Leixoes

Get lost among Porto's landscapes, which are revealed along the Paiva Walkways: as you follow the course of the river of the same name, you'll set out along this UNESCO world heritage path, which reveals wild views, walls of rock and waterfalls. Your guide will make this connection with nature feel even deeper, as will a picnic in the shade of oak and chestnut trees.

• Hike along the Paiva Walkways
• Picnic with typical dishes

• Take a walk along Portugal's best-known wooden walkways: take in the stunning scenery from a unique vantage point, as you follow the course of the Paiva river.
• The landscapes flow past as unpredictably as its waters: at the Do Salto gorge, listen to the roar of the river as it falls steeply between the rocks, as well as that of the Aguieiras waterfall, which plunges down the granite wall of the mountain.
• There's no need to rush: the path is 8km long and deserves to be enjoyed step by step. With the views that surround you, it's hard to think about closing your eyes, but try it for a moment: the scents and sounds will envelop you and make you feel truly connected to nature.
• As you walk, your guide will tell you anecdotes and facts about this place and the sights you see: from the plants to the rocks, everything here has a story just waiting to be discovered.
• And when hunger strikes, pause in the shade of the chestnut trees to recharge your energy with a delicious picnic.

• Wear appropriate hiking shoes and clothing for the trail.

The Peneda-Gerês National Park is a truly special world. Explore it with a sightseeing tour in a van that will take you to the most famous sights in this natural area: bucolic mountain landscapes, crystal-clear waterfalls, traditional villages that still follow the ancient communal way of life. The icing on the cake? A picnic with typical dishes.

• Panoramic van tour from Leixoes pier to Gerês
• Peneda-Gerês National Park: Arado waterfall, Caniçada lake, villages of Gerês and Ermida
• Pedra Bela viewpoint with panoramic views of the Caniçada reservoir
• Picnic with typical dishes

• Your driver awaits at the pier. Climb aboard and set off for the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
• As soon as the van pulls into the area, the stunning nature will be all around you, stretching out between granite peaks and meadows.
• You will pass through forests of holly trees and pastures that take on the colors of wildflowers in spring. And who knows: you might even spot a “garrano”, a small wild horse. And then there's the endless rivers, lakes and waterfalls.
• By the way, you'll see the famous Arado falls up close - its last descent plunges into an emerald lake.
• Then, you'll climb up to the Pedra Bela viewpoint for special views of the Caniçada reservoir, with the dam that created this picturesque lake, another destination for your voyage of discovery.
• At Gêres and Ermida, you'll discover two traditional villages where communal culture and mixed farming techniques thrive, from land sharing to flax and wool weaving and ancient food preparation techniques.
• And speaking of food…you'll also stop off for a picnic of traditional dishes. Enjoy!

• Minimum age: 6 years.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the experience.

• Braga's old town – The Cathedral
• Guimaraes

• Our excursion starts with a tour of the town of Braga, which lies 55 km from Porto. Braga was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. Back then it was known as Bracara Augusta. In the 5th century, the Swabians made it the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia. It was also the first episcopal see in the entire Iberian peninsula, hence its nickname, the "Portuguese Rome". It was occupied by the Arabs in the 8th century and liberated in 1040. It later became the primary seat of the Kingdom of Castile and, until Portugal became independent from Spain in the late 1700s, the city was ruled by archbishops. The architectural and cultural development of the city is in fact closely intertwined with the history of the Church and the combination of two important artistic periods - the Renaissance in the 1500s and the Baroque in the 1700s. A perfect example of this is the first landmark we will visit in the old city, the Cathedral, or "la Sé" , a primitive Romanesque building that has been developed, restored and redecorated over the centuries.
• We will then continue towards Guimaraes, a charming little city known for its textile industry and artisan handicrafts. Guimaraes was the first capital of Portugal and it was in the castle here, located at highest point in the city, that the first King of Portugal Afonso Henriques was born in 1109.

• Space is limited, so please reserve early. 

Our tour will visit magnificent  towns in the north of Portugal: Porto and Guimarães both full of history and authenticity, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Porto: Ribeira quarter, Riverside, historic part of town
• Guimarães: old city, former manor house, 10th-century Virgin Mary church 
• Lunch at the magnificent Pousada de Guimaraes

Drive into the heart of Porto and explore the medieval Porto- Ribeira quarter.  

The riverside with traditional colorful houses, the 19th-century iron bridges in the distance and the traditional Rabelo boats clustered around the pier are a must. Your guided walk through the enchanting streets gives you an intimate look at this historic part of town before enjoying some time at your own leisure.
Approximately one hour away,  Guimarães will be your next stop.   A walking tour through the old city reveals quiet corners and narrow streets, a former manor house situated in the square and a 10th-century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  

After the guided walk, free time is afforded to browse the local shops for treasures or relax in the town square. 

Before you return back to the pier, pause for lunch at the magnificent Pousada de Guimaraes, built in a former Monastery from the 12th century and with panoramic views.

• Guests with walking difficulties cannot participate on this tour.  Includes total walking of 3,5 km distance over cobblestone, slight inclined surfaces, wood. 
• Tour order may vary.

Hop into an electric tuk-tuk to discover all the iconic places in the city. With your guide, you will unearth artistic treasures hidden where you'd least expect, and find yourself face to face with majestic Baroque-style buildings. Don't miss out on a taste of the famous Port wine that is produced here: a tasting accompanied by typical tapas is just the ticket!

• Sightseeing tuk-tuk tour of Porto, Matosinhos and Vila Nova de Gaia: Clérigos Tower; Liberdade Square; Sao Bento station: Porto cathedral; Sierra do Pilar monastery
• Tasting of local wine with tapas

• In Porto, there's a lively Mediterranean atmosphere. You'll see for yourself as you tour the city with your guide in an electric tuk-tuk, a three-wheel “mini taxi” which is very popular around here.
• The character of the city is already in evidence as you make your way along the quay of the Douro river, among the little cafés and colorful houses that crowd its banks. But from far away, more imposing places like Clérigos tower peek above the rooftops - 76 meters of granite decorated in Baroque style.
• In the city, art can be found in the places you least expect. For example, at São Bento station, known for its 20,000 Azulejos, the traditional ceramic tiles of Portugal.
• The discoveries continue at Porto cathedral. From the outside, soak up the architecture and the scenic location. Meanwhile, inside, allow yourself to be enchanted by the solemn atmosphere and the details of its decorations.
• After so many discoveries, the finale has the distinctive flavor of Porto's famous wine. Produced in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, savor a host of aromas and textures in the Serra do Pilar Monastery, with a tasting accompanied by local tapas. Cheers!

• The tuk-tuk driver will be your guide.

• Porto city centre
• St. Francis church
• Port winery tour

• This excursion will take us into the heart of Porto, which is not only Portugal's second city and second most important port, but also the country's university and industrial centre and an Episcopal seat. Porto is also known as the "Granite City" as the material was used for a lot of its majestic and elegant buildings, creating a contrast between the city and its lush green surroundings.
• Our first stop is the Church of St. Francis. Begun in 1344., it has been restructured many times over the centuries, as can be seen by its different styles – the apse and rose window are Gothic while the richly-decorated door is a perfect example of the Baroque style. Our guide will show us how all the walls, columns and altars inside the church are decorated with exuberant gilded wooden sculptures dating back to 1753, the making of which required 210 kg of 22-carat gold.
• Before heading back to the ship, we will visit the cellars of one of the city's many producers of Port wine.

• Space is limited, so please reserve early. 

A tour exploring Porto, the "Granite City", with its imposing historic buildings, including the Ribeira do Porto, the city's most charming and picturesque neighborhood, UNESCO heritage, known for its narrow, winding streets, colorful buildings.

• Porto city centre
• Ribeira do Porto
• Jardim do Morro

• This excursion will take us into the heart of Porto, which is not only Portugal’s second city and second most important port, but also the country's university and industrial centre and an Episcopal seat. Porto is also known as the "Granite City" as the material was used for many of its majestic and elegant buildings, creating a contrast between the city, its lush green surroundings and the golden sparkle of the river Douro.
• Our coach takes us to Ribeira Quarter, Porto’s most picturesque and lively district, where history, culture, and breathtaking views blend seamlessly along the Douro River. As you stroll through its narrow, winding streets, you’ll be immersed in the charm of colorful, azulejo-clad buildings, traditional cafés, and vibrant local life. Marvel at the Dom Luís I Bridge, an architectural masterpiece, designed by Théophile Seyrig, a Belgian engineer who was a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. 
• Perched high above the Douro River, Jardim do Morro is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Porto, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the historic cityscape, the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, and the charming Ribeira district below.
• We return to the ship at the end of the excursion.

A walking tour exploring, the "Granite City", and its most ancient buildings plus a visit to the cellars of one of the city's Port producers. This tour also offers an opportunity to admire the city while sailing along the river Douro on the typical local boats called Rabelos.

• Porto city centre
• Ribeira district
• Cruise on a Rabelo on the River Douro with a tour of the city centre
• Cellar tour at a local Port winery, with tasting

• We leave the port of Leixoes by coach to reach the city centre of Porto, the former capital of Portugal and the economic and cultural heart of the north of the country. Porto is an ancient city from which the name "Portugal" originated. Thanks to its architectural treasures and enviable position near the mouth of the river Douro, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• We will then move towards the Ribeira district, which is the most characteristic of the city.
• Here, we will embark on a Rabelo , one of the traditional boats built specifically to sail along the River Douro transporting barrels of wine from the vineyards to the cellars in the city.
• Along the Douro, we will pass under some of the numerous bridges that connect the two parts of the city and enjoy a privileged view of the city centre with its streets, houses and palaces tumbling down the hillside towards the river banks.
• After this short cruise, we have the opportunity to visit one of the numerous wineries in the city that produce Port, one of the most famous wines in the world, which we will taste before heading back to the ship.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.

A walking tour exploring Porto, the "Granite City", and its maze of streets, during which we admire historic buildings, such as the Clérigos Tower, and modern structures, the railway station for example, with its amazing terrace. The tour ends with a panoramic view of the river Douro.

• Porto city centre
• Clérigos Tower (external visit)
• Livraria Lello (external visit)
• Aliados Avenue and Flores Street 
• São Bento Railway station
• Ribeira district with views of the River Douro

• This excursion will take us into the heart of Porto, which is not only Portugal's second city and second most important port, but also the country's university and industrial centre and an Episcopal seat. Porto is also known as the "Granite City" as the material was used for a lot of its majestic and elegant buildings, creating a contrast between the city and its lush green surroundings.
• Our coach will take us to Cordoaria, from where we make our way into the maze of streets in the city centre. During our walk, we will see the Clérigos Tower – designed by architect Nicolau Nasoni – one of the tallest buildings in Portugal.
• We then head to the Livraria Lello, which is considered one of the world's most beautiful bookshops thanks to its amazing Neo-Gothic façade.
• We then visit the São Bento railway station. One of the most imposing buildings of the city, it is known for its azulejos (decorative hand-painted tiles), which were designed by Jorge Colaço to depict two important subjects - the history of transportation and the Battle of Aljubarrota.
• Walk along charming pedestrian Flores Street towards the Ribeira, where we will have some more free time to admire the fantastic views of the river Douro, with its bridges and typical Rabelo boats.

• Space is limited, so please reserve early. 
• This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.