Unforgettable Douro with Lisbon

On arrival in Lisbon you’ll be transferred to your luxury hotel for the next three nights. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow guests to toast the wonderful experiences that awaits. 

This morning, take part in a guided exploration of Portugal’s pretty capital. Visit the Bélem district to see the famed Jeronimos Monastery and taste the Portuguese delicacy, Pasteis de Nata. Return to the city centre to walk through the iconic Rossio square and Terreiro do Paço, home to the emblematic statue of King Dom Jose I on horseback. This evening, join your fellow guests for a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.

Freechoice: Today chose how you want to explore with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions: Visit Sintra & Palacio Nacional: Board your coach and visit the hilltop town of Sintra, around 45 minutes outside of Lisbon. Explore Sintra on an orientation tour and visit the national monument, Palacio Nacional. Perched high above the town, the palace is a glorious blend of Moorish and Portuguese Gothic architecture topped with twin conical chimneys. This well-preserved medieval palace was a favourite location of Portuguese Nobility and was a royal residence for nearly 500 years. Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class: Experience Portuguese cuisine firsthand and learn about its history and popular ingredients before getting hands on and cooking a traditional dish yourself. This afternoon is at leisure, so you can take advantage of everything that Lisbon has to offer. Perhaps browse the elegant shops located on your doorstep or take Tram 28 to  discover more of this fascinating city.

After breakfast, transfer to Porto to board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship for a spectacular river cruise along the Douro.

Wake in the city of Porto, a 2,000-year-old city that lent its name to the nation of Portugal. And while it is awash in history, it has a youthful vibe. Porto showcases sensory delights, streets are lined with restaurants showcasing local delicacies and historical buildings are decorated with intricate colourful tiles.  Freechoice: Explore the region with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Guided tour of Porto: Discover the rich culture and history of Porto on this guided tour, which includes a visit to the iconic Palácio da Bolsa. Active tour of Porto including cable car: Travel from Porto to Gaia (or Vila Nova de Gaia) where you’ll take a cable car ride to the Dom Luis bridge, which crosses the Douro River. Walk across the bridge towards Porto Cathedral, São Bento railway station, and the bustling street of Rua das Flores.  Decorative blue tiles are synonymous with Portugal and this afternoon you will learn about their history while creating a masterpiece of your own during a tile painting workshop.

Your first port of call along the Douro is the quaint village of Entre-os-Rios. From here, you will set out to explore the verdant Douro Valley, with options to enjoy a hike, sample local wines, or visit a city known as the ‘cradle of Portugal’. Freechoice: Choose from one of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Paiva Walkways: Explore nature at its finest on an active hike along the Paiva River. Quinta da Aveleda: Explore the fairytale-like property of Quinta Aveleda, a renowned sparkling wine producer set on an impressive estate. Excursion to Guimarães: Visit the well-preserved World Heritage-listed city and explore the palace, which dates to the 15th century, and is home to a historic collection of tapestries, furniture, weapons and more. Relax on board this afternoon as you cruise to Regua, the largest of the riverside towns. This region is famous for producing Port wine, with rolling vineyards on the terraced hillsides and wineries dating to the 18th century. This afternoon enjoy a visit to the excellent Douro Museum.

Freechoice: Choose how you wish to spend the morning with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions: Visit Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha, only with Scenic: Explore the Varosa Valley. Visit the charming village of Tarouca where youll explore the restored Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca. Walk the fortified bridge of Ucanha, Portugal’s first toll bridge. Quinta visit with olive tasting: Visit a Quinta and learn about the production of olive oil at this family run Quinta that has been handed down for 11 generations. Back on board refuel with a delicious lunch before exploring the region further with a selection from the following Scenic Freechoice activities. Excursion to Lamego: Take a coach to the town of Lamego for a self-guided museum tour and a tasting of local produce. Mateus Palace: Transfer by coach to Mateus Palace, considered one of the best examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal. Port Wine Blending Class: Visit Quinta de Pacheca and take a hands-on workshop on the Port blending process.

Take things slowly today as you enjoy a relaxed cruise through the spectacular Vinhateiro wine growing region. Terraced vineyards line the sides of the Douro Valley, dotted with traditional red-roofed farmhouses and tiny villages. Vinhateiro was the first demarcated wine region in the world, established in 1756, and the whole area is World Heritage listed. Arrive in  Vega de Terrón this evening.

Wake this morning in the city of  Vega de Terrón, located on the border of Portugal and Spain and at the confluence of the Douro and Águeda rivers. This small town remains beautifully unspoiled, with quiet streets, lush landscapes and welcoming locals. It’s a popular gateway to the university town of Salamanca, which you will have the opportunity to explore today.  Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Salamanca Full Day Excursion: Salamanca is home to two cathedrals, one dating back to the 12th century and the other to the 16th century, which you will see on today’s guided tour. You will also visit a market to taste local delicacies and you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Freixo de Espada à Cinta with silk museum: Visit the village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, the only place in Portugal where handcrafted silk is still processed entirely by hand, and on this guided tour you will visit a silk museum before returning to the ship for lunch.

Wake in the village of Pocinho, established as the terminus of the Douro Railway in 1887, a great location to explore more of the Douro Valley. Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Côa Valley Museum: Transfer by coach to the Côa Valley Museum. Opened in 2010, this museum is one of the largest in Portugal, housed in a contemporary building designed to blend into the landscape. The museum is a great introduction to the region’s paleolithic rock art sites through original artefacts and digital technology; you’ll also enjoy a pre-historic workshop. Village life in the Côa Valley: Visit Casa Painova estate for a demonstration on how sweet almonds are produced and learn how these nuts are harvested and used in desserts and pastries. Enjoy a tasting of almonds, olives and fruit products. This afternoon, relax as you cruise towards Pinhão.

Wake this morning in Pinhão, set on one of the prettiest parts of the Douro River. This small village is surrounded by terraced vineyards and produces exceptional Port wine. This morning, transfer to the charming village of Provesende, located on a plateau with spectacular views of the region’s fertile rolling landscape. Wander through the village and visit the church, discover the old bakery, witness traditional handicraft being made, and look inside the historic manor house, Morgadio da Calçada, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of delicious bola. Freechoice: Choose one of this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice activities: Kayaking along the Pinhão River: Explore this beautiful region as you glide past impressive landscapes via kayak on the Pinhão River, a tributary of the Douro. Quinta vineyard hike: Take a guided hike through the breathtaking vineyards of Quinta da Roêda in the Douro Valley. Quinta tasting: Visit Quinta da Roêda estate for a tasting of the region’s most famous export. On a guided walking tour, you’ll learn the secrets of the vineyard.

Enjoy time at leisure as you continue to sail along the spectacular Douro River. Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive back in Porto this afternoon, where you’ll experience an exclusive classical concert tonight.  Enrich Classical concert in São Francisco Church: From the ship, take a short walk (with some stairs) to São Francisco Church, which is one of the most iconic sites in Porto. Built in the 13th century, the Gothic church has an alter decorated with intricately carved wood swathed in gold. In these magnificent surrounds, enjoy a performance of classical music.

Wake in Porto, ready for a day of unique experiences, whether that be a ride on a traditional boat, playing a round of golf or sampling wine in one of the most famous cellars in the city.  Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice activities: Excursion to Aveiro with a cruise: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Aveiro, a city famed for its canals, and cruise the waterways in a brightly coloured moliceiros flat-bottomed boat, that are unique to the city. Round of golf: Play 6 holes at the Quinta do Fojo Golf club, one of Portos most popular courses.  Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia: Travel to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit one of Porto’s most famous cellars, Cockburn’s Port. Enjoy a guided visit and a tasting.  This afternoon you will have free time in Porto to explore the city at your own leisure. Return to your Scenic Space-Ship this evening for a farewell dinner.  Before dinner on board take an illumination cruise through Porto, passing the beautiful city including the six bridges that span the Douro.

Your cruise concludes this morning in Porto. Disembark and take with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey across Portugal. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.