8-Day Secrets of the Douro

From Porto to the magnificent Douro Valley.

A symbol of Portugal’s birth and growth as a nation, the Douro has long been the country’s lifeline. Leaving the pastelcoloured metropolis of Porto, venture through the enchanting countryside.

Terraced vineyards rise from the river banks, historic landmarks pepper distant horizons and charming townships lay hidden in the rural hillsides. Salamanca is a delight to explore, and a visit to elegant Lamego introduces the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies.

Lisbon to Madrid

Departing: March – November 2024

Day 1 Arrive Porto

Day 2 Porto – Pinhão

Day 3 Pinhão – Vega de Terrón

Day 4 Vega de Terrón – Salamanca

Day 5 Pocinho – Régua

Day 6 Régua

Day 7 Porto

Day 8 Depart Porto

Our suite of generous inclusions: n Airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship n 7 nights in a suite or stateroom of your choice, all with a river view n 19 meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner n Complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks to accompany lunch & dinner on board n Complimentary tea & coffee on board n Complimentary bottled water in your suite or stateroom, restocked daily n A variety of on board evening entertainment n Complimentary Wi-Fi on board n First-class service from English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides n Earn EmeraldEXPLORER loyalty points n Complimentary River Cruise Cover n All port charges and airport taxes n All gratuities on board and onshore n Distance covered (approx): 230km on the Douro n UNESCO sites: 5 n Countries visited: 2 n Ports: 5 n Locks: 5 n Bridges: 13

Number of nights 10

River cruise Coach transfer

Add-on Extensions

Map is a guide only

EmeraldDISCOVERY highlights unique to your itinerary:

EmeraldPLUS

Portuguese cooking demonstration on board

Port wine cocktail lesson on board

Tuna music performance

Rural dinner and at Quinta da Pacheca

Mosaic tile painting lesson on board

Cruise through Porto

EmeraldACTIVE

Guided active walk through the vineyards

Kayak experience in Pinhão

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

Guided active walk in Porto

Included Excursions

5 excursions, including visits to UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites

DiscoverMORE

6 optional excursions, available at an additional cost

– see pages 118-121

Day 1 Arrive Porto

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

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Porto – Pinhão

Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritagelisted 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.

Portuguese cooking demonstration on board

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 Pinhão – Vega de Terrón

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. Or, 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.

Kayak experience in Pinhão

Guided active walk through the vineyards

Visit to Quinta do Tedo with tasting

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 Vega de Terrón – Salamanca

Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritagelisted old quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.

Included Excursion

Rural dinner at Quinta da Pacheca

You will be welcomed to the beautiful Quinta da Pacheca with a drink, before a traditional rural three-course dinner is served in the wine cellars of the estate, complete with complimentary drinks and wines sourced from the quinta.

Guided tour of Salamanca

Visit the market and taste the local produce, including cheese, olives and bread. Then proceed to the postcard-worthy galleries and arcades that adorn Plaza Mayor. Venture inside the Old and New cathedrals, pass Casa de las Conchas, adorned with more than 300 shells and witness one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Salamanca.

Tuna music band

Castelo Rodrigo tour

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day 5 Pocinho – Régua

This morning, arrive in Pocinho where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Côa Valley Museum. Later, return to Emerald Radiance for lunch and soak up your idyllic surrounds as you sail towards Régua, taking part in a cocktail demonstration on board. A rural dinner at a wine estate is certain to be a highlight of your trip.

Port wine cocktail demonstration

A visit to the Côa Valley Museum

Archaeological tour by 4x4 at the Coa Museum

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 Régua

Today, on an included excursion, you will 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.

Included Excursion

Guided tour of Lamego

In Northern Portugal, the elegant town of Lamego boasts much Baroque influence. Located on the hill of St. Stephen, visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies.

Mosaic tile painting lesson on board

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

Visit to Mateus Manor House

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 Porto

Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating 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. This evening, enjoy a charming evening cruise that will shine a different light on Porto’s skyline.

Evening cruise through Porto

Guided active walk in Porto

Guided tour of Porto

Visit to Quinta da Aveleda

Taylor’s Port wine tasting

Guided bike tour to the Atlantic

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

2024 Pricing And Special Offers

Day 8 Depart Porto

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests, taking memories of sun-drenched vineyards with you.

Meals: Breakfast

This itinerary is only a guide. Our itineraries are regularly reviewed by our journey planners and may be revised once the brochure is published. Due to operational reasons, such as high and low water or local restrictions, cruise inclusions may change from those advertised. For the latest information on this itinerary please visit our website. Our full terms and conditions can be found on pages 142-145.

*These departures operate in reverse order. To help you select your cabin, detailed cabin and deck plans can be found on pages 130-139.

Terms & Conditions: All prices are per person in NZD, based on a twin share (excluding ES Emerald Single Stateroom). Deposit per person due within 7 days of booking to secure cabin. Super Earlybird & Earlybird savings are limited in number, cabin category and departure date, once sold out the Full Fare shown above applies. To qualify for the Super Earlybird saving the booking and full balance must be made at least twelve months before departure. Super Earlybird savings not available if using Future Travel Credit (FTC) voucher. To qualify for Earlybird saving the booking and deposit must be made as per specified date at time of booking. DiscoverMORE optional excursions are at an additional cost (see pages 118-121). For Full terms and conditions see pages 142-145

11 Day Secrets of the Douro with Lisbon from

10 Day Secrets of the Douro with Madrid from

$6,445 per person*

Extend your Secrets of the Douro river cruise and enjoy…

§ Three nights in a centrally-located hotel Breakfast daily

§ Guided tour of Lisbon

§ Transfer to and from the airport

§ Transfer to and from ship in Porto Journey Code: EPDL

Extend your Secrets of the Douro river cruise and enjoy…

§ Two nights in a centrally located hotel

§ Breakfast daily

§ Guided city tour of Madrid

§ Flight between Porto and Madrid

§ Transfers to and from the airport Journey Code: EPDM