Douro River Cruise - Lisbon to Porto
October 10 - 20, 2025
Don't miss out on Grand Circle Tours Black Friday Sale
Register by December 2, 2024, and get a $500 discount per person
Trip Information: Carole Mustaleski: skigalcarole@gmail.com
Join KSOC on an 11-day/7-night cruise from Lisbon to Porto aboard the privately chartered 130-passenger Douro Spirit, discovering the world-class viticulture and charming towns of this UNESCO-protected region. You'll also uncover 25,000 years of history at the open-air rock art site of Foz Coa. Other activities include joining a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner in Lamego, and even crossing the border into Spain to visit the historic university town of Salamanca. From the picturesque hillsides of Lisbon to the agricultural village of Barca d'Alva, you'll unpack just once and enjoy the attentive service from your Program Director and English-speaking crew.
If the timing of this trip fits your schedule and your budget, I highly recommend this trip. I have been on an Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) trip and thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Athens, The Coastal Greek Isles and Turkey. These trips are more expensive than our traditional ski trips but offers the opportunity to visit Portugal and absorb its culture. The higher trip cost results from 7 nights aboard a small ship Douro Spirit (120 passengers) with all meals and beverages included. We will have a dedicated Tour Host for our group throughout to make your trip enjoyable.
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 - moderately easy for physical activities with a minimum of 2-3 hours walking per day over some uneven surfaces. There may be some stairs to climb. My August trip with OAT was rated Activity Level 2 and I was able to participate fully.
Day 1 - Fly to Lisbon
Day 2 - Upon arrival in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later your Program Director will lead a discovery walk around the city. The rest of the day is left for you to explore.
Day 3- Today you will discover Lisbon, Portugal's legendary capital, on a guided tour in the morning. You'll experience the historic neighborhood of Belem and round out your day at the Monument to the Discoveries.
Day 4 - Transfer to Porto, Aveiro, and Embark Ship. Drive to Porto in the morning, stopping along the way in Aveiro for lunch. After lunch, you'll witness the town's meandering canals and continue on to Porto to embark the ship.
Day 5 - Porto Antigo, Explore Guimaraes, and Ducal Palace. In the morning, you'll sail to Porto Antigo, where you'll disembark and drive to the historic town of Guimaraes, known as the "cradle of Portugal" for being the birthplace of the country's first king. Next, visit Ducal Palace, a 15th century building that housed a slew of noble Portuguese families throughout the centuries.
Day 6- Regua. You'll spend the morning sailing toward Regua and disembark to visit a local quinta (wine farm), where you will learn about local wine production methods.
Day 7 - Barca d'Alva, and Foz Coa. Begin sailing toward the village of Barca d"Alva, passing through the Pocinho Dam en route. After lunch disembark at the Pocinho pier and drive to UNESCO-listed Foz Coa, an open-air Palaeolithic rock art site. You'll then continue on sailing to Barca D'Alva.
Day 8 - Barca d'Alva and Salamanca, Spain. Drive across the border of Spain to the storied village of Salamanca, known for its Plateresque-style architecture and renowned university. Boasting nearly 3,000 years of history, Salamanca features a well-preserved old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy free time to explore before returning to the ship.
Day 9 - Lamego, Visit Sparkling Wine Cellar, Home-hosted Dinner. Sail downstream toward the city of Lamego, where you'll disembark for a sparkling wine tasting at the only sparkling wine producer in the region. You'll then embark on a guided tour of the scenic town, which includes visits to the Bishop's Palace and on-site museum. Later enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local family.
Day 10 - Porto and wine cellars in Gaia. Sail back to Porto, where you'll disembark to visit the wine cellars of Gaia and enjoy a tasting. Later, return to Porto.
Day 11 - Return to U.S. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue your discoveries on the Santiago & Braga post-trip extension.
For more information: Douro River Cruise
Land Only Pricing:
| KSOC Cabin pricing begins at $5995 double occupancy per person |
$6990 single occupancy |
There are optional pre- and post-trip extensions that you may want to consider. The pre-trip extension is 5-nights in Cascais & Tomar, Portugal and the post-trip is 5-nights on the Traditions of Iberia: Santiago de Compostela & Braga.
We have reserved 15 cabins at various price levels for this trip. Air is an additional $1180 from Knoxville, or you can choose to make your own reservations. You must call Grand Circle Cruise Line (GCCL) at 800-221-2610 to make your reservation. Reference this code when booking: G5-30313. To obtain the $500 discount reference code DOCE319. For an additional $100 savings contact Carole Mustaleski for a code. Our Cabin Block ranges in price from $5995 - $7395
NOTE: There are only 13 cabins available in classes A, C, D and E. Solo travelers contact Carole Mustaleski
Details on Pre- & Post-Cruise Extensions
Flight details and pricing are TBD. Group air requires a minimum of 10 people flying from Knoxville. Please contact Carole Mustaleski to indicate your preference of booking group or individual air. Do not book individual air until you know required arrive by times. We have been quoted an air price of $1180.
Payment Schedule
Make your $750 deposit by December 2, 2024 and save $500 per person. Plus save an additional 5% when you pay in full with a checking account within 2 weeks of making your deposit or by 12/12/2024, whichever comes first. Mention group code G5-30313 and promotion code DOCE 319.