Tour of Portugal with a summer cruise on the Douro River

Portugal does not cease to amaze travelers, because there are so many attractions on its territory! For example, the largest river of the Iberian Peninsula Douro (port. Douro), which crosses Spain and Portugal, and then flows into the Atlantic Ocean. At the mouth of the river is the second largest city of the state - Porto. It is famous for giving the name of Portugal and one of the most famous wines in the world – port wine. We invite you to go on a tour of Portugal, which includes a summer cruise on the Douro River (4 nights on board a comfortable liner). An exciting journey begins and ends in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Every day you are waiting for educational excursions with a Russian-speaking guide, and as a reminder you will have excellent photos of Portugal and its attractions. www.LusitanaSol.ru

Tour of Portugal with a summer cruise on the Douro River
Lisbon – Douro – Porto cruise 8 days / 7 nights
Races:23/07 – 30/07-2011 / 14/08-20/08-2011

Day 1. (Saturday) Lisbon
Upon arrival in Lisbon, you will be met by a Russian-speaking guide and taken to a hotel. Accommodation at Hotel Acores 4*. After registration you will have free time for rest and independent walk. The city is located on seven hills at the mouth of the Tagus River, it is a real open-air museum.

Day 2. (Sunday) Lisbon - Fatima - Porto
After breakfast at the hotel at 7:30 departure from Lisbon to Porto. On the way you will visit one of the holy places of Catholic pilgrimage Fatima. The town is famous for the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary repeatedly appeared there to three shepherd children and made important predictions, some of which have already come true.
Upon arrival in Porto, you will be offered a lunch with drinks, and then check-in (14:00) on board the Douro Cruiser 5* (on board a swimming pool and 2 Jacuzzi) in Vila Nova de Gaia, the satellite city of the famous Porto, which is located on the opposite bank of the Douro.
For reference: The total length of the Douro River is 897 kilometers, it originates in Spain, where it is called Duero. The Douro flows into the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal. At its mouth is the city of Porto, which is often compared to an open-air museum.

Then there will be a sail towards Bitetush pier. Going down to earth you will go to the famous monastery of Alpendurada, which in the XI century was founded by the monks of the Order of the Benedicts of St. John the Baptist. Nowadays, the monastery has been transformed into a comfortable hotel complex. This region is famous for its gastronomy, as you will see at dinner in the monastery (wine is included in the price).
You will spend the night on board the liner at Bitetush pier.


Day 3. (Monday) Bitetos - Peso da Regua - Pinhau
Early in the morning, the ship sails to Pesú da Regua (Regua), after which you will be offered breakfast on board. Regua is the shopping center of the Douro region, where the famous Casa do Douro is located. The city is surrounded by wonderful landscapes, where luxurious vineyards prevail. In the town itself perfectly preserved ancient buildings, and the population is friendly. After arriving in Regua, there will be lunch on board the ship.

After lunch, an excursion to the city of Lamega with a visit to Quinta do Seixo is planned. The town of Lamego is famous for the fact that in 1143 the first king of Portugal, Don Afonso Henriques, was proclaimed there. To this day, well-preserved estates of the XVII and XVIII centuries, an ancient castle and churches.

The cruise will continue towards Pinhau. You will be offered dinner on board. You can relax to live music in the bar of the liner, after which you will spend the night on board at the pier of Pinhau.

Day 4. (Tuesday) Pinhau - Barca de Alva
After breakfast on board, you will take a tour of the Mateus Palace and Gardens. The luxurious Baroque palace has the status of a National Monument of Portugal. It was built in the 1740s by the Italian Nicolau Nasoni commissioned by Count Antonio Joe Botelho Muran, still belongs to the Botelje family and is open to tourists. In the surrounding park is a marble sculpture of a nymph by Jose Coutileiro (1981).

Then you will go to the village of Barca de Alva, which is home to a little more than two hundred inhabitants. Lunch will be on board the ship.
The arrival of the Barca de Alva will be celebrated with a barbecue dinner on deck accompanied by traditional Portuguese music. You will spend the night on board the liner at the Barca de Alva pier.

Day 5. (Wednesday) Barca de Alva - Pocinho - Regua
Early in the morning the ship will return to Regua. Breakfast will be on board. Along the way, you will visit one of the amazing sights of Portugal Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Coa Valley, which organically fits into the landscape of the area.
After the tour, the cruise will continue and you will be offered lunch on board.
Upon arrival in Regau, you will be served dinner. You will have a great time, occasions of traditional Portuguese music and urban romance Fado, which lyrically reflects the very essence of the national soul. You will spend the night on board the ship at Regua pier.

Day 6. (Thursday) Regua - Porto
We have to leave for Porto in the morning. Breakfast will be offered on board the ship. Upon arrival in the main wine-growing city of Portugal, you will go on a sightseeing tour of Porto, which will conclude with a visit to the famous wine cellars. You can taste the true nectar taken from the vineyards of the Douro region and buy yourself a bottle to treat your friends’ homes.
Lunch with drinks will be offered at the national restaurant, after which you will be accommodated in the Hotel Porto 4* and can spend the evening at your discretion.

Day 7. (Friday) Porto - Lisbon
After breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 you will go to Lisbon. Upon arrival, you will be offered lunch at a Brazilian restaurant (drinks included in the price).