Unforgettable Douro

Welcome to Porto, Portugal’s second city. Built on the hills overlooking the mouth of the Douro River, this bustling city is the capital of the Northern region, named by the Romans for its strategic harbour, once an integral link to Lisbon in the south. Your friendly crew are ready to welcome you aboard your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Settle into your spacious suite and enjoy a cocktail reception this evening to toast the journey ahead. You will remain docked in Porto overnight, so you can go ashore and explore the city after the sun goes down. Meals: Dinner.

Wake in the city of Porto, a 2,000-year-old city that lent its name to the nation of Portugal. Recognised as a World Heritage Site for its striking urban landscape, Porto has a youthful vibe despite its history – streets lined with restaurants showcasing local delicacies, and historical buildings decorated with intricate colourful tiles. Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Porto – discover the rich culture and history of the city, including a visit to the iconic Palacio da Bolsa, with free time afterwards to mingle with locals at the 110-year-old Bolhao Markets. Active tour of Porto including cable car – travel from Porto to Gaia for a cable car ride to the Dom Luis bridge crossing the Douro River, then an active walk across the bridge towards Porto Cathedral, Sao Bento railway station and the bustling Rua das Flores. This afternoon, learn the history of Portugal’s iconic decorative blue tiles, azulejos, while creating your own masterpiece during an onboard tile painting workshop. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Your first port of call along the Douro is the quaint village of Entre-os-Rios, gateway to the verdant Douro Valley. Scenic Freechoice: Paiva walkways – an active hike along wooden boardwalks snaking down a rocky hillside in the World Heritage-listed Arouca Geopark, crossing the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. Quinta da Aveleda – explore the fairytale-like property of this renowned sparkling wine producer, set among enchanting gardens. Excursion to Guimaraes – visit this well-preserved World Heritage-listed city considered the birthplace of Portugal, exploring its 15th-century palace and historic collection of tapestries, furniture and weapons. This afternoon, relax on board as you cruise to Regua, the largest of the riverside towns, famous for producing Port wine amid rolling terraced vineyards and wineries dating to the 18th century. This evening, visit the impressive Douro Museum. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Wake early to watch sunrise illuminate the vineyards surrounding Regua in a magical golden hour through the morning mist. Morning Scenic Freechoice: Visit Varosa Valley, Tarouca and Ucanha – a unique excursion only available with Scenic, exploring the Varosa Valley, the restored Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca, and Portugal’s first toll bridge at Ucanha. Quinta visit with olive tasting – visit a traditional rural estate to learn about olive oil production handed down through 11 generations, followed by a tasting. Afternoon Scenic Freechoice: Excursion to Lamego – visit the town nestled among terraced vineyards that were the first to produce world-famous Port wine, including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and its mosaic-tiled staircase. Mateus Palace – one of the finest examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal, with original furniture, ornate ceilings and manicured gardens. Port wine blending class – a hands-on workshop at Quinta de Pacheca learning the Port blending process, followed by bottling, capping and labelling with a personalised label. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Take things slowly today as you enjoy a relaxed cruise through the spectacular Vinhateiro wine growing region – the world’s first demarcated wine region, established in 1756, and World Heritage listed for its historic significance. Perhaps absorb the view from the Vitality Pool or book a massage in the wellness area as terraced vineyards, red-roofed farmhouses and tiny villages drift past. Arrive in Vega de Terron this evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Wake in Vega de Terron, on the border of Portugal and Spain at the confluence of the Douro and Agueda rivers – a beautifully unspoiled gateway to the university town of Salamanca. Scenic Freechoice: Salamanca full day excursion – known as the Golden City for its honey-coloured sandstone, home to the third oldest university in the world and two cathedrals dating to the 12th and 16th centuries, with free time to explore and enjoy lunch at leisure. Freixo de Espada a Cinta with silk museum – a relaxed half-day tour to the only place in Portugal where handcrafted silk is still processed entirely by hand. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Wake in the tiny village of Pocinho, established as the terminus of the Douro Railway in 1887. Scenic Freechoice: Coa Valley Museum – the largest open-air Palaeolithic rock art site in the world, with original artefacts, digital technology and a pre-historic workshop. Village life in the Coa Valley – visit the traditional village of Freixo Numao, unchanged for centuries, then the Casa Painova estate for a demonstration and tasting of sweet almond production. This afternoon, relax as you cruise towards Pinhao, perhaps enjoying a refreshment in the Panorama Lounge and Bar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Wake in Pinhao, set on one of the most picturesque stretches of the Douro River, surrounded by terraced vineyards producing exceptional Port wine. Transfer to the charming plateau village of Provesende for spectacular views across the fertile rolling landscape, visiting the church, an old bakery, traditional handicraft demonstrations and the historic manor house Morgadio da Calcada for a tasting of delicious bola. Afternoon Scenic Freechoice: Kayaking along the Pinhao River – glide past terraced vineyards, patchworked farmland and sprawling estates on this tributary of the Douro. Quinta vineyard hike – a guided hike through breathtaking vineyard terraces with stunning views across the Douro and a sampling of the estate’s blends. Quinta tasting – a guided walking tour and tasting of the region’s most famous export, Port wine. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Enjoy time at leisure as you continue cruising the spectacular Douro River, arriving back in Porto this afternoon ahead of tonight’s exclusive experience. Scenic Enrich: Classical concert in Sao Francisco Church – a short walk from the ship to one of Porto’s most iconic sites, a 13th-century Gothic church with an altar swathed in intricately carved and gilded wood, for a performance of classical music in truly magnificent surrounds. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Enjoy a full day in Porto to further immerse yourself in authentic Portuguese culture. Scenic Freechoice: Excursion to Aveiro with a cruise – a guided walking tour of Aveiro, famed for its canals and Art Nouveau architecture, followed by a cruise through the waterways in a brightly coloured moliceiros boat unique to the city. Excursion to Braga – travel north through the rolling countryside of Minho to one of Portugal’s oldest and most elegant cities, visiting the Se de Braga Cathedral and graceful historic plazas. Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia – visit one of Porto’s most famous Port cellars, Cockburn’s, for a guided tour and tasting. This afternoon is free to explore Porto at your own leisure. Return to Scenic Azure this evening for an illumination cruise through Porto, passing the beautiful city skyline beneath its six historic bridges, followed by a farewell dinner with fellow guests. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Your cruise concludes this morning in Porto. Disembark and take with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey across Portugal. Meals: Breakfast.