From Barcelona to London featuring an overnight in Bordeaux calling on Malaga ; Casablanca; Seville; Lisbon; Oporto, Portugal; La Coruna, Spain; Bilbao; Biarritz (saint-jean-de-luz), France; Le Verdon (bordeaux), France; Lorient, France and Saint-malo, France with 1 day at sea from $21,399

Virtuoso Voyager Club Exclusive Experience
Complimentary, exclusive and unique Voyager Club event in Oporto. See Voyager Club Shore Excursion for complete details.

When you reserve this cruise through us, your Virtuoso Travel Specialist, you automatically become a member of the prestigious Virtuoso Voyager Club, entitling you to a wealth of privileges and complimentary amenities - including a unique and exclusive shore event not available to the general cruising public.

NOTE: You may choose this exclusive shore event, credit toward a customized Virtuoso on-shore event, credit toward a Virtuoso Discovery pre/post hotel stay or shipboard credit. Ask us for complete option details.

Exclusive Shore Event:  Porto | Guimaraes and Casa de Juste Manor House

Porto, rising on the north bank of the Douro River, is Portugal's second largest city. Its magnificent setting, together with a number of imposing baroque monuments and a colorful old quarter make it a highly atmospheric city that guarantees a pleasant visit. Often called Oporto in English (deriving from "o porto," "the port"), it has a certain British atmosphere, especially when looking across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, with all the English names of the warehouses that store the country's internationally celebrated Port Wine.

Today we will head towards one of the most impressive towns in the north of Portugal; the city of Guimares, where we'll have the chance to enjoy its beauty and simplicity. This is the "cradle" of Portuguese nationality and the first important city of the kingdom of Portugal. In fact this was the birthplace of the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, who against his own mother's will initiated the Portuguese nation from the old castle on the top of the highest hill of Guimares. The Dukes of Bragana Palace, built in the 1st half of the 15th century, is well-known for its Pastrana tapestries, portraying important events related to the maritime discoveries of the 15th century; its Indian porcelain collection; the Portuguese ceramics; the Flemish tapestries, amongst many other valuable pieces that we will be able to admire during our guided tour.

We will then walk through the narrow streets of the historical center, arriving at the beautiful square of Oliveira (classified as a Heritage Cultural UNESCO site) for an opportunity to stop for a cup of coffee in one of its street cafes before departing towards our lunch venue.

In the surroundings of Guimares we will find the XIV century manor House Casa de Juste. Surrounded by lush gardens, this granite manor house is one of the best preserved examples of the traditional lifestyle of the north of Portugal. It's one of those places where you really feel like you've just traveled back to a world where time doesn't seem to matter and where every detail has the careful touch of a human hand behind it. After being welcomed with a refreshing cocktail, we will tour the manor house and the gardens before our lunch is served in one of the charming areas of the manor house.

After lunch, we will be invited to taste and identify some of the different Port Wines of Portugal. After an introduction of the different styles and brands of port wine, we will have a tasting session.

As the afternoon comes to an end, it will be time to leave the Casa de Juste for our return to the pier.

Length: Seven hours.

Suggested Attire/Walking Notes: Casual attire with comfortable shoes. Light to moderate walking with some steps.