Cruising down the Douro - Upper Deck

Ready to discover the spectacular cities and landscapes of Portugal? Arrive at your departure airport, ready to catch a flight to Lisbon.* Touch down in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, known for its dramatic coastline and pastel-colored buildings. Transfer to the hotel** and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Why not explore the oldest parts of the city to admire the ornate architecture or simply enjoy the views of the River Tagus from one of the many riverside cafes and bars. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

** You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head to the meeting point to set off on a half-day tour of Lisbon. Begin with a visit to the incredible Jerónimos Monastery, known for its incredible Manueline architecture and among the most visited sites in the city. Next, enjoy the National Coach Museum, home to a beautiful collection of horse-drawn carriages before making a photo stop at the emblematic Belém Tower. See the Monument of the Discoveries before exploring the heart of the city at Commerce Square, the largest in Lisbon. Visit the historic neighborhood of Alfama, famed for its fado music and finish the tour in Marques de Pombal Square. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Lisbon at your leisure and indulge in its vibrant nightlife and thriving restaurant scene! Alternatively, indulge in an optional dinner and fado performance.* Overnight stay in Lisbon. *Optional Dinner & Fado Show: Head to the historic neighborhood of Alfama to indulge in an evening of traditional Portuguese cuisine accompanied by the melancholic sounds of Fado music. Soak up the warm atmosphere and listen to the soft melodies of the Portuguese guitar as you experience the authentic musical heritage of Lisbon for yourself!Please note: If the National Coach Museum is closed, the visit will be replaced by a tour of the Palace Nacional da Ajuda.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the station to take a train to Porto. This beautiful city, located in the north of Portugal next to the mouth of the Douro River, is a very special place. Perhaps it is the air of decadence, or perhaps it is its elegant neighborhoods and stately villas in counterpoint with the narrow streets and old alleys that led UNESCO to declare this a World Heritage Site. Your time here today is short, but don’t worry–you’ll be back!Transfer to the port and board the cruise from 3 to 4PM at the Douro Marina. After arrival formalities, take time to relax on board and explore your home for the next few nights. In the evening, meet the crew and enjoy a welcome dinner* with your fellow guests. Overnight on board.*Optional drinks package: Guests have the option to add a comprehensive drinks package in the next step of booking, which will include unlimited mineral water, house wine, draught beer, juice, tea, and coffee (excluding specialty drinks) from 9AM to midnight.

Enjoy full board for the duration of the cruise, meaning that there will be breakfast, lunch, and dinner service included every day on the boat through the final morning. After breakfast, depart in the direction of Pinhão. Take advantage of the hours on the water to admire the wonderful views that the Douro Valley offers. In the afternoon, arrive at Pinhão, a town considered the center of the Douro region. Many of the Port wine-producing estates are located here, some of which offer tours and lodging for tourists. Catch a glimpse of the railway station building, built at the end of the 19th century, whose interior is entirely covered with azulejo tile panels. Enjoy a night stopover in Pinhão, with an option to disembark* and visit a traditional estate. Dinner and overnight on board.*Optional visit to Quinta Avessada with dinner: See the stunning views from the highest point in the region, surrounded by vineyards specializing in muscatel grapes. Learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a hearty, traditional Portuguese meal accompanied by delicious local wine and live music.

Full board included. Dock in Pocinho, a small northern town known for being the starting point of the Douro Line, a long-distance train. See the tracks and train cars just a few feet from the water! In the afternoon, arrive at Vega de Terrón, where the Águeda River pours its waters into the Douro. The old border pier became a river dock at the end of the 19th century, and was redesigned in the 20th century for touristic purposes. Take advantage of a free day to spend as you wish. One idea is a walking tour of Castelo Rodrigo*, a small village. Dinner and overnight on board.*Optional excursion to Castelo Rodrigo: Take a walking tour of this charming town surrounding a well-preserved Medieval fortress. Spend the afternoon soaking in the history of one of Portugal’s most picturesque old villages.

Full board included. Head to Barca d’Alva, a small village where the railway lines that connected Salamanca with Porto met. Barca d'Alva is located within the Douro International Natural Park with its impressive gorges of the Douro and Águeda rivers that serve as a natural border between Spain and Portugal. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Barca d’Alva. Feel free to relax and watch the world go by on board, or take your chance to cross the border for a full day excursion* in Salamanca, Spain. Dinner and overnight on board.*Optional full day visit to Salamanca: Just a short drive from the Portuguese border, Salamanca is home to Spain’s oldest university and known for its distinctive architecture. Spend the day on a guided tour through the city center, seeing highlights like the University and the Old and New Cathedrals. Enjoy an included tapas lunch.

Full board included. Spend the morning sailing down the Douro, appreciating the spectacular views over the valley. In the early afternoon, arrive in Régua. It was here in 1756 that the Royal General Agricultural Company of the Douro Vineyards was founded, which established the first region with a designation of origin for wine production in the world. In this region, the vineyards grow on terraces next to the river, offering beautiful panoramas. Why not learn more about the region’s wine culture with a visit to the Quinta do Tedo* vineyard? Dinner and overnight on board.*Optional visit to Quinta do Tedo with wine tasting: Tour a stunning 18th-century estate and taste several varieties of wine grown right here using traditional methods, learning more from friendly and knowledgeable staff. On your way back to the ship, visit the Douro Museum in Régua to find out more about this region.

Full board included. Remain docked in Régua for the morning, offering you an additional chance to discover this gem independently. Spend the afternoon on board, sailing towards Porto. Around 9:30 PM, enjoy a cruise through the city center, spotting twinkling lights and the vibrant street life of Portugal’s second city. Dinner and overnight on board.

Full board included. Cruise through the Douro Marina in the morning, noting how this exceptional example of urban planning mixes leisure, commerce, and a deep respect for the natural landscape. Spend the morning wandering Porto independently, or for a more educational experience, take an optional half-day city tour* with an English-speaking guide. In the afternoon, dock in the eclectic and artistic Leverinho neighborhood of the city. Wander to your heart's content before dinner and overnight on board.*Optional tour of Porto: Get a complete look at the city of Porto, by bus and on foot. Porto is a true feast for the eyes, a city that seduces thanks to its steep slopes and decadent homes, all with a magical atmosphere. Pass through the Ribeira neighborhood, where you can admire an incredible view and the ships that pass under the Ponte Dom Luis I, an iron construction made by a close collaborator of Gustave Eiffel.

Breakfast on board. Sadly, it’s time to disembark the cruise ship and head back to shore for the rest of your time in Portugal. Transfer to the hotel in Porto and check in for your final night.

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the UK/Ireland.



* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.