The Best of Portugal & France 2010 (Cruise-Only)

DAY 1, EMBARKATION, PORTO
Arrive in Porto to embark the ship. Gather on board tonight for your Welcome Dinner. (D)

DAY 2, PORTO - REGUA
Spend a leisurely morning soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you sail to Régua. Then, drive to Lamego for a city tour. Ancient and picturesque Lamego houses one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore the town on your own to visit the gothic Cathedral or the town’s museum. You may also want to visit one of the cafés to sample a “bola de Lamego” (bread filled with smoked ham), regional cakes or treat yourself to a glass of Raposeira, sparkling wine. (B,L,D)

DAY 3, REGUA - BARCA D'ALVA
Enjoy lunch on board as the ship sails to the picturesque village of Barca d’Alva. Arrive this evening and enjoy free time to explore this quaint town on your own. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 4, SALAMANCA, SPAIN - VEGA DE TERRON, PORTUGAL
Drive to Salamanca for a full day tour. Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of the "Castilla y León" region of Spain. During your guided city tour, see the University buildings, the 12th-century Romanesque church of San Martin and the House of Shells. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant for some deliciously authentic Spanish cuisine. Then enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own before returning to the ship. Perhaps visit the locals “living room,” otherwise known as the Plaza Mayor or stop by a café for a drink and some tapas. Tonight, enjoy a flamenco show by four traditional female dancers performing to an array of popular Spanish songs. The ship moors overnight in Vega de Terrón. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, VEGA DE TERRON - PINHAO
After breakfast, tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop. See 16th-century walls and walk down very narrow and steep medieval streets. Appreciate the Chafariz dos Pretos, a strikingly unique fountain decorated in black faces which stoically sits in the market square. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail to Pinhão. This evening, enjoy wine tasting and dinner at a local “quinta.” The ship moors overnight in Pinhão. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, REGUA - BITETOS
This morning, sail to Régua for a morning excursion to the Palacio de Mateus. The palace and gardens of Mateus are located in the beautiful region of Trás-os- Montes just outside the city of Vila Real. Return to the ship for lunch and sail to Bitetos. Tonight, appreciate a traditional “home cooked” meal at the 14th-century Alpendurada Monastery. Before dinner, savor a glass of Port wine and a breathtaking view of the river valley from the Monastery’s terrace. The ship moors overnight in Bitetos. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, PORTO
Your sightseeing tour shows you 16th-century arcaded buildings, Baroque churches and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. Then drive through the elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast and explore the Old City. For some modern culture, visit the Boavista area where you will find the Casa da Musica and the Museum of Modern Art. Say farewell to your friends at the Farewell Cocktail. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, PORTO - ARLES, FRANCE
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Marseille, France, where a motorcoach awaits to transfer you to Arles, the gateway to Provence. Once on board, gather this evening with fellow passengers for cocktails and a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

DAY 9, ARLES - AVIGNON
This morning, travel by motorcoach to the villages of St. Remy & Les Baux. Enjoy the rich floral colors and amazing views from this village perched on the hill. This afternoon bathe in the Provençal light as you imagine how Vincent Van Gogh worked to capture the richness of every hue on your walking tour of Arles. While Van Gogh’s homes are no longer standing, you may glimpse the locales and vistas that inspired “Starry Night” or “Terrace de Café le Soir” as you pass Constantine’s Baths, the Romanesque cathedral and the Roman Amphitheater, which is still in use today. This evening cruise to nearby Avignon. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, AVIGNON - VIVIERS
Your morning tour of the “City of Popes” will take you through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace, which served as a fortress, a church and a residence to the Popes that once governed the Christian world. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy some scenic cruising to Viviers, arriving late this evening. After dinner, enjoy an evening “ghost walk” through the largely abandoned medieval town that had once more than 30,000 inhabitants. The ship moors overnight in Viviers. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, VIVIERS - TOURNON
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, a charming hilltop village, dominated by a majestic castle. Grignan is a provincial gem and a tourist secret .The ship sails for Tournon during lunch and arrives in the early evening. The ship moors overnight in Tournon. (B,L,D)

DAY 12, TOURNON - VIENNE
On this morning’s adventure, you will get a personal look at a working farm located in the midst of the Ardéche Mountains, and then take a scenic tour of the valley’s beautiful landscape. Enjoy a visit to Boucieu-le-Roi and its local market of handmade crafts, musical entertainment and wine tasting. Enjoy lunch back on board the ship as we cruise to Vienne this afternoon. Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne, like Lyon has a significant Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvelously preserved ruins and remains. (B,L,D)

DAY 13, VIENNE - TREVOUX
During this morning’s walking tour you will see the 1st-century Roman Temple of Augustus, and the medieval churches of St. Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St. Pierre, before we cruise on to Trévoux, passing through Lyon on the Saône River. This evening, stroll along the sidewalk cafes of this rural walking town. (B,L,D)

DAY 14, TREVOUX - LYON
After breakfast, your city tour takes you behind the village walls of Trévoux and through Beaujolais, the Pays D’Or, or “land of the golden stones” so named for the ochre limestone of its homes and castles. Enjoy a visit with a local wine maker along “la route du vin” and sample the world renowned Beaujolais Nouveau. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail to Lyon. Lyon not only marks the meeting of the Sôane and Rhône rivers, but it is also the gastronomic capital of France. Its rich ancient history includes Roman ruins and early Christian sites. For those not continuing on to Paris, you will disembark for a city tour of Lyon, while others have the evening at leisure. (B,L,D)

DAY 15, LYON - DISEMBARK
After breakfast disembark in Lyon.  Your cruise ends today. (B)

Begin in the Northern capital, Porto and continue inland and on to the countryside of the Trás-os-Montes Region where you will indulge in the small picturesque villages amidst the steep terraces that climb up and into the mountains. Enter Spain to visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of the Castilla y León region before returning to Portugal to visit Pinhão and the Alpendurada Monastery in Bitetos. Take a short flight to Arles to continue your river cruise vacation in Southern France. Explore Mediterranean Arles, the city which Vincent Van Gogh captured in many of his master pieces, and marvelous Avignon. Cruise through beautiful wine growing regions where such famous wines as Beaujolais and Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du- Pape are being produced.

• 14-night Deluxe Cruise in an Outside Stateroom
• Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
• Unlimited Wine with every Dinner onboard the Ship
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Flight from Porto to Marseille and motorcoach transfer to Arles
• Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
• Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Services of Professional Cruise Director
• All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All Transfers with the Purchase of Cruise, Land & Air package
• All local Taxes

Cruise: A standard outside cabin onboard the MS Amadouro

• Port charges of $266 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• Cabin upgrades are available at additional cost.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more details.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.