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Portugal

Discoveries Along the Douro: Portugal’s Best-Kept Secrets

Program No. 23416RJ
Sail the Douro River by river boat, to discover hidden gems in the villages and valleys of Portugal, with full access to our experts.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.

DATES & PRICES

Ship Outside
Filling Fast!
Apr 7 - Apr 17, 2024
Ship Outside 4,299
Apr 14 - Apr 24, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 4,299
Filling Fast!
Apr 26 - May 6, 2024
Ship Outside 4,299
May 15 - May 25, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 4,499
Filling Fast!
Sep 1 - Sep 11, 2024
Ship Outside 4,699
Oct 2 - Oct 12, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 4,699

DATES & PRICES

Ship Outside
Apr 7 - Apr 17, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 5,499
Apr 14 - Apr 24, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 5,499
Apr 26 - May 6, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 5,499
May 15 - May 25, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 5,699
Sep 1 - Sep 11, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 5,899
Oct 2 - Oct 12, 2024
SOLD OUT
Ship Outside 5,899

At a Glance

Sail along the winding Douro River to the fairy-tale landscapes of Portugal. Along the way, you’ll have full access to our top-notch instructors as you explore medieval towns and Baroque architecture during an in-depth historical discovery. While floating from lively cities to tranquil villages, get a taste of the local culture with a bountiful selection of some of the region’s most spectacular wines and port wine. Make the most of your learning adventure by uncovering the best-kept secrets of Portugal from the locals who know it best, revealing a side of this country people seldom see.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2 - 2.5 miles at a time during shore excursions. Walking will be on cobbled streets, gravel paths, unpaved lanes, steep slopes, and city streets. Ability to stand for up to 1 hour without sitting and climbing stairs is a must.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Explore Porto’s historic center during a walking exploration.
  • Learn about regional Port wine during a tasting at a local "Quinta."
  • Enjoy a visit to the UNESCO heritage city of Guimaraes.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Leonor Sousa
Leonor Sousa has been working as a Certified Guide and Tour Manager for national and international clients for a number of years. She lives in Lisbon and speaks several languages fluently, has an interest and has taken courses in medieval art, history and architecture, and is experienced in product planning and coordinating events and conferences.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Leonor Sousa
Leonor Sousa View biography
Leonor Sousa has been working as a Certified Guide and Tour Manager for national and international clients for a number of years. She lives in Lisbon and speaks several languages fluently, has an interest and has taken courses in medieval art, history and architecture, and is experienced in product planning and coordinating events and conferences.
Profile Image of Paula Bizarro Moreira
Paula Bizarro Moreira View biography
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Grape Harvest
by Miguel Torga
Miguel Torga's first novel is a tribute to the Douro, its people, and its landscapes. A book for all who love this extraordinary region.
Prince Henry "the Navigator," A Life
by Peter E. Russell
A complicated, rewarding portrait, and the first biography of this empire-minded Portuguese prince in more than a hundred years.
A Traveller's History of Portugal
by Ian Robertson
A lively, admirably concise survey from prehistory to the present, great for travelers to Portugal who would like an overview of the country's history and culture.
The First Global Village: How Portugal Changed the World
by Martin Page
Portugal Map 733
by Michelin Travel Publications
At a scale of 1:400,000, this fully indexed map also includes insets of Madeira and city maps.
Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook
by Clara De MacEdo Vitorino
A handy pocket phrasebook for Portuguese basics, covering pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The City and the Mountains
by José Maria Eça de Queirós
Eça de Queirós' novel is a tribute to rural Portugal, and a satirical condemnation of the emptiness of city life and modernity.
Cork Boat, A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built
by John Pollack
This endearing tale of family, loss and friendship revolves around a deliciously absurd childhood quest to build a boat of cork and sail it 133 miles on Portugal's Douro River.
Journey to Portugal, In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture
by Jose Saramago
Jose Saramago's richly detailed account of his journey across Portugal in 1979. He combines his vivid impressions of the Portuguese landscape and people with a dose of history, fiction and meditations.
Eyewitness Guide Portugal
by Eyewitness Guides
Featuring hundreds of photographs and drawings, an excellent overview of the culture and history, and good information about where to go and what to do.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.