Portugal’s River of Gold

Head into the breathtaking countryside to visit hilltop Castelo Rodrigo, a tiny medieval fortress town that time seems to have forgotten. The town is named for its castle, which has been listed as a National Monument since 1922. Drive with your guide for about 12 miles past pine-wood forests, rolling hills and almond trees as you ascend to 2,200 feet above sea level, where an enchanting maze of cobblestone streets crisscrosses the hillside. During your tour of Castelo Rodrigo, one of Portugal’s 12 historic parishes, you will stroll among the 16th-century houses, admiring their distinct Portuguese Manueline-style windows. Explore the historic Sinagoga Street, a memento to the Jewish community established here by refugees escaping the Spanish Inquisition. After stopping to visit the local church, you will return to your ship through the same astonishing landscapes that led you here, stopping to take in the panoramic views along the way.

Enjoy a delightful riverside lunch and a leisurely cruise along the scenic Douro River. Meet your guide and set off by minivan to a beautifully restored railway house. Upon arrival, you will be presented with an amuse bouche, accompanied by a glass of chilled wine. Enjoy the surrounding views as you take your seat to savor a delicious meal, prepared using fresh, locally sourced farm ingredients. For your mouthwatering lunch, you will enjoy a starter, main course and dessert, followed by seasonal fruits. A selection of wines will accompany your meal, provided by a country estate from the Douro region, famed for its wine-making heritage. After lunch, set sail on a leisurely cruise and glide through picturesque vistas of the Portuguese countryside, with views over sloping banks of vineyards. At your tour’s end, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Walk the winding lanes of a 2,500-year-old town, visit its castle remains and feast on a local lunch. Board your motor coach and travel to Marialva, a small town overlooked by the ruins of a hilltop citadel, with delightful small squares, diminutive churches, narrow streets and a rich history. Continue to the nearby Casas do Côro, built on the northern slope under the castle. The grounds of the property house a fine hotel, a spa and private villas in an exquisite landscape that cascades down the hillside. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you savor a selection of regional specialties with dishes that incorporate ingredients from the casa’s own gardens and estate-produced wine. Afterward, follow your escorts to view the castle area still dominated by the remains of the medieval walls and keep, before returning to your ship.