River Cruise Itinerary

1. Day 1
   Porto

   Sat, Apr 19, 2025

   Welcome to Porto, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Radiance. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.

   
   Meals: Dinner
2. Day 2
   Porto – Pinhão

   Sun, Apr 20, 2025

   Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. This fascinating area is celebrated because it builds on two millennia of wine producing history, where viticulture has shaped the surrounding landscape and small, sleepy villages are peppered with dozens of sun-drenched vineyards.  

   Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and cocktail reception. 

   EmeraldPLUS
   Portuguese cooking demonstration on board

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3. Day 3
   Pinhão – Vega de Terrón

   Mon, Apr 21, 2025

   Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, nestled on the confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. This 18th-century estate is environmentally sound, creating organic produce by using traditional viticulture methods.  

   Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through local vineyards, stopping along the way to admire your surroundings. Alternatively, embark on a kayak excursion along the river, taking in the impressive views from the heart of the Douro Valley.  

   This afternoon, enjoy sailing to Vega de Terrón, perhaps relaxing on the Sun Deck.  

   Included Excursion
   Visit to Quinta do Tedo with wine tasting

   EmeraldACTIVE
   Kayak experience in Pinhão

   EmeraldACTIVE
   Guided active walk through the vineyards

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. Day 4
   Vega de Terrón – Salamanca

   Tue, Apr 22, 2025

   Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors.  

   Travel to the beautiful ‘Golden City’ for a walking tour, which includes exploring the postcard-worthy galleries and arcades that adorn Plaza Mayor. You’ll also have the opportunity to see Casa de las Conchas, a building that has been lovingly decorated with more than 300 shells, and Salamanca’s university, one of the oldest universities in Europe that dates back to 1218.   

   Included Excursion
   Guided tour of Salamanca

   EmeraldPLUS
   Tuna music band

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
5. Day 5
   Pocinho – Régua

   Wed, Apr 23, 2025

   This morning, we are docked in Pocinho from where we take you to the charming medieval town of Castelo Rodrigo. On your touryou will have the chance to uncover the secrets of this small village’s fortress history and try some typical local products. Later, return to your Star-Ship for lunch and soak up your idyllic surrounds, enjoying a Port wine cocktail lesson on board as you sail towards Régua.

   Included Excursion
   Tour to Castelo Rodrigo

   EmeraldPLUS
   Port wine cocktail lesson on board 

   DiscoverMORE
   Archaeological tour by 4x4 at the Côa Valley Museum (extra expense)

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6. Day 6
   Régua

   Thu, Apr 24, 2025

   On today’s included excursion, you’ll visit the marvellous Baroque village of Lamego, stopping to see the picturesque Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, a structure that stands gracefully over the town. If you’re feeling active, enjoy an invigorating walk down the 686 steps from the Sanctuary to the main square. On the same day you will get to experience a rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca, one of the finest estates of river Douro and learn about the Portuguese mosaic painting tradition. 

   Included Excursion
   Guided tour of Lamego

   EmeraldPLUS
   Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca

   EmeraldPLUS
   Mosaic tile painting lesson on board

   EmeraldACTIVE
   Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies

   DiscoverMORE
   Visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7. Day 7
   Porto

   Fri, Apr 25, 2025

   Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating and eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture. Famous for its export of Port wines, it’s easy to imagine how British merchant ships would have once clustered together in the medieval harbour, waiting to take their produce across the water.  

   Your included tour of the coastal city will touch on the fortified structures of Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, a building whose pentagonal façades overlook the ocean. For those who wish to see the charms of Porto on foot, our active walk through the town will bring you closer to the vibrant daily life of the locals.  

   Included Excursion
   Guided tour of Porto

   EmeraldPLUS
   A cruise through Porto

   EmeraldACTIVE
   Guided active walk in Porto

   DiscoverMORE
   Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (extra expense)

   DiscoverMORE
   Guided bike tour to the Atlantic (extra expense)

   
   Meals: Breakfast
8. Day 8
   Porto - Madrid

   Sat, Apr 26, 2025

   After breakfast, disembark your Star-Ship and transfer to Porto Airport for your flight to the sun-kissed Spanish capital, Madrid. Your itinerary includes a two-night stay in a centrally-located hotel in the city.  

   
   Meals: Breakfast
9. Day 9
   Madrid

   Sun, Apr 27, 2025

   This morning, you will be joined by a knowledgeable local guide for a vibrant city tour of Madrid, including some of the city’s golden plazas, the Sabatini Gardens and its illustrious market. Following your tour, the rest of the day is yours to spend exploring at leisure.

   Included Excursion
   A guided tour of Madrid

   
   Meals: Breakfast
10. Day 10
    Madrid

    Mon, Apr 28, 2025

    After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests as you are transferred to the airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking memories of lavish sanctuaries and viridian vineyards with you. 

    
    Meals: Breakfast

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