Trip Summary
The romantic splendor of the Douro River is yours to enjoy on this spectacular journey. Stay in lively Lisbon, packed with maritime legacies and historic charms; visit colorful Porto; and cruise along the revered Douro River. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Alto Douro’s winemaking history, witness the elegance of Salamanca, Spain, and explore charming villages with stories to share. These experiences and more await on this sun-kissed sojourn!
Event Itinerary
Day 1: Depart for Lisbon, Portugal
- Depart from your gateway city for Lisbon (LIS)
Day 2: Lisbon
- Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to Dom Pedro Lisboa hotel
- Enjoy a Welcome Reception with fellow travelers
Day 3: Lisbon
- Morning city tour featuring the Monument to the Discoveries, Tower of Belém, and Hieronymites Monastery
- Explore Lisbon’s local life in the Estrela district
- Afternoon at leisure or optional Fado dinner experience
Day 4: Lisbon
- Free day in Lisbon or optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril
- Evening enrichment lecture: Contemporary Portugal
Day 5: Óbidos | Coimbra | Porto – Embarkation
- Explore medieval Óbidos and visit the historic university city of Coimbra
- Embark MS Amalia Rodrigues in Porto; enjoy Welcome Reception and Dinner
Day 6: Porto
- Choose between a city tour with port tasting or a tram ride with local flavors
- Afternoon enrichment on the Alto Douro Wine Region
- Enjoy a musical performance by a traditional Tuna band
Day 7: Porto | Peso da Régua
- Choose between a walking tour of Guimarães or Douro riverside walk with wine tasting
- Afternoon cruising the Douro River
- Dinner and shared stories on board
Day 8: Vila Real | Barca d’Alva
- Visit the baroque Solar de Mateus palace and the town of Vila Real
- Afternoon cruise through the Douro Valley’s vineyard-covered banks
- Evening performance by local dancers
Day 9: Barca d’Alva | Salamanca, Spain
- Choose between a Salamanca city tour or tapas tasting tour
- Lunch and free time in Salamanca before returning to the ship
Day 10: São João da Pesqueira | Pinhão
- Scenic drive with views over the Douro Valley
- Visit São João da Pesqueira and a local winery for a tour and port tasting
- Enjoy a vibrant onboard Portuguese folk show
Day 11: Pinhão | Lamego | Porto
- Visit Lamego and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
- Cruise back to Porto with a Farewell Reception and Dinner
Day 12: Porto – Disembarkation
- Disembark and transfer to Porto Airport for flights home
Meet Your Faculty Expert
Frank Magilligan
Frank J. Magilligan is the Frank J. Reagan ‘09 Chair of Policy Studies, Professor of Geography and Adjunct Professor of Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College. Prof. Magilligan’s teaching and research interests focus primarily on the biophysical and social aspects of watershed management. In particular, his research addresses stream channel and watershed response to environmental change – whether that change is generated by nature (e.g. climate change) or anthropogenic (e.g. agriculture, grazing, or logging) causes. Currently he is focused on the links between channel processes and riparian ecology, especially the role of dams – and their subsequent removal – on aquatic and floodplain ecological integrity. He received a Guggenheim Award to expand this work to examine the intersection of science and politics of river restoration in the United States. He has conducted international field work in the Peruvian Atacama Desert investigating the long-term evolution of El Nino floods and the regional relationship between climate change and cultural history.