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Get to know the city built on port, the fortified wine for which it is named. Straddling the Douro River, Porto is a vital center of education, religion, trade and industry. You will meet your guide at your ship, then set out by motor coach for a scenic drive into the heart of the “City of Granite.” Thanks to the frequent use of this stone in the architectural landscape, the city has a grand appearance. In the Cordoaria district, you will view the masterful exterior of the Clérigos Tower, or Clergyman’s Tower. Once Portugal’s tallest structure, it was designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni. Continue past the city’s Romanesque cathedral, built in the 12th century, and stop to admire its facade. En route back to your ship, pass through Aliados Avenue and gaze up at the beautiful buildings that line the street.

Take in two historically significant cites that helped shape the region’s religious and cultural identity. You will begin with a drive to Braga with your guide, 35 miles from Porto. Founded by the Romans, it was the seat of the first archbishop primacy on the Iberian Peninsula in the 5th century. For 700 years, the city was governed continuously by archbishops, linking its architectural and cultural development to the history of the Church. You will see a spectacular fusion of Renaissance and baroque styles here. Continue to Guimarães, a picturesque city central to the formation of Portugal. The country’s first capital, it is known today for its pretty streets, textiles and handcrafts. Pass the castle where Dom Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, was born before you return to your ship.

See one of Europe’s most authentic and intimate cities by land and river. Porto boasts a rich architectural heritage and enviable position near the mouth of the Douro River. Begin with a drive to the Porto Cathedral, locally known as Sé Cathedral, a 12th-century Romanesque building adorned with works by Portuguese artists. Continue to the Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and embark a traditional rabelo, a boat once used to transport barrels of wine. Cruise along the Douro, passing beneath some of the city’s bridges and taking in views of the narrow streets, houses and buildings that line the riverbank of the historic district. Cap your day with a visit to an ancient wine cellar for a tasting of the city’s world-famous port, served with tapas from Northern Portugal and accompanied by fado music. After, return to your ship.

Experience Porto’s architectural and cultural enchantments up close, by foot. Begin with a drive by motor coach to this riverside gem, known for many things: its port wine, a graceful setting among riverside hills, its medieval alleys and Parisian-style plazas lined with historic monuments and churches. Our walking tour begins near Clérigos Tower. A prominent monument, this notable tower is a symbol of Porto dating back the 18th century. Walk down Praça da Liberdade to the São Bento Railway Station, with its beautiful azulejo tile mosaics inside. Continue via lively Rua das Flores (Flower Street) until you reach the Palácio da Bolsa, Porto’s historic stock exchange, where your motor coach awaits. Then cross the 19th-century Dom Luís I Bridge to the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia for a tasting before returning to your ship.

Journey to the capital of filigree, Póvoa de Lanhoso, to see gold and silver molded into lace-thin decorative art. Women in the north of Portugal have worn this jewelry for centuries; in fact, the art predates Roman occupation. You will drive with your guide to the Gold Museum in Póvoa de Lanhoso, one of the craft’s most important centers. You will see that the most characteristic pieces take on the shapes of hearts, Maltese Crosses and ships, each carefully wrought as a medallion, pin, bracelet or pair of earrings. The museum displays filigree collected by Francisco de Carvalho e Sousa during his 50 years as a goldsmith. Observe a local craftsman and witness the fascinating process of filigree creation. You will return to your ship from the museum.

Enjoy a visit and tasting at a tradition-rich family winery in Portuguese wine country. Travel by coach to the heart of Minho, one of Portugal’s largest wine-growing regions, to the Guedes family winery, Quinta da Aveleda. Since 1870 the property has been managed and cared for by the same family and has more than 300 years of winemaking heritage. The vineyard is renowned for its Vinho Verde wines with their crisp acidity and delicate finish, and notes of lemon and citrus. Picturesque gardens surround the estate, featuring towering trees, elegant fountains and serene pathways. Enjoy a stroll and soak up the serene atmosphere as you learn more about wine production in Portugal followed by a tasting of three different wines. Afterward, return to your ship.

Explore historic Coimbra and charming, canal-lined Aveiro, and savor a Portuguese lunch accompanied by fado music. Drive to Coimbra, birthplace of six Portuguese kings and home to Portugal’s first university, the Universidade de Coimbra. Founded in Lisbon in 1290 by King Dinis, the school was among the first established in Europe, relocated to Coimbra in 1537 and attracted a steady stream of teachers, artists and intellectuals from across the continent. Marvel at the views from the city’s highest point and see the ancient hillside buildings. Enjoy lunch at a typical Portuguese restaurant while listening to a fado performance. The Portuguese are famed for their sweet tooth; try one of the local specialty dishes, the soft eggs (ovos moles). Continue north to Aveiro for a panoramic tour through this little “Venice of Portugal,” lined with canals. Afterward, return to your ship.

Board a tram for a relaxing journey to Ribeira and a tour of an opulent church. Porto’s first tram line was inaugurated on September 12, 1895; you will set off in a fully restored streetcar from the early 1900s. Your journey “into the past” takes you along the riverfront, past various points of interest, while allowing you to enjoy a glass of port wine. After alighting, take a guided tour of the Church of São Francisco, with its magnificent 18th-century gold-encrusted interior. Afterward, take a panoramic tour through the heart of the city and discover how Porto has developed as a modern town while preserving its past; your tour will conclude at your ship.

Immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine as our Executive Chef leads you on an interactive culinary adventure. Journey by mini-coach to the local market to handpick ingredients under the guidance of our Chef. Later this evening, you will dine on regional dishes prepared by our experienced culinary team, using produce from the market. As you and your fellow guests enjoy this delicious creation at The Kitchen Table, you will also observe the art of plating with each dish. From fresh market fare to cooking techniques and elegant presentation, experience firsthand how your ship’s world-class culinary staff brings distinct, local flavors from the market to your taste buds. It is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop, interact and dine with the masters.