Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca with Lisbon Extension

After arriving in Porto, we'll transfer to our beautifully crafted ship. From the moment you board, the welcoming crew is at your service. Relax and settle into your accommodation before sitting down to our first delicious meal on board.

This morning, we'll explore Porto on a coach tour of the city, passing through the terraced streets of the old town and taking in the charming atmosphere. Along the way, we will pause to appreciate the stunning architecture, bell towers, baroque churches, and intricate tiles that are typical of traditional Portugal.  Including the Porto Cathedral, situated in the elevated Batalha district, that stands beside the historic walls that once safeguarded the city. Its façade resembles that of a fortress, featuring defensive battlements. Originally built in the 12th century, this landmark has undergone several renovations throughout the years.

This afternoon, we’ll set sail for Régua, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ship's five-star facilities - enjoy the scenery along the Douro whilst chatting with fellow explorers on the sun deck, take a dip in the refreshing splash pool or head to the bar for a cool drink.

After docking this evening in the charming town of Peso da Régua, we'll visit the 126-acre Quinta da Pacheca, known as the first quinta to bottle wine under the name of its owner, the aristocrat Mariana Pacheco Pereira. The estate dates back to the 18th century and is one of the most beautiful properties in the region. Here we'll stop for dinner accompanied by a selection of their wines, while enjoying dramatic views over the Douro.

Enjoy a lazy morning sailing, relaxing over a leisurely breakfast. While we cruise down the river, you’ll have the opportunity to test out our brand-new facilities or lounge on the sundeck with a book - although we make no promises that you’ll be able to concentrate with views like these.

In the past, the Douro river was untamed and difficult to navigate, especially for the flat-bottomed boats that frequently sank in its waters. Today, the river has been controlled with dams and locks that have raised the water level, resulting in a landscape similar to Scotland's lochs and adding to the beauty of the valley - which we'll have time to appreciate as we sail this morning.

You have a couple of choices to choose from for this afternoon.

Choose to visit the historic 12th-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, tucked away in the picturesque highland ranges bordering Spain. The village is home to a well-preserved Gothic castle, a rare example of Leonese-style architecture. It's said that Saint Francis stayed here as the church was a resting place on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. From Castelo Rodrigo, enjoy unobstructed views of the Spanish border and beyond - you can also see the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar.

Alternatively, you can choose a tour of the Foz Côa Engravings Museum. The vast area of the Côa Valley boasts a fascinating collection of outdoor rock art. Whilst you won’t see the actual rock art on your guided tour of the indoor museum, you can engage with portable art pieces, see replicas of engraved panels, and enjoy interactive displays that utilise cutting-edge digital technology. Following the tour, you'll have some time to wander the outdoor spaces. There's also an opportunity to hike to a scenic viewpoint; however, keep in mind that this path includes numerous steps and may be physically challenging.

Please make your choice of excursion prior to travel.

Today you have a choice of tours:

On this full day tour, we head across the border and visit historic Salamanca, one of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey, regarded by many Spaniards as their nation’s most beautiful city. Located in western Spain, Salamanca combines history, culture and vibrant energy. This morning, you will have some time at leisure to explore Salamanca on your own. Maybe visit the Casa Lis Art Nouveau & Art Deco Museum or the city's famous Plaza Mayor where many love affairs began. It was common from the mid-14th to the mid-20th century for men and women to walk in opposite directions around the gardens at the centre of the square to set up dates. If you're still looking for your one true love, you’re (unfortunately) out of luck as this tradition has faded out over time but the Plaza Mayor is still a must-see with a grand square with intricate facades and bustling cafés - a great place to stop and relax.

Then we'll embark on a guided tour of the city and visit Salamanca's two cathedrals.

The old cathedral, built in the 12th century, is a beautiful example of Gothic and Baroque architecture featuring a stunning fresco of the Final Judgement in the Apse. The new cathedral shares a wall with the old one. It was built in the 16th century in a matching Gothic style to keep harmony with the old cathedral. Here you can enjoy the elaborately carved choir before continuing our guided tour of the city.

Over a local lunch including typical Spanish tapas, we'll be seduced by the fiery passion and energy of a traditional flamenco show before we head back to the ship.

On this morning's tour, we head to the fortified town of Almeida, which endured a lengthy siege during the Peninsular War. Once deemed unassailable, the fortress bravely withstood French attacks for 12 days until a massive explosion in its ammunition depot left it vulnerable to invasion. The blast was so immense that some granite debris was reported to have been scattered as far as three miles away. Evidence of the town's defensive architecture remains intact, featuring casemates, watchtowers, concealed passages, and cannon embrasures in various sections of the fortress.

This formidable structure consists of a network of bulwarks, ravelins, platforms, and deep trenches, surrounded by a moat with just two entrances, both secured by bomb-proof gates. While the fortress walls may appear typical from ground level, a bird's-eye view reveals an intricate 12-point star design. This layout effectively eliminated blind spots, allowing defenders to direct fire at the enemy from multiple angles, thus enhancing their defensive capabilities.

Next, we’ll explore the captivating Museu Histórico Militar de Almeida, which showcases an array of weaponry, uniforms, and military artefacts from different historical periods. These exhibits are housed in underground chambers that once served as storage and refuge during sieges, creating a unique atmosphere to delve into Almeida's military heritage.

After some leisure time in the village, we'll make our way back to the ship for lunch, then spend the afternoon unwinding onboard as you wish.

On arrival after a leisurely breakfast, we'll enjoy free time before lunch in the picturesque town of Pinhão, which sits on a bend of the Douro, encircled by a terraced hillside. Here, some of the world's best port and table wines are produced. Join our guide for an orientation walk or wander through the town of white buildings and terracotta-coloured roofs and visit the delightful train station decorated with azulejos - Portuguese hand-painted tiles - celebrating Pinhão history with images of the grape harvest.

After lunch back on board, you have a couple of excursions to choose from this afternoon.

The historic city of Lamego is known for its church, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, which is situated at the top of a beautifully tiled baroque staircase. If you’re up for a challenge, it’s worth taking the 686 steps from the top of the staircase back to the town at the bottom for stunning views of the city - don't worry, you can stop to admire the fountains, mosaics and hedges along the way.

Other highlights of this delightful town include an ancient Moorish castle, a Gothic cathedral and elegant 18th-century villas. Head to the Avenida - the town's grand boulevard - for tea in one of the open-air cafés and to test your bargaining skills at the market stalls.

Alternatively, you can visit Mateus Palace and its iconic gardens. Wine aficionados will recognise the palace from the label of Mateus Rosé, whose logo depicts the impressive facade. The owner of Mateus Palace was offered a few pennies commission for every bottle sold. However, he turned it down in favour of a one-off lump sum. This was a major mistake as the brand became one of the most successful wines, exported to over 100 countries and it continues to be Portugal's number one-selling wine. Despite this financial misstep, the well-preserved Mateus Palace is still one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Here, there'll be time to explore the gardens surrounding the palace, decorated with boxwood hedges, statues and a fragrant cypress tunnel and view the magnificent structure from all angles.

Spend the morning relaxing onboard as cruise down the winding Douro river through its majestic valleys. The rugged terrain and dramatic cliffs create a striking backdrop for a relaxing morning enjoying breakfast and unwinding on the sundeck.

For lunch, we'll visit Quinta da Avessada - an estate renowned for its exquisite Moscatel wines, where a traditionally cooked lunch awaits.

We'll follow the quinta owner on a guided tour as he entertains us with stories about the area's history and wine-making traditions. Stepping into the heart of the production process, we'll explore the vineyards, witness the meticulous cultivation of the muscat grapes that become Moscatel wine and learn about the unique characteristics of the terroir and the viticultural practices that make this wine so exceptional - and, of course, we'll taste the local wines with the rustic lunch.

Back on board, you will have some free time to explore the town of Peso da Régua, where we are moored overnight.

After dinner, enjoy a Portuguese folklore show on board. 

Spend this morning enjoying the five-star facilities onboard, heading up to the sun deck to enjoy a coffee whilst chatting with newly-made friends as our ship makes its way back to Porto.

This afternoon, you can choose to return to Vila Nova de Gaia, on the riverbank opposite Porto, for a port tasting or join the tour to Guimarães, known for its foundational role in Portuguese history.

Porto is synonymous with delicious port wine - all the famous port producers are here, including Cálem, Sandeman and Ferreira - and it wouldn't be a tour of Porto without a visit to one of them in Vila Nova de Gaia. It's said that port was invented, almost by accident, when a pair of English brothers fortified Portuguese wine with grape brandy before taking it back to England in the late 1600s. We'll learn more about its fascinating history and production on our visits and, of course, you'll get the chance to sample various port styles at the end of our visit.

Alternatively, explore Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal. The city is believed to be the hometown of Portugal's first King who was born in the Romanesque castle which overlooks the city from its hilltop. On our tour, we'll visit the Paço dos Duques de Bragança. Once the home of the first Duke of Braganza, the palace has been beautifully restored, and the preserved architectural treasures housed here tell the tale of this historic city.

Here, there’ll be chance to find lunch in one of the city’s many cosy cafes. Don’t be surprised if you hear the locals ask for café com cheirinho. Coffee with a splash of wine, fruit, or pomace brandy is practically a requirement for a lazy afternoon in the city.

This evening, we'll enjoy a Chef's dinner during your last night on board, expertly served by our restaurant staff under the supervision of the maître d’.

We depart the ship and leave behind the terraced hillsides of the Douro Valley. Heading south, our journey takes us inland as the wild seascapes of the Atlantic coast gradually give way to a hinterland of fertile fields and pine forests.

Our first destination is the ancient city of Coimbra, renowned for the impressive Roman aqueduct striding across the city and the historic university, one of Europe’s oldest and a rival to Salamanca’s. With its labyrinthine lanes, charming Moorish quarter and pretty squares, this city is a fascinating place to explore and its many historical buildings are collectively classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Once a capital city, Coimbra became a major cultural centre during the Middle Ages with the university at its heart. We have the privilege of a visit to the university, which is situated on a hill overlooking the city. Its Baroque library – rich in giltwork, exotic woods and with a dazzling frescoed ceiling – contains over 200,000 leather-bound, centuries-old volumes. Equally extraordinary is the chapel, so exquisitely decorated it would be considered a cathedral in most places, and in complete contrast to the university prison, which is suitably austere and dates back to the mid 16th century.

We drive on through olive groves and wheat fields to Fátima, an unremarkable small town until 1917 when three children experienced an apparition of the Virgin Mary, and it suddenly became an important Catholic pilgrimage site and a national shrine. The original chapel built to mark the site of the apparition is now part of a large and impressive Sanctuary Complex, which is well worth exploring.

Later we arrive in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and the country’s finest natural harbour, situated at the mouth of the River Tagus. Nestled amid seven hills, the city’s skyline is a mosaic of pastel and ochre shades, peppered with elegant domes and soaring spires.

After a leisurely breakfast, we set out to discover Lisbon’s highlights, many of which have attained the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On our tour we’ll see the strikingly modern Monument to the Discoveries and its 16th-century fortified counterpart, the Belém Tower, then visit the Jerónimos Monastery. One of the most magnificent buildings in Europe, the Monastery is a symbol of Portuguese wealth and power during the Age of Discovery. Founded by Henry the Navigator and containing the tomb of Vasco da Gama, it is an enormous, dazzlingly white edifice in classic Portuguese Gothic style, intricately decorated throughout with maritime motifs.

We also see the impressive Terreiro do Paço square, facing out to sea, the majestic castle and Sé, the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral. There’s also Alfama, the Moorish quarter of timeless cobbled streets, and the wonderful belvedere at São Pedro de Alcântara with its expansive views across the rooftops.

Lisbon’s charm is its mix of ancient, modern, bustling and peaceful, so this afternoon is free to explore. You might be tempted by the chic shops of the elegant Baixa quarter, rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1755, or decide to seek out a café to enjoy a bica – a strong espresso often taken with a nata, the city’s devilishly moreish custard tart.

Art-lovers can savour the Gulbenkian Foundation, established by an Armenian oil magnate who bought art from Saint Petersburg’s Hermitage after the Russian Revolution for bargain prices. This world-class institution has exhibits ranging from ancient Egyptian treasures to Impressionist paintings to a superb collection of Lalique jewellery and glass.

And don’t forget to take a ride on one of the clanging, rattling yellow trams; seemingly well past their sell-by date, they’re still the best way to negotiate the sharp bends of the historic quarter.

We take a short drive to the hillside town of Sintra, whose verdant slopes were memorably described by Byron as a ‘glorious Eden’. Spectacularly perched on a hillside with views towards the nearby Atlantic coast, this is where Henry the Navigator grew up and doubtless gazed out to sea, imagining what lay beyond the horizon. It was also the retreat of Portugal’s royalty during the hot summer months.

The narrow streets of the Old Town wind their way to the main square where you’ll find the National Palace, a wonderful mix of Gothic and Moorish styles crowned by a pair of huge white conical chimneys. Today this landmark is a museum with grand rooms and priceless art collections.

You may also choose to make your own way to the romantic 19th-century Pena Palace. Built as a summer residence, it is a living fairy tale; its colourful turrets, ramparts, gargoyles, domes and Moorish arches are a mystical mix of styles, while the interior is extravagantly decorated and features a ballroom and magnificent Arab Room.

The surrounding park and lakes display an equally eclectic mix of ferns, rhododendrons and exotic plants from the former Portuguese colonies. Should you wish to spend a little longer in Sintra and return to Lisbon under your own steam, your Tour Manager will be able to advise how this can be done easily by train.

Otherwise, we return to Lisbon along the coastline where Atlantic rollers crash onto endless golden beaches. Lisbon has an amazing old quarter that still follows the original Phoenician Street grid, so spend this evening wandering through its atmospheric lanes lined with bars and restaurants, often decorated with the colourful ceramic tiles so typical of this city.

Many will be buzzing with the sound of fado – a unique and infectious musical mix evolved from folk, colonial African and Brazilian styles. Don’t leave Lisbon without experiencing this.