Say "bon voyage" to ordinary cruises with one of our extraordinary
European River Cruises!​

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Itinerary Information

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Douro River Cruise ~ August 12-17, 2019

Day 1 - August 12/Monday	Porto Embarkation: cocktail party, Porto by night tour ​
Day 2 - August 13/Tuesday	Porto Tour Depart from Porto
Day 3 - August 14/Wednesday	Vila Real and Mateus Mansion Wine tasting on ship
Day 4 - August 15/Thursday	Salamanca (oldest university in Europe)
Day 5 - August 16/Friday	Wine vineyard ​Wine tasting
Day 6 - August 17/Saturday	Disembarkation: Optional Excursion and Hotel Night in Lisbon

     Includes:

• Excursions
• Nightly entertainment
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Wine lectures

Saturday Night Disembarkation; Optional Excursion and Hotel Night in Lisbon. Contact Lucy for details.
Sunday - Flight home or optional post-cruise tour
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Pre-Cruise Tour ~ August 6-12, 2019

     Includes:

• 4 nights accommodation in Lisbon with breakfast (Hotel Mundial)
• 1 night accommodation in Porto (Hotel Carris Porto Ribiera)
• 1 fado dinner show
• 1 dinner at Restaurant D'Bacalhau (with drinks)
• Guided tours
• Entrance to Pena Palace
• Airport transfers- airport in Lisbon and departure in Porto

CALL NOW TO RESERVE

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CroisiEurope's Miguel Torga

• CroisiEurope's Miguel Torga, their newest 65-cabin ship - small enough to navigate the winding Golden river and sufficiently intimate to actually become friends with many of those sailing with you.
• Our local Miami DJ will keep us moving to his music, from elegant ballroom to Motown and current salsa!

   Boat plans in order from       top to bottom:

• Main Deck
• Middle Deck
• Upper Deck
• Sun Deck

Information:​
Width: 1140 meters
Number of passengers: 130
Year of construction: 2017
Total capacity: 65 cabins
Length: 80 meters

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~Things to See~

• Lisbon
• Sintra
• Obidos
• ​Vila Real
• Salamanca

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Jeronimos Monastaery

• Jeronimos Monastery otherwise known as the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is a highly ornate monastery. 
• Located in the Belem district of western Lisbon, this grand religious building was historically associated with the early sailors as explorers. It was from here that Vasco de Gama spent his last night before his voyage to the Far East.
• In 1983, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and presently is one of the top tourist attractions of Lisbon.
• Due to the clever engineering design of small columns that support the vast roof church, the roof was able to withstand the devastating 1755 earthquake. The majority of Lisbon’s large buildings collapsed while Mosteiro dos Jeronimos had only slight damage.

Vasco de Gama Bridge

• The Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe. It measures over 10 miles (17 km) long, connecting the northern and southern parts of Portugal.
• Opened to the public on 29 March 1998, it was named after the most important Portuguese discoverer; Vasco da Gama. 
• It commemorates the fifth centenary of his arrival from India in 1498. Gama was the first European to reach India by sea, from the Atlantic Ocean.
• 3,300 workers were needed to build the bridge and it took 18 months to complete.
• On the inauguration day of the Ponte Vasco da Gama the residents of Lisbon were invited to a massive seated party which stretched the length of the bridge.

Castelo de Sao Jorge

• Located on the peak of the São Jorge hill, Lisbon's highest, is the castle bearing the same name: one of the most iconic symbols of the city.
• The excellent vantage point of Castelo de Sao Jorge high above the River Tejo made it a prime defensive position and the site has been used since the Roman era. 
• The reconstructed castle and battlements that can be viewed today are based on the layout from the 11th century and the introduction of Christianity to Portugal, as part of the second crusade.
• Before 1147 Lisbon was an important Moorish trading port with strong ties to North African heartland.

Pena Palace

• The Palacio Nacional da Pena is one of the finest tourist attractions of Portugal and exemplifies the 19th century Romanticism style of architecture.
• In 1995, the palace and the Cultural Landscape of Sintra were classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• The architectural styling is classified as a 19th century Romanticism styled building. 
• The palace has grotesque gargoyles that peer down over the main entrance, and illusionary spiked walls all below the vividly painted exterior.

Cabo de Roca

• Cabo da Roca is a wild and rugged headland that marks the most westerly point of mainland Europe. 
• The windswept cliffs of Cabo de Roca were believed to be the edge of the world up until the up until the late 14th century and the spectacular, desolate scenery adds to the allure of the location.​​
• The isolated atmosphere of Cabo da Roca is enhanced by the very limited development in the area; there is a lighthouse, coffee shop and gift shop but not much else. 
• This wind blasted and dramatic landscape is the attraction and this is what most visitors expect for the western edge Europe or end of the world.

Torre de Belem

• The Tower of Belem was constructed as part of a line of defenses to protect Lisbon’s early harbor and was positioned in the middle of the Rio Tejo (River Tagus) on a small outcrop of rocks which also proved to be hazardous to shipping.
• The Torre de Belem was completed in 1521 and was much more than a defensive position for the sailors who crossed the Atlantic or rounded the Cape of Good Hope to India.
• ​The Tower of Belem was the first sign of home and became a symbolic icon for the intrepid explorers or conscript crews.
• This tower has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1983

Castle of ​Óbidos

• The castle of ​Óbidos has been converted into a luxurious hotel and it is a truly unique location for a night’s stay. The castle dates from the 12th century but the structures that tourist clamber over today date from the 14th century when the castle’s keep and town walls were strengthened.
• ​Óbidos is known as “the wedding present town.” King Dinis gifted the entire town to his new Queen Isabel on their wedding day in 1282.
• The name Óbidos dates to ancient Roman times and means “walled town.” Perched on a hilltop, the medieval castle walls are 45 feet high.​

​Óbidos town

• The town walls of ​Óbidos completely encircle the town and it is possible to walk the entire perimeter. From the walls there are wonderful views over the terracotta tiled roofs and white painted houses of the town.
• ​The Rua Direita is the main street of ​Óbidos and it is lined with a variety of shops. The majority of these shops are purely focused for tourists but they sell a range of interesting gifts and traditional items.
• Ginja de ​Óbidos is a cherry liquor that is produced within the Óbidos region and no visit to the town is complete without sampling the sweet alcohol drink. The drink can be served in small chocolate cups which can be eaten after drinking the Ginja.
• The Óbidos Village is a charming old world village. Left as is from century ago it is a beautiful stop for a visit.

Mateus Palace

• The Mateus Palace is a Solar built in the eighteenth century by Antonio Jose Botelho Mourao, 3rd Morgado of Mateus. 
• The artefacts on permanent display at the Casa de Mateus constitute an important and unique collection of heritage and artistic value that communicates the history of the Family and the House. 
• The Lake, a mirror of water built in the 1950's, forms an extension to the architectural complex in which the principal facade is perfectly reflected
• ​The sculpture of John Cutileiro, who sleeps on the lake since 1981, is now a part of the House image.

Mateus Gardens

• The earliest parts of the gardens are traditionally attributed to Diogo Álvares Botelho Mourão, Archdeacon of Covilhã and brother of the 3rd Morgado, who built the House. These are situated to the east and consist of a staircase in the central axis of the building and the adjacent trellises. 
• The plans in an inventory made at the end of the 18th century refer to an exit into the gardens to the east, and to the south an area under planting and the Quinta.
• António Lino redesigned the parterre on the lower level, one of which is to a design by Paulo Bensliman, and reorganized the geometrical design of hedges and arches to the south of the House.

Plaza Mayor

• Salamanca's Plaza Mayor was constructed between 1729 and 1755. Not only is it one of the city's most beautiful locales, but it is also considered among the most beautiful plazas in all of Spain.
  
• One of the most beautiful squares in Spain. It was built in Baroque style according to the plans of Alberto Churriguera. On the north side is the City Hall, a Baroque building that has five granite arches and a steeple decorated with allegoric figures.
  
• In its decoration several medallions stand out, including those of Charles I, Alfonso XI, Ferdinand VI, Cervantes and St. Theresa. The façades of the buildings are three storeys high, with semicircular arches and balustrades. Today, this square is one of the most lively and popular places in Salamanca.
  

Old Cathedral of Salamanca

• (Old) ~ It was founded by Bishop Jerome of Périgord, in the 12th century and completed in Romanesque/Gothic style in the 14th century. It is dedicated to Santa Maria de la Sede (Saint Mary of the See)
  
• (New) ~ Building began in 1513 and the cathedral was consecrated in 1733. It was commissioned by Ferdinand V of Castile of Spain. It was declared a national monument by royal decree in 1887.
• ​The building began at a time when the Gothic style was becoming less popular and was merging with the new Renaissance style, giving the resulting Plateresque style in Spain. However, this cathedral retained more of its Gothic character because the authorities wanted the new cathedral to blend with the old one. Thus the new cathedral was constructed, continuing with Gothic style during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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