From Portugal to Spain: Porto, the Douro Valley (Portugal) and Salamanca (Spain) (port-to-port cruise)

We'll leave by coach from Porto for Guimarães. With our guide, we'll begin the tour of this university town on foot to discover its historical treasures. We'll get the chance to discover the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church (outdoors), the most important religious building in the city. The medieval heart of Guimarães is a labyrinth of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings. We'll continue on to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza with striking architecture. The palace is closed on May 1 and Easter Day.
At the end of our visit, we'll return on board in Porto.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach from Porto for Guimarães. With our guide, we'll begin the tour of this university town on foot to discover its historical treasures. We'll get the chance to discover the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church (outdoors), the most important religious building in the city. The medieval heart of Guimarães is a labyrinth of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings. We'll continue on to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza with striking architecture. The palace is closed on May 1 and Easter Day.
At the end of our visit, we'll return on board in Porto.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from Regua to Lamego for a guided tour of the city center by coach and on foot. Lamego is a charming episcopal and commercial town where you'll get to discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary. This 18th century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The first stone was laid on February 14th, 1750 and gave way to the construction of a massive temple overlooking the city and providing a breathtaking view over the misty mountains of the surrounding landscape. Return on board in Regua.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Please dress appropriately to visit the sanctuary.

Departure by coach from Regua to Lamego for a guided tour of the city center by coach and on foot. Lamego is a charming episcopal and commercial town where you'll get to discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary. This 18th century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The first stone was laid on February 14th, 1750 and gave way to the construction of a massive temple overlooking the city and providing a breathtaking view over the misty mountains of the surrounding landscape. Return on board in Regua.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Please dress appropriately to visit the sanctuary.

Pinhão is a small city that lives in sync with the rhythm of the river. One of its most cherished treasures is the quaint railway station, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Azulejo tiles showing the vineyards and landscapes in the region decorate the station's facade.
You'll enjoy a tasting of the world-renowned port wine at a local quinta. This outing is also a great opportunity to discover the region and its gorgeous scenery. We'll return on board the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Pinhão is a small city that lives in sync with the rhythm of the river. One of its most cherished treasures is the quaint railway station, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Azulejo tiles showing the vineyards and landscapes in the region decorate the station's facade.
You'll enjoy a tasting of the world-renowned port wine at a local quinta. This outing is also a great opportunity to discover the region and its gorgeous scenery. We'll return on board the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave from Vila Nova de Gaia by coach for downtown Porto. Once we arrive, we'll board one of the city's trams and partake in this urban-tourism experience all the way to the mouth of the Douro. Our visit will include a stop at the tram museum (Museu do Carro Eléctrico), housed in a former thermo-electric power plant. The museum collection comprises the oldest cars pulled by horses, called "Americanos,” to the last trams from the 1950s and 1960s. We'll finish up our excursion with a tasting of some of the local specialties*. At the end of our tour, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

We'll leave from Vila Nova de Gaia by coach for downtown Porto. Once we arrive, we'll board one of the city's trams and partake in this urban-tourism experience all the way to the mouth of the Douro. Our visit will include a stop at the tram museum (Museu do Carro Eléctrico), housed in a former thermo-electric power plant. The museum collection comprises the oldest cars pulled by horses, called "Americanos,” to the last trams from the 1950s and 1960s. We'll finish up our excursion with a tasting of some of the local specialties*. At the end of our tour, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

We'll leave from Regua or Pinhão for Vila Real, where aristocrats built grand palaces during the 16th and 18th centuries. The architecture of the religious buildings is here extremely varied. We'll take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, followed by a tasting of the local pastry, Cristas de Galo.
We'll then set out to explore Mateus Palace, the most beautiful and astonishing manor in all of Northern Portugal. This 18th-century beauty is set in a hilly landscape reminding us of Mexico. The subtle mixture of granite, white walls and extravagance from the Age of Enlightenment such as ledges covered in statues and Baroque style pilasters is a striking feature. Behind the manor is a delightful garden with box hedges, more statues, and a spectacular 115-foot cedar tunnel. After our tour, we'll return to our ship in Regua or Pinhão.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave from Regua or Pinhão for Vila Real, where aristocrats built grand palaces during the 16th and 18th centuries. The architecture of the religious buildings is here extremely varied. We'll take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, followed by a tasting of the local pastry, Cristas de Galo.
We'll then set out to explore Mateus Palace, the most beautiful and astonishing manor in all of Northern Portugal. This 18th-century beauty is set in a hilly landscape reminding us of Mexico. The subtle mixture of granite, white walls and extravagance from the Age of Enlightenment such as ledges covered in statues and Baroque style pilasters is a striking feature. Behind the manor is a delightful garden with box hedges, more statues, and a spectacular 115-foot cedar tunnel. After our tour, we'll return to our ship in Regua or Pinhão.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You’ll leave by coach with our team from Barca d’Alva for Salamanca, where you’ll meet up with the local guide for a tapas food tour in several eateries in the city center. Discover the wide range of Spanish delights and flavors served as appetizers or snacks. The most well known include patatas bravas, salads, and cold cuts (chorizo, lomo, Jamón ibérico)—all sublime when served with a glass of Spanish wine. You’ll have lunch in a local restaurant to prolong your immersion in Spanish cuisine. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to stroll about the town on your own. At the end of our tour, we’ll return on board the ship in Vega de Terron.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Lunch in a restaurant included (drinks are not included).
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You’ll leave by coach with our team from Barca d’Alva for Salamanca, where you’ll meet up with the local guide for a tapas food tour in several eateries in the city center. Discover the wide range of Spanish delights and flavors served as appetizers or snacks. The most well known include patatas bravas, salads, and cold cuts (chorizo, lomo, Jamón ibérico)—all sublime when served with a glass of Spanish wine. You’ll have lunch in a local restaurant to prolong your immersion in Spanish cuisine. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to stroll about the town on your own. At the end of our tour, we’ll return on board the ship in Vega de Terron.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Lunch in a restaurant included (drinks are not included).
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

A unique opportunity to admire the city of Porto by night during a panoramic tour by bus. You will love the old, preserved districts of this city of immense character, classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Porto is not only a city rich in vestiges from a glorious past, but also the young-spirited, warm capital city of a region marked by its winemaking as well as its closeness to the ocean. During the tour of the historic center, your guide will schedule a stop at the Sao Bento railway station to look at its magnificent azulejos. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

A unique opportunity to admire the city of Porto by night during a panoramic tour by bus. You will love the old, preserved districts of this city of immense character, classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Porto is not only a city rich in vestiges from a glorious past, but also the young-spirited, warm capital city of a region marked by its winemaking as well as its closeness to the ocean. During the tour of the historic center, your guide will schedule a stop at the Sao Bento railway station to look at its magnificent azulejos. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave for Porto's city center by coach. Our first stop will be a tour of St. Francis Church. A stone's throw from the Douro riverbank, it is among the most symbolic buildings in Porto. We'll then head over to see the inside of Bolsa Palace—also known as the Stock Exchange Palace—a magnificent, neoclassical mansion in the heart of the historic downtown. Built in the 19th century, the landmark is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is one of the most interesting landmarks to visit in Porto. We’ll ascend the magnificent marble and granite staircase to visit the Golden Room and the lavishly decorated Arab Room, where official receptions are still held. The next stop will be an azulejo tile workshop. The striking bright blue frescoes seen throughout the country are an art form that dates back to the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The name comes from the Arabic word zellij, meaning polished stone. The blue and white tiles often depict flowers, animals, or historic events. This tour is a unique occasion to discover this age-long art form. We’ll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave for Porto's city center by coach. Our first stop will be a tour of St. Francis Church. A stone's throw from the Douro riverbank, it is among the most symbolic buildings in Porto. We'll then head over to see the inside of Bolsa Palace—also known as the Stock Exchange Palace—a magnificent, neoclassical mansion in the heart of the historic downtown. Built in the 19th century, the landmark is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is one of the most interesting landmarks to visit in Porto. We’ll ascend the magnificent marble and granite staircase to visit the Golden Room and the lavishly decorated Arab Room, where official receptions are still held. The next stop will be an azulejo tile workshop. The striking bright blue frescoes seen throughout the country are an art form that dates back to the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The name comes from the Arabic word zellij, meaning polished stone. The blue and white tiles often depict flowers, animals, or historic events. This tour is a unique occasion to discover this age-long art form. We’ll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach for the mouth of the Douro River. Here, you'll set out with your guide for a hike along the Douro, passing through the traditional fishing village of São Pedro da Afurada. We'll have a great view of Porto and its famous Ribeira Square before arriving in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the prestigious wine is aged in renowned cellars. We'll visit a wine cellar and enjoy a tasting*. After our hike, we'll return to the ship on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and suitable clothing for the hike.
• Hike: Approx. 3 hours ; Approx. 4.3496 miles ; 328-foot altitude difference (100 m).
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

Departure by coach towards Salamanca where you'll meet up with your guides.
Since 1988, the Old Town of Salamanca has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The classified area extends on the major part of the city as it used to be until the middle of the 20th century and is responsible for its growing popularity. We'll visit the cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles going from late Gothic to Baroque, including Renaissance. Afterwards, we'll visit one of the world's oldest Universities which first opened in 1218. Also known as "Escuelas Mayores”, the University building has a sumptuous gate adorned with the city's most famous design: a frog atop a skull - symbolic of the sin of lust being punished after death. Its wonderful library brims with old manuscripts dating back from prior to the 19th century. You'll enjoy lunch and be free to discover the city on your own. Return on board in Vega de Teron.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Lunch in a restaurant included (drinks are not included).
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach towards Salamanca where you'll meet up with your guides.
Since 1988, the Old Town of Salamanca has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The classified area extends on the major part of the city as it used to be until the middle of the 20th century and is responsible for its growing popularity. We'll visit the cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles going from late Gothic to Baroque, including Renaissance. Afterwards, we'll visit one of the world's oldest Universities which first opened in 1218. Also known as "Escuelas Mayores”, the University building has a sumptuous gate adorned with the city's most famous design: a frog atop a skull - symbolic of the sin of lust being punished after death. Its wonderful library brims with old manuscripts dating back from prior to the 19th century. You'll enjoy lunch and be free to discover the city on your own. Return on board in Vega de Teron.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Lunch in a restaurant included (drinks are not included).
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.