Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Porto, Portugal. Welcome to Porto, where you’ll board the luxurious Scenic Azure for your 7-night cruise of the idyllic Douro Valley. Meal: D Enjoy onboard activities such as traditional tile painting, or simply relax as your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship meanders its way to Regua where you’ll have the chance to explore the Douro Museum at your leisure. Learn about the culture, history and identity of the people living in this wine-growing region of the Douro Valley. Meals: B, L, D Freechoice: Tour the elegant town of Lamego, with its many fine Baroque structures such as the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and the Lamego Museum, or enjoy a guided visit of Mateus Palace, the historic icon depicted on the labels of Portugal’s famous Mateus rosé wine.
Alternatively, you may choose to go kayaking along the Pinhão River. Enjoy a full afternoon cruising the Vinhateiro wine region as you continue onward towards Spain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vinhateiro has a history of wine production that stretches back 2,000 years. Meals: B, L, D Freechoice: Cross the border to Spain for a full-day excursion while you take your time absorbing the architectural splendor of Salamanca, a city as visually striking as it is historically intriguing.
Alternatively, you may choose to visit the Portuguese village, Freixo de Espada à Cinta for a guided tour and visit to their silk museum. Freixo de Espada à Cinta is the only municipality where silk is still processed entirely by hand. Meals: B, L, D Freechoice: Visit the award-winning Côa Valley Museum and enjoy a pre-historic workshop. Alternatively, join the ‘Tastes of the Côa Valley’ excursion and sample some of the region’s products such as jams, marmalade's and sugared almonds. Meals: B, L, D Visit the remarkable village of Provesende, showcasing the Portugal of yesteryear. Wander the atmospheric streets of this quaint village with the locals as they proudly introduce you to their way of life – an experience exclusive to Scenic guests. Enrich: The beauty of São Francisco Church is sure to impress. The façade is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque architecture, while the interior glows with intricate wood carvings covered in gold. Witness a spectacular private concert in these wondrous surroundings. Meals: B, L, D Discover the historic treasures of Porto, including a visit to Palacio da Bolsa, a neoclassical-style building that started construction in 1842 and took over 65 years to complete. Freechoice: Join a guided tour of Guimarães, the seat of the first King of Portugal and dominated by the impressive Ducal Palace, which dates back to medieval times.
Alternatively, you may choose a tasting at the fairytale property of Quinta da Aveleda. Located in the famous Vino Verde region and a renowned regional sparkling wine producer, the incredible gardens alone make the excursion worthwhile. Meals: B, L, D After breakfast, transfer to the Porto airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking wonderful memories with you. Meal: B