Lisbon, Porto & The Douro Cruise

Once you have arrived in Lisbon, you will be met at the airport and transferred privately to your hotel. After checking in, you will have some leisure time to relax or begin exploring the local area at your own pace.

This evening, you will enjoy a traditional welcome dinner accompanied by a live Fado show. Recognised by UNESCO as part of Portugal’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Fado is a soulful musical tradition that reflects the country’s history and character. During dinner, you will have the opportunity to sample some of the most well-known dishes from Portuguese cuisine, offering a memorable introduction to Lisbon’s rich culinary heritage.

Today, you will join a guided day tour to discover Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

Your tour begins along Avenida da Liberdade, one of the city’s principal boulevards. In monarchical times, Portuguese nobility and the royal family would promenade here, presenting themselves to the public. You will then continue to Parque Eduardo VII, the largest park in central Lisbon, where you can take in sweeping views across the city. The park was named in 1903 in honour of King Edward VII of England, who visited Lisbon to reaffirm the long-standing alliance between the two nations.

You will also explore some of Lisbon’s most traditional and picturesque neighbourhoods, including Alfama and Bairro Alto. These historic districts reflect centuries of cultural influences, where narrow streets, tiled facades and long-standing traditions continue to shape daily life.

Your tour concludes at Praca do Comercio, one of the largest squares in Europe and home to several government institutions. From here, you can admire views over the Tagus River and observe the rhythm of the city. The remainder of the day is free for you to spend at leisure.

Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais - Estoril - Lisbon. This morning, you will be transferred to Sintra and Cascais for a full-day excursion.

Located around 30 kilometres from Lisbon, Sintra has long been regarded as one of Portugal’s most enchanting destinations. Its mild climate and lush vegetation create a distinctly romantic atmosphere. During the morning, you will visit one of the town’s principal monuments, such as Palacio da Vila, Palacio da Pena or Castelo dos Mouros.

In the afternoon, you will continue to Cascais, a charming fishing village dating back to the 12th century. Once a traditional seaside settlement, it later became a favoured retreat for Portuguese royalty, and its historic centre remains well preserved.

You will return to Lisbon along the coastal road, passing through Estoril, where you can admire the impressive coastline and sandy beaches along the way.

Please note: the sites in Sintra are closed on 24 and 25 December, 1 January and Easter Sunday.

Lisbon - Evora. After an early breakfast, you will enjoy a guided tour of Evora,a UNESCO World Heritage Site often referred to as the museum city, Evora offers around 2,000 years of history, with Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical influences visible throughout its streets and monuments.

In Praca do Giraldo, the heart of the city, you can see the 16th-century St Anton Church and the distinctive Henriquina Fountain. You will also pass by the Chapel of Bones, a striking monument built by Franciscan monks and lined with around 5,000 human bones and skulls. Evora Cathedral dominates the skyline and is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal.

At lunchtime, you will dine at one of the region’s most iconic wineries, where you can enjoy local Alentejo cuisine paired with regional wines.

You will then visit one of the most renowned wineries in the Alentejo for a guided visit and wine tasting, offering insight into the area’s long-standing wine-making traditions.

At the end of the day, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Evora - Óbidos/Fátima/Nazare- Porto - Vila Nova de Gaia - Cais da Ribeira. You will depart for Porto to begin your Douro cruise. Along the way, you will have the choice of visiting two of the following locations, Obidos, Fatima or Coimbra.

Fatima is one of the world’s most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its international reputation stems from the reported apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary to three shepherd children in 1917. The final apparition was associated with the event known as the day the sun danced, witnessed by an estimated 60,000 people.

Obidos is a walled medieval town that preserves centuries of Portuguese history within its ramparts. As you explore, you will find whitewashed houses with painted trim, narrow cobbled streets and an imposing castle. Known as the village of kings and queens, it was once a favoured retreat of the Portuguese royal court.

Nazaré is a traditional fishing village and one of the most picturesque coastal towns in Portugal. It is also one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world.

At 6pm, boarding begins at Cais de Gaia, where you will be welcomed with a cocktail. Dinner will be served on board, and tonight you will stay overnight at Cais da Ribeira.

Please note: that the cruise is conditional on at least 8 cabins ship occupancy.

Cais da Ribeira - Pinhao. After an early breakfast, you will begin sailing towards Pinhao along the Douro River. During the morning, the chef will present a Culinary Delight demonstration on board, followed by a tasting of the prepared dishes.

At around 5.30 pm, you will arrive in Pinhao, regarded as the geographical centre of the Douro Demarcated Region, the world’s oldest regulated wine region, established in 1756. This evening, you will dine at a local winery known for producing Douro wines, offering further insight into the region’s long standing wine making traditions.

Pinhao - Regua - Lamego - Leverinho. This morning, you will enjoy breakfast on board before sailing towards Regua. On arrival, you will continue to Lamego for a tour of the city, concluding with a tasting of local products.

At around 1 pm, the ship will depart in the direction of Leverinho Quay. During the journey, you may attend the presentation Douro River and Region, delivered by a regional expert, offering further insight into the history, culture and wine heritage of the area.

Upon arrival in Leverinho, you will enjoy dinner on board with a Portuguese Night theme. In the evening, a traditional folklore show will take place on the cruise, providing a lively introduction to regional music and dance.

Leverinho - Vila Nova de Gaia - Cais da Ribeira - Porto. Today, you will sail to Gaia, arriving at around 9 am. After breakfast on board, you will check out at 10 am and disembark at Cais da Ribeira.

You will then enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Porto. In the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will walk through its characterful streets while learning about the city’s history and culture. Along the way, you will pass landmarks such as the Lello Library, often linked to the Harry Potter stories, the Church of St Francis, and the Palacio da Bolsa, known for its impressive granite work and Neo-Arabic influences. Please note that entrances are not included.

The tour continues to the Douro riverfront, where you can admire the iconic D Luis Bridge and the renowned Port wine cellars that have shaped Porto’s global reputation. As you explore, you will stop at traditional establishments to sample some of the city’s best known delicacies.

Your experience concludes with a visit to one of the Port wine cellars, including a tasting. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to spend at leisure.

Porto - Guimaraes - Porto. You will be transferred to Guimaraes, a historic city in the Minho region, often regarded as the cradle of Portugal. Here, you will sample regional delicacies and visit a traditional winery where vinho verde is produced, a fresh white wine unique to this area of Europe. Your visit concludes with an included wine tasting.

Later in the morning, you will travel up to the hill of Penha, where you can enjoy panoramic views over the city and surrounding countryside.

Lunch will be served at one of Guimaraes’ renowned gourmet restaurants.

In the afternoon, you will visit Guimaraes Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca, two of the city’s most significant landmarks, offering insight into Portugal’s early history.

At the end of your visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Porto.

After breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you might have some time of some last minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.