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Portugal Douro River Cruise. Travel
from Portugal into Spain on the Magnificent Douro River. A
relaxing, unhurried journey into the heart of beautiful and
un crowded northern Portugal. This
is a Portuguese tour you cannot miss.
Cruising
the Douro River (click here to see
map)
A gentle and relaxing journey through
Portugal's Douro River Valley, famous for its steep terraced
vineyards of Port wine grapes. You will visit charming
villages, sample the tasty cuisine onboard your ship and at
local restaurants and enjoy local Portuguese and Spanish
entertainment. The cruise begins and ends in the city of
Porto, first settled over 5,000 years ago.
 2008 Douro Cruise Itinerary
Day 1
Board your ship this afternoon in Vila Nova de Gaia,
across the Douro River from Porto. Gaia is the home
of the Port Wine Lodges. Many are open for tours and
tasting. A welcome cocktail and dinner this evening.
During your cruise you will experience many locks
while traversing the dams, including the 1976 built
Valeira, that tamed the wild Douro as you sail up
and down the river.
Overnight onboard in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Day 2
Morning tour of Porto including the historic sites
in the city with time to explore the steep medieval
lanes and alleys in the old town, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail to
Bitetos. Tonight’s dinner will be at the 14th
century Alpendurada Monastery. Take in the
breathtaking view of the river below from the
terrace.
Overnight onboard in Bitetos.
Day 3
Sail to Regua, arriving after lunch. After docking,
your tour today will take you to Casa de Mateus and
Gardens. This stunning and flamboyant example of
Portuguese Baroque architecture is famous throughout
the world as the label on Mateus Wine. The manor
house was built in the early 18th century and is
still a working estate. Equally impressive are the
gardens, which include the Cedar Tunnel.
Return to the ship, now docked in Pinhao, the heart
of the Port wine producing area. Dinner onboard
tonight will be followed by a Portuguese show.
Overnight in Pinhao.
Day 4
Enjoy a visit to the Wine Academy today at the
Vintage House Hotel before the ship sails into Spain
to Vega de Terron. Dinner tonight will be followed
by a Flamenco show onboard.
Overnight Vega de Terron, Spain.
Day 5
After breakfast depart for Salamanca, a UNESCO World
Heritage City. The city is famous for its
Renaissance architecture, 13th century university
and its unusual twin-towered cathedral combining an
old 12th century cathedral (Vieja) with a newer 16th
century cathedral (Nueva). Enjoy a typical Spanish
lunch before returning to your ship, now docked at
Barca d’Alva.
Overnight Barca d’Alva.
 Day 6
An excursion this morning to Figueira Castelo
Rodrigo, a typical Portugal-Spain border town. Many
castles were built, besieged and rebuilt only to
have the cycle repeated in the long border dispute
in the area. Today, Figueira Castelo Rodrigo is a
flourishing little town known for its almond
blossoms. Sail to Pinhao. Tonight enjoy the
Captain’s dinner at Vintage House Hotel.
Overnight Pinhao.
Day 7
Set sail this morning to Regua and disembark for an
excursion to Lamego, one of the most attractive
cities in Portugal. In addition to Port, the area
produces Raposeira, Portugal’s premier sparkling
wine. Visit the famous Baroque church, Nossa Senhora
do Remedios, located high above the city atop a
seemingly endless staircase. Lunch and dinner
onboard as you sail to Porto.
Overnight onboard in Porto.
Day 8
Your Douro River cruise comes to an end after
breakfast.
Cruise Includes:
* All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast
on Day 8.
* 3 special meals ashore
* 2 local shows
* Shore excursions and activities per the itinerary
* Taxes
Not Included:
* Beverages other than coffee, tea and juices
(breakfast)
* Gratuities
* Airfare
* Transfers to/from the ship
2008 Departure dates:
Cruises operate every Friday to Friday beginning
March 14, 2008 to October 31, 2008.
The cruise line reserves the right to modify the
itinerary if necessary.
2008 Prices (per person):
|
Sailing dates |
Main Deck Double |
Upper Deck Double |
Single Supplement |
|
Mar
14, 21, 28, Apr 4 |
$1599.00 |
$1839.00 |
$659.00 |
|
Apr
11, 18, 25 |
$1779.00 |
$1999.00 |
$689.00 |
|
May
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
$1779.00 |
$1999.00 |
$689.00 |
|
Jun
6, 13, 20, 27 |
$1779.00 |
$1999.00 |
$689.00 |
|
Jul
4, 11 |
$1779.00 |
$1999.00 |
$689.00 |
|
Jul
18, 25, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
$1599.00 |
$1839.00 |
$659.00 |
|
Sep
5, 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10 |
$1779.00 |
$1999.00 |
$689.00 |
|
Oct
17, 24, 31 |
$1599.00 |
$1839.00 |
$659.00 |
Note:
Maximum allowed in a cabin is 2.
Cabin configuration
Main Deck cabins have windows and 2 twin beds fixed
to the floor, TV, individually controlled heat and
air-conditioning.
Upper Deck cabins have picture windows and 2 beds
that can be pushed together to make a double, TV,
individually controlled heat and air-conditioning.
Ship:
Invicta features 3 passenger decks, 40 double cabins
for a maximum of 80 guests, restaurant with one
seating for meals, panoramic bar, lounge, reception,
sundeck, gift shop and is fully air-conditioned.
There is no elevator.
River Map -
Click here
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