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Hiking & Walking Along Portugal’s Douro Valley |
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Program Number: |
21157RJ |
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| Start
and End Dates: |
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10/5/2013 - 10/14/2013;
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| Duration: |
9 nights |
| Location: |
Portugal/Spain
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| Price starting at: |
$2,799.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city |
| Program Type:
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Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; River Boats
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Activity Level: |
t (see description) |
| Meals: |
22;
8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 8 Dinners |
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| Meal
Options: |
Vegetarian; Gluten Free |
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Flowing through northern Portugal and Spain, the Douro and its river valley are the backbone of the region’s spectacular scenery, quaint villages and thriving wine industry. Experience the essence of Portugal during this river voyage along the beautiful Douro, and enjoy walking adventures as means of exploring the region’s idyllic countryside, thriving vineyards and historic architecture.
Activity Particulars
Hiking up to five miles; walking up to two miles at a time over uneven terrain and cobblestones; standing up to 1.5 hours at a time.
Itinerary At-a-Glance
Porto (Portugal) 1 night; aboard MS Infante don Henrique, 7 nights.
Day 1: Overnight flight from the U.S.A. |
Days 2-4: Arrival Porto (Portugal) / embark MS Infante don Henrique / Regua: |
Join an art historian for a lecture on the history of Portugal, followed by a walking exploration of the Old City of Porto. Then, via coach, explore Porto further, taking in the Pàlacio da Bolsa, Clerigos church and tower, Liberdade Square and the Town Hall. Lodging: Four-star hotel.
Hike along the Natural Park of Alvão and marvel in its mountainous scenery and deep valleys.
Days 6-7: Salamanca (Spain) / Barca D’Alva (Portugal): |
Experience the Roman, Arabic and Christian architectural treasures of the city of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample Spanish cuisine and enjoy Flamenco entertainment in Barca D’Alva. Hike to Vulture’s Cliff in Douro National Park and take in its magnificent panoramic views.
Day 8: Ferradosa / Regua: |
Walk along the vines of São João da Pesqueira and enjoy a picnic lunch in this beautifully preserved region.
Days 9-10: Porto / disembark / departure: |
Enjoy a scenic nature walk along the Douro estuary, and take in spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
MS Infante don Henrique
At 246 feet long, the ms Infante features several public areas on its three decks, including a lounge, partially covered sun deck with pool and one-sitting restaurant with excellent cuisine. Its 71 cabins accommodate 142 passengers and all have a shower, TV, radio, internal phone, hair dryer, air-conditioning, safe and large panoramic window.
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| Road Scholar Instructors | | These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur. | Helena Baltazar
| | For more than 15 years, Helena Baltazar has been leading and lecturing on Road Scholar programs and taking participants into the heart of Portugal and Spain. Through her engaging lectures and charming personality, she is able to create excellent group dynamics and learning opportunities for everyone on the program. Her vast travel experience and wealth of knowledge about the history and cultures of the Iberian Peninsula contribute tremendously to the enrichement of the educational content of the programs she leads and provides an unmatched perspective about the region. She holds a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Porto, and has researched a variety of topics related to Portuguese culture, particularly focused on Northern Portugal and the city of Porto, as well as Sephardic history. Helena is currently pursuing her Ph.D. | | | |
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