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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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River BoatsAdventures Afloat Study Cruise
Length
11 days
Rating (4.83)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,499
Flights start at
950

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

11 days
10 nights
25 meals
9B 8L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Arrive Porto, Check-In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Porto
3
Lecture, Porto
Porto
4
Lecture, Aveleda, Guimaraes, Embark Boat
Porto
5
Porto, Road Scholar lecture, Wines of the Douro
Do-Peso de Regua
6
Winery field trip, Cruise Upstream
Do-Vega de Teron
7
Salamanca, Spain.
Do-Barca D'Alva
8
Museum of Foz Côa
Do-Pinhoa
9
Amarante, cruise downstream
Porto
10
Return to Porto, Cork Museum, Free Time
Porto
11
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program.
In Flight
View Full Itinerary

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 2.5 - 3 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.

What You'll Learn

  • 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 trip experts
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Paula Bizarro Moreira
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.

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 Cristina Afonso Fernandes
Paula Cristina Afonso Fernandes View biography
Paula Fernandes graduated in 1990 from the New University of Lisbon with a degree in anthropology. She began working as a group leader in Portugal in 1984 and since then has been an educational travel director all over Europe. Road Scholar participants enjoy Paula's in-depth knowledge of the culture, art and history of the Iberian Peninsula, and her excellent leadership skills. Paula currently divides her time between homes in Spain and Portugal and can speak Portuguese, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
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.
Profile Image of Luisa Gomes
Luisa Maria Gonçalves Gomes View biography
Luisa Gomes graduated with a degree in Tourism from the Superior School of Tourism of Lisbon and has been working as a National leader since 1992. Her interests range from art history and languages to geography and religious studies. She continues to take many courses at various universities and cultural centers in Lisbon to further her knowledge. Luisa is fluent in French, English, and loves to travel throughout her home country, bringing her course work and expansive knowledge to every program she leads.
Profile Image of Joana Nascimento
Joana Coelho Nascimento View biography
Joana Nascimento is an artist, art educator, and researcher. Her research focuses on the concept of landscape, bridging art, environment, architecture, and education. She graduated in sculpture from the University of Porto in 2007. She was awarded a scholarship at Akademia Sztuk Pieknych w Krakowie in Poland, where she studied scenography and intermedia. Joana holds a master’s degree in art and design for public space. Currently, she's a researcher at the Institute for Research in Art, Design and Society (i2ADS) at the University of Porto.
Profile Image of Pedro Bandeira
Pedro Bandeira View biography
Pedro Bandeira is a professor at the School of Architecture, Art and Design at the University of Minho and a researcher at Lab2PT. The author of several publications on architectural culture, he was awarded the Critics Prize by the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) in 2015. His design practice includes the Casa Rotativa (Coimbra, 2018), nominated for the European Mies van der Rohe Prize and winner of the Sustainability and Innovation Prize awarded by the Environmental Fund and the Association of Portuguese Architects.
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