Family Club: Porto, the Douro valley (Portugal) and Salamanca (Spain) (port-to-port cruise)

PORTO - REGUA - PINHAO - VEGA DE TERON (Spain) - BARCA D'ALVA - SENHORA DA RIBEIRA - FERRADOSA - PORTO

You'll board our ship at 5 p.m. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Join us this evening for an optional excursion: CLASSIC package: Porto by night. Enjoy a coach tour of Porto at night. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage area of one of the oldest cities in Europe during a panoramic tour. The country's former maritime feats transformed Porto little by little. We can see its past splendor on almost every street corner. Our tour includes the Sao Bento train station, known for its impressive Azulejo tilework. Our ship will remain in port overnight.

Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the second-largest city in Portugal oozes singular charm. Its staircase streets, colorful laundry hanging above, and bright blue frescoes in the Ribeira neighborhood are testimony to its vibrant spirit, history, and beliefs.

This morning, the optional excursions are:
- CLASSIC package: Porto. Join us on a coach tour of Porto. Notable stops include Bolsa Palace—with a visit to the Golden Room and the lavishly decorated Arab Room—and then the Church of Saint Francis, a Gothic and baroque masterpiece. At the end of our tour, we will visit a famous wine cellar for a tasting. After our excursion, we'll return to the ship.
- FAMILY package: World of Discoveries. This interactive museum and theme park traces the odysseys of Portuguese explorers and how they changed the world. The first rooms show us life on board and how these ambitious men made their marks. A fun boat ride recounting the conquest of other continents follows.

We'll spend the afternoon cruising. Enjoy what the valley has to offer from the comfort of our ship. Vineyards and wild, preserved natural areas border the Douro River, which has been tamed by dams and locks. We will pass through the giant Carrapatello Lock, boasting the highest water-level difference in Europe.

We'll arrive in Peso da Régua during the evening. Our ship will remain in port overnight. Enjoy a free evening to explore Peso da Régua on your own or cut up the rug in the lounge!

In the morning, we'll set out on an optional CLASSIC/FAMILY package excursion to discover the Mateus Palace gardens in Vila Real. Built in the first half of the 18th century, this palace is considered one of the finest examples of baroque civil architecture in Portugal. Our tour includes a tasting of the famous Cristas de Galo wine and local pastries. We'll then head to Mateus Palace, a beautiful 18th-century manor. Take a stroll through the magnificent gardens that surround the palace. After our tour, we'll return on board in Pinhão.

We'll then spend the afternoon cruising to Vega de Terron. We'll cruise through the celebrated Porto vineyards, where men carved the terraces in the mountains to grow the vines. Sustained through the river fog and bathed by the sun, they produce the famous Port wine. We'll travel through the Valeira and Pocinho locks before arriving in Vega de Terron at the end of the day.

Enjoy a Spanish-themed evening on board.

Salamanca is a city you will want to return to again and again. Known for its famous university founded in the 12th century, which is still open today, Salamanca is a lively and dynamic place. Its architecture is second to none, and its historic center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optional, all-day excursions proposed:
- CLASSIC package: Salamanca. On foot, you'll discover the main parts of the city, including the cathedral and the internationally renowned university.
- FAMILY package: Pool time in Salamanca. Fun for the whole family, including slides and spa areas. The Aldehuela sports complex is located on the banks of the Tormes River. Big and small can take advantage of a relaxing day at the pool.We'll enjoy a picnic lunch.

Return to the ship at the end of the afternoon, and begin to cruise to Senhora da Ribeira. We will once again cruise through the magnificent Douro Valley, covered in vineyards that plunge into the river, so sit back and enjoy the scenery. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

In the morning, the optional CLASSIC package excursion is Port Wine Route and Pinhão. We’ll leave by coach to travel along the Port Wine Route. Portugal has cultivated vineyards since the Roman Empire. In 1756, the Marquis of Pombal created a monopolistic company demarcating the Douro wine region to regulate the production and trading of its wine. The route winds through gorgeous scenery and valleys with the river flowing below. We'll continue on to Pinhão and stop at a quinta for a wine tasting. After, we'll visit the historic Pinhão train station, known for its superb azulejo frescoes. We’ll return to the ship.

The ship will cruise to Leverinho in the afternoon. Head up to the Sun Deck to catch some rays and admire the scenery. Enjoy an evening of traditional entertainment on board.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.