Day 1: DEPART USA
Board you overnight flight to Portugal Day 2: ARRIVE IN PORTO
Arrive in Porto and transfer to your luxury cruise ship. Gather onboard tonight for your Welcome Dinner. (D) Day 3: PORTO - REGUA
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. Anusnt 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. You may also want to visit one of the cafés to sample a "bola de Lamego" (bread filled with smoked ham), regional cakes or treat yourself to a glass of Raposeira, sparkling wine. (B,L,D) Day 4: REGUA - 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. (B,L,D) Day 5: SALAMANCA, SPAIN - VEGA DE TERRON, 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. Then enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own before returning to the ship. Perhaps visit the locals "living room," otherwise known as the Plaza Mayor or stop by a café for a drink and some tapas. Tonight, enjoy a flamenco show by four traditional female dancers performing to an array of popular Spanish songs. The ship moors overnight in Vega de Terrón. (B,L,D) Day 6: VEGA DE TERRON - PINHAO
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. (B,L,D) Day 7: REGUA - 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 Trás-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. (B,L,D) Day 8: PORTO
Your sightseeing tour shows you 16th-century arcaded buildings, Baroque churches and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. Then drive through the elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast and explore the Old City. For some modern culture, visit the Boavista area where you will find the Casa da Musica and the Museum of Modern Art. Say farewell to your friends at the Farewell Cocktail. (B,L,D) Day 9: PORTO - ARLES, FRANCE
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Marseille, France, where a motorcoach awaits to transfer you to Arles, the gateway to Provence. Once onboard, gather this evening with fellow passengers for cocktails and a Welcome Dinner. (B,D) Day 10: ARLES - AVIGNON
This morning, travel by motorcoach to the villages of St. Remy & Les Baux. Enjoy the rich floral colors and amazing views from this village perched on the hill. This afternoon bathe in the Provençal light as you imagine how Vincent Van Gogh worked to capture the richness of every hue on your walking tour of Arles. While Van Gogh's homes are no longer standing, you may glimpse the locales and vistas that inspired "Starry Night" or "Terrace de Café le Soir" as you pass Constantine's Baths, the Romanesque cathedral and the Roman Amphitheater, which is still in use today. This evening cruise to nearby Avignon. (B,L,D) Day 11: AVIGNON - VIVIERS
Your morning tour of the "City of Popes" will take you through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace, which served as a fortress, a church and a residence to the Popes that once governed the Christian world. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy some scenic cruising to Viviers, arriving late this evening. After dinner, enjoy an evening "ghost walk" through the largely abandoned medieval town that had once more than 30,000 inhabitants. The ship moors overnight in Viviers. (B,L,D) Day 12: VIVIERS - TOURNON
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, a charming hilltop village, dominated by a majestic castle. Grignan is a provincial gem and a tourist secret .The ship sails for Tournon during lunch and arrives in the early evening. The ship moors overnight in Tournon. (B,L,D) Day 13: TOURNON - VIENNE
On this morning's adventure, you will get a personal look at a working farm located in the midst of the Ardéche Mountains, and then take a scenic tour of the valley's beautiful landscape. Enjoy a visit to Bouusu-le-Roi and its local market of handmade crafts, musical entertainment and wine tasting. Enjoy lunch back onboard the ship as we cruise to Vienne this afternoon. Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne, like Lyon has a significant Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvelously preserved ruins and remains. (B,L,D) Day 14: VIENNE - TREVOUX
During this morning's walking tour you will see the 1st-century Roman Temple of Augustus, and the medieval churches of St. Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St. Pierre, before we cruise on to Trévoux, passing through Lyon on the Saône River. This evening, stroll along the sidewalk cafes of this rural walking town. (B,L,D) Day 15: TREVOUX - LYON
After breakfast, your city tour takes you behind the village walls of Trévoux and through Beaujolais, the Pays D'Or, or "land of the golden stones" so named for the ochre limestone of its homes and castles. Enjoy a visit with a local wine maker along "la route du vin" and sample the world renowned Beaujolais Nouveau. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail to Lyon. Lyon not only marks the meeting of the Sôane and Rhône rivers, but it is also the gastronomic capital of France. Its rich anusnt history includes Roman ruins and early Christian sites. For those not continuing on to Paris, you will disembark for a city tour of Lyon, while others have the evening at leisure. (B,L,D) Day 16: LYON
After breakfast disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home.B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner> |
