Luxury European River Cruises, Tours of Europe, Rhine River Cruises, Danube, Deals, Seine River Cruise
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/623734
62 Drink in the colours of Porto, set on the shores of the Douro River 14 Day Douro Delights Lisbon to Madrid 3 Nights Lisbon | 7 Night River Cruise from Porto to Barca d'Alva | 3 Nights Madrid Lisbon | Sintra | Porto | Régua | Lamego | Pinhão | Salamanca | Madrid Day 1. Arrive Lisbon. On arrival in Lisbon, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Meet your fellow travellers and APT Tour Director at a Welcome Reception tonight. Three Night Grand City Stay: Lisbon, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz. Day 2. Lisbon. On a guided tour of Lisbon, ride on the city's iconic tramcars, then visit the Old Town and much more. Discover the World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery, an incredible symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. Built in 1502 by King Manual I, the monument commemorates Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. Later this evening, get to know your fellow guests during a special Welcome Dinner. BD Day 3. Lisbon, Sintra. Today's excursion takes you into the picturesque mountain range of Serra de Sintra. Visit the World Heritage- listed Pena National Palace set within a picturesque backdrop and take a guided tour of Sintra, the town below. Enjoy lunch at your leisure before returning to Lisbon via the spectacular coastal route. B Day 4. Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Embark Ship. Journey through Portugal's rural countryside to Coimbra, a delightful medieval city home to Portugal's most famous university. After a tour and free time for lunch, continue to Porto, where 9 Day (EUPDC09) guests join the tour. Board your river ship and enjoy a Welcome Dinner in the evening. Seven Night Stay: the stylish MS amaVida. BD Day 5. Porto. On a tour, explore Porto's Old Town and delight in its 16th-century buildings and Baroque churches. See the iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel then enjoy a tasting at a local port house in Gaia. BLD Day 6. Porto, Guimarães, Entre-Os-Rios. Take a morning excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães, an authentic and well-preserved showcase of the evolution of medieval settlement, as well as 15th to 19th-century architecture. Back on board, enjoy some scenic cruising through the Douro Valley en route to Entre-Os-Rios. Tonight, head to the 14th-century Alpendurada Monastery. Enjoy sampling the local wine and take in views over the river valley before dinner and entertainment. BLD Day 7. Caldas de Aregos, Régua. Dock in Caldas de Aregos and travel to Quinta da Aveleda, a family business that has been producing wine in the Douro region since the 1870s. Explore the estate on a tour, followed by a tasting. Delight in the beauty of this sun-drenched region as you cruise to Régua, where you'll visit the Douro Museum. BLD Day 8. Régua, Lamego, Pinhão. Tour the ancient town of Lamego and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. You'll then sample bolas de Lamego, a specialty dish of the region. After, continue cruising through the dramatic gorges of the Douro Valley to Pinhão, where you'll disembark for a wine tasting and dinner at a local Portuguese winery. BLD DISCOVER PORTUGAL & SPAIN The Royal Collection Freedom of Choice TM Inclusions Signature Invitation THE DOURO VALLEY Northern Portugal is home to the World Heritage-listed Douro Valley, where vertiginous granite slopes and terraced vineyards sweep up from the wide and supremely beautiful Douro River. Drenched in sunlight and teeming with colourful riverside villages, picture-perfect scenery and historic charm, it will come as no surprise that this is considered among the most beautiful wine-producing regions in the world. www.aptouring.com.au