Lisbon and the Heart of the Douro

Travel to Lisbon where you will stay three nights at a centrally located hotel.

Dinner is included tonight and the rest of your stay is on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

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.

This evening you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Fado dinner and show.

At leisure.

Perhaps visit the intricate Jerónimos Monastery, or stroll through the quirky sloping streets of the Bairro Alto district.

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and transfer to Oporto, stopping at the historic city of Coimbra for an orientation walk and lunch en route. The city was once the capital of Portugal and the university here is one of the oldest in Europe.

Embark Douro Serenity later this afternoon.

Depart Oporto, 0700.
Arrive Régua, Arrive 1400.

Spend the morning cruising, arriving in Régua this afternoon. Enjoy a visit to Mateus Palace and its gardens. Your guide will give you an introduction to the palace which features on the Mateus rosé wine label. Admire the interior and explore the exceptional formal gardens.

Rejoin your ship in Régua for an overnight mooring. Enjoy a traditional Portuguese folklore show after dinner.

Depart Régua, 0900.
Arrive Pinhão, 1200.

Depart Régua this morning and take in the scenery as you sail towards Pinhão.

This afternoon an included excursion visits Favaios in the Douro Valley for an included visit to Favaios Winery, where you can enjoy a guided tour of the cellar followed by an opportunity to taste the port wines.

Afterwards, visit one of the local bakery’s before travelling by coach to a nearby quinta where dinner, wine and entertainment is included.

Your ship remains moored overnight in Pinhão.

Depart Pinhão, 0800.
Arrive Barca d’Alva, 1500.

Arrive at Barca d’Alva this afternoon and enjoy an included excursion to the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval village with a scenic hilltop location. See the 18th-century baroque church and stroll around the village in your own time.

Barca d’Alva, Portugal. Depart 1800.
Arrive Pocinho, 2000.

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 a commentary about the passing scenery. After some free time, lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a flamenco show to give you a taste of traditional Spanish culture.

Then, join a walking tour with a local guide to the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest town squares in Spain. Back on board Douro Serenity, sit down to a traditional Portuguese dinner.

Depart Pocinho, 0700.
Arrive Régua, 1400. Depart 1700.
Arrive Porta Antigo, 2100.

After a relaxing morning on board Douro Serenity arrive in Régua.

From here you’ll travel by coach for an included excursion to Lamego, one of the most attractive cities in Portugal. See the elaborate Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, set atop nine steep terraces overlooking the town. There’ll be free time to explore this baroque church and walk down into the city using the ornate staircase – but be warned, there are almost 700 steps! Alternatively, take the coach down to the city where you can visit the Gothic cathedral, which in parts dates back to the 12th century.

Rejoin your ship, and continue your cruise to Porta Antigo, where your ship will moor overnight. Look forward to a Farewell dinner tonight.

Depart Porta Antigo, 0700.
Arrive Oporto, 0900.

Sail back to Oporto this morning.

Discover the history of Portugal’s second-largest city on an included tour. This famous centre of port wine production is located on the Douro estuary.

Walk from your ship late morning to a local wine cellar where you will learn about the production of port and enjoy a tasting.

Enjoy a coach tour of Oporto. Your ship remains moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.

Disembark Douro Serenity after breakfast and begin your return journey.