Rambling vineyards and charming native farms cling to the steep sides of the Douro River Valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions and to Port country— the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. During this incredible wine-themed journey, you’ll sample Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine, and visit a local quinta (wine estate) for an authentic Port-wine tasting. Discover the stages of wine production at the Quinta da Avessada, which houses an interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine. Sail roundtrip from Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges”; visit Régua, the ‘capital’ of the Douro Valley; and marvel at Salamanca, the UNESCO-designated “Golden City.” Taste wines from historic wineries and soak up the genuine beauty of one of Europe’s most unadulterated landscapes. Hosted by a dedicated wine expert who leads tastings and a specially curated food and wine pairing dinner on board, this journey is a must for anyone interested in the best of local wine and cuisine.
Rambling vineyards and charming native farms cling to the steep sides of the Douro River Valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions and to Port country— the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Sail roundtrip from Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges”; visit Barca d’Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro; and marvel at Salamanca, the UNESCO-designated “Golden City.” Taste wines from historic wineries and soak up the genuine beauty of one of Europe’s most unadulterated landscapes.
Enticing Douro (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Board the ship for your Enticing Douro cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Régua | Mateus Palace & gardens visit |
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This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. Visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens. Inside the house, you’ll see interesting furnishings, paintings and a ceiling of intricately carved wood. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Pocinho | Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare |
|
| | OR Castelo Rodrigo hike with tasting of regional fare |
|
Pocinho, located on the left bank of river, Pocinho rests on the Douro’s terra quente, or “hot land.” Soak up the majestic landscapes on your visit to Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries-old walls, steep narrow streets and fantastic views. You can also opt to hike up to the village should you wish a more active exploration. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Vega de Terrón | Salamanca excursion |
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Drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a “living museum,” and you will have an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages during your escorted tour, which includes the city’s elegant university buildings, the New Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells and Plaza Mayor. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Pinhão | Quinta de Avessada lunch |
|
| | Local quinta wine tasting |
|
Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Pinhão. Be treated to an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. Quinta da Avessada is also a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region, so you’ll have fun discovering all the various stages of wine production as well as doing plenty of tasting. Savor the flavors of Portugal’s renowned fortified wine, vinho do porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley. Head to a local quinta for your authentic Port-wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Régua | Lamego tour and Bôlas tasting |
|
| | OR Holy Staircase hike and Bôlas tasting |
|
Travel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, where you’ll go to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps, beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles, which the more active adventurer will want to climb on a guided hike. Concluding both tours, you will have the opportunity to sample local traditional specialties, such as bôlas de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; presunto, a type of dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine. In the afternoon, Indulge in a traditional Portuguese lunch with your fellow travelers in Regua at a local quinta for a truly authentic culinary experience. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Porto | “City of Bridges” tour with Port wine tasting |
|
| | OR Porto hike with Port wine tasting |
|
| | Guimarães tour with wine tasting |
|
The colorful city of Porto blends the best of old and new, which you can discover on an escorted tour of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; and the São Bento Railway Station, known for its blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike and then enjoy a Port wine tasting. Later in the day, visit the charming town of Guimarães, known as the “birthplace of the Portuguese nationality,” as well as the official residence of the President of Portugal. You will visit the Quinta de Sezim and enjoy a visit to the baron’s winery for a wine tasting on the terrace. (B,L,D)
Disembark the ship and you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Lisbon | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel.
Day 2 | Lisbon | “City of Seven Hills” tour |
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One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon, stretches across several hills along the Tagus River. On your escorted tour, you’ll see Belém Tower, a fortified 4-story tower made of limestone, and visit the late Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the burial place of many Portuguese kings and heroes. You will also taste a typical Portuguese pastry, Pastéis de Belém, before going to Discoveries Monument, built in honor of Portugal’s greatest maritime explorers. (B)
Day 3 | Lisbon | Royal Sintra excursion and Pena Palace |
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Enjoy a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal and a favorite summer residence of the Portuguese royal family for more than 500 years. Long an inspiration for artists and poets, Lord Byron once called it “perhaps the most delightful village in Europe.” High up on a rocky peak, you will tour Pena Palace, a wonderful fairytale castle dating back to Portugal’s Romantic period. (B)
Day 4 | Lisbon | Transfer via motorcoach to Porto |
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Ride a motorcoach to Tomar and take in the Castle and Covent of the Order of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a brilliant work of 12th- to 16th-century architecture. Continue on to Porto and board the ship for your Enticing Douro cruise. (B,D)
Day 5 | Régua | Mateus Palace & gardens visit |
|
This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. Visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens. Inside the house, you’ll see interesting furnishings, paintings and a ceiling of intricately carved wood. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Pocinho | Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare |
|
| | OR Castelo Rodrigo hike with tasting of regional fare |
|
Pocinho, located on the left bank of river, Pocinho rests on the Douro’s terra quente, or “hot land.” Soak up the majestic landscapes on your visit to Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries-old walls, steep narrow streets and fantastic views. You can also opt to hike up to the village should you wish a more active exploration. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Vega de Terrón | Salamanca excursion |
|
Drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a “living museum,” and you will have an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages during your escorted tour, which includes the city’s elegant university buildings, the New Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells and Plaza Mayor. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Pinhão | Quinta de Avessada lunch |
|
| | Local quinta wine tasting |
|
Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Pinhão. Be treated to an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. Quinta da Avessada is also a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region, so you’ll have fun discovering all the various stages of wine production as well as doing plenty of tasting. Savor the flavors of Portugal’s renowned fortified wine, vinho do porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley. Head to a local quinta for your authentic Port-wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Régua | Lamego tour and Bôlas tasting |
|
| | OR Holy Staircase hike and Bôlas tasting |
|
Travel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, where you’ll go to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps, beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles, which the more active adventurer will want to climb on a guided hike. Concluding both tours, you will have the opportunity to sample local traditional specialties, such as bôlas de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; presunto, a type of dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine. In the afternoon, Indulge in a traditional Portuguese lunch with your fellow travelers in Regua at a local quinta for a truly authentic culinary experience. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Porto | “City of Bridges” tour with Port wine tasting |
|
| | OR Porto hike with Port wine tasting |
|
| | Guimarães tour with wine tasting |
|
The colorful city of Porto blends the best of old and new, which you can discover on an escorted tour of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; and the São Bento Railway Station, known for its blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike and then enjoy a Port wine tasting. Later in the day, visit the charming town of Guimarães, known as the “birthplace of the Portuguese nationality,” as well as the official residence of the President of Portugal. You will visit the Quinta de Sezim and enjoy a visit to the baron’s winery for a wine tasting on the terrace. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Porto | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship and you prepare for your flight home. (B)