Lisbon & Douro Cruise

We meet at the airport today, where you are introduced to your
Tour Manager. From here, we board our flight to Lisbon where we are
transferred to our hotel. On arrival, we are greeted with a welcome
drink after which you are free to settle into your room. For dinner
this evening, we head to our hotel's excellent restaurant for our
first meal of the holiday. Afterwards, you may wish to acquaint
yourself with the city a little before you retire for the
night.

Your excursion today whisks you away on a splendid tour of
Portugal's famous capital. As a special touch, it will include a
trip in a specially-chartered tram from the 1930s and 40s, lending
a nostalgic feeling to proceedings. Your tour reveals the brilliant
colours of Lisbon as well as the history of its streets, squares
and boulevards.

Finish up in the waterfront district of Belem, famous for its
pastries and villas. Here, stop off at one of the pastry shops to
sample the local delicacies.

Travel to the beautiful town of Sintra today, located up in the
hills behind Lisbon. A tantalising selection of summer palaces of
all colours and shapes await here, at what is famously the summer
retreat of Portuguese royalty. Enjoy some free time in this
fairytale town, giving you an opportunity to discover its history
and the people behind the magnificent buildings lining its
streets.

Leaving Lisbon this morning, we set out on a rail journey
through the Portugese countryside to the historical city of Porto -
famous for the explorers who gathered here to journey to the New
World.

Upon arrival in this fantastic Portuguese city, we are escorted
by coach to our excellent ship, the Douro Serenity where, after
settling into our cabins, we are welcomed with a cocktail as the
captain and his crew are introduced. Later we are sat down to our
first on-board meal, after which you are free to enjoy your first
night on the ship. Perhaps take in the evening air with a drink or
sit back to the live music in the lounge area.

Dock in Regua on Day 5 and pay a visit to
Lamego, a picturesque village near the banks of the Douro for
a guided tour. The cathedral is the centrepoint of Lamego, a
remarkable example of Baroque architecture. Arguably more
impressive however, are 700 steps which lead up to its doors,
decorated as they are in cheerful white and blue tiles. Enjoy
dinner at a local wine estate later. These marvellous institutions
provide the sublime port wines which are such an integral part of
the Douro's viticulture. Many of them are housed in delightful,
sprawling farmland, lending an memorable touch to our meal this
evening

Our ship sails to Barca d'Alva today where we dock. After lunch,
we embark on an excursion to the historical town of Castelo
Rodrigo. This charming destination offers a look into the medieval
past of Portugal and the Douro region, with a history that goes all
the way back to the times of the Romans. The various peoples who
have passed through the country and left their mark is evident from
the fascinating buildings which line the streets, including a
synagogue and the remains of medieval townhouses. We enjoy a tour
here, which takes in the old castle from which the town takes its
name. Afterwards, you have time to wander the ancient streets and
discover the stories that breathe life into Castelo Rodrigo.

Our travels today take us across the border into Portugal's
beautiful neighbour Spain, where we travel through the enchanting
countryside to the golden city of Salamanca in the Castille y Léon
region. Salamanca is the academic capital of Spain, and its
educational prowess is evidenced in the glorious sandstone
university buildings which make up one of the most prestigious
centres of learning in the country.

Our tour here takes us to see these buildings, as well as the
decorative House of Shells and the thriving Plaza Mayor. Enjoy free
time afterwards before we sample a traditional Spanish lunch at a
local restaurant. Our entertainment during the meal is a dazzling
flamenco show, as trained dancers demonstrate an iconic Spanish
dance of passion and finesse. On our return to the ship, we take a
BBQ dinner on the sun deck (weather permitting).

Day 8 is spent cruising through the
stunning landscape to Peso de Regua, and you are at leisure on
board. After dinner, we sample some of the region's vintage Port in
an opening ceremony.

We pay a visit to the gorgeous Mateus Palace today and its
stunning gardens. Located at the heart of the Vila Real region,
this 18th century stately home is a delight to explore, with its
classic, Italianate exterior, decorative interiors and beautifully
manicured parks and gardens which lead up to the palace itself.
Originally built in the 18th century by acclaimed Portuguese
architect Nicolau Nasoni, the design lends it a timeless, yet
quintessentially Portuguese quality. We take a tour of the building
itself, before enjoying free time to visit the built-in chapel and
the winery.

On our return to the ship later, we sit down with the captain
for a resplendent gala dinner, offering a chance to reminisce about
our adventures on Portugal's finest river. After the food, we are
given a traditional folk dance performance from a local troupe.

Arriving into Porto this morning, you have a choice of
excursions to explore this famous port city which heralds the point
at which the Douro ends. Your first option is an insightful and
engaging tour of the city both by coach and by foot. The tour takes
us along the winding streets, cutting between the city's superb
architecture, historical townhouses, regal churches, and crossing
the famous iron bridge. We continue to the district of Foz at the
mouth of the Douro where we see the impressive villas which dot the
hills here. Finally we pay a visit to the magnificent cathedral at
the peak of the Penaventosa Hill, where we can look down across the
rest of the city in all its splendour. Our tour finishes at a port
wine lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia where we have the opportunity to
sample the iconic drink for ourselves.

Your second option is to travel to the nearby city of Guimarães.
What sets Guimarães apart is its fantastically well-preserved
medieval buildings, which date as far back as the 10th century. The
city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the jewel in
Guimarães' crown is the imposing medieval fortress which watches
over the city. We enjoy a tour through the colourful streets and
the lively squares before visiting the castle and its gardens. In
the afternoon, you are free before your 4-course farewell dinner on
board.

After a final breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport.
Here you board your flight back to the UK, where your Portuguese
adventure comes to an end.