Lisbon Stay and Douro Cruise with Walking Tours
Before you start your scenic river cruise of the Douro, you have a three-night stay in the cultural and gastronomic hub which is Lisbon. There are five included guided walks on this amazingly cheap inclusive over-50s holiday which mixes city, countryside and culture. During the scenic river cruise through the Douro Valley, you step ashore to explore the best this beautiful region has to offer, including a fantastic excursion to the heritage-rich Salamanca city in Spain.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return flights and transfers
ACCOMMODATION
3 nights in a hotel, 7 aboard the ship
Entertainment and activities on the ship
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Escort
Sightseeing tour of Lisbon
City tour with lunch in Coimbra
Visit to Douro Museum in Régua
Wine tastings and dinner at a local quinta
Sightseeing in Salamanca
Walking tour of Quinta das Carvalhas winery
A walking tour of beautiful Oporto with visits to the House of Filigree, the São Bento train station and the Church of St Anthony’s Congregation
FOOD & DRINK
25 meals: 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners
Free bar open 12 hours a day (only on selected all-inclusive departures)
Captain’s dinner and drinks reception
Day 1 UK - Lisbon
Fly to Lisbon and transfer to the 3-star My Story Hotel Tejo (3Q) for a three-night stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with dinner included tonight.
Day 2 Lisbon
Discover this historic city on an included morning tour. See the Belém Tower, a Moorish fortification on the banks of the Tagus river that once protected the city from pirates, and the nearby Monument to the Discoveries featuring 33 figures from the Portuguese Age of Exploration on the prow of a ship.
Day 3 Lisbon
At leisure. Perhaps visit the intricate Jerónimos Monastery, or stroll through the quirky sloping streets of the Bairro Alto district.
Day 4 Lisbon - Coimbra - Oporto
Journey north to Oporto, stopping at the historic city of Coimbra for an included tour and lunch. The city was once the capital of Portugal and the university here is one of the oldest in Europe.
Continue your journey to Oporto where you'll board your ship, the Douro Spirit, moored in Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank of the Douro.
Day 5 Oporto - Régua - Pinhão
Your cruise continues to Régua, arriving before lunch.
This afternoon enjoy an included visit to the Douro Museum in Régua. The museum is housed in the historic Casa da Companhia Velha and documents the region’s history of wine production from the growing of vines and harvesting of the grape to the fortification of port wine. Following your visit you will venture across Régua’s pedestrian bridge designed by Gustavo Eifel before continuing by coach to a local Quinta for a wine tasting.
After re-embarking your ship you will continue cruising towards Pinhão this evening.
Today’s walk covers approximately four-and-a-half kilometres.
Day 6 Pinhão - Vega de Térron
After a morning on the water you’ll disembark in the afternoon and travel by coach to the traditional village of Provesende.
From here you’ll set off on a seven kilometre walk through lush vineyards and along a historic Roman road before arriving back at your ship. Look forward to a traditional Portuguese dinner on board this evening.
Day 7 Vega de Térron - Barca d'Alva
Today join an included excursion across the border to the city of Salamanca in Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its beautiful old university buildings of golden-coloured stone.
The journey here usually takes about two hours, during which your guide will give an interesting commentary on Spanish history. After half an hour of free time join a walking tour with a local guide to the magnificent Plaza Mayor, one of the finest town squares in Spain. You also see the famous cathedral, built in two parts. The original Catedral Vieja, which dates from the 12th century, is now incorporated into the much larger 16th-century Catedral Nueva. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a flamenco show to give you a taste of traditional Spanish culture.
Return to the Douro Spirit which will now be in Barca d’Alva and moor overnight.
Day 8 Barca d'Alva - Pinhão
Depart Barca d’Alva and enjoy the wonderful views as you spend the morning sailing towards Pinhão, arriving after lunch.
This afternoon pay a visit to Quinta das Carvalhas, a local winery. Here you’ll join an included tour of the estate, followed by an opportunity to taste their port wines. This evening there’ll be an included trip to a local quinta for dinner, with wine and entertainment included.
The ship remains moored in Pinhão overnight.
Today’s walk covers approximately five kilometres.
Day 9 Pinhão - Régua - Entre-os-Rios
Sail from Pinhão to Régua early this morning. From here you’ll continue to Ribadouro from where you will set off on a five kilometre walk along the banks of the river. You’ll re-board Douro Spirit in Entre-os-Rios and will be treated to a traditional Portuguese folk music show after dinner.
Your ship moors here overnight.
Day 10 Entre-os-Rios - Oporto
Spend the morning at leisure as you sail back towards Oporto.
An included four kilometre walking tour heads along the banks of the River Douro, across the double-decker Luis I Bridge and into Portugal’s second-largest city, Oporto. This famous centre of port wine production is beautifully located on the Douro estuary. The tour includes visits to the House of Filigree, where you’ll learn more about this specialised Portuguese art; the 20th-century São Bento train station with its elaborate tiling; and the 18th century Church of St Anthony’s Congregation. You’ll also walk along Santa Catarina street, home to the famous Majestic Cafe with its Art Nouveau influences, and the atmospheric flower street, which leads you back to your ship.
Remain moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.
Day 11 Oporto - UK
Disembark after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight home.
