Climb aboard for our overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as we begin our adventure to spectacular Portugal. Meals: In Flight

After arriving in Porto, we’ll meet our local guide and driver who will accompany us into the city center. Porto is home to centuries-old architecture, intricately tiled churches, and some of the best food and drink in Europe. We’ll take a leisurely walk through the Ribeira district, one of the most picturesque and liveliest neighborhoods in Porto. Stroll the banks of the Douro River and enjoy some free time getting to know Porto before being transported to the dock to board the MS Gil Eanes. After getting settled into our cabins, we’ll enjoy cocktails and dinner before setting out to see Porto at night. Admire the old, preserved district of the city with a stop at the Sao Bento railway station to view the magnificent azulejo, the Portuguese tin-glazed ceramic tilework. Meals: D

Today we take a guided tour through Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Discover the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll tour the St. Francis Church, one of the most symbolic buildings in Porto and then head inside the Bolsa Palace (Stock Exchange Building), a magnificent neoclassical mansion in the heart of the historic downtown. Ascend the ornate marble and granite staircase to visit the Golden Room and the lavishly decorated Arab Room. At an azulejo workshop, take in the striking bright blue and white tiles depicting flowers, animals, and historic events. We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon cruising through the Douro River valley with its fabulous landscapes. Enjoy an evening of dancing or leisurely exploring the ship. Meals: B, L, D

This morning, we’ll visit the Douro Museum to learn about the passionate history and wine-making heritage in the region, an experience combining traditional and modern approaches. We’ll continue to the Mateus Palace, a beautiful 18th-century manor set in the hilly landscape of Vila Real. The palace is considered one of the best country homes in Europe with its Baroque façade, ornate stairway, rooftop statues, and granite wings. Enjoy a stroll through the magnificent tree- and hedge-lined gardens, which include a romantic Mexican-cedar topiary tunnel. We’ll return to the ship for an evening of fun and entertainment with a Spanish flair. Meals: B, L, D

Discover the magic of Salamanca during our guided tour. This “Golden City” is a rare beauty, awash with golden sandstone buildings inlaid with Latin inscriptions, a grand plaza originally used for bullfighting, and a lively old town area full of large churches, convents, and palaces. We’ll visit the cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles ranging from late Gothic to Baroque and Renaissance. We’ll continue on to one of the world’s oldest universities known as “Escuelas Mayores”, with a lavishly adorned gate. After lunch together, you’ll have free time to discover the city on your own. This evening, we celebrate our travels with a gala dinner. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast on the ship, we’ll travel by motorcoach along the Port Wine Route. The route winds through gorgeous scenery and valleys with the Douro River flowing below. In Pinhao, we’ll visit a quinta (wine cellar) to taste the famous Porto wines. We’ll make a stop at the historic Pinhao train station, known for its superb azulejo frescoes. Enjoy an evening of traditional folk entertainment on board the ship. Meals: B, L, D

After disembarking, we’ll travel to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Along the way, we’ll stop at Coimbra to take in the culture and history of this charming city as we walk from the grand university building to the Monastery of Se Velha (Old Cathedral), a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture with daily music concerts and organ recitals. We’ll wander past the Porta e Torre de Almedina, a fortified medieval tower that was once part of the defensive wall that surrounded the city, ending at the Igreja de Santa Cruz Church, one of Coimbra’s most gorgeous churches with its high ceiling, altar, and stunning artwork.

We’ll enjoy some free time in the Jardim da Manga Cloister area known for its lemon-yellow fountain symbolizing the source of life. As we drive to Lisbon, we’ll pass the majestic arches of the São Sebastião aqueduct. After a brief stop at the windswept cliffs of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe, we’ll have some free time in the charming village of Cascais with its cobblestone streets, lavish villas, stunning beaches, and fascinating museums. We arrive in Lisbon to check into our hotel and enjoy a delicious meal together. Meals: B, D

After breakfast we will explore the grandeur of Lisbon with a guided tour by coach and on foot. We’ll see two jewels of the Manueline architecture, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Jerónimo Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gama, and the richly decorated Belem Tower, guarding the estuary of the Tagus River. We’ll wander the delightful maze of cobbled streets of Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon, with panoramic views, unique heritage, delightful plazas, and trendy cafes. We’ll discover the castle of Sao Jorge, sitting majestically above Lisbon, and the elegant district of Baixa with the grand plaza Praca do Comércio with the Rua Augusta Arch.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the National Tile Museum, dedicated to the azulejo, Portugal’s traditional tilework. The museum’s collection of ceramics is one of the largest in the world. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Lisbon, known for its unique historical center, stunning architecture, and fantastic food. Meals: B

We have a full day excursion to magical Sintra, starting with a visit to the whimsical Pena Palace, an extraordinary palace with a vividly painted exterior and a jumble of architectural styles. Afterwards explore Pena Park at your own pace. Discover secret caves and trails, admire the astonishing variety of plants and trees, and view the decorative Moorish Fountain. Afterwards, visit the intriguing and mysterious Quinta da Regaleira Castle, an impressive castle with a richly decorated facade and a surrounding estate

full of mysterious corridors, underground crypts, and a range of mystical symbols. Most notably is the “inverted tower”, a deep well with a spiral staircase leading you to the bottom. Later we’ll drive to Sintra’s old town where you’ll have free time to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Be sure to taste Sintra’s traditional sweet pastries, Travesseiro and Queijada, a combination of delicate puff pastry and rich cream covered in powdered sugar. We’ll return to Lisbon in the early afternoon with time for you to explore the city on your own. We’ll gather together for a festive farewell dinner at a Fado restaurant. Meals: B, D

After breakfast, say farewell to Portugal as we are escorted to the airport for our return flight home. Meals: B, In-Flight