Essence of Portugal and Douro Discovery

Say olá to Portugal’s sunny capital upon arrival at the airport, where you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Lisbon effortlessly blends traditional culture with striking modern architecture. Explore its charming neighbourhoods, taste local specialties, or venture to one of the popular beaches that are accessible from the city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers before spending the rest of the night at leisure.

Discover the wonders of Lisbon. Explore the city’s hilly streets, jump aboard an iconic tram for a scenic journey and finish at Belém Tower, a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, for a picturesque look into Lisbon’s maritime history. Belém is also renowned for being the home of the Portuguese tart, which the famous Pastéis de Belém has been baking since 1837. It’s here in Belém you can enjoy your special Insider Experience. Tonight, savour the rich flavours of Lisbon during a Welcome Dinner while witnessing a powerful fado performance of traditional folk music originating from Lisbon’s neighbourhoods.

Insider Experience – Portuguese Tart Making Class

At a local bakery, discover the art of making the world-famous pastel de nata (Portuguese tarts). Master the culinary skills required to make this sweet pastry with a hands-on lesson led by a local baker. While you bake, learn about the history behind the pastel de nata, before the best part: tasting your efforts.

Set off on a full-day tour to the charming towns of Sintra and Cascais today. Begin in World Heritage-listed Sintra, a picturesque town seemingly plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. Set in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, this was once the summer retreat for Lisbon’s nobility and royalty. Now, visitors and locals alike make the journey to Sintra to visit the famous Pena Palace, which is perched atop a hill and boasts stunning panoramas of the surrounds. Admire the palace’s vivid colours, decorative terraces and Romanticist architecture, before exploring its famous gardens.

Continue to Cascais, a coastal resort town boasting gold, sandy beaches, a popular marina and well-preserved medieval buildings. Enjoy time to explore at your leisure. You might like to sprawl out on one of Cascais’ postcard-perfect beaches, peruse a museum, or enjoy a bite to eat at a local restaurant.

Spend the day further exploring Portugal’s picturesque towns and cities. In Óbidos, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval villages, step back in time to an era of knights and folklore as you explore the medieval walls and castle. Continue to Nazaré, renowned worldwide for its big-wave surfing. Stroll through the cobblestone lanes, enjoy people-watching at a local café, or relax on the beach. Conclude your day in Coimbra, a historic riverfront city home to Portugal’s oldest university, founded in 1290. Check in to your hotel before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure.

Explore Portugal’s version of Venice when you visit Aveiro this morning. Board a traditional Moliceiro boat and set off on a canal cruise along the city’s historic waterways. Afterwards, explore the vibrant Beira Mar neighbourhood, the oldest area in Aveiro, and discover colourful houses adorned with azulejos tiles, as well as the city’s bustling fish market. Your journey continues to the riverside city of Porto.

Begin your day with a walking tour of Porto, learning about the city’s rich history and architecture as you navigate its hilly terrain. Prepare for an exciting Insider Experience before spending the remainder of your day at leisure.

Insider Experience – Exclusive Wine Tasting at a Local Quinta

Immerse yourself in local cuisine, wine, and culture during an exclusive wine tasting experience at a private quinta. Accompanying the delicious local wines is a memorable Farewell Lunch, hosted by the quinta owners to celebrate your time here.

Transfer to Porto and embark your ship. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers and Travelmarvel Cruise Director at a Welcome Reception as you take in the sights along the Douro River on a sunset cruise.

Begin cruising along the spectacular Douro River. Flowing from the northern reaches of Spain, through Portugal and into the Atlantic, this river is bordered by countless vineyards. As you cruise this morning, take part in a Portuguese language lesson, where you’ll learn some essential phrases of this beautiful language. This afternoon, visit the picturesque village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated Baroque cathedral, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. While in Lamego, visit one of Portugal’s best museums. You may also like to sample one of the town’s famous specialties, Bola de Lamego – a delicious smoked ham roll. On arrival in Pinhão, you’ll enjoy an Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Portuguese Quinta Dinner

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.

Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terrón in Spain. Enjoy some time at leisure before joining an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. This tiny village sits atop a hill overlooking both Spain and Portugal, and features a number of well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle, and a magnificent stone statue of Santiago Matamoros. After exploring this charming little town, you’ll board a coach and return to your ship.

Today, you’ll disembark and board a coach bound for the glorious Spanish city of Salamanca. This gorgeous city is arguably one of the most beautiful in Spain, boasting sunlit sandstone buildings, a majestic city square, and an ancient university. After your Insider Experience, return by coach across the border to Barca d’Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro, where your ship awaits. Back on board this evening, enjoy a traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner.

Insider Experience – Flamenco Show

Enjoy a flamenco show and lunch, and be entranced by captivating dancers as they astound you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance.

Join an excursion to Mateus Palace and its gardens. Tour this living museum and discover the connection between the beautiful 18th-century palace and Mateus rosé wine for yourself. Rejoin your ship, now docked in Régua.

This morning, enjoy an Insider Experience. Afterwards, continue to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this gorgeous, vibrant town at your leisure.

Insider Experience – Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting

Head to a local quinta, which boasts outstanding views over the Douro Valley. Here, you’ll enjoy a tasting of local port wine – Portugal’s most famous tipple.

After breakfast, return to the charming city of Porto. Join a captivating guided tour, taking you past the city’s iconic sights, before visiting a local port winery for an informative tour and tasting. This afternoon, there’s ample time to step back out and explore Porto at leisure. You may like to visit a Portuguese boutique to buy authentic, local souvenirs, or take a stroll through the city’s historic Bolhão food market. Alternatively, you can join an excursion to the nearby city of Guimarães. This evening, back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends.

Enhance Your Journey – Visit Guimarães

Take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães, known as ‘the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality’. See Guimarães Castle and other historic landmarks that highlight the city's rich heritage.

After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight.