Journey along the Douro River with a visit to Salamanca, Spain from November 4 to November 12, 2024
Highlights of the Douro with Spain
Embark on a Douro River cruise and unlock the secrets of Portugal's enchanting landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Drifting through the heart of the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this cruise promises a voyage of unparalleled beauty and discovery. Marvel at terraced vineyards that cling to the steep slopes, producing some of the world's finest wines, including the renowned port wine. Immerse yourself in charming villages, each with its own story to tell, and explore historic cities like Porto with its picturesque architecture. As you sail, relish the tranquil waters of the Douro River, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery.
PORTO
Spread along the banks of the Douro River, Porto’s history and development are
closely linked to the river. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal.
Enjoy a Porto by Night Tour and a Porto City Tour. On your city tour travel across the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, see the historic old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and drive by typical houses of the city. Discover the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building),built in 1834 by the city’s Commercial Association and still their headquarters. Later visit the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), also known as the “Golden Church.” Enjoy a visit to one of the port wine cellars for a Wine Tasting and see the old casks full of port, the world famous Portuguese wine.
VILA RÉAL & THE MATEUS PALACE
Visit Vila Réal, a small hilly town with a great variety of religious buildings and architecture, founded in 1289 by King Denis of Portugal. Visit the Mateus Palace, built in the 18th century & set in beautiful gardens on a vast farm and considered to be one of the finest examples of baroque civil architecture in Portugal.
SALAMANCA, SPAIN
Motorcoach into Spain to visit Salamanca, a city of dazzling beauty with extraordinary architectural treasures and rich tradition. The Salamanca City Tour includes the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the University, founded in 1218. See the Gothic ‘New’ Cathedral, constructed in the 16th century to replace the 12th century original. The full day tour includes lunch & leisure time in Salamanca.
LAMEGO
Enjoy a Lamego Tour, a small picturesque old town rich in history & charm. Its18th century Cathedral Sanctuary is an important place of pilgrimage in Portugal. The large cathedral overlooks the town from the hilltop & features an impressive staircase with 686 steps beautifully decorated with panels of blue & white tile.
GUIMARÃES
Guimarães is a university town and municipality located in northern Portugal, in the district of Braga. Its historic town center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, in recognition for being an “exceptionally well-preserved and an authentic European example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town.”
November 4 - November 12, 2024
Package Includes
- Roundtrip Airfare from IAD, with additional options from RIC (+$300 pp) and ORF (+$300 pp)
- 7 Night Cruise aboard the MS Amalia Rodrigues in an outside cabin
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners
- Open Bar Onboard including wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea (premium drinks excluded)
- Wi-Fi Onboard
- PWD Tour Director & Ship Staff
- Welcome & Farewell Dinners
- International Air Taxes/Fuel/Port Charges
- Baggage Handling at Ship
- Roundtrip Ship Transfers
Itinerary Highlights
- 6 Included Excursions
- Porto City Tour & Wine Tasting
- Porto By Night
- Lamego Tour
- Guimarães Tour
- Vila Real & the Mateus Palace Tour • Salamanca, Spain Full Day Excursion
- with Tour, Lunch & Leisure time • Onboard Entertainment including
- Fado, Flamenco & Folklore
- Optional Wine Trails of Porto Excursion
Detailed Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 - NOVEMBER 4 - DEPART US - OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Day 2 - NOVEMBER 5 - ARRIVE PORTO - VILLA NOVA DE GAIA - BOARD SHIP
Meet your PWD Tour Director - Transfer to your ship Board the MS Amalia Rodrigues for your 7 Night Douro River Cruise
Welcome Drink & Welcome Dinner onboard
Evening - Porto By Night Tour (1 hour)
Day 3 - NOVEMBER 6 - PORTO - REGUA
Morning - Porto City Tour & Wine Tasting (4 hours)
Afternoon - Cruising through the landscapes of the Douro Valley
Evening - Arrive Regua - Ship overnights in Regua
(B, L, D) Overnight - Amalia Rodrigues
Day 4 - NOVEMBER 7 - REGUA - VEGA DE TERRON
Morning - Vila Réal & the Mateus Palace Tour (4 hours)
Afternoon - Cruising to Vega de Terron & overnight
Our State experience onboard
Evening - Flamenco Entertainment Onboard Ship
Day 5 - NOVEMBER 8 - BARCA D’ALVA - SALAMANCA, SPAIN
Full Day - Motorcoach into Spain for a Salamanca City Tour with lunch
& leisure time (10.5 hours) - Ship Overnights in Barca d’Alva
(B, L, D) Overnight - Amalia Rodrigues
Day 6 - NOVEMBER 9 - BARCA D’ALVA - FERRADOSA - PINHAO
Morning - Cruising enroute to Pinhao
Afternoon - Optional Wine Trails of Porto & Wine Tasting (4 hours)
Gala Dinner Onboard Ship - Ship overnights in Pinhao
(B, L, D) Overnight - Amalia Rodrigues
Day 7- NOVEMBER 10 - PINHAO - PORTO
Morning - Lamego Tour (4 hours) & Afternoon - Cruising
Evening - Fado Entertainment Onboard Ship - Ship overnights in Porto
(B, L, D) Overnight - Amalia Rodrigues
Day 8 - NOVEMBER 11 - PORTO
Morning - Leisure time in Porto
Afternoon - Guimarães Tour (4 hours)
Evening - traditional Folk Entertainment Onboard Ship
(B, L, D) Overnight - Amalia Rodrigues
Day 9 - NOVEMBER 12 - PORTO - FLIGHT HOME
Transfer to the Porto Airport for your flight home or Lisbon Extension
Optional 3-night Lisbon Post Cruise Extension $995pp dbl occupancy
DAY 9 - NOVEMBER 12 - PORTO - SINTRA - LISBON (B-on ship) Overnight - Lisbon
Head south to visit Sintra, one of Portugal’s most beautiful towns featuring the famous colorful Pena Palace, gardens and tiled villas surrounded by rolling hills and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Later arrive in enchanting Lisbon for a 3-night stay featuring white limestone buildings, intimate alleyways and an easy-going charm.
DAY 10 - NOVEMBER 13 - LISBON SIGHTSEEING (B) Overnight - Lisbon
Today enjoy a Lisbon City Tour featuring the Moorish Alfama Quarter, Monument to the Discoveries and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Belem Tower & Jeronimo’s Monastery.The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy Lisbon.
DAY 11 - NOVEMBER 14 - ÓBIDOS, NAZARÉ & FÁTIMA (B) Overnight - Lisbon
Today enjoy a day of touring featuring rich heritage and stunning countryside as you explore Óbidos, Nazaré & Fátima. Visit the small medieval town of Óbidos, glimpse into a fisherman’s life in the seaside village of Nazaré and marvel at the ornate architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Batalha Monastery. Also visit a significant Christian pilgrimage site, Fátima.
DAY 12 - NOVEMBER 15 - TRANSFER TO LISBON AIRPORT - FLIGHT HOME (B)
Lisbon Optional Extension Includes: 3-Nights Hotel in Lisbon, Transfer from Porto to Lisbon,
Lisbon City Tour, Sintra Visit, Fátima, Nazaré & Óbidos Tour, 3-Breakfasts, Tour Director &
Transfers to Lisbon Airport.
Tour Rates
- Cat E - Main Deck: $5295 per person double, $5095 pp dbl with Booking Discount (BD), +$1600 for single occupancy, +$800 for the single offer
- Cat D - Main Deck: $5595 per person double, $5395 pp dbl with BD, +$1600 for single occupancy, +$800 for the single offer
- Cat C - Middle Deck: $5995 per person double, $5795 pp dbl with BD, +$2000 for single occupancy, +$1000 for the single offer
- Cat B - Middle Deck: $6295 per person double, $6095 pp dbl with BD, +$2400 for single occupancy, +$1200 for the single offer
- Cat A - Upper Deck: $6595 per person double, $6395 pp dbl with BD, +$2400 for single occupancy, +$1200 for the single offer
- Jr. Suite - Middle Deck: $6895 per person double, $6695 pp dbl with BD, Not Applicable (NA) for single occupancy
- Suite - Upper Deck: $7195 per person double, $6995 pp dbl with BD, NA for single occupancy
The rates mentioned are for regular rates or with a $200 per person/$400 per couple booking discount. The single offer is not applicable to Suites, Jr. Suites, or Lisbon Extension.
For reservations and more information:
Please contact Amanda Speer at ASpeer@PremierWorldDiscovery.com, or call 877-953-8687 ext. 4
Additional Information
What to expect from a Virginia Living trip:
Traveling with Virginia Living connects our vivacious readers to new cultures, people, and places in different parts of the world. Our custom-curated trips provide exciting and safe travel opportunities with guidance from experienced tour directors and the area’s best local guides. With exciting domestic and international destinations offered, Virginia Living gives the discerning traveler the ability to join like-minded people who appreciate discovery, culture, and good fellowship.
Other important Virginia Living Trips information:
Your entire trip will be planned, arranged, and guided by experienced travel professionals, all with your utmost enjoyment, comfort, and safety in mind. You’ll be traveling with a peer group who appreciates learning about new regions and cultures. And, you’ll have ample opportunity to forge new friendships with an interesting and dynamic group that will continue long after the trip ends.
Virginia Living Trips are comprised of approximately 35-50 travelers who are also readers of our magazine. A Virginia Living host will be available on each trip to assist in making your experience exceptional.
Virginia Living travelers will have exclusive access to many sites and activities not ordinarily available to tourists. But should you choose to, travelers will have the flexibility to opt out of parts of the itinerary with options to choose another activity coordinated by the Trip Director. In addition, free time is built into every itinerary.
Land travel is on comfortable motor coaches that make regular rest stops. Restroom facilities are on board. Many meals are included; suggestions are provided for meals that are not included.
Physical Requirements:
Virginia Living tours do require some physical activity, with most days being moderately paced, covering approximately two to three miles per day. However, they are not meant to be strenuous, but there will be times when you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, in all weather conditions and terrain, with stairs and inclines, particularly in European villages. Travelers who are mobility challenged and require individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion; trip directors and guides cannot provide individualized assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one guest.
COVID-19 Travel Precautions - Update:
Effective January 1, 2023, Virginia Living highly encourages, but no longer requires, COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters for travelers on our domestic tours. This policy goes into effect for international travelers on April 30, 2023. We will keep all participants updated of any changes to these requirements.
