Porto, The Douro Valley & Salamanca WHAT’S INCLUDED
Departing on April 20th & July 7th 2009 (other dates available on request)
8 days 7 nights duration
Return flights from selected UK airports
7 nights full board accommodation on board a Croisi cruiser
Included excursion package
FREE place for the group organiser (based on twin share - minimum numbers apply)
ITINERARY
Day 1 Having travelled to Portugal from the UK you will be have time to settle in, after which you will be welcomed on board and receive a co cktail and presentation of the crew.
Day 2 After a buffet breakfast on board we explore Porto on an included guided tour. One of the oldest cities in Europe, whose historic centre is classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, it has unspoilt old quarters, a maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses & superb churches… But above all, Porto is famous for its Port wine. Among the wine properties that extend as far as the eye can see along the Duoro in Vila Nova de Gaia, we will visit a famous cellar where this exceptional wine slowly ages in the greatest secrecy. Return on board for lunch, during which you will be able to admire the fabulous landscapes to be seen during the cruise to Regua. We will go through the locks at Crestuma and Carrapatelo, the highest in Europe at 36 metres. On arrival in Regua dinner will be on arrival followed by an evening of dancing or an evening walk (at your own pace) in Regua.  Day 3 Buffet breakfast is served on board before departing on our excursion to Vila Real, a town in which the religious architecture is very varied. You will get the chance to take a walk in the gardens of Solar de Mateus whilst your boat sails onto Pinhao where we will re-join it for lunch. The cruise continues into the heart of the vineyards of Porto, past magnificent hillsides covered in trellised vines, planted in terraces up to 700m which plunge majestically down towards the river. We will go through the locks at Valeira and Pocinho to reach Barca d'Alva during the evening. Dinner is followed by a flamenco evening on board.
Day 4 After buffet breakfast on board we depart for your excursion to Salamanca, classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. This town is full of dazzling houses as well as some extraordinary Romanesque, Arab and  Christian architectural treasures. Lunch in Salamanca before returning to the boat, where dinner will be served followed by an evening of entertainment whilst berthed in Vega de Teron.
Day 5 Departure early this morning taking a buffet breakfast onboard, we travel through the locks in Pocinho and Valeira, a morning's sailing. Lunch is taken during the cruise after which we stop in Ferradosa. You will depart for your tour of the “wines of Porto'' as you follow the 'wine road' through the vineyards, stopping at a Belvedere. You will then take part in a tasting of the wines of Porto in a quinta. Continuing onto Pinhao early evening you will also be able to explore the old station in Pinhao at your own pace, with its splendid “azulejos” (typical Portuguese tiles). Dinner is followed by a gala evening on board.
Day 6 After buffet breakfast you depart from Pinhao by coach for your pre-bookable optional guided tour of Lamego. You will discover the  Nossa Senhora dos Remedios sanctuary and the Cathedral. You re-join the cruise in Regua for lunch and this afternoon you can relax as you pass through a number of large locks, arriving in Porto during the evening. Dinner is followed by a traditional 'fado' evening on board.
Day 7th After breakfast this morning is free in Porto after which lunch is served on board. This afternoon, you will be able either to take some time to explore the city of Porto or take part in the optional excursion to Braga, nicknamed the "Rome of Portugal" because of its religious architecture of a very high quality (payable locally). Dinner on board followed by a traditional evening.
Day 8th After breakfast you will disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Please note that the above itinerary is July 7th. The April departure covers the same destinations but in a different order. PRICE & SUPPLEMENTS
Price from £899.00pp (twin/double share main deck)
Supplements apply for upper, middeck & single cabins HOW TO BOOKChoose a departure date
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