YOUR PORTUGAL DOURO RIVER CRUISE INCLUDES:
* Roundtrip airfare with TAP Air Portugal
* Meeting and assistance upon morning arrival in Oporto.
* Day accommodations at 4* Mercure hotel in Oporto before afternoon transfer to your cruise ship.
* 7 Nights Douro River Cruise of Portugal & Spain aboard the M.S. Infante Don Henrique in air conditioned Main Deck outside cabins
* Captain’s Welcome Cocktail.
* All meals with wine, beer, or soft drinks aboard your cruise.
* Evening entertainment on board including a Fado and a Flamenco Show
* Farewell Dinner on board.
* Transfer from Cruise-Ship to Train Station in Oporto
* Train Ride between Porto and Lisbon after the Cruise
* Transfer from Train Station in Lisbon to your hotel
* 2 Nights Lisbon at 4* centrally located Mundial Hotel including buffet breakfast daily.
* 1/2 Day Sightseeing of the city of Lisbon
* All transfers.
* All hotel taxes and service charges.
* Port Taxes
ITINERARY DOURO RIVER CRUISE PLUS LISBON
DAY 1 SUNDAY : USA - OPORTO, PORTUGAL
Overnight flight to Oporto, Portugal. Dinner and movie on board.
DAY 2 MONDAY: ARRIVAL IN OPORTO AND PM EMBARKATION
Morning arrival and welcome to Portugal. Meeting and assistance at Porto airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel (4* Mercure Porto Centro) to rest after your transatlantic flight until the afternoon when you'll be picked up by our local reps to transfer you to the River Cruise Ship "Infante Don Henrique" for dinner and overnight. (D)
DAY 3 TUESDAY: OPORTO SIGHTSEEING
After a buffet breakfast on board, we will set off to explore Porto on an optional guided tour. One of the oldest cities in Europe, whose historic centre is classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO: unspoilt old quarters, a maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses, superb churches... But above all, Porto is Port wine: among the wine properties that extend as far as the eye can see along the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia, we will visit a famous cellar where this exceptional wine slowly ages in the greatest secrecy and taste some of their finest wines.
Back on board for lunch, followed by a free afternoon to discover Porto at your own pace, or ask to be transferred downtown by Rabello. Return on board for dinner and a typical Fado folklore show. Overnight in your ship. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 WEDNESDAY : OPORTO-REGUA
Buffet breakfast on board. Free morning in Porto or take the optional excursion to Braga, nicknamed the "Rome of Portugal" because of its religious architecture of very high quality. Return on board for lunch, during which you will be able to admire the fabulous landscapes to be seen during the cruise to Regua. We will go through the locks in Crestuma and Carrapatelo, the highest in Europe at 36 metres. Arrival in Regua around 8.00 pm. Dinner on board followed by a dinner-dance or enjoy a free stroll through Regua by night. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 THURSDAY : REGUA – BARCA D'ALVA
Buffet breakfast on board and departure for the optional excursion to Vila Real, a town in which the religious architecture is very varied. A little further down, you will get the chance to take a beautiful walk in the gardens of Solar de Mateus. During this time, the boat will sail to Pinhao where we will join it for lunch. Continuation of the cruise. We will be sailing into the heart of the vineyards of Porto, past magnificent hillsides covered in trellised vines planted in terraces up to 700m plunging majestically down towards the river. We will go through the locks in Valeira and Pocinho to reach Barca d'Alva during the evening. Dinner followed by a flamenco evening on board. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 FRIDAY: VEGA DE TERON (optional excursion to Salamanca)
Buffet breakfast on board. Departure for the optional excursion to Salamanca, awarded world heritage status by UNESCO. This town of dazzling beauty houses some extraordinary Romanesque, Arab and Christian architectural treasures. Lunch in Salamanca. Back to the boat. Dinner and an evening's entertainment on board in Vega de Teron. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 SATURDAY : VEGA DE TERON – FERRADOSA – PINHAO
Departure early in the morning and buffet breakfast during the cruise. Through the locks in Pocinho and Valeira. Morning's sailing. Lunch during the cruise. Stop in Ferradosa around 2.00 pm. Departure for the optional "wines of Porto" excursion. You will follow the road through the vineyards and stop at a belvedere in the heart of the vines. You will then take part in a tasting of the wines of Porto in a Quinta. Back on board in Pinhao around 6.00 pm. You will also be able to explore the old station in Pinhao at your own pace, with its splendid "azulejos" (typical Portuguese tiles). Dinner and gala evening on board. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 SUNDAY : PINHAO – PORTO
Buffet breakfast on board. Departure from Pinhao by coach for the optional guided tour of Lamego. You will discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios sanctuary and the cathedral. Back on board in Regua. Lunch during the cruise. An afternoon's sailing, passing through a number of large locks. Arrival in Porto at the end of the evening. Dinner and traditional evening on board. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 MONDAY: PORTO – DISEMBARKATION AND TRAIN TRANSFER TO LISBON
Buffet breakfast on board, disembarkation at 9am. Transfer to the train station to take the rain to the city of Lisbon. Upon arrival in the Portuguese capitaL, someone will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)
Days 10 WEDNESDAY: LISBON
Buffet breakfast is included at your hotel. Today we will take you on a half day Sightseeing tour of the city of Lisbon visiting the Alfama quarters, Jeronimos Monastery and the Royal Coach Museum. In the afternoon you might like to visit Estoril, a cosmopolitan seaside resort long a favorite of Portuguese royalty and European aristocrats. It can be reached by a 30 minute convenient train ride from Lisbon.(B)
Day 11 WEDNESDAY: LISBON-USA
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport for your return flight home arriving later in the afternoon this Friday. (B)
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Oporto
4* Mercure Porto Centro (Day accommodations on arrival)
The 4-star Mercure Porto Centro hotel is located in the heart of Porto, making it easy to see the city on foot and discover all the places that made the "undefeated city". A UNESCO World Heritage site: the Ribeira district, the Torre dos Clérigos bell tower and the famous Majestic cafe. Enjoy optimum comfort in one of its 149 rooms and first-rate services, including free Wi-Fi Internet access and parking, not to mention four fully equipped meeting rooms.
Lisbon
4* Mundial Hotel
The 4-star Hotel Mundial in Lisbon is located right in the center of town, just steps from the Praca do Rossio (Rossio Square) with spectacular views of St. George Castle.
It features 373 rooms equipped with the latest amenities and comfort in an elegant and contemporary setting. The hotel offers private garage with complimentary parking, laundry service, solarium, non smoking floor, and rooms with connecting doors. Guests can enjoy a stunning view over the city of Lisbon from the top floor restaurant "Varanda de Lisboa", which serves Portuguese and International cuisine.
