Douro River Cruise

May 5 – 12, 2018

Saturday, May 5 Arrival at Artist Porto Hotel and Bistro*

See the source image

· Above images are from web sources

City Walk and Dinner with Tom and Mary Gallagher

Sunday, May 6 Morning visit of Porto

Visit the church of Clerigos and Enjoyed Organ Concert (image on left from web source)

Visit to Livraria Lello Bookstore below

Afternoon move to ship…Queen Isabel (Uniworld)

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Monday, May 7 Guimaraes City Tour

Guimarães is a city and municipality located in northern Portugal, in the district of Braga. Its historic town centre is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, in recognition for being an "exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town" in Europe.

Guimarães has a significant historical importance due to the role it played in the foundation of Portugal. The city is often referred to as the "birthplace of the Portuguese nationality" or "the cradle city” because it is widely believed that Portugal's first King, Alfonso Henriques, was born here.

The Palace of the Dukes was classified as a National Monument in 1910. It is an official residence for the Presidency.

Statue of Afonso Henriques

Old City Passages and Squares

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Tuesday, May 8 Morning visit to Douro Museum in Regua

The Douro Museum in Peso da Régua is a regional museum and the ideal place for welcoming visitors and showing them a representation of the memory, culture and identity of the Douro wine region. Region is classified as World Heritage.

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Wednesday, May 9 Full day tour to Salamanca, Spain

Salamanca is a city in northwestern Spain that is the capital of the Province of Salamanca in the community of Castile and León. The city lies on several hills by the Tormes River. Its Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. With a metropolitan population of 228,881 in 2012 according to the National Institute of Statistics, Salamanca is the second most populated urban area in Castile and León, after Valladolid, and ahead of León and Burgos.

La Plaza Mayor, of Baroque style, designed by architects Alberto and Nicolás Churriguera is the most important of public spaces and the heart of the city.

· Below image from web sources

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The University of Salamanca, which was founded in 1218, is the oldest university in Spain and the fourth oldest western university, but the first to be given its status by the Pope Alexander IV who gave universal validity to its degrees.

· Below image from web sources

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Cathedrals: Salamanca has two cathedrals, the Old Cathedral, of the 12th century and of Romanesque style, and the New Cathedral, much larger, built in the 16th century of Gothic style and completed in the 18th century. The place where they both join is known as Patio Chico and is one of the most charming corners of the city.