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GLOBUS 2009: PORTUGAL CRUISE (ZZP)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Lisbon to Lisbon
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 Discover the sights, sounds, and flavors of Portugal on this magnificent river cruise vacation. Your trip begins with free time in Lisbon, Portugal's vibrant capital, before you travel to Oporto to embark on your 7-night cruise. Float along the scenic Douro River and truly immerse yourself in the local culture with included flamenco and authentic Portuguese shows on board your ship, and with a hearty Portuguese meal at the 14th-century former Benedictine monastery in Bitetos. Cruise to Regua for excursions to visit Lamego's Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies shrine and the Mateus wine estate. In Pinhao, experience the center of the Port winemaking region with a visit to the Wine Academy and a wine tasting. A guided walking tour of Salamanca, Spain, reveals the 16th-century House of Shells, former bullfighting arena at Plaza Mayor, and the ornate cathedral. Pause in medieval Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo to explore the steep, narrow streets lined with almond trees, to visit the castle, and to watch for storks, the symbol of this quaint village. Back in Oporto, take a guided sightseeing tour, then travel along the picturesque Atlantic coast and stop at a Port wine lodge to visit the cellars and sample the excellent wine. Return to Lisbon for a guided sightseeing tour and the finale of your exciting Portuguese cruise vacation!
HOTELS
Lisbon Sofitel (SF)
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| Call (781) 837-1111 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7482467 | | Globus | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Board your overnight transatlantic flight | (Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. | | Day 2 | Lisbon | (Fri.) Welcome to Lisbon! Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Local Host and traveling companions for a welcome drink. | | Day 3 | Lisbon-Vila Nova de Gaia (Embarkation) | (Sat.) A leisurely start to your day before heading northward. Stop for lunch en route before arriving at Vila Nova de Gaia, south of the city of Oporto, where your river cruiser is docked and the crew awaits to welcome you on board. (B,D) | | Day 4 | Regua-Excursion to Lamego-Pinhao | (Sun.) Enjoy this first opportunity to take in the breathtaking scenery along the Douro during a leisurely morning of cruising. Arrive at Regua and after lunch on board, drive to Lamego, an old historical yet picturesque and charming town. It is home to one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the country, the SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF REMEDIES. After visiting this shrine there's free time to wander through the narrow winding streets, view the gothic cathedral, or watch the world go by in one of the outdoor cafes. Perhaps treat yourself to a snack of the local specialty, bola e Lamego (bread and smoked ham), and a glass of the well-known sparkling Raposeira wine before returning to your ship now docked at Pinhao. This evening you'll be treated to dinner at the Vintage House Hotel. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | Pinhao-Barca d'Alva | (Mon.) Spectacularly located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhao Rivers, the small town of Pinhao is the epicenter of the Port winemaking area and a place where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best. After some free time to explore on your own, you'll pay a visit to the WINE ACADEMY at Vintage House and sample some of the wines before cruising to Barca d'Alva. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | Barca d'Alva-Excursion to Salamanca, Spain-Vega Terron, Portugal | (Tue.) Today a full-day excursion takes you into Spain to Salamanca, a rich city full of traditions and situated in the center of the Castillo e Leon region. During your guided walking tour you'll see many of the bestknown sights such as the University, the House of Shells, beautiful baroque PLAZA MAYOR, formerly the site of numerous bullfights, and you'll also visit the CATHEDRAL. This evening, return to your ship at Vega Terron and after dinner, enjoy a FLAMENCO SHOW on board. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | Vega Terron-Excursion to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo-Pinhao | (Wed.) This morning's excursion takes you up to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, lying 2,200 feet above sea level. Along the typically medieval, steep and narrow streets you'll still find 16th-century facades and Manuelino-style windows! The blossoms of the almond trees that grow around the little town have given it the name "White Village." The surrounding region has an economy based on agriculture, and wine was first produced in the 12th-century by the monks. Visit the CASTLE and learn how in former times Jews, Arabs, and Christians co-existed peacefully here and formed the social fabric of Castelo Rodrigo. With luck you'll see the storks that migrate to this village every year and have become the symbol of the village. Return to your vessel and cruise to Pinhao. After dinner you'll be entertained by an onboard PORTUGUESE SHOW. (B,L,D) | | Day 8 | Regua-Bitetos | (Thu.) After breakfast, dock in Regua and join an excursion into the Tras-os-Montes region to visit the GARDENS and PALACE of MATEUS. On the way you'll see small picturesque villages nestled amidst the grandiosity of the steep terraces on the side of the mountains. Although still privately owned, the palace was transformed into a cultural foundation called the Casa de Mateus, whose main aims are to preserve the building, and the promotion of cultural, scientific, and educational activities. Your stay ends with visits to the striking chapel and the winery, producing the famous Mateus wines. Rejoin your vessel and cruise to Bitetos. This evening, enjoy a hearty Portuguese meal at the14th-century former Benedictine MONASTERY OF ALPENDURADA. (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | Bitetos-Oporto-Vila Nova de Gaia | (Fri.), This morning, arrive back in the Oporto area for a short cruise of the Douro River mouth. After lunch, visit Portugal's second-largest city. Spreading along the banks of the Douro, Oporto owes its history and development to this river. The city gives its name to one of the finest wines in the world-the Port wine. Guided sightseeing takes you through the city's narrow streets to find 16th-century arcaded buildings, the CATHEDRAL, and baroque churches. Drive across the 19th-century iron bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel, then along the Atlantic coastal road to Foz, with its fashionable villas and manor houses, at the mouth of the river. Before returning to your vessel, stop at one of the PORT WINE LODGES to visit the cellars and sample the delicious wine. (B,L,D) | | Day 10 | Vila Nova de Gaia (Disembarkation)-Lisbon | (Sat.) After breakfast, bid farewell to your ship's crew and drive south to Lisbon. (B) | | Day 11 | Lisbon | (Sun.) Portugal's imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator's 15th-century discoveries in West Africa and did not subside until the 1970s. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features Belem Tower, guarding the estuary of the Tagus River, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the bull ring to Pombal Statue and on along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of ALFAMA, the quarter of the seamen. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (B) | | Day 12 | Lisbon | (Mon.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
| US$ Price Details
The above prices are per person in category 3.Upgrade per person to category 2: $225Upgrade per person to category 1: $450Port charges:$98 per person.Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Lisbon:in single room $318, in twin room $185
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.
Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.
Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature. |
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