Itinerary
- Day 1
Lisbon
- Day 2
Lisbon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Lisbon
- Visit Jeronimos Monastery
- Taste Pasteis de Nata
- Walk through Rossio square
- Visit Terreiro do Paço with statue of King Dom Jose I
Landmarks Jeronimos Monastery Rossio Square Terreiro do Paço - Day 3
Lisbon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Dinner in a local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Sintra & Palacio Nacional - Travel to the hilltop town of Sintra (around 45 minutes outside of Lisbon), explore on an orientation tour and visit the national monument, Palacio Nacional with its blend of Moorish and Portuguese Gothic architecture
- Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class - Experience Portuguese cuisine firsthand, learn about its history and popular ingredients, and cook a traditional dish yourself
- Browse elegant shops
- Take Tram 28 to discover more of the city
Landmarks Palacio Nacional Sintra - Day 4
Lisbon to Porto
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Porto
- Board Scenic Space-Ship
- Day 5
Porto to Entre-os-Rios
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tile painting workshop on board
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Porto including visit to Palácio da Bolsa with free time to explore Bolhão Markets (110-year-old market)
- Active tour of Porto including cable car - Travel to Gaia, take cable car to Dom Luis bridge crossing the Douro River, active walk across the bridge towards Porto Cathedral, São Bento railway station, and Rua das Flores
Landmarks Palácio da Bolsa Bolhão Markets Dom Luis Bridge Porto Cathedral São Bento Railway Station - Day 6
Entre-os-Rios to Régua
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Douro Museum
Optional Activities
- Paiva walkways - Active hike along wooden boardwalk in the World Heritage-listed Arouca Geopark beside rivers and across the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world
- Quinta da Aveleda - Explore the property of a renowned sparkling wine producer on an impressive estate with enchanting gardens
- Excursion to Guimar - Visit the World Heritage-listed city considered the birthplace of Portugal, explore the 15th century palace with historic collection of tapestries, furniture, weapons and more
Landmarks Arouca Geopark Paiva Walkways Quinta da Aveleda Guimarães Douro Museum - Day 7
Régua
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch on board
Optional Activities
- Visit Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha - Explore Varosa Valley, visit charming village of Tarouca with restored Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca, walk the fortified bridge of Ucanha (Portugal's first toll bridge)
- Quinta visit with olive tasting - Visit a traditional rural estate, learn about olive oil production handed down through family for 11 generations, enjoy tasting of their produce
- Excursion to Lamego - Coach to town nestled among terraced vineyards that were the first to produce world-famous Port wine, visit Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, walk down staircase lined with mosaic tiles, taste local delicacies in a bodega, enjoy free time
- Mateus Palace - Coach transfer to palace built in early 18th century, considered one of best examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal, admire original furniture, ornate ceilings and manicured gardens
- Port wine blending class - Visit Quinta de Pacheca, marvel at glorious vineyards and old cellar, hands-on workshop on Port blending process, followed by bottling, capping, and labelling with personalised label
Landmarks Varosa Valley Tarouca Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca Ucanha Bridge Lamego Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Mateus Palace Quinta de Pacheca - Day 8
Régua to Vega de Terrón
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relax in Vitality Pool
- Book a massage in the wellness area
Landmarks Vinhateiro Wine Region - Day 9
Vega de Terrón to Pocinho
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at leisure during Salamanca excursion or lunch on board for silk museum option), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Salamanca full day excursion - Known as the Golden City for its honey-coloured sandstone, Salamanca is famous for its university (the third oldest in the world), home to two cathedrals dating back to the 12th and 16th centuries, visit a market to taste local delicacies, enjoy free time to explore and have lunch at leisure
- Freixo de Espada à Cinta with silk museum - Half-day tour to the village, the only place in Portugal where handcrafted silk is still processed entirely by hand, visit a silk museum before returning to the ship for lunch
Landmarks Salamanca Freixo de Espada à Cinta - Day 10
Pocinho to Pinhão
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Côa Valley Museum - Opened in 2010, this museum features the largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site in the world, experience introduction to rock art through original artefacts and digital technology, enjoy a pre-historic workshop
- Village life in the Côa Valley - Visit traditional village of Freixo Numão where life has remained unchanged for centuries, then visit Casa Painova estate for demonstration on how sweet almonds are produced, enjoy tasting of almonds, olives and fruit products
Landmarks Côa Valley Museum Freixo Numão Casa Painova Estate - Day 11
Pinhão
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Provesende village
- Visit church in Provesende
- Discover old bakery in Provesende
- Witness traditional handicraft in Provesende
- Visit historic manor house Morgadio da Calçada
- Tasting of delicious bola at Morgadio da Calçada
Optional Activities
- Kayaking along the Pinhão River - Explore the region from a different perspective as you glide past terraced vineyards, patchworked farmland and sprawling estates via kayak on the Pinhão River, a tributary of the Douro
- Quinta vineyard hike - Take a guided hike through breathtaking vineyards of a quinta, enjoy stunning views across the Douro River, learn about the winemaking process, and sample some of their blends
- Quinta tasting - Visit a local estate for a tasting of the region's most famous export, Port wine, guided walking tour to learn the secrets of the vineyard and take in magnificent landscapes
Landmarks Provesende Morgadio da Calçada Pinhão River - Day 12
Pinhão to Porto
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert in São Francisco Church
Landmarks São Francisco Church - Day 13
Porto
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner with fellow guests)
Included Activities
- Illumination cruise through Porto
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Aveiro with cruise - Guided walking tour of Aveiro (famed for canals and Art Nouveau architecture), cruise the waterways in a brightly coloured moliceiros flat-bottomed boat unique to the city
- Excursion to Braga - Travel north through green, rolling countryside of Minho to historic city of Braga (one of Portugal's oldest and most elegant destinations), guided tour past Sé de Braga Cathedral, graceful plazas, and centuries-old residences reflecting ecclesiastical heritage
- Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia - Travel to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit one of Porto's most famous cellars, Cockburn's Port, enjoy guided visit and tasting
Landmarks Aveiro Braga Sé de Braga Cathedral Cockburn's Port Vila Nova de Gaia - Day 14
Porto to Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board cruise ship in Paris
- Day 15
Les Andelys
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' - Medieval-themed walking tour with guide in traditional attire, uncover historical secrets of Les Andelys and venture up to Château Gaillard to wander among the remnants
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard - Explore picturesque Norman town on the banks of River Seine with local guide before reaching Château Gaillard overlooking the city
- Cider farm visit - Visit a local farm to see cider production process in action and taste this distinctive effervescent drink
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon - Explore extraordinary 16th-century Château Gaillon, one of the earliest Renaissance-style châteaux in France, admire remnants of lavish interior and learn about its importance to French history
Landmarks Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 16
Rouen
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- WWI Lecture - A day in the life of a Tommy (interactive evening) including trying on equipment and weapons and tasting rations
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour - See why Victor Hugo described Rouen as 'the city of a hundred spires', visit cathedral district, old marketplace and Saint-Maclou Quarter, see Medieval alleys and half-timbered houses, learn about Joan of Arc and where she was put to death in 1431, enjoy free time afterwards
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking - Authentically dressed guide as Viking warlord Rollo, learn about Viking raiders who made Rouen their capital, focus on city's Medieval past with free time afterwards
- In the footsteps of Joan of Arc - Captivating walking tour through Rouen, immerse in story of Joan of Arc, visit St. Ouen Church and Old Market Square where she was martyred
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Old Market Square Saint-Maclou Quarter St. Ouen Church - Day 17
Rouen
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert (Exquisite dessert buffet featuring artistry of a local pastry chef bringing classic French cakes to life, variety of beautifully displayed desserts pairing perfectly with fine coffee or a glass of dessert wine)
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board with artistry of local pastry chef featuring classic French cakes
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park - Full day excursion to WWI Battle of the Somme site (claimed lives of more than 150,000 soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth), visit Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater and Newfoundland Memorial Park with visible shell holes and trenches
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval - Full day following same itinerary visiting Somme Battlefields, Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) and Franco-Australian Museum, after lunch travel to Caterpillar Valley Cemetery (contains more than 5,500 Commonwealth graves) then visit Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and Lochnagar Crater
- Claude Monet and the colours of Rouen - Explore city's iconic landmarks that inspired Monet, wander Medieval streets with guide sharing historical insights and Monet-related anecdotes, see breathtaking Rouen Cathedral immortalised in his famous series of over 30 paintings, visit Musée des Beaux-Arts
Landmarks Somme Battlefields Sir John Monash Centre Franco-Australian Museum Newfoundland Memorial Park Lochnagar Crater Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Musée des Beaux-Arts - Day 18
Honfleur
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur showing Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine and Garden of Personalities
- French cheesemaking presentation and cheese tasting featuring Normandy's celebrated classics including Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, and Neufchâtel
- Lecture about Operation Fortitude and daily life of Honfleur's citizens during D-Day campaign in World War II
Landmarks Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 19
Honfleur
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant during excursions), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) - Start at memorial on Utah Beach where more than 20,000 US troops landed June 6, 1944, visit Sainte-Mère-Église (town where 30 US Paratroopers landed during Invasion), lunch at local restaurant, visit Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, short stop at Omaha Beach Memorial (resulted in most casualties, 2,400 sacrificed)
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) - Visit Bayeux (first town liberated after D-Day, became French capital for summer 1944), Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy describing chronological D-Day events, Landing Museum at Arromanches with artificial harbour for reinforcements, lunch at local restaurant, visit British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, stop at Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) - Begin at Abbey d'Ardenne (founded 11th century, now memorial to Canadian POWs), visit Juno Beach Centre (memorial to 20,000 Canadian troops landed June 6), lunch at local restaurant, visit Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery (335 Canadian men killed in D-Day landings and early campaign), visit Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour - Guided tour of Bayeux including Notre Dame Cathedral (built between 11th-14th centuries, masterpiece of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture), free time to explore the town
Landmarks Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux Bayeux War Cemetery Museum of the Battle of Normandy Arromanches Landing Museum British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge & Museum Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 20
Honfleur to Caudebec-en-Caux
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum - Active biking tour to charming village of Villequier, cycling on e-bike along banks of River Seine on flat eight-kilometre each way route, visit museum dedicated to Victor Hugo (famous French poet, playwright and novelist), return to ship
- Fecamp and Bénédictine Palace - Coach transfer to Fecamp (historic seaside town surrounded by tallest cliffs in Normandy), guided tour of 19th century Bénédictine Palace (architectural masterpiece famous for producing Bénédictine liquor said to contain 27 plants and spices), enjoy tasting during visit
- Tales of the French Resistance - Walking tour learning stories of French Resistance who fought against Nazi Occupation of France during WWII, hear local stories of heroism and daring missions, explore historic city
- Normandy Abbey Road - Explore fascinating Middle Ages history with local guide on Abbey Road where many grand abbeys sit on banks of River Seine
Landmarks Caudebec-en-Caux Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fecamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 21
Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- On board painting class
- Classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden - Journey to Giverny to tour the town and visit home of founder of Impressionism, built by Monet with gardens comprising Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies that inspired his most famous works, afterwards enjoy free time to explore
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny - Self-guided biking tour from ship in Vernon to Giverny (approximately 5 kilometres each way), may visit Monet's House and Garden or wander about charming town, return to ship
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden Giverny Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 22
Conflans to Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise - Travel to village where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final masterpieces, see landmarks immortalised in his works including famous Notre Dame de l'Assomption church, entry to Van Gogh's room (attic he rented during final months, empty since 1890), enjoy free time afterwards to wander through village
- Château de Chantilly - Guided tour of castle (magnificent tribute to France's cultural heritage, built by Henri d'Orléans son of last King of France), see fine collections, explore gardens, enjoy some free time. Note: Closed on Tuesday - replaced with visit to Versailles Palace and Garden instead
- Active walk with Musée de la Batellerie (inland water transport museum) - Active tour in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine to visit Inland Water Transport Museum, Conflans sometimes called barge capital of world, water played very important role in residents' lives
- Château de Malmaison - Historic estate once residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and his first wife Josephine de Beauharnais, renowned for elegant neoclassical architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens reflecting Josephine's refined taste and passion for botany, museum showcasing furniture, artwork, and personal items from Napoleonic era
Landmarks Conflans-Saint-Honorine Auvers-Sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Van Gogh's Room Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace and Garden Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 23
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian - Guided walking tour of Marais district with Parisian guide, melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, eclectic arts scene and high-end fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour - Coach tour with local guide to see famous sites including Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, and 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral recently reopened after 2019 fire
- Opera Garnier - Located in theatrical heart of Paris, spectacular opera house resplendent with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, and glistening chandeliers, tour this building commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Coach to château located an hour's drive from Paris, credited as founding French formal garden that inspired Versailles, property laid out in typical symmetrical fashion with stunning gardens creating theatrical setting
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Opera Garnier Champs Elysee Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 24
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast
