Portugal, Land of the Explorers (port-to-port cruise)

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll cruise towards the mouth of the Douro River, weather permitting.

Regua is the second-largest city in Portugal. Although it's a dense, traffic-riddled metropolis, it also has its hidden secrets. Off the beaten path, we discover how the true inhabitants live among the steep street stairs and balconies covered in drying laundry, or in the market halls packed with daily shoppers. Many walls in the Ribeira District are covered with typical blue-tile frescoes that depict the city's past and the daily life and beliefs of the locals throughout the years.
This morning, the optional excursion is: Porto. Join us on a coach tour of Porto. Notable stops include Bolsa Palace—with a visit to the Golden Room and the lavishly decorated Arab Room—and the Church of Saint Francis, a Gothic and baroque masterpiece. At the end of our tour, we will visit a famous wine cellar for a tasting. After our excursion, we’ll return to the ship.
We’ll spend the afternoon cruising. Enjoy what the valley has to offer from the comfort of our ship. Vineyards and wild, preserved natural areas border the Douro River, which has been tamed by dams and locks. We will pass through the giant Carrapatello Lock, which has the highest water-level difference in Europe.
We’ll arrive in Peso da Régua during the evening. Our ship will remain in port overnight. Cut up the rug in the lounge or enjoy a free evening exploring the city on your own.

This morning, the optional excursion is: Vila Real and Mateus Palace. Built in the first half of the 18th century, this palace is considered one of the finest examples of baroque civil architecture in Portugal. Our tour includes a tasting of the famous Cristas de Galo wine and local pastries. Take a stroll through the magnificent gardens that surround the palace.
After our tour, we’ll return on board in Pinhão.
We’ll then spend the afternoon cruising to Vega de Terron. We’ll cruise through the celebrated Porto vineyards, where men carved the terraces in the mountains to grow the vines. Sustained through the river fog and bathed by the sun, they produce the famous Port wine. We’ll travel through the Valeira and Pocinho locks before arriving in Vega de Terron at the end of the day. Our ship will remain in port overnight.

Optional excursion: Spend the day in Salamanca. Salamanca is a lively and dynamic place. Its architecture is second to none, and its historic center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On foot, you'll discover the main parts of the city, including the cathedral and the internationally renowned university. Salamanca, a city you will want to return to again and again.
After our tour, we’ll return on board the ship in Barca d’Alva. Our ship will remain in port overnight. Enjoy an evening of flamenco entertainment on board.

This morning, the optional excursion is: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and its famous medieval castle—a focal point for many of the country’s conflicts throughout the centuries. Cobblestone streets bring you up to the castle ruins and a view across the plains and hills that span for what seems forever. The charming church and pretty homes add to the mystique of the beautiful location. Enjoy a tasting and presentation of local products and delights during our visit to the castle.
We'll return on board the ship.
We’ll then spend the afternoon cruising to Senhora da Ribeira. We will once again cruise through the magnificent Douro Valley, covered in vineyards that plunge into the river, so sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Optional excursion: The Wine Route in Porto. This is the ideal time to get a closer look at these incredible vineyards. We will travel on winding roads through sublime landscapes, passing through typical villages such as San Salvador do Mundo and Sao Joao da Pesqueira. At the end of our tour, we’ll enjoy a tasting of Port wine. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Bitetos.
Enjoy an evening of fado entertainment on board.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Porto. Head up to the Sun Deck to catch some rays and admire the scenery. In the afternoon, join us for an optional excursion to Guimarães. We will leave by coach for Guimarães. Guimarães was the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, so it remains a significant historical city. The medieval city center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After our excursion, we’ll return to the ship. Our ship will remain in port overnight. Enjoy an evening of traditional entertainment on board.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.