Begin your 13 day adventure in Madrid and soak up the culture before travelling to Porto to begin your river cruise through the picturesque Douro Valley.
Begin your journey in Madrid, the centre of all roads in Spain, before flying to Porto to join your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship in Porto. A symbol of Portugal’s birth and growth as a nation, the Douro has long been the country’s lifeline. Leaving the pastel-coloured metropolis of Porto, venture through the enchanting countryside. Terraced vineyards rise from the river banks, historic landmarks pepper distant horizons and charming townships lay hidden in the rural hillsides. Salamanca shines both day and night and canoeing experiences in Pocinho provide a new perspective on the Douro. Plus enjoy an extended stay in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.
Welcome to the sun-drenched capital of Spain, Madrid. Today, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally-located hotel for a two-night stay in the capital.
This morning, join your local guide for an insightful walking tour of Madrid, touching on its bustling centre and its vibrant past as you peruse the Sabatini Gardens and Gran Via. After your tour, the rest of the day is yours to spend exploring at leisure.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you will be transferred from your well-appointed hotel to the airport for your flight to Porto. Here, a warm welcome awaits you from your captain and crew on board your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. This fascinating area was inscribed because it hones in on two millennia of wine producing history, where viticulture has shaped the surrounding landscape and small, sleepy villages are peppered with dozens of sun-drenched vineyards. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and cocktail reception.
EmeraldPLUS
A Portuguese cooking demonstration on board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, nestled on the confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. This 18th-century estate is environmentally sound, creating organic produce by using traditional viticulture methods.
Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through local vineyards, stopping along the way to admire your surroundings.
This afternoon, enjoy sailing to Vega de Terrón, perhaps relaxing on the Sun Deck.
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided active walk through the vineyards
Included Excursion
A visit to Quinta do Tedo with tasting
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.
Travel to the beautiful golden city for a walking tour, starting among the postcard-worthy galleries and arcades that adorn Plaza Mayor. You will have the opportunity to see Casa de las Conchas, a building that has been lovingly decorated with more than 300 shells.
EmeraldPLUS
Tuna music band
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Salamanca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, arrive in Pocinho where you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a canoeing excursion or to visit the Côa Valley Museum. Later, return to your ship for lunch and soak up your idyllic surrounds as you sail towards Régua while taking part into a Port Wine cocktail lesson on board. A rural dinner at a wine estate is certain to be a highlight of your trip.
EmeraldPLUS
A Port Wine cocktail lesson on board
EmeraldPLUS
A rural dinner at Quinta da Pacheca
EmeraldACTIVE
A canoeing excursion
Included Excursion
A visit to the Côa Valley Museum
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Archaeological Tour on 4×4 at Coa Museum (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, on an included excursion, you will visit the marvellous Baroque village of Lamego, stopping to see the picturesque Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, a structure that stands gracefully over the town.
EmeraldPLUS
A mosaic tile painting lesson on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Lamego
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A visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture. Famous for its exports of Port wines, it’s easy to imagine how British merchant ships would have once clustered together in the medieval harbour, waiting to take Port wines across the water.
Your included tour of the coastal city will touch on the fortified structures of Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, a building whose pentagonal façades overlook the ocean. This evening, enjoy a charming evening cruise shining a different light on Porto’s skyline.
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided active walk in Porto
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Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (extra expense)
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Taylor’s Port wine tasting (extra expense)
EmeraldPLUS
Evening cruise through Porto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, disembark your Star-Ship and travel south, following the coast of the Atlantic until you reach the enchanting town of Nazaré. Continue onwards until you arrive in Lisbon. Lisbon’s beauty has captivated people from around the world for centuries, and your included three-night stay in Lisbon is certain to leave you captivated too.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, a tour of Lisbon’s centre will offer the perfect introduction to the Portuguese capital, where limestone cobbled streets are peppered with terracotta-roofed houses, all swathed in delightful breezy sea views.
Your tour will include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery, an icon of Late Gothic Manueline architecture that can be found gracing Lisbon’s harbour. The shrine-like south entrance is a true delight, with gables, pinnacles and a statue of Henry the Navigator, one of the pioneers of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, a period of time that brought riches to the Portuguese Empire.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Lisbon
Meals Included: Breakfast
The heart and soul of Lisbon is yours to discover independently today, as you stroll past gleaming white basilicas and traverse cobblestone streets. Your tour director will be available to help you plan your day of independent exploration.
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Excursion to Sintra (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and prepare for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the golden city and illustrious vineyards with you.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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