Selected Itinerary
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Radiance Star-Ship, where you will enjoy dinner on board this evening.
Meals Included: Dinner
Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. This fascinating area was inscribed because it hones in on two millennia of wine producing history, where viticulture has shaped the surrounding landscape and small, sleepy villages are peppered with dozens of sun-drenched vineyards.
Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and cocktail reception.
A Portuguese cooking demonstration on board
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, nestled on the confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. This 18th-century estate is environmentally sound, creating organic produce by using traditional viticulture methods.
Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through local vineyards, stopping along the way to admire your surroundings.
This afternoon, enjoy sailing to Vega de Terrón, perhaps relaxing on the Sun Deck.
A guided walk through the vineyards
A visit to Quinta do Tedo with tasting
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.
Travel to the beautiful golden city for a walking tour, starting among the postcard-worthy galleries and arcades that adorn Plaza Mayor. You will have the opportunity to see Casa de las Conchas, a building that has been lovingly decorated with more than 300 shells.
Enjoy local entertainment from a tuna music band
A guided tour of Salamanca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, arrive in Pocinho where you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a canoeing excursion or to visit the Côa Valley Museum. Later, return to your ship for lunch and soak up your idyllic surrounds as you sail towards Régua while taking part into a Port Wine cocktail lesson on board. A rural dinner at a wine estate is certain to be a highlight of your trip.
A Port Wine cocktail lesson on board
A rural dinner with entertainment at Quinta da Pacheca
A canoeing excursion
A visit to the Côa Valley Museum
Archaeological Tour 4x4 at Coa Museum (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, on an included excursion, you will visit the marvellous Baroque village of Lamego, stopping to see the picturesque Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, a structure that stands gracefully over the town.
A mosaic tile painting lesson on board
Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
A guided tour of Lamego
A visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture. Famous for its exports of Port wines, it’s easy to imagine how British merchant ships would have once clustered together in the medieval harbour, waiting to take Port wines across the water.
Your included tour of the coastal city will touch on the fortified structures of Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, a building whose pentagonal façades overlook the ocean. This evening, enjoy a charming evening cruise shining a different light on Porto's skyline.
A guided active walk in Porto
A guided tour of Porto
Visit to Quinta do Aveleda with Vinho Verde tasting (extra expense)
Taylor’s Port wine tasting (extra expense)
Evening cruise through Porto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will be transferred from the sun-drenched landscape of Porto to Lyon, a land famous for its delightful cuisine.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Chalon-sur-Saône is known for its art and history. Today, you will have the opportunity to witness the areas architectural heritage and peaceful surrounds as you travel to the quaint village of Beaune and visit the Hospices de Beaune, originally a hospital for the poor, and now home to one of Burgundy’s most popular wine auctions.
A cheese and olive tasting on board
Visit to the Hospices de Beaune
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
France’s third-largest city, Lyon is a former Roman capital, steeped in history and considered to be the gastronomic heartbeat of the country and the home of traditional Lyonnaise cuisine.
Today, enjoy a guided tour of Lyon, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, part of the inscribed historic site of Lyon. Wander through the city and soak in its vividly illustrated history, as buildings from all time periods can be seen adorning narrow cobblestone streets. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour of Lyon.
A guided bike tour of Lyon
Visit to Pérouges (extra expense)
A guided tour of Lyon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The picturesque village of Tournon borders the gently meandering Rhône, dominated by a 16th-century castle that overlooks the village and a number of iconic landmarks, including a set of ancient watchtowers.
Your guided tour of the village will showcase its intangible cultural heritage, granting every opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Alternatively, embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through some of the local vineyards.
Later, a guided bike tour to Glun will showcase rural life in the French countryside.
A regional wine tasting on board
A guided bike tour to Glun
A guided hike through the vineyards
A guided tour of Tournon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive in Viviers, a town with much Middle Age flair and home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals. Your included walking tour of Viviers will showcase some of its numerous listed monuments, along with their ornate windows and lavish façades.
A guided tour of Viviers
A hike in Viviers
Fishing class (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Avignon has a rich history, from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of the Pope and central to the French Revolution.
Your included walking tour of Avignon will take you past the ornate beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, as well as Pont d’Avignon, an ancient stone bridge crossing the Rhône. This afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.
This evening, return to your Star-Ship for a delightful Provençal dining experience, expertly prepared by Top Chef finalist, Fabien Morreale.
A Provençal dining experience on board
A canoeing excursion in Avignon
A guided tour to Pont du Gard (extra expense)
A classical concert in Avignon (extra expense)
A guided tour of Avignon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The past is yours to discover in Arles, once an important Phoenician trading port that was captured by the Romans, who peppered the city with iconic monuments. Today, your included tour of the city will showcase some of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arles, showcasing how the city has evolved over the centuries.
Visit the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre and follow in the footsteps of world-renowned artist, Vincent van Gogh. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, perhaps stopping at a local café or returning to your Star-Ship to relax on board.
A guided tour of Arles with arena visit
A Camargue Excursion (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, it’s time to disembark the ship for your transfer to Nice, where you will be taken to your centrally located hotel. Included is a three-night stay in the sun-kissed capital of the Côte d’Azur.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, the stunning seaside surrounds of the French Riviera are yours to explore with your local guide, before spending the afternoon exploring at leisure. You will be taken to Monte Carlo for an insightful tour. Famously portrayed in films that include Never Say Never Again and To Catch a Thief, Monte Carlo offers much in the way of its charming past.
Witness the impressive Prince’s Palace of Monaco, originally a Genoese fortress with a dramatic past and the home of beloved actress Grace Kelly.
A city tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nice has long held a reputation for its glamour, where sun-kissed beaches and lavish surrounds create a unique atmosphere that is unlike any other. Today, explore Nice at leisure. Your Emerald Waterways representative will be available to help you to plan your day in this vibrant city.
Visit to Saint Paul de Vence (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and prepare to be transferred to the airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking memories of Roman amphitheatres and the lush surrounds of the French Riviera with you.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.
Please note: Pre-release itinerary subject to change.
Meals Included: Breakfast