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FLAVORS OF PORTUGAL & SPAIN TOUR & RIVER CRUISE

Tuesday, April 22 – Saturday, May 3, 2025

DAY 1: TUESDAY, APRIL 22

ARRIVE IN MADRID

You will be met upon arrival at Madrid International Airport and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
OVERNIGHT: VINCCI SOHO HOTEL or NH HOTEL PLAZA DE SANTA ANA or similar (2 nights) 

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

MADRID SIGHTSEEING / FATIGAS DEL QUERER

Spain’s capital since 1561, Madrid of today is a strikingly modern city. This morning walk through the Barrio de Las Letras, a special residence for the great writers from the Golden Age of Spanish Literature (1520-1700 AD). The highlight of our day is a visit to The Prado, one of the world’s great museums housing masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, Titian, Botticelli and Rubens. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight enjoy a special welcome dinner at El Rincon de Esteban, a traditional restaurant near our hotel. (B,D) 

DAY 3: THURSDAY, APRIL 24

MADRID / SEGOVIA / PENAFIEL

Today depart Madrid and experience two places both extraordinary and uniquely Spanish. Crossing the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama range enter Castile en route to Segovia, with its 2,000 year old Roman aqueduct and Castle El Alcazar. A special lunch is organized at the famous asador Restaurant Jose Maria to experience the Conchinillo Ceremony, one of Spain’s most renowned culinary traditions. Afterward continue to Penafiel, a delightful village in the heart of the Ribera de Duero wine region. Our hotel here is one-of-a-kind; a stunning medieval monastery converted into a fabulous five-star wine and spa resort. (B,L)

Overnight: HOTEL CASTILLA TERMAL MONASERIO DE VALBUENA or similar (2 nights)  

DAY 4: FRIDAY, APRIL 25

RIBERA WINERY VISITS / PENAFIEL CASTLE

Today visit two famous Ribera de Duero wineries. At Pago de Carraovejas enjoy tasting and accompanying tapas dishes, with marvelous views of Penefiel Castle. This afternoon visit Dominio Lubiano. This estate produces some of Spain’s most acclaimed wines. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner with live music. (B,L,D) 

DAY 5: SATURDAY, APRIL 26

PENAFIEL / SALAMANCA / VEGA TERRON / EMBARKATION

Travel southwest to Salamanca. Enjoy a guided walking tour of this marvelous university city, seeing the Mercado Central, Plaza Mayor and Cathedral followed by free time to explore and have lunch on your own.  This afternoon continue from Salamanca to Vega de Terron to board our ship AmaVida. Check-in and get comfortable. There is a Captain’s Welcome Reception and safety briefing in the Main Lounge, followed by dinner. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: AMAVIDA (7-night Douro River Cruise)

DAY 6: SUNDAY, APRIL 27

BARCA D’ALVA / CASTELO RODRIGO

Venture to Castelo Rodrigo, known as the “White Village” because of its almond trees. The site offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. Join a walking tour through its medieval streets and see the houses and establishments with 16th-century façade and Manueline-style windows. If you prefer a more active adventure there, you can hike up to the town. At the end of both tours, enjoy a tasting of local favorites, such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine. Later in the day, cruise along the scenic Douro to Pinhão. (B,L,D)  

DAY 7: MONDAY, APRIL 28

PINHAO

Embark on a leisurely walk to the charming Pinhão Railway Station, a stunning train station along the Douro Line, one of the most iconic rail journeys in Portugal. The station’s main building is revered for its 25 tile panels, all in shades of blue, that depict scenes from the Douro region. Afterward, enjoy an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. The warm, spirited hospitality of this family-run quinta is quite special as you will discover. Several family members play in a band, and while dining, they will entertain you. Quinta de 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. Later in the day, a wine tasting will be waiting for you at another local quinta. (B,L,D) 

DAY 8: TUESDAY, APRIL 29

RÉGUA

Discover the Baroque magic of Mateus Palace and gardens. Later in the day, you have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). For active adventurers, you can hike up the famed Lamego Steps, also known as the Holy Staircase. (B,L,D) 

DAY 9: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

REGUA TO ENTRE-OS-RIOS

Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Douro from Régua to Entre-Os-Rios. This will be followed by a traditional “home-cooked” meal at a local quinta. (B,L,D) 

DAY 10: THURSDAY, MAY 1

ENTRE-OS-RIOS TO PORTO

Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising on your way to Porto, then join a guided tour of Porto’s historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; the main square, ringed with shops and cafés; 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. For a more active adventure, join a hike in Porto and explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto; afterwards, indulge in a Port wine tasting. (B,L,D) 

DAY 11: FRIDAY, MAY 2

PORTO AT LEISURE

Enjoy a day exploring Porto at leisure, a city both beautiful and charming. Your tour escort and cruise manager will offer optional tours and special experiences. (B,L,D) 

DAY 12: SATURDAY, MAY 3

DISEMBARKATION / TRANSFERS

Your journey comes to an end in Porto.(B)

PLEASE NOTE:

A reasonable degree of mobility is required for all passengers on this program. Most of the guided tours provided on your cruise are walking tours. Many historic villages in Europe are located on hilltops, where it is necessary to walk up and down hilly, cobblestone streets that may have narrow passageways. Ships docked in port are often rafted side-by-side to another river ship. Passengers are then required to ascend and descend flights of 12 or more stairs to walk up to observation deck, down to gang planks to enter or exit the rafted ships. To participate in tours and get on and off the ship, travelers must be able to walk unaccompanied.

Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push etc. The ship’s crew and other cruise guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized pre or post cruise land programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove, or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.

Expanding Horizons reserves the right to amend the program and provide alternative arrangements without notification.