Indulge your passion for food, history, and music as you discover the warmth of Portugal and Spain.
Experience the “sunny side” of Europe, starting in radiant seaside Lisbon, then follow the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain. Feel the warm sun on your skin as you cruise past terraced hills, quaint villages, and acres of ripe vineyards.
Breathe the sea air in Lisbon, the city that launched a host of renowned navigators, including Vasco da Gama. Climb the steep hills and hear the sound of fado music fill the streets as you sip a bica (espresso) at a café. Enjoy a quintessential Portuguese lunch in majestic Coimbra (birthplace of six of Portugal’s kings). And in Porto’s ancient Ribeira district, find picturesque rabelo boats, cutting-edge cuisine, and a thriving art scene.
Sail from Porto through the breathtaking, UNESCO-designated Douro Valley, where vines cling to precipitous hillsides. Visit charming quintas and meet the winemakers who run them. See Salamanca, “The Golden City,” and visit its famed university (where Columbus planned his pivotal journey) before enjoying a flamenco show. Then return to Portugal with a visit to the walled village of Castelo Rodrigo and historic Guimarães. Revel in the captivating cities and striking scenery of the serene Douro River Valley on this perfectly paced cruise/tour.
Who will enjoy this cruise
Wine connoisseurs hoping to indulge in this region’s most celebrated beverage, Port, and those wanting to discover Europe’s best-kept secret, the Douro River, with its spellbinding natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Highlights
YOUR CRUISE/TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
TRAVEL
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the chic Queen Isabel
3 nights in Lisbon at the InterContinental Lisbon Hotel (or similar) with breakfast
All transfers on arrival and departure days
TASTE
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Gala Dinner
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
EXPLORE
2 countries
8 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Guided “Do as the Locals Do” and “Gentle Walking” programs
6 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio–headset system on all excursions
EXPERIENCE
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: “The Magical Douro River Valley”
Note: Cruising in Spain and Portugal is a wonderful experience, but while the Queen Isabel is a lovely and comfortable ship, her amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship.
Information is subject to change.