely located on the majestic Douro River, 60 miles inland from the coastal city of Porto, the elegant Vintage House Hotel is built on the site of an 18th century wine estate. The hotel's year-round program of activities includes wine courses and wine-tasting operated by the Vintage House Wine Academy.

---

Salamanca - Salamanca is a city full of traditions, located at the center of the "Castilla y León" region of Spain. It was founded by Celtic tribes on the banks of the river Tormes and was later occupied by the Romans and the Arabs. It was finally reconquered by the Christians in the 12th century. During the 13th century the oldest university of the Iberian Peninsula was founded there. The city was visited many times by kings, princes, bishops and artists who contributed to its enrichment over the ages.

The visit of Salamanca (a World Heritage city) vividly reminds us of the Middle Ages. The monuments are impressive, but so is the large modern university of some 40,000 students coming from all over the world. (The city itself only has 160,000 inhabitants.) The walking city tour will take you to the New Cathedral, the University, the House of Shells and, of course, the beautiful "Plaza Mayor."

[back to itinerary]

---

Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo - Castelo Rodrigo is up in the hills at about 2,200 feet above sea level. The steep and narrow streets, the 16th century façades of the buildings and the Manueline windows give this village a uniquely medieval atmosphere. The Romans were the first to build a fortress there. In 1209 king Alfonso IX built the walls around the fortress. The village became part of the Portuguese territory in 1297. For centuries, Jews, Arabs and Christians peacefully coexisted in this small town, and signs of this can still be seen in Sinagoga Street. Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo is also known for its many almond trees scattered around the village.

The region's economy is primarily based on agriculture: grain, olives, cattle and cheese. Wine has been produced in the region by monks since the 12th century. Every year, Figueira welcomes the beautiful storks that stay in the village for about 9 months (the stork is the symbol of the village).

[back to itinerary]

---

Mateus Palace and Gardens - The palace and gardens of Mateus are located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes just outside the city of Vila Real. Built in 1745, this magnificent mansion is considered a perfect example of Baroque architecture. We start the excursion with a panoramic bus ride along the river banks, through quaint villages and grandiose vineyard-covered terraces. In the gardens of the palace of Mateus you will find out about the history of Mateus rosé wine and its connection to this 18-century mansion. The property is still owned by the current Count of Vila Real but a cultural foundation called "Casa de Mateus" is now in charge of preserving the palace and its archives and promoting a variety of cultural, scientific and educational activities. Several concerts take place there every year, during the "Festival Mateus" in the summer.

Inside the palace, you will visit the library, a small museum with liturgical vestments, a collection of silver reliquaries from the 18th century, a 17th century woodcraft altar, ivory images of Our Lady of Conception (17th century), and a "Descent from the Cross" (18th century), among many other artifacts. You will also have a chance to see Portuguese, French and English furniture, mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, and a few paintings from the same periods.

[back to itinerary]

We have personally visited this boat and the regions in Portugal and Spain where the cruise and tours take place. See pictures from our trips:

[top]