Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro - 2019

Depart the U.S. and board an overnight flight to Madrid, Spain.

Arrive in Spain’s capital. If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, our representative will meet you outside the arrivals area and assist you with your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Briefing and a Welcome Dinner this evening at the hotel.

Truly one of the world’s great capitals, Madrid is teeming with fascinating sights in a swirling, lively, cosmopolitan setting. You’ll begin exploring this vibrant city on foot, walking the new Madrid-Rio area, savoring city views, and passing multiple other historic monuments. Unforgettable Moment: Embark on a panoramic drive and walking tour that includes Plaza Mayor and tapas tasting at the Central Market. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to further explore, or head to the renowned Prado Museum on an optional tour. Cultural Connection: Tonight, witness Spanish history and intoxicating culture come to life during a stirring flamenco dinner show.

Enjoy a free day to pursue your own interests — wander the city’s many squares, shop for espadrilles and other classic Spanish products, and get your fill of tapas — or set off on an optional tour to nearby Toledo and the charming, narrow lanes of its UNESCO-listed historic center on the Tagus River.

The word “magical” is often used to describe Salamanca, and you’ll find out why on a walking tour of the city today. Unforgettable Moment: Explore Salamanca’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the revered University of Salamanca and its students who infuse the city with even more character and vitality. You’ll also see the town’s grand cathedral and baroque Plaza Mayor, where you can seek out churros and do some shopping and independent wandering. 

We’ll transfer to the pier after lunch on our own; practice your pronunciation during the drive with a Spanish language lesson. Tonight, we’ll board our ship and enjoy a Welcome Drink and Briefing before dinner on board.

Scenic sailing: Tonight, we’ll begin our sail down the UNESCO-listed Douro River, lined with terraced vineyards and quintas, or rural estates. During the length of our cruise, we’ll pass multiple locks and offer onboard commentary on certain stretches, and you’ll enjoy slow sailing to savor every view!

We’ll venture on shore today on a visit to the fortified hill town of Figueira Castelo Rodrigo. With its preserved medieval architecture, a visit here truly feels like turning back the clock 600 years. Visit the old walls, the 16th-century pillory, the local parish church, and more on a walking tour. You’ll also enjoy a small tasting of local products here, introducing you to the culinary culture of the area. Cultural Connection & Culinary Feature: Continuing today's culinary theme, enjoy a traditional Portuguese tea time back on ship, as well as an onboard demonstration of a classic Portuguese egg pastry, pastéis de nata, followed by some insightful commentary as we sail leisurely along the Douro. (You'll get to compare your recipe to a local version later in Lisbon.) 

Watch the magnificent palace depicted on Mateus rosé wine bottles come to life as we spend the morning at the 18th-century Mateus Manor House and Gardens. This sweeping baroque property houses a maze of manicured hedgerows, elegant parterres, and a lake that reflects the palace in its mirror-still surface. Cultural Connection: Lunchtime finds us at the Avessada Winery, where you’ll sample more fine vintages and a delectable lunch.

Start the day with a visit to a local quinta, where you’ll sample more fantastic regional wines in yet another breathtaking Douro setting. This afternoon, we’ll explore the quaint town of Lamego, filled with terra-cotta rooftops, tree-lined streets, and a 700-step staircase that leads to the grand Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Climb all 700 steps to this church and admire the surrounding gardens filled with monuments, terraces, fountains, and pretty tile mosaics. Cultural Connection: Take “A Look Inside Portugal” with another fascinating lecture. This evening, we’ll dive into traditional Portuguese folk music with an onboard performance following a delicious Captain’s Dinner.

A plethora of cultural delights awaits you today! This morning, we’ll head off on a walking tour of Régua, including a visit to the Douro Museum, where you’ll learn all about the storied Douro River Valley you’ve already been admiring from the deck of the ship. Cultural Connection: We’ll continue the afternoon at Aveleda Winery, a producer of a variety of popular Portuguese wines (many of which are favorites in New England, as well). You’ll enjoy a tasting of Vinho Verde and small snacks before returning to the ship for lunch. Tonight, a musical trio comes on board for more evening entertainment.

Cultural Connection and Unforgettable Moment: Get an early taste of Porto with a tasting of its signature tipple — Port wine — on a visit to one of the city’s best-known Port wine cellars. In the morning during sailing, experience a lecture on Portugal's cork industry. Then enjoy lunch in Portugal’s second-largest city, which is known for its charming tangle of alleyways, a walkable and historic center, and an unmistakably hip vibe that juxtaposes the city’s myriad architectural styles. 

Next, we’ll embark on a full city tour and panoramic drive, including a visit to the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the market area. You might also visit stunning Livraria Lello, named one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. Make your way up its famous red spiral staircase (be sure to pause and admire the stained glass skylight as you climb!) and peruse the shelves of this landmark — reportedly an inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series! 

Cultural Connection: Back on board, a local artisan will give a talk on "Portuguese Filigree." Following dinner, enjoy a lively performance by a local tuna band.

Set off on a guided tour of the historical center of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inscribed on the city’s castle walls you’ll find the phrase Aqui Nasceu Portugal (“Portugal was born here”), a reference to the country’s first king, Afonso Henriques, who was purportedly born in Guimarães. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

This morning, we’ll disembark the ms Douro Serenity and transfer to the final city on our tour: Lisbon. But first we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant in Nazaré, a beach town famous for its monstrous waves and surfing culture, and continue on to Óbidos, where a walking tour will introduce us to one of Portugal’s prettiest towns — so pretty, in fact, that Óbidos was gifted to Queen Isabel from King Dinis on their wedding day in 1282. Tonight, we’ll gather in the hotel restaurant for a Farewell Dinner.

Wake up to views of Lisbon’s famed hillsides. This sloping city is a delight to explore on foot, with cobblestoned alleyways lined with shops, historical discoveries, and endless nooks and crannies — not to mention cinematic views of the Tagus River the higher you trek. 

Begin the day with a guided panoramic tour of Lisbon’s famed monuments, including Belém Tower and the courtyards of the Monastery of Jerónimos, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure by exploring Lisbon’s cobblestoned charm on your own, or join an optional Jewish Heritage Walking Tour, which takes you inside the city’s historical Jewish sites, including the local synagogue, the Alfama Quarter, the Baixa district, and more! Cultural Connection: During your city tour, you’ll sample pastéis de nata from a local bakery.

Enjoy a day at leisure today. You might take our optional day tour down the scenic Portuguese coast to the UNESCO town of Sintra — home of the opulent, Moorish Sintra Palace — and onward to the fishing village of Cascais and its dramatic seaside cliffs, sweeping beaches, and bustling marina.

Or, further your Lisbon explorations with a taste of the city’s dynamic culinary scene at a gourmet market or by sampling local seafood in one of Lisbon’s celebrated restaurants. Portugal is renowned for bacalhau — dried, salted codfish — as well as its tinned seafood, much of which is sardines, and you’ll find these delicacies almost everywhere. 

Active travelers can embark on a hike through Lisbon’s trademark seven hills for must-see views of the city or head over to the Castelo neighborhood for a trek up to Sao Jorge Castle. This Moorish fortress offers a stunning overlook of the entire city and shopping opportunities for everything from local pottery to Portugal’s famous azulejo tiles.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or continue your travels by transfering to Madeira for your optional extension.