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OPTIONAL PRE-CRUISE TOUR: 3 NIGHTS LISBON – oPERATED BY amawaterways.
Saturday, April 24 – Tuesday, April 27, 2027
DAY 1: SATURDAY, APRIL 24
ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Arrive in Lisbon and make your way to the Hotel
OVERNIGHT: TBD (3 nights)
KEY FOR INCLUDED MEALS: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
DAY 2: SUNDAY, APRIL 25
LISBON
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: MONDAY, APRIL 26
LISBON / SINTRA
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: TUESDAY, APRIL 27
LISBON / PORTO / EMBARKATION
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 River Cruise. (B,D)
Enticing Douro Cruise
Tuesday, April 27 – Tuesday, May 4, 2027
DAY 1: TUESDAY, APRIL 27
EMBARKATION / PORTO, PORTUGAL
Make your way to the AmaDouro for your Enticing Douro cruise. (D)
For those arriving into Porto (OPO) on Embarkation Day: Although AmaWaterways offers transfers from the airport to the ship for an additional cost, the most expedient way to get to the ship is via taxi for an approximate cost of €25.
** AmaWaterways transfers must be booked with Expanding Horizons no later than 30 days prior to embarkation.
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, April 28
Régua
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. Afterwards, head to a local quinta for a delicious dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: THURSDAY, APRIL 29
VEGA DE TERRÓN
In the morning, spend time soaking up the beauty of this picturesque port before you visit 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: FRIDAY, APRIL 30
VEGA DE TERRÓN / SALAMANCA, SPAIN
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: SATURDAY, MAY 1
PINHÃO
Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Pinhão. Here, you may visit a local vineyard for a port wine tasting. Join a specialist from the vineyard on a private tour of the wine cellars, an exclusive opportunity to learn about centuries old winemaking methods and to taste the vineyard’s specialty wines. Afterwards, be treated to an exclusive dinner at Quinta da Roêda. Nestled in the heart of the Douro Valley, this historic estate is celebrated for its centuries-old vineyards and iconic terraced landscapes. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: SUNDAY, MAY 2
Régua
This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. Today, 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 7: MONDAY, MAY 3
PORTO
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. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike. In the afternoon, you’ll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine. When the sun sets, enjoy the illuminated landscapes of Porto on a scenic cruise aboard your ship. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: TUESDAY, MAY 4
PORTO / DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Please see the Cruise Manager onboard for transfer arrangements if you are not participating in the post-cruise tour.
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.