Spain and Portugal Douro River Cruise Featuring 7 Nights Aboard the Douro Serenity
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Exclusive Charter NO RISK DEPOSIT PASSENGER ASSURANCE PLAN Deposit by December 31, 2020 Risk Free until Final Payment Due Date! See inside for details** Senior Services of Central Illinois presents Spain and Portugal featuringDouro 7 nights aboardRiver the Douro Cruise Serenity 9 Days April 19 - April 27, 2021 Booking Discount - Save $200 per couple! Daily Itinerary Cities & Ports Spain & Portugal Douro River Cruise 9 Days April 19 - April 27, 2021 Ship - Douro Serenity Day 1 Depart US - Overnight Flight to Europe Day 2 Arrive Porto - Villa Nova de Gaia - Board Ship Arrive Porto - Meet your Tour & Cruise Manager Transfer to Downtown Porto or directly to the ship based on flight time Afternoon Check in - Ship Docked in the Porto Area (Villa Nova de Gaia) Board the MS Douro Serenity for your 7 Night Douro River Cruise Welcome Dinner Onboard Meals - D Overnight - Douro Serenity Day 3 Porto Morning - Porto City Tour Porto Afternoon - Ship sails from Vila Nova de Gaia to Entre-os-Rios Spreading along the banks of the Douro River, Porto’s history and development is Vintage Port Ceremony - Ship Overnights in Entre-os-Rios closely linked to this river. Enjoy a Porto City Tour through the old city and past Meals - B,L & D Overnight - Douro Serenity its typical houses and quarters. Proceed to Foz, an old fishermen village used by wealthy Porto families for their summer homes. See the newest part of the city, Day 4 Entre-os-Rios - Régua - Pinhão with its controversial Diamond building that houses the Casa da Musica, the city Morning - Cruising from Entre-os-Rios to Régua centre, the Clérigos tower and S. Bento station. Visit the Cathedral located on the Afternoon -Lamego Tour top of the Penaventosa Hill with an amazing view over the river. Also enjoy a visit Later Cruise to Pinhao - Dinner at Quinta & Winery to one of the Port Wine Lodges, located in Vila Nova de Gaia. See the old casks Meals - B,L & D Overnight - Douro Serenity full of Port and have a sample of this delicious, world famous Portuguese wine. Day 5 Pinhão to Vega Terron Lamego Morning Cruising Pinhao to Vega Terron Lamego, an old town rich in history, is small and picturesque, warm and very Afternoon -Castelo Rodrigo Tour - Ship docked overnight in Vega Terron charming. Its Cathedral Sanctuary is one of the most important places of pilgrim- age in Portugal: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. Embracing the whole Meals - B,L & D Overnight - Douro Serenity town from the top of the hill is the Cathedral’s impressive staircase, with nearly Day 6 Vega Terron - Salamanca, Spain - Barca D’Alva 700 steps. It is beautifully decorated with enormous panels of blue and white Full Day - Motorcoach into Spain for a Salamanca Tour including lunch tiles. In addition to the shrine, there will be time to visit the Lamego Castle and BBQ Dinner Onboard Ship its Cisterns and tour the Town’s Museum. Meals - B,L & D Overnight - Douro Serenity Castelo Rodrigo Day 7 Barca D’Alva to Regua 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, Morning Cruising towards Regua and one can still find sixteenth century façades and Manuelino style windows. Afternoon -The Palace & Gardens of Mateus There will be time to stroll along the narrow streets of the village, where you will Meals - B,L & D Overnight - Douro Serenity still find reminiscences from the large Jewish community that fled here during Day 8 Régua to Vila Nova de Gaia the Inquisition, and to the local church for a visit. Leisure Day - Cruising towards the Porto Area (Vila Nova de Gaia) Salamanca, Spain Ship overnights in the Porto Area (Vila Nova de Gaia) Salamanca, a city rich in tradition, is situated in the centre of the “Castilla e Farewell Dinner Onboard León” region. The Salamanca City Tour includes a visit to the University, House Meals - B,L & D Overnight - Douro Serenity 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 Day 9 Vila Nova de Gaia - Porto - Flight Home the Gothic ‘New’ Cathedral, constructed in the 16th century to replace the Transfer to the Porto Airport or join the 3 Night Optional Extension to Lisbon original 12th century Salamanca Cathedral. Meal - B The Palace and Gardens of Mateus B - Breakfast • L - Lunch • D - Dinner Onboard w/ Wine & Beer Today enjoy a tour of The Palace and Gardens of Mateus. Built in the first half of the 18th century and betraying the finishing touches of Nicolau Nasoni, Optional 3-Night Lisbon Post Cruise Extension this palace set in beautiful gardens on a vast farm is considered to be one of $825 pp dbl +$400 single supplement the finest examples of baroque civil architecture in Portugal. After touring the home, enjoy free time in the beautiful gardens, amongst Portugal’s most Day 9/April 27 Porto - Sintra - Lisbon beautiful. Finally, before returning to the ship there will be time to visit the Transfer from Porto to Lisbon. Enroute stop to visit Sintra, one of Portugal’s most beautiful towns featuring famous colorful Pena Palace, gardens and tiled villas sur- villa’s beautiful chapel and winery. rounded by rolling hills and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Later arrive in Lisbon for a Lisbon (Optional Post Cruise 3 Night Extension) 3-night stay. Lisbon enchants travelers with its white-bleached limestone buildings, in- timate alleyways and an easy-going charm that makes it popular year ound.r Lisbon is the stunning capital city of Portugal, and is one of the most charismatic Meal - B (onboard ship) Overnight - Lisbon and vibrant cities of Europe. Famously built on seven hills, Lisbon’s terra-cotta- roofed homes, turreted castles and cathedrals, and gleaming white basilicas Day 10/April 28 Lisbon Sightseeing Today enjoy a Lisbon City Tour featuring the Moorish Alfama Quarter, Monument to appear to tumble down the cobbled slopes towards the glimmering River Tagus. the Discoveries and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Belem Tower & Jeronimo’s An alluring combination of sunny skies, glorious architecture, deep-rooted tradi- Monastery. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy Lisbon. tions, and thoroughly modern flair. Meal - B Overnight - Lisbon Day 11/April 29 Óbidos, Nazaré & Fátima Today enjoy a day of touring featuring rich heritage and stunning countryside as you explore Óbidos, Nazaré & Fátima. Visit the small medieval town of Óbidos, glimpse into Castelo Rodrigo a fisherman’s life in the seaside village of Nazaré and marvel at the ornate architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Batalha Monastery. Also visit one of the most significant Christian pilgrimage sites, Fátima. Meal - B Overnight - Lisbon Day 12/April 30 Lisbon - Transfer to Airport - Flight Home Meal - B 3 Night Lisbon Post Cruise Optional Extension Includes: 3-Nights Hotel at the Lisbon Marriott, Transfer from Porto to Lisbon, Lisbon City Tour, Sintra Visit, Fátima, Nazaré & Óbidos Tour, 3-Breakfasts, Tour Manager & Transfers to Lisbon Airport. Notes: Lisbon Extension must be booked at time of deposit. Due to group air policies outbound air on 04/19/2021 could be different schedule than the rest of group for Lisbon extension passengers. Based on 20 passenger minimum. Ship & Onboard Experience Inclusions & Highlights The Ship - MS Douro Serenity dinner onboard. A range of delicious Portuguese, •Roundtrip Airfare - STL The 126-passenger MS Douro Serenity, launched Mediterranean and international flavored meals •7 Night Cruise - Outside Cabin in 2017, offers high levels of service with a 3:1 will be served in the restaurant. Each night you •20 Meals (7-B, 6-L, 7-D) passenger-to-crew ratio. The Douro Serenity will indulge in four-course dinners. Buffet style travels along the Douro River, so-called “River of breakfasts and lunches will be served daily as well •PWD Tour/Cruise Manager Gold,” and allows guests to experience the charm as complimentary tea and coffee which is always •Wine & Beer with Dinners of Portugal in an unforgettable way & visit charm- available for you to enjoy. Additionally there are •Wi-Fi Onboard ing Salamanca, Spain via motorcoach. The main a couple of meals on this program included off the •Welcome & Farewell Dinners lounge and bar offer panoramic views of the pass- ship with dinner at a Quinta and lunch during your •English Speaking Ship Staff ing riverscapes. The 55-staterooms & 8-suites are visit to Salamanca, Spain. •Baggage Handling bright, modern and provide a wonderful private •Int’l Air Taxes/Fuel/Fees & Port Charges space to enjoy your river cruise. The attentive Comfortable, Well-appointed Staterooms After boarding, unpack only once. All cabins offer •Hotel & Ship Transfers English Speaking onboard service staff will see •Non-smoking environment (Sun Deck exception) to your comfort with typical European hospital- windows that allow for river views and views of ity. The beauty of river cruising is that the most Portugal. The Staterooms on the Upper & Main interesting destinations come to you. This Douro decks have floor-to-ceiling windows that slide Serenity charter features English-only onboard down to create a French-style Balcony allowing Included Excursions/Tours & Highlights you to fully absorb the surroundings and the commentary with inclusive sightseeing excursions •Porto City Tour balanced with time to simply relax onboard dur- fresh air of the Douro River. The Suites on the Upper Deck also feature step-out balconies with •Vintage Port Ceremony ing your leisure time or enjoy the ship amenities. •Lamego Tour The ship offers countless choices for your leisure living areas.