PORTIO – REGUA – VEGA DE TERON – FERRADOSA – SALAMANCA – PINHAO - PORTIO

Discover World Heritage sites, extraordinary culture and tempting gastronomy on this special cruise.  Explore Porto, a city between vineyards and the sea, Vila Real and the beautiful gardens of Solar de Mateus, Salamanca and its radiant beauty, the Porto wine roads, Lamego the Epicsopal Town, and Braga the ‘Portugese Rome’.

Option: We can include return flights from Paris / Strasbourg / Lyon / Nice or Brussels to Porto if required - cost for this is additional.
Welcome on board from 5.00pm before settling in your cabins. Meet the crew during a welcome cocktail reception in the lounge. Dinner will be served on board followed later in the evening by an excursion to see the Porto illuminations.

Following a buffet breakfast on board, set off on a sightseeing tour of Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe, whose historic centre with its unspoiled old quarters, a maze of winding narrow streets, houses with archways and splendid churches was awarded Unesco world heritage site status. However, Porto is known first and foremost for its famous port wine made from grapes that are grown in the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see along the banks of the Douro. In Vila Nova de Gaia, visit a wine cellar where this exceptional wine mellows and matures slowly and secretly, and taste the “precious nectar”. Return to the ship for lunch then cruise onto Regua, admiring the marvellous scenery that the cruise offers. On the way, we will pass the locks of Crestuma and Carrapatelo, which is the highest in Europe at 36 m before arriving at around 8.00pm in Regua. Dinner on board followed by a dance or a guided walking tour of Regua by night.

Buffet breakfast on board before setting off on an excursion to Vila Real famous for the diversity of its religious architectural styles. Then stroll through the beautiful gardens of the Solar de Mateus before returning to the ship in Pinhao for lunch. In the afternoon, the cruise continues on through the heart of the famous Porto vineyards, passing the locks of Valeria and Pocinho before arriving in Barca d’Alva in the evening. Dinner on board followed by a flamenco evening.

Buffet breakfast on board then leave on an excursion to Salamanca which was awarded Unesco world heritage site status for the outstanding beauty of its Roman, Arabic and Christian architectural treasures. Return to the ship in Vega de Teron for dinner and an evening of entertainment.

Early morning start cruising towards Ferradosa, passing the locks of Pocinho and Valeria. Breakfast on board and lunch while cruising before arriving in Ferrandosa around 2.00pm. Depart on a port wine tasting excursion. Follow the wine road which runs through the heart of the vineyards before stopping to sample some of these vintages in a quinta. Join the ship again in Pinhao around 6.00pm. Take time to visit the old railway station with its marvellous “azulejos” (typical local tiles). Diner on board followed by a gala evening.

Buffet breakfast on board .before leaving by coach on a guided visit of Lamego. Discover the Nossa Senhora Dos Remedios sanctuary and the cathedral. Return to the ship in Regua. Lunch while cruising and on through the great locks in the afternoon. Arrive in Porto in the evening. Dinner and an entertaining evening.

Buffet breakfast on board before disembarking. End of the cruise.
Option: We can include return flights from Porto to Paris / Strasbourg / Lyon / Nice or Brussels if required - cost for this is additional.

This offer includes: The cruise on full board from dinner on the first day to lunch on the final day, local wine, beer and fruit juice at lunch and dinner, accommodation in a double air conditioned cabin with shower and WC, entertainment, the assistance of our hostess on board, the welcome cocktail, the gala evening, port taxes and pre paid sightseeing (subject to minimum numbers)
Option: We can include return flights from Paris / Strasbourg / Lyon / Nice or Brussels to Porto if required - cost for this is additional.

Formalities: valid national identity card or passport compulsory. Non-EU nationals are requested to consult their embassy or consulate.