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OPTIONAL PRE-CRUISE TOUR: 3 NIGHTS LISBON, 1 NIGHT PORTO
Tuesday, March 26 – Saturday, March 30, 2024
DAY 1: TUESDAY, MARCH 26
ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel. In the heart of Lisbon, the Portobay Liberdade Hotel is ideally located, with easy walking access to the city’s finest restaurants and shopping.
OVERNIGHT: PORTOBAY LIBERDADE HOTEL (3 nights)
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
LISBON
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon, stretches across several hills along the Tagus River. On your escorted tour, you’ll see Belem 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.Dinner is at Solar dos Presuntos Restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 3: THURSDAY, MARCH 28
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. Once through the entrance queue, it is a 15 to 20 minute uphill walk to the palace. (B)
DAY 4: FRIDAY, MARCH 29
LISBON – COIMBRA – PORTO
Depart Lisbon this morning traveling north to Porto.En route stop at Fatima, Portugal’s major religious site. See the beautiful church built where the miracle of Our Lady appearing to 3 children took place.The massive plaza in front of the cathedral can accommodate over 60,000 persons for feast days and papal visits.Enjoy lunch independently in Coimbra, home to Portugal’s premier university.After a brief tour of the University of Coimbra arrive Porto late this afternoon. (B)
OVERNIGHT: PESTANA VINTAGE PORTO
DAY 5: SATURDAY, MARCH 30
LISBON – EMBARKATION – PORTO
This morning enjoy sightseeing of Porto city, with its delightful architecture and gracious plazas. Hear the story and history of the port wine business and why so many of the companies that make port have centuries-old ties to England.Afterward experience a private tour, tasting and leisurely lunch at Taylor-Fladgate, Portugal’s oldest and most distinguished port wine “producer”, Licensed Purveyor to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Board AmaDouro approximately 4pm. (B,L,D)
Enticing Douro Cruise
Saturday, March 30 – Saturday, April 6, 2024
DAY 1: SATURDAY, MARCH 30
EMBARKATION – PORTO, PORTUGAL
Board the ship AmaDouro for your Enticing Douro river cruise. (D)
DAY 2: SUNDAY, MARCH 31
PORTO – ENTRE-OS-RIOS
Entre-os-Rios translates to “between the rivers,” and this small village is, quite appropriately, located at the confluence of the Tâmega and Douro rivers. This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. In the afternoon, indulge in a traditional Portuguese lunch with your fellow travelers in Entre-os-Rios at a local quinta – a country estate – for a truly authentic culinary experience. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: MONDAY, APRIL 1
RÉGUA / PINHÃO
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. Later in the day, 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 4: TUESDAY, APRIL 2
VEGA DE TERRÓN, SALAMANCA, SPAIN / BARCA D’ALVA
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. Return to the ship in Barca d’Alva. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
BARCA D’ALVA / POCINHO / PINHÃO
Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d’Alva, where you will 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. While here, taste some delicious locally grown produce. Be treated to an exclusive dinner 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. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: THURSDAY, APRIL 4
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. 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. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: FRIDAY, APRIL 5
VILA NOVA DE GAIA (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. 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. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore all of Porto’s charms on your own. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: SATURDAY, APRIL 6
PORTO – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. You can arrange transfers to the airport on the ship with the Cruise Manager for $30 per person. (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.