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Folkdance

OnThe

Water

Itinerary*


Portugal's Douro River



June 21 – July 2, 2011

Lisbon to Porto – Salamanca – Porto

aboard Douro Cruiser

      
Day 1–2   Tue–Wed   June 21–22
(Wed D incl.)		      Fly to Lisbon 
 Depart YOUR GATEWAY on your flight(s) to Lisbon. Upon your arrival in Lisbon in the afternoon of day 2, please proceed through customs. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your centrally located first class hotel. The balance of the day is free to get over jet-lag, meet old friends or to explore Lisbon on your own. A welcome dinner at the hotel will be arranged.
In-flight meals and beverage services are provided as per individual airline policy.
 
Day 3   Thu   June 23
(B/L/ incl.) 		Lisbon  
 After breakfast at the hotel, discover Lisbon with your morning orientation tour of this Portugese capital. Lisbon is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. First you will be driven across the 25th April Bridge to Belem (if possible), which is the historical section of Lisbon. It is linked to the Discoveries and includes Belem Tower (1514) and the Jeronimos Monastery (16th century), both in Manueline style and both classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. Here you can also admire Torre de Belem, ex-libris of Lisbon and jewel of manueline art. You will then be taken to the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, a modern monument dedicated to the Portuguese maritime discoveries. A visit to the church at the Monasteiro dos Jeronimos follows. After that you will visit the Coach Museum, which is home to one of the best coach collections in Europe. From this western area of town we will continue in the direction of the oldest part of town surrounding St. George's Castle, Santa Luzia Belvedere from where we have a fantastic view over the town.
Lunch at a local Restaurant, "Leão D´ Ouro", in downtown Lisbon. Along the river you will arrive at Alfama, an old traditional district, where you will have the opportunity to walk in its narrow streets and visit a handicraft shop where you taste an aperitif of Porto wine. What remains of the Jewish old quarter follows that. Then you will continue to Praca do Comercio, the biggest and most beautiful square in Lisbon Baixa-Rosso in the center of the town and finally to Avenida da Liberdade and Marques de Pombal.
You will have free time to visit downtown Lisbon or to visit the modern Parque das Nações (EXPO), where Oceanarium , Science Museum, many restaurants and bars, shopping center etc. are located.
The evening is free for independent activities or dance program.
 
Day 4   Fri   June 24
(B/L/D incl.) 		Lisbon    
 Following breakfast at the hotel, a motorcoach tour will start with a visit to the Royal Palace of Sintra, one of the best preserved medieval Royal Palaces in Portugal and set within the Sintra landscape ( Sintra Mountain is a National park), which has been a World Heritage site since 1995. Here, nature inspired the 19th century romantic generation. It's also possible to taste the delicious local sweets in the tea-rooms: "queijadas" and "travesseiros" (at your own expense). A visit to Adega de Colares and winetasting follows.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Sintra, Toca do Julio. Then you will drive through Sintra's range where its luxuriant and exuberant vegetation is to be seen, arriving at Cabo da Roca (from 1st March to 31 October) the westernmost point in continental Europe. Along the coast, passing by the Guincho beach, Boca do Inferno, a grotto created by the rain and sea erosion, always with a sea view enjoying the landscape until Cascais—a former fisherman's village, and since 2nd World War a cosmopolitan center, a place of exile of politicians or Kings, such as Humberto from Italy—where you take a glimpse over the bay. Return by Estoril, a summer resort with beaches and gardens, where we can have a panoramic view of the Casino.
In the evening there will be a Farewell Dinner for the Lisbon portion at Restaurant "Pateo de Alfama" in Alfama, with Fado and Folk Dance Show. The Fado is a nostalgic and melancholic song accompanied by the Portuguese and Spanish guitars, and the folk dances with colorful costumes and live movements are deep expression of the Portuguese soul.
 
Day 5   Sat   June 25
(B/L/D incl.) 		Lisbon - Coimbro - Porto Hotel Check-out and Trip to Ship
 After breakfast at the hotel you will check out. A sightseeing motorcoach will take us to the ship, on a highway paralleling the coast, stopping and visiting Obidos and Coimbra. Obidos is a typical middle ages museum village surrounded by walls. There will be a walk through it's historical center and a visit to church of St. Mary with its interior combining tiles, paintings, gilt carved wood.
Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the first in Portugal dating back to the XIII century, still keeping today its academic traditions. We will visit the Chapel (XVI), Room of Ceremonies and the famous baroque Library. Walking down the upper part of the town, traditionally linked to the University, we will pass the Historical center and visit the old Cathedral. Lunch will be in the center of the town. The the drive will continue to Porto and the ship.
Welcoming on board will be from 1700 hours. After you settle into your cabin and the crew is presented, there will be a welcome cocktail served in the lounge followed by dinner on board.
 
Day 6   Sun   June 26
(B/L/D incl.) 		Porto - Lamego  
 Spend a leisurely morning soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you sail to Régua. Then, drive to Lamego for a city tour. Ancient and picturesque Lamego houses one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore the town on your own to visit the gothic Cathedral or the town's museum.
 
Day 7   Mon   June 27
(B/L/D incl.) 		Régua - Barca d'Alva  
 Enjoy lunch onboard as the ship sails to the picturesque village of Barca d'Alva. Arrive this evening and enjoy free time to explore this quaint town on your own. The ship moors overnight.
 
Day 8   Tue   June 28
(B/L/D incl.) 		Salamanca, Spain - Vega de Terrón, Portugal  
 Drive to Salamanca for a full day tour. Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of the "Castilla y León" region of Spain. During your guided city tour, see the University buildings, the 12th-century Romanesque church of San Martin and the House of Shells. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant for some deliciously authentic Spanish cuisine followed by a Flamenco Show. Then enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own before returning to the ship. Dinner this evening will be an on board barbecue. The ship moors overnight in Vega de Terrón.
 
Day 9   Wed   June 29
(B/L/D incl.) 		Vega de Terron - Pinhão 
 After breakfast, tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop. See 16th-century walls and walk down very narrow and steep medieval streets. Appreciate the Chafariz dos Pretos, a strikingly unique fountain decorated in black faces which stoically sits in the market square. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail to Pinhão. This evening, enjoy wine-tasting and dinner at a local "quinta." The ship moors overnight in Pinhão.
 
Day 10   Thu   June 30
(B/L/D incl.) 		Régua - Bitetos  
 This morning, sail to Régua for a morning excursion to the Palacio de Mateus. The palace and gardens of Mateus are located in the beautiful region of Trãs-os-Montes just outside the city of Vila Real. Return to the ship for lunch and sail to Bitetos. Tonight, appreciate a traditional “home cooked” meal at the 14th-century Alpendurada Monastery. Before dinner, savor a glass of Port wine and a breathtaking view of the river valley from the Monastery's terrace. The ship moors overnight in Bitetos.
 
Day 11   Fri   July 1
(B/L/D incl.) 		Porto  
 After a buffet breakfast on board, we will set off to explore Porto on a guided tour. One of the oldest cities in Europe, whose historic center is classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO: unspoilt old quarters, a maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses and superb churches. Back on board for lunch, followed by an excursion to the historic town of Guimaraes. Return to Porto for your farewell cocktail and dinner.
 
Day 12   Sat   July 2
(B/- incl.) 		Porto - Home/Extension  
 After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay with an optional tour into Spain.
 
* Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to changing weather and other local conditions.

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