Porto and the Douro Valley (port-to-port cruise)

We’ll leave by coach for the mouth of the Douro River to set off on an atypical stroll to Afurada, located on the southern bank. We'll visit the Afurada Heritage Interpretive Center. The space was designed to keep the local traditions and livelihoods in the fishing village alive. Permanent and temporary exhibits showcase fishing tools and traditional clothes so that each visitor understands the daily life and cultural distinctions in the community. Enjoy some time on your own in this charming village. Lose yourself in the backstreets lined with colorful homes. Don't forget to sample delicious seafood dishes at a local tavern! We’ll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach from Porto for Guimarães. With our guide, we'll begin the tour of this university town on foot to discover its historical treasures. We'll get the chance to discover the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church (outdoors), the most important religious building in the city. The medieval heart of Guimarães is a labyrinth of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings. We'll continue on to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza with striking architecture. The palace is closed on May 1 and Easter Day.
At the end of our visit, we'll return on board in Porto.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

This tour will begin on foot, accompanied by our onboard host or hostess. The first stop is the Douro Museum to learn about the passionate history and winemaking heritage in the region. Afterwards, we'll leave by coach for the Quinta do Tedo, a magnificent 18th-century estate that offers dramatic views of rivers on each side of the terraced hill it sits on. We'll visit the estate and enjoy a tasting of its wine and olive oil.*

PLEASE NOTE

• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• If not available, visit another quinta.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from Regua to Lamego for a guided tour of the city center by coach and on foot. Lamego is a charming episcopal and commercial town where you'll get to discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary. This 18th century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The first stone was laid on February 14th, 1750 and gave way to the construction of a massive temple overlooking the city and providing a breathtaking view over the misty mountains of the surrounding landscape. Return on board in Regua.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Please dress appropriately to visit the sanctuary.

A unique opportunity to admire the city of Porto by night during a panoramic tour by bus. You will love the old, preserved districts of this city of immense character, classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Porto is not only a city rich in vestiges from a glorious past, but also the young-spirited, warm capital city of a region marked by its winemaking as well as its closeness to the ocean. During the tour of the historic center, your guide will schedule a stop at the Sao Bento railway station to look at its magnificent azulejos. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave for Porto's city center by coach. Our first stop will be a tour of St. Francis Church. A stone's throw from the Douro riverbank, it is among the most symbolic buildings in Porto. We'll then head over to see the inside of Bolsa Palace—also known as the Stock Exchange Palace—a magnificent, neoclassical mansion in the heart of the historic downtown. Built in the 19th century, the landmark is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is one of the most interesting landmarks to visit in Porto. We’ll ascend the magnificent marble and granite staircase to visit the Golden Room and the lavishly decorated Arab Room, where official receptions are still held. The next stop will be an azulejo tile workshop. The striking bright blue frescoes seen throughout the country are an art form that dates back to the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The name comes from the Arabic word zellij, meaning polished stone. The blue and white tiles often depict flowers, animals, or historic events. This tour is a unique occasion to discover this age-long art form. We’ll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave from Vila Nova de Gaia by coach for downtown Porto. Once we arrive, we'll board one of the city's trams and partake in this urban-tourism experience all the way to the mouth of the Douro. Our visit will include a stop at the tram museum (Museu do Carro Eléctrico), housed in a former thermo-electric power plant. The museum collection comprises the oldest cars pulled by horses, called "Americanos,” to the last trams from the 1950s and 1960s. We'll finish up our excursion with a tasting of some of the local specialties*. At the end of our tour, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.