Douro 2018 FINAL ITINERARY the 5* M/S Douro Splendour Vila Nova de Gaia (16:00 24:00), Portugal Day 1 Embarkation after 16:00 (D) Check in after 4 pm. Prior to dinner, meet your fellow passengers and Cruise Staff for a cocktail, and crew introduction followed by an information meeting. Then enjoy your first dinner on board, followed by a well-deserved rest. Vila Nova de Gaia (00:00 06:30) Regua (11:00 15:00), Pinhao (18:00 24:00), Portugal Day 2 (B, L, D) Enjoy a relaxing morning on board while the ship sails back down the river and through the locks of Pocinho and Valeria. Now we are sailing through the heart of the wine district in the Douro valley. On both sides of the river there are terraced vineyards up the steep valley sides. Before lunch, we arrive at Regua, which is beautifully surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the country's best port wines. After lunch from there, we depart on your included excursion featuring a first stop at Solar de Mateus Palace, immortalized on the label of the Mateus Rosé bottles. The 17th-century palace is considered to be one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Portugal. It will be time for a stroll in the beautifully landscaped garden. Return to the ship in Pinhão. Take the opportunity to take a stroll in the old town of Pinhão on your own. The city's old railway station, famous for its beautiful azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles), is well worth a visit. Tonight, we eat dinner on land in la Quinta, a local vineyard and restaurant. The menu we serve is inspired by the traditional Portuguese cuisine, based on local produce. Each dish is accompanied by local wines, which helps to enhance the total experience. The ship is docked here overnight.
Pinhao (00:00 06:00) Vega de Terron (14:30 24:00), Portugal Day 3 (B, L, D) Enjoy a quiet morning while the ship sails further up the valley towards the border with Spain. After lunch we arrive at Vega de Terrón. From here, we depart on an included excursion to the small town of Castelo Rodrigo home to an ancient Roman fort. The town was part of Spain before it came under the Portuguese kingdom in 1297. Throughout the centuries, Jews, Arabs and Christians lived in peaceful coexistence here. Your first stop will be at the ruins of the old castle which have great views of the olive groves and vineyards of the valley. From the castle you will stroll through the center of the town, where you can still see traces of the Jewish population who lived here during the Spanish Inquisition. The tour ends with visits to the little church. In the evening, there is a party dinner on board with the Captain's aperitif and five-course menu. The ship is located at the pier in Vega de Terrón overnight. Vega de Terron (00:00 12:15), Barca d Alva (12:45 24:00), Portugal Day 4 (B, L, D) Today you will delight in your FREE full day excursion to Salamanca, Spain! Salamanca's history extends several thousand years back in time, and the historic center of the city is on UNESCO's world heritage site. The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest and most famous in Europe. Here, scholars from both Christian and Arab and Jewish cultures met from the 1200s to the 1400s while there was religious persecution elsewhere in Europe. On arrival to Plaza Mayo and a brief orientation about the city's attractions, shops and cafes, you will have time to explore the city on your own before meeting for lunch at a local restaurant which will include a fabulous flamenco show! After lunch you will tour the main sites of Salamanca, including the "new" cathedral, built between 1513 and 1733. Return to the ship, which has meanwhile sailed to the border town of Barca d'alva. The day will end with dinner on the sundeck (weather permitting). Overnight in Barca d'alva overnight.
Barca d Alva (00:00 06:30), Cais de Espinho/ Regua (14:00 24:00), Portugal Day 5 (B, L, D) Relax and take in the scenery while you sail into Cais de Espinho. After lunch on board, depart on your included excursion to Lamego, the highlight of which is the visit of the beautiful Baroque church, Nossa Senhora dos Remédios - one of Portugal's most important pilgrimage. Return to the ship in Regua for dinner time. Ship is docked overnight in Regua. Regua (00:00 13:00), Entre-os-Rios (18:00 24:00) Portugal Day 6 (B, L, D) During the day in Regua, there will be a visit to one of the many vineyards in the area, where we will see how the port wine is produced. And of course, we can taste the noble drops. After lunch, the cruise continues, and we pass the high Carrapatelo and Bagaúste slopes. Relax on board - and have a good book on the sundeck. Before dinner, the ship arrives at Entre-os-Rios. After dinner, we will welcome a visit from a local group who will entertain us with Portuguese folk music in the lounge. Overnight in Entre-os-Rios.
Entre-os-Rios (00:00 07:00), Vila Nova de Gaia (11:00 24:00), Portugal Day 7 (B, L, D) Early in the morning we leave Entre-os-Rios and sail the last stretch back to Porto (Ship is docked on Vila Nova de Gaia s side). Arrival before lunch. Porto, with its approximately 300,000 inhabitants, is Portugal's second largest city. The historic center of the city stands on UNESCO's world heritage site and is a breeze of narrow streets, archways and impressive churches - including the 11th-century Cathedral. But above all, Porto is famous for the wine that carries the city's name. In the Vila Nova de Gaia district, are the old 17th-century port wine houses. The grapes are transported here from the vineyards of Douro valley, processed and stored in the large port barrels before bottling and distribution throughout the world. Upon arrival, visit one of the Port Vila houses of Vila Nova de Gaia (Sandeman) port wine cellar and taste the "precious nectar". In the afternoon depart on your included tour of Porto. In the evening, there is a farewell dinner on board. Overnight. Vila Nova de Gaia (00:00 24:00), Portugal Day 8 Disembark at 9:00 (B) After breakfast, bid your crew goodbye as you disembark and transfer to the airport for flights home. SPECIAL 2018 INTRODUCTORY RATES TO THE BRAND NEW M/S DOURO SPLENDOR. PRICES ARE PER PERSON, SHARING A TWIN CABIN. SPECIAL RATES FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY! CABIN CATEGORY EMBARK DISEMBARK CRUISE ONLY Sng. Supp* Low Deck C window 12 July 19 July $1499 + $0 19 July 26 July $1599 + $100 UPGRADES: Middle deck French Balcony: +$299, Upper Deck French Balcony: $399 Upper Deck Junior Suites w/french balcony: +$699, Port Charges: $96 pp IMPORTANT NOTES: *Special single supplement rates applicable to Low Deck C category only; Single occupancy on all other decks +%50 of the twin rate. Transfers: Porto airport ship one way: 2-10 people $39 pp, 11-20 $19pp, 20 or more free (arriving and departing on identical flights) Optional Economy airfare from EWR on TAP Round trip including all taxes and fees: $1156 per person
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the changes in the ships port stops and timings, we are replacing the lunch in Regua (day 6) with a FREE FULL DAY TOUR TO SALAMANCA, SPAIN (day 4) INCLUDED SERVICES: Accommodation in outside river view staterooms, in cabin category of your choice. Total of 5 sightseeing tours included (Castelo, St. Mateus, Lamego, Porto & Salamanca Spain*) Total of 20 meals including 7 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners including special meals. FREE Drink package: mineral water, soft drinks, local house white and red wine, beer, coffee or tea for all on board lunches and dinners. 24h complementary coffee/tea station. Welcome and Farewell cocktail party with snacks. On board activities*: Portuguese Lesson in the Lounge*. Portuguese traditional dinner. Douro Presentation.* Portuguese Folk Music Show on board. Cooking presentation.* Captain s dinner with an upgraded 5-course menu with aperitif. Services of an experienced Hotel Manager & local English speaking guides throughout. Swimming pool on sun deck. TV channels in all cabins via satellite Non-smoking environment (smoking is permitted on special designated areas) *On board activities subject to passenger interest and participation. Additional Services on board, for a fee: Laundry services Spa services Souvenir shop Visa/Master Cards accepted for all on board expenses. Not included in the Program: Airport Transfers to/from the ship Beverages not included in the Drink package (hard liquor, champagne etc.) Optional Tours when offered Expenses of a personal nature (phone, laundry, souvenirs etc.) Tips for the ship crew EUR 10,00 per passenger per night. This money is shared evenly to all staff members, including bus drivers and Tour Escorts. BON VOYAGE! Updated 30 APRIL, 2018 @ VWT/st