Start your journey in Portugal's beautiful capital city, Lisbon. Then travel to Porto to embark your ship and begin to traverse through one of Europe’s wildest and unexplored regions, filled with vineyards, dramatic gorges and steeply terraced hillsides. Visit the small town of Pinhão, a Mecca for wine lovers, the beautiful region of Tras-os-Montes, and the village of Entre-Os-Rios. Conclude your 14-day journey in beautiful Madrid, renowned for its great cultural and artistic heritage.
Highlights
Explore Serra de Sintra, former home to the Portugese royal family
Scenic cruise through the Douro valley, famous for cultivating grapes
Visit one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, Lamego
Tour the historic districts of Spain's capital, Madrid
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free to explore on your own.
Day 2: Lisbon
1 Breakfast
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon sprawls across several hills along the Tagus River. 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. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city’s other top sights, such as the Castle of São Jorge or the Santa Justa Elevator that overlooks the castle, river and Rossio Square.
Day 3: Lisbon
1 Breakfast
Enjoy an excursion to Serra de Sintra, former home of the Portuguese royal family, one of the most picturesque mountain villages in Portugal and a source of inspiration for generations of poets. Take a guided tour of the Pena National Palace, a fairy tale castle from Portugal’s Romantic period, situated high up on a rocky peak.
Today leave Lisbon behind and take the TGV high-speed train to Porto to board your ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. The ship moors overnight in Porto.
Your sightseeing tour of Porto reveals 16th-century arcaded buildings, Baroque churches and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. You also have a chance to see the elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast. This afternoon, you can explore on your own or take part in a guided hiking tour of Porto where you can explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto, and cross the Dom Luis Bridge. The ship moors overnight in Porto.
An excursion to Guimarães brings you to one of the most historic towns in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy some scenic cruising through the Douro Valley on your way to Entre-os-Rios. This evening, journey to a nearby winery for a delicious Portuguese dinner off ship at Casa de Vila Verde. The ship moors in Entre-os-Rios overnight.
This morning take an excursion to Quinta de Avelada, a historic family-owned wine estate near the city of Penafiel. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the winery followed by a delicious wine and cheese tasting. Afterwards you can enjoy some free time to explore the grounds and admire the estate’s famous gardens. When the ship arrives in Régua, visit the Wine Museum.
Today, take 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). Other attractions include a Gothic cathedral, a museum, and charming cafés. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Quinta da Pacheca where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Douro River and picnic in a terraced vineyard. This afternoon, enjoy the wild, rugged scenery as your ship cruises through the dramatic gorges of the Douro river valley on your way to Pinhão. Upon arrival, enjoy a wine tasting at Quinta Avessada.
After breakfast, take an excursion to the Baroque palace and gardens known as the Palacio de Mateus, located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes near the city of Vila Real. This afternoon enjoy a special lunch and wine tasting at Quinta da Roeda. Afterwards arrive at Quinta do Seixo for an additional port wine tasting, taking time to enjoy the stunning view over the Douro River.
Take in the stunning views along the valley as you cruise from Pinhão to Barca D’Alva. In the afternoon, visit Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified 16th-century village nestled high on a hilltop with many steep, narrow streets. Be sure to stop in the market square to admire the Chafariz dos Pretos, a striking fountain decorated with black faces. The ship arrives in Vega Terrón later this evening, where it moors overnight.
Disembark your ship and head off for a full-day tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. Your guided city tour includes the university buildings, the 12th century Romanesque church of San Martin, the House of Shells, and also some free time to explore the city on your own. Later, transfer to Madrid and check in to your hotel.
Day 12: Madrid
1 Breakfast
Today you have a guided tour of Madrid, the capital and largest city in Spain. Known for its many historic districts as well as its modern infrastructure, the city’s top landmarks include the elaborate Royal Palace, Buen Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and world-renowned art galleries such as the Prado Museum and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.
Day 13: Madrid
1 Breakfast
Enjoy an unforgettable excursion to the walled city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital of Spain. Populated since pre-Roman times, the city’s landmarks include the Alcázar, Cathedral of Toledo and the El Greco Museum.
Day 14: Depart Madrid, Spain
1 Breakfast
Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,249
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Category E
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category D
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category B
Lisbon Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Category A
Porto Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Suite
Porto Deck Balcony, 323 sq. ft.
Notes
Single Supplement for Cruises: 50% of twin price; Suites 100% of twin price.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.