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Our friends at Brand g are offering another LGBT Douro River cruise, a cruise that is popular with wine connoisseurs and other world travelers. Your LGBT+, all-inclusive, guaranteed full ship charter adventure begins in Lisbon, the stunning capital city of Portugal and one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities in Europe. You’ll spend two days exploring the historic sites of this scenic and romantic city built on the sea. Your visit also includes the beautiful medieval city of Óbidos and lunch at a wine estate.
Your cruise journeys from the picturesque Roman city of Porto, the home of Port wine. Portugal’s once-wild river Douro has been tamed by locks into a series of finger lakes, adding greatly to the valley’s ambience. Leaving behind the Atlantic influenced greenery of the coast, and you are soon immersed in a Mediterranean land of olives, vines, and picturesque, medieval hilltop villages. Our destination is the higher reaches of the valley from where we visit Salamanca – home of one of Europe’s oldest universities, two of its finest cathedrals, Spain’s finest city square and even the Inquisition!
On board the gorgeous Douro Splendor, you will be pampered by a crew of forty ensuring first-class personal service. Plus a friendly ‘small ship’ feel enables the ever-attentive crew to take care of all those little things – leaving you to simply sit back, relax and enjoy every minute of your sensational all-LGBT+ river cruise experience.
This cruise vacation has it all – historic sites, charming villages, world-class port wines and cuisine and more!
Day 1 September 20, 2024
Lisbon
Arrive in Lisbon and meet your local transfer representative who will whisk you away to your hotel. The balance of the day is free time to start exploring this beautiful city
Meet your fellow guests at a welcome gathering in the early evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. (Welcome Reception).
Day 2 September 21, 2024
Lisbon
After your included breakfast, meet your guides to start a panoramic trip in Lisbon exploring the highlights of the city. Admire the different quarters of Lisbon, with its narrow streets and alleys, and gain understanding of the historical past of the city through your expert local guide. Visit the Bethem Quarter where magnificent monuments await, and the Church of the Jeronimo’s Monastery. Wander around the Bethem gardens and its cobblestone streets, with the opportunity to taste of the most famous Portuguese pastries, the Pastel de Nata (B)
Day 3 September 22, 2024
Lisbon/Obidos/Porto
After breakfast, your Brand group will depart from the hotel and proceed to Obrigos. Here, a lovely medieval village is ready to be discovered along with the streets, the Castle, and the gift shops. This delightful town of white houses adorned with bougainvillea and honeysuckle is entirely surrounded by medieval walls. Try a local favorite: a sour-cherry liquor served in a chocolate cup. Next, you will proceed to the Sanguinhal wine estate, where you will visit the vineyards, the cellar, and the distillery, and enjoy the lovely wines of this property along with a delicious locally-sourced lunch. Following lunch, sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the journey to Porto. Upon arrival to Porto later this afternoon, you will board the 5-star Douro Splendor, your home for the next seven nights.
Tonight, your Brand g group will gather on board to meet the attentive crew of the Splendor. After a delicious dinner, enjoy the first of Brand g’s signature entertainers in the ship’s lounge (B, L, D)
Day 4 September 23, 2024
Porto/Regua
After your first delicious breakfast and while you linger over another coffee, you can really start to unwind as you leave the city skyline far behind. Head upon deck to appreciate the changing landscape as the river weaves its way between the lush hillsides from the first morning on board it’s very apparent that the Douro is one of Europe’s most photogenic river valleys.
Following lunch, you arrive to the small town of Peso da Regua, from where you will visit the grounds of the splendid Mateus Palace. Anyone familiar with Mateus Rose wine and its characteristic “squashed” bottle will recognize the palace from the label. Whatever your opinion of the wine, it is an impressive 18th-century Baroque edifice, mirrored in its stunning pond, surrounded by landscaped French gardens.
This evening, Brand g will take the short drive to the 126-acre Quinta de Pacheca for dinner. Enjoying dramatic views over the Duoro, it dates back tot he 18th century and is simply one of the most beautiful and distinguished properties in the region. It is also notable as being the first quinto-in 1738-to bottle wine under the name of its owner, the aristocrat Mariana Pacheco Pereira. You have time to wander through part of the estate before sampling a selection of its finest wines at dinner (B, L, D)
Day 5 September 24, 2024
Regua/Vega Terron
This morning, enjoy another leisurely morning on board. One of the benefits of life aboard a river cruise is the sheer sense of relaxation it brings. Your elegant ship will slip its moorings during breakfast, after which they will be plenty of time for a spot of pampering in the onboard spa, or to simply watch the seamless changing of the riverbank scenery passing by from the comfort of a cozy seat in the lounge. You are in port-wine territory where the lush hillsides have largely given way to a patterned landscape of terraced vineyards . Inland from the Atlantic, the climate has changed, too. It’s noticeably warmer and drier while the area has a Mediterranean appearance with orangey, earthy colors replacing verdant greens.
This afternoon, following lunch, you will visit Castello Rodrigo, a delightful 12th-century walled village tucked away in the picturesque highland ranges bordering Spain. Its church was a resting place on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Composteia and it is said that St Francis himself stayed here. The views are simply stupendous, stretching across almost-deserted ochre hillsides.
This evening after dinner, you will see a celebrity vintage port wine opened in the traditional way, then head up on the lounge for another night of fun and frivolity with your Brand g signature entertainers. Or, head up to the sun deck to listen to the unmistakable sound of crickets and breathe in the scents from the surrounding valley slopes that pervade the warm evening air. (B, L,D)
Day 6 September 25, 2024
Vega Terron/Barca d’Alva
Today, you will visit historic Salamanca, one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey, regarded by many Spaniards as their nation’s most beautiful city. Founded by the Romans, who erected its 389-yard-long bridge, Salamanca is mostly built from local sandstone that emanates a gorgeous rose-colored glow in the sunlight. Perched on a hill on bed in the serene River Tormes, the city is a picture of tranquility, but its’ history is turbulent having been successfully fought over by Hannibal, the Moors, then the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon.
Salamanca is dominated by its two cathedrals and its university. Founded in 1218. the university is the oldest in Spain and it was one of the civilized world’s most important seats of study for over 400 years. The Spanish inquisition’s records are still kept here and as early as the 16th century it boasted some 12,000 students. Seeing its immaculately preserved lecture halls with their vaulted ceilings, it’s easy to conjure an image of Christopher Columbus addressing the learned men of the day or legal experts constructing the international laws that originated here.
On arrival in Salamanca, you are free to explore as you wish. You may choose to linger, admiring the ornate interiors of its cathedrals-the more recent dates from the 16th century-or explore its tiny streets, medieval squares, traditional shops, gardens and marketplaces.
The main square, the Plaza Mayor, was built in the 18th century in Spanish Baroque style, with colonnaded walkways all around at ground level, ideal for finding a shaded sport to sit and watch the locals pass by.
Following your full-day tour, you return to your 5-star vessel for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 7 September 26, 2024
Barca d’Alva/Regua
Another morning of sailing brings the opportunity for pampering int he on=board spa, a workout, catching up on a book, or simply watching the seamless changing of the riverbank scenery passing by from the comfort of a cozy seat in the lounge.
You arrive later in the pretty little town of Peso de Regua. Here, you will enjoy a visit to a local historic quinta to learn all about the stages of wine production, from the planting of the vines, harvesting, the wine-making process, and finally tasting and labeling. No visit would be complete without sampling some of their excellent vintages, of course, so Brand g will arrange for a tasting before returning to the ship for cocktails, dinner and another night of Brand g signature entertainment (B, L, D)
Day 8 September 27, 2024
Regua/Lamego/Entre-os-Rio
This morning after breakfast, Brand g will take you on a short drive to historic Lamego, home of Portugal’s sparkling wine, Raposeira, and one of the first places to be reclaimed from the Moors in the 12th century. Situated atop to the hill overlooking this lovely town is the ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies church, its stairways adorned with attractive azulejos, the country’s characteristic painted ceramic tiles.
By the time you return to the ship, your chef and his team will putting the finishing touched to another delicious lunch, ready to be served as you depart for Entre-os-Rios. After lunch, there’s the perfect opportunity to take the sun deck to enjoy the kaleidoscope of Douro views- or perhaps a spot of reading in the lounge over a cup of tea. This evening is the Captain’s Dinner, a truly memorable experience featuring exquisite regional specialties, followed by a colorful performance of traditional Portuguese folk music by a local cultural group (B, L, D)
Day 9 September 28, 2024
Entre-os-Rios/Porto
There’s a perfect opportunity to avail yourself of some of the ship’s range of five-star facilities this morning-maybe a little gentle exercise in the fitness room before heading up to the sun deck to enjoy a coffee while chatting with newly-made Brand g friends as the ship makes a graceful arrival in Porto once more, passing under the city’s spectacular bridges.
Porto is of course synonymous with wonderful port wine and all the famous port producers here, such as Calem, Sanderman and Ferreira, so a visit here would not be complete without a tour of one of them. You’ll learn about this fortified wine’s fascinating history and its close British connections. Port is made from grapes still pressed in the traditional way-by feet- then lovingly matured, sometimes for decades, before you can enjoy its subtle flavors. Of course, you’ll get the chance to sample various port styles at the end of your visit.
After lunch on board, you will enjoy a guided tour of Porto. Strategically overlooking the Duoro as it empties into the Atlantic. Portugal’s second largest city was originally a Roman town, but its wealth derived from its knowledge of the sea routes to India, with fortunes made rom trading spices, silks and other fine goods. Your tour unveils some of its major and more surprising sights.
You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore this truly fascinating city. Return to the terraced streets of the old town and wander the sloping maze of winding, cobbled alleyeasys, soaking up the atmosphere while stopping to admire the lovely architecture, soaring Bell towers, fine baroque churches, golden rooftops and beautiful tiles of this slice of traditional Portugal. Stop for a drink in a cozy café and be tempted by an array of delicious cakes and pastries-perhaps sample another pastel de nata, the traditional Portuguese custard tart.
This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner on board. Afterwards, settle into the lounge to enjoy a final performance from your Brand g signature entertainers and reflect on the splendors of the remarkable River Douro-over a glass of port, of course (B, L, D)
Day 10 September 29, 2024
Porto/Disembarkation
This morning, the crew bids you farewell before you disembark with memories of one of the most beautiful and unspoiled corners of Europe (B).
MS Douro Splendour
Accommodating just 126 guests in the most exquisite of surroundings, the ship’s spectacular design and high specification ensures this vessel feels exceptionally light and airy. The generous ratio of 3:1 guests per crew member ensures first-class personal service plus a friendly ‘small ship’ feel, and enables the ever -attentive crew to revel in taking care of all those little things – leaving you to simply sit back, relax and enjoy every minute of your sensational river cruise experience.
Dates of Stay: Sep 22 – 29
312 sq. ft. with sitting area and private balcony, Queen bed (convertible to two single beds). Walk in wardrobe. Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, twin sinks, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. Smart handset with maps*, translator and currency converter, unlimited internet use, a bottle of Prosecco on arrival, a platter of fresh seasonal fruits during the cruise and an aperitif each evening, with our compliments.
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205 sq. ft. with sitting area and private balcony, Queen bed (convertible to two single beds). Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities. Smart handset with maps*, translator and currency converter, unlimited internet use, a bottle of Prosecco on arrival, a platter of fresh seasonal fruits during the cruise and an aperitif each evening, with our compliments.
151 sq. ft. with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling windows which slide down halfway), Queen bed (convertible to two single beds). Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities. Smart handset with maps*, translator and currency converter, unlimited internet use, a bottle of Prosecco on arrival, a platter of fresh seasonal fruits during the cruise and an aperitif each evening, with our compliments.
151 sq. ft. with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling windows which slide down halfway), Queen bed (convertible to two single beds). Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities.
151 sq. ft. with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling windows which slide down halfway), Queen bed (convertible to two single beds). Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities.
129 sq. ft. with fixed window. Queen bed (convertible to two single beds). Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Single Occupancy Only. 129 sq. ft. with fixed window. Queen bed. Sparkling marble bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. Individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Single supplement of $2500 applies to single occupancy bookings in staterooms UD – LD. LS is single occupancy only and has no single supplement.
Deluxe and Superior Suites, 100% single supplement applies.
Brand g’s Best Price Guarantee ensures that you’ll get the best advertised rate. If a lower fare is ever offered on the Brand g website, you or we on your behalf can request to have that savings applied to your final payment.
Consider purchasing travel insurance to help protect your trip. While we usually refer our clients to www.insuremytrip.com, an online travel insurance broker, Brand g offers travel insurance as part of a travel protection plan from Travel Insured International. Click here, or call Brand g at 952-405-9309 for pricing information. Please note, to be eligible for certain additional travel protection benefits you must purchase your plan within 21 days of the date your initial trip deposit is received.
Jonathan and his team pulled out all the stops for our boys trip! I planned a very last minute trip for me, my dad and son and this team completed an entire agenda full of entertainment, food stops, and must see places! Truly impressed with his customer service, attention to detail, and responsiveness. If these guys are helping you plan a trip, you can rest assured that it will be amazing!
My wife and I had the trip of a lifetime in France for our 20 year anniversary, thanks to Jonathan and Purple Light Vacations. His ideas for hotels, itinerary and tours were spot on. He was completely able to gauge what we would love with just a short conversation and a few emails. Thank you Jonathan. You're a rockstar and we will definitely be using you again and again!
We just booked our second cruise within the past year through Purple Light Vacations due to their outstanding service. Jonathan Geen is not only highly professional, he is enjoyable to work with. What is the one thing we all want from the service industry, and especially dealing with travel and vacations-- timely and helpful assistance. Jonathan was quick to respond to any question or inquiry, whether by email or phone, any time or day of the week. He went over and above to make sure we were taken care of, and even provided information about places he didn't even book for us. Purple Light is now our go-to firm for travel and vacations.
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Purple Light Vacations
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Phone: (619) 324-1444
Fax: (619) 765-3033
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Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40248
Travel services not offered to those outside of the United States and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia or residents of the states of Hawaii.