 4* pleasant Portugal, Porto & the Douro Valley river cruise itineraryDay 1 Porto Fly direct from Liverpool, London Stansted or Gatwick to Porto. On arrival, you will be transferred to the 4* Fernão de Magalhães*. After time to settle into your cabin, enjoy a welcome on board cocktail reception in the lounge, followed by dinner at the vessel’s restaurant. Later on in the evening, join our optional coach trip to see the fantastic Porto Illuminations. *Except on some dates when your 4* vessel will be the Vasco da Gama or Infante D. Henrique. Day 2 Porto - Régua After breakfast on board, we cruise leisurely to Régua along the Douro Valley, admiring the picture-perfect landscape and terraced vineyards along the way, and passing the locks of Crestuma and Carrapatelo, the highest in Europe at 35m, before arriving in Régua. The official centre of the Port-wine-growing region, Régua is a peaceful little town backed by the Serra do Marão mountains and overlooking the wide valley of the River Douro. Join the coach for an optional guided visit to Lamego, an ancient Baroque town lying in a fertile valley. Stroll its central square lined by elegant 17th century buildings, visit the famous pilgrimage church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, reached by an incredible 600-step Baroque staircase, marvel at the 12th century castle on one of the city's two hills, and explore the renowned cathedral built in 1129 by Afonso Henrîques, Portugal’s first king. Return to the ship in Régua will be in time for your evening meal, which will be followed by a dance. Day 3 Régua - Pinhão - Porto Antigo Enjoy a buffet breakfast on board before joining an optional excursion to Vila Real, where we’ll visit Solar de Mateus, a magnificent 16th century manor house with beautiful French gardens, owned by a noble Portuguese family. Return to the ship in Pinhão, a spectacularly located little town at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers. After lunch, we cruise onwards to Porto Antigo, through the very heart of the famous Porto vineyards, which are planted in terraces on the magnificent rolling hills that fall steeply down to the river. We arrive at Porto Antigo in the early evening, in time for dinner and an evening of entertainment. Day 4 Porto Antigo - Porto Buffet breakfast on board before sailing on to Porto, a remarkable voyage through the Alto Douro landscape of terraces, quintas, villages and churches that cling to the almost vertical slopes. Perhaps join us for some aperitif games in the lounge before lunch, after which we’ll be arriving at Porto, or Oporto in Portuguese, Portugal’s second largest city. You can explore the city for yourself, but our optional city tour comes highly recommended. Magnificently situated on the great gorge of the River Douro, this 2001 Capital of Culture boasts great shops, restaurants, bars, exotic architecture and striking bridges. Perhaps visit the terrific Ribeira (riverside) district, awarded World Heritage Site status by Unesco, offering a maze of narrow streets and shadowy arches. Head to the city centre to marvel at outstanding historical architecture that includes churches, palaces, squares and the highly impressive 12th century Sé Cathedral. Return to the ship will be in time for dinner, with an evening free in Porto, where ancient, labyrinthine streets leading to famous wine cellars will entice you out for a night of unforgettable wine sampling. Day 5 Porto - Guimarães - Braga - Porto After breakfast on board, savour the delights of a morning free in Porto before returning for lunch on board. In the afternoon, don’t miss our optional excursion by coach to Portugal’s stunning first capital, Guimarães, located at the foot of a range of mountains. Dominating the skyline as you approach is the 10th-century Castle of Guimarães, Rua Dona Teresa de Noronha, where Afonso Henrîques was born. Close-by is a statue of the mustachioed king Afonso, impressively wielding sword and shield. In Guimarães’ lovingly preserved medieval centre, stroll back into the Middle Ages down Rua de Santa Maria and admire the hand-carved balconies and iron lanterns before stopping for a while to absorb the incredibly timeless atmosphere in the charming Largo da Oliveira (Olive Tree Square) and seek out the fascinating 6th century legend of the king of the Goths, or settle for a plate of melt-in-your-mouth bacalhau (salted cod). The excursion continues to Braga, the capital of the Portuguese Minho region and one of the most attractive cities in Portugal, with churches, palaces, fountains and gardens in abundance. Understandably for such a religious centre, Braga stages Portugal’s most impressive Semana Santa (Holy Week), where torchlit processions of pointy-hooded faithful eerily call to mind a gathering of the Klu Klux Klan. Return to the ship will be in time for a gala dinner and folk evening. Day 6 Porto After breakfast on board, grab all your wonderful souvenirs and join the coach for the transfer to Porto and the return flight to the UK. 
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