UNIWORLD
11 Days | Portugal, Spain & Douro River Valley
Northbound

LISBON TO PORTO

NOTE: 8 day cruise only also available embarking in Porto; Lisbon and Coimbra portions not included. Call for details and prices.

Day 1 | Lisbon, Portugal. Arrive at Lisbon’s Portela Airport where you’ll be transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 | Lisbon. Your guided exploration of Lisbon takes you to the historic district of Belem and the Belem Tower, the traditional starting and ending point of Portuguese voyages of discovery. You’ll then visit San Jeronimos Church, built in the early 16th-century. (BB)

Day 3 | Lisbon. Spend leisure time enjoying this cosmopolitan city often referred to as the “City of Seven Hills.’’ (BB)

Day 4 | Lisbon. Coimbra. Porto. In the morning, you’ll head north to Porto. En route, you’ll stop in Portugal’s third-largest city, Coimbra, birthplace of six of Portugal’s kings and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Within the university is the Biblioteca Joanina, a gem of a library with books from the 12th-century. After your library visit, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to the ship docked in Porto. (BB, L, D)

Day 5 | Porto. Guimarães. Bitetos. Visit historic Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal in the 12th-century, home to the first king of Portugal, Don Afonso Henriques, and a 2012 European Cultural Capital. It has been referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. Dominated by Afonso Henriques’ grand castle, Guimarães was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its extremely well-preserved city center. You will be guided through the narrow streets of the Medieval quarter, toward the beautiful main square, the Largo da Oliveira, and then on to the splendid Monastery and Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Ducal Palace, and the 14th century Gothic Padrão do Salado. Later, sail to Bitetos and visit one of the prestigious port wine cellars in Cais de Gaia. (BB, L, D)

Day 6 | Régua. Pinhão. After a morning lecture at the Douro Museum, visit the impressive Mateus Palace and Gardens, with one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Later, enjoy dinner at the family-owned winery Quinta da Avessada in the heart of the Douro region, built a century ago, and producing Moscatel, the treasure of the region. (BB, L, D)

Day 7 | Pinhão. Vega de Terrón, Spain. Pinhão is the epicenter of the Port winemaking, so it is only fitting you visit a quinta to learn the history of, and sample, the country’s most celebrated beverage. In the afternoon, enjoy the breathtaking scenery while sailing the remote Douro Valley. (BB, L, Captain’s Dinner)

Day 8 | Vega de Terrón. Salamanca. From Vega de Terrón, on the Spanish border, travel overland to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city. This charming town is untouched in its architectural purity, and throughout the centuries the sandstone buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow, giving the city the nickname the “Golden City.” Visit Salamanca’s historic university before having lunch with a flamenco show at a local restaurant. (BB, L, D)

Day 9 | Barca d'Alva (Castelo Rodrigo). Régua. Visit the 12th-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, a charming and captivating place with Medieval streets, thick stonewall houses, and a remarkably distinctive fountain, Chafariz dos Pretos. (BB, L, D)

Day 10 | Porto, Portugal. Sail along the Douro back to Porto, and then stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage designated Medieval city center of charming Porto. Visit the 19th-century UNESCO Palacio de Bolsa with its famous Arab Room. Later, enjoy a farewell evening and reception while sailing to the mouth of the Douro River. (BB, L, D)

Day 11 | Porto. Disembark the ship and transfer to the Porto airport for your flight home. (CB/BB)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

NORTHBOUND ITINERARY 11 DAYS | LISBON TO PORTO