Cruise the Douro River August 6th, 2016- August 15th, 2016
$2,999 price per person, based on double occupancy,
Includes round-trip airfare from Boston to Porto. Visit Lisbon, Sintra, Estoril, Obidos, Fatima and 4 nights cruise in the Douro River.
This tour program includes 22 Meals, Fado and Flamenco Show, Wine tasting, all excursions, transfers from airport to hotel and cruise to Porto. 2 Nights at 4 Star Hotel in Lisbon, 4 Night aboard the Spirit of Chartwell and 2 Nights at 4 Star Hotel in Porto.
761 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02723 www.sagresvacations.com Ph# 508-679-0053 Indulge your passion for fine dining, culture, 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. From taking in a traditional flamenco show to visiting a local café and enjoying authentic Portuguese cuisine and wine tastings, this Sagres Vacations program gives you the very best of the region.
August 6th, 2016- Overnight Flight- Board your overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities and golden-sand beaches, rich in history and natural beauty, experience its charm as the Portuguese welcome you with open arms, and invite you to their “casa”.
August 7th, 2016-Lisbon in its glory Enjoy a city tour of Lisbon, Portugal’s rejuvenated capital. Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star attraction, a modern city rooted in century old traditions. Lisboetas stroll through the old quarters, Village-life gossip in old Alfama is exchanged at the public baths or over fresh bread and wine at tiny patio restaurants as fadistas, artists who sing the soulful Fado music perform in the background. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at a welcome dinner (D).
August 8th, 2016-Sintra, Cascais, Estoril. Discover the natural beauty of Portugal on a relaxing afternoon tour from Lisbon. Travel to Estoril, Cascais Bay and Hell’s Mouth (Boca do Inferno), and take in views of the Atlantic Ocean on the drive along the Portuguese coast. Continue to the town of Sintra to visit the enchanting National Palace, and admire the Portuguese countryside from your comfortable coach on the drive back to Lisbon Visit Guincho Beach and Cabo da Roca, Europe´s westernmost point. Tour the National Palace in Sintra, afterwards take in views of the lush Portuguese countryside from your comfortable coach before returning to your hotel. (B) (L) (D)
August 9th, 2016-Obidos, Fatima, Régua. Travel back through time to the mideaveal walled village of Obidos, that you enter, as in olden times, through the enormous and intricately painted southern gate of the Church of Santa Maria. Honeysuckle flowers spill from window boxes on whitewashed houses along narrow, winding streets. Try a “Ginginha”, sweet liquor made from alcohol and a local fruit similar to cherry, served in a chocolate cup. Visit Fatima, the world famous Marian pilmigrage site, on your way to Regua. Board the “Spirit of Chartwell” for your majestic river cruise through the beautiful Douro Region, enjoy a welcome cocktail, traditional Portuguese cuisine dinner, and a Fado Show. (B) (L) (D) Ship Overnights in Régua.
August 10th, 2016-Cruise Pinhao, Lamego, Barca D’ Alva. Nestled in the heart of wine country along the Douro River, we arrive in the picturesque town of Pinhão, famous for its incredible views and beautiful, historic Pinhão train station. Visit Lamego, an old town rich in history, is small and picturesque, warm and very charming. It houses one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. Built in the second half of the 18th century over the remains of a 14th century chapel, it is an excellent example of Portuguese baroque style. Enjoy a Portuguese country lunch at a local wine 761 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02723 www.sagresvacations.com Ph# 508-679-0053 vineyard with popular live music. After lunch, set sail to Barca D’Alva on the Spanish Border. (B) (L) (D) Ship Overnight in Barca D’ Alva.
August 11th, 2016-Cruise Salamanca. Salamanca, a city rich in traditions, is situated in the centre of the “Castilla e León” region. The city was founded by Celtic-Iberian tribes on the banks of the Tormes River. First occupied by Romans and then Arabs, Slamanca was finally re conquered by Christians in the XIIth century. Afterwards, during the XIIIth century, the Iberian Peninsula‟ s oldest university was created here and the city‟ s stature was greatly increased. The guided city tour takes us to visit the the University, House of Shells and the beautiful “Plaza Mayor”, formally a site of bullfighting and now a popular gathering point for locals and visitors alike. The tour also visits the Gothic „New‟ Cathedral – a name which serves as a testimony to the city‟‟ s age and rich history – since this „new building was constructed in the 16th century to replace the original 12th century Salamanca Cathedral. During your free time, you may opt to also visit the Old Cathedral to take in its classic Romanic architecture. Enjoy a paella lunch in Hotel Alameda Palace accompanied by a flamenco show. Overnight in Barca D’ Alva. (B) (L) (D)
August 12th, 2016-Cruise Castelo Rodrigo. Guided visit to charming fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo, with local products tastings Castelo Rodrigo, located at about 2200 feet above sea level, is one of Portugal‟ s 12 historical Parishes. Its streets are typically medieval, very narrow and steep, and one can still find sixteenth century façades and Manuelino style windows. Upon arrival and after visiting the castle stroll along the narrow streets of the village, where you will still find reminiscences from the large Jewish community that fled here during the Inquisition, and to the local church for a visit.. At the end of the visit you will better understand why Castelo Rodrigo is classified as one of the 12 historical Parishes of Portugal. Enjoy a local lecture on Portugal’s history as you sail back to Pinhâo. In the evening, feast on local Portuguese cuisine and dancing on the sundeck, under the stars. Overnight in Pinhão. (B) (L) (D)
August 13th, 2016-Cruise Porto This morning set Sail to Régua where you will transfer to your 4 star hotel in Porto, the capital of the North of Portugal. This tour introduces the city, the capital of the North of Portugal. Enjoy this tour which takes you through the old city and past its typical houses and quarters. Proceed to Foz, an old fishermen village used by wealthy Porto families for their summer homes. Enjoy the old villas and the gardens built on land reclaimed from the river. We next take you to the newest part of the city, with its controversial Diamond building that houses the Casa da Musica. On our way to the Cathedral we pass though the city centre and past its magnificent buildings, such as the Clérigos tower and S. Bento station. The tour ends with a visit to one of the Port Wine Lodges, located in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the group will have opportunity to see the old casks full of Port and have a sample of this delicious, world famous Portuguese wine, celebrate this exciting journey with a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B) (L) (D)
August 14th, 2016- Day at Leisure, Porto Enjoy full day in Porto, and perhaps shopping at the famous Rua de Santa Catarina or visit the Bolhão market, It's found in a two-tier covered building and sells everything from fresh fruit to household goods. Especially entertaining is listening to the flamboyant fishwives hawking the latest catch in true Oporto spirit, an image that has made this market famous all over Portugal Or for an even more intimate look at Porto´s historic Ribeira District, opt
761 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02723 www.sagresvacations.com Ph# 508-679-0053 for a tour with a self- balancing electric Segway, while you hear tales of Roman History from your tour leader. ….. For dinner we head out for a reception with Port D’Honor and Muscial and Rusga Sao Joao. This evening you will be entertained with a Fado and Folklore Show. After a late evening we head back to the hotel (B) (D)
August 15th, 2016- Return to the US. Bid “Adeus” to Porto and the Douro area, as you depart in the morning for your return flight to the US. (B)
761 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02723 www.sagresvacations.com Ph# 508-679-0053