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In 2025 we won’t chase countries, but instead will chase experiences, with friends. Although Susan and I have visited every entity on the Traveler Century Club list for Europe, there are a number of places we still want to visit. These include the Loire Valley in France and the monasteries in Meteora. We gave up our dream of Tuscany in 2025, but not visiting friends in Marche, Italy. In addition, we cancelled our 2026 Antarctica trip and used the deposit payment (we had to take a credit not a refund) to book a cruise on the Douro river from Porto, Portugal. Thus a 4 nation tour of Europe in 2025.
Day 1 Saturday,
September 27
Leave Washington,
DC to Athens via Cairo
Day 2 Sunday,
September 28
Arrive in Athens,
Greece. Pick up by Christos Maintopoulos about noon.
Staying 2 nights at Tsikeli Boutique Hotel
Meteora.
Day 3 Monday,
September 29
Tour with Christos
·
Visit
the waterfalls of Paleokarya
·
Visit church of Ropoto where the ground
has a slope and the church looks like the tower of Pisa.
·
Return to Meteora and visit the monastery of Great Meteoron which is the biggest and oldest monastery with
lots of history.
·
Visit the Liakos winery and take a tour and taste local wines.
·
In the afternoon, return to Meteora for an hour or 2, on the
famous sunset rock to enjoy the sunset and the view.
Day 4 Tuesday,
September 30
Tour with Christos
·
Morning tour of additional monasteries at Meteora with stops at
the most beautiful spots for photos
·
Visit to the caves of Padova where the first monk lived.
·
Lunch
·
Visit the wonderful and beautiful lake and city of Loannina.
·
Continue towards the port of Igoumenitsa.
Board
ferry from Igoumenitsa to Ancona lv 9:40pm
Day 5 Wednesday,
October 1
Arrive Ancona
5:00pm
Day 6, Thursday,
October 2
Explore, wine and
dine in Marche’s
Day 7 Friday,
October 3
Explore, wine and
dine in Marche’s
Day 8 Saturday,
October 4
From Ancona we take a late morning train to
Bologna and fly to Nantes, France, via AMS and arrive about 10:00pm. We will be staying at Oceania l’Hôtel de France
Day 9-20 October 5
to19
Tour with Annette
Schiller. Full itinerary at https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/loire/loire-itinerary
Day
20 Thursday, October 16 to October 18
After lunch travel to Bilbao, Spain on a 5:30pm fight from Orly airport. We
will be staying that evening at the Holiday Inn Express, Bilbao.
Day 21, Friday,
October 21
Rent a car and travel to Bodegas Baigorri for a 10:30 tour and
tasting. Afterwards drive a short
distance to Hotel Marqués de Riscal,
Elciego.
Shortly after check in we will do a tour and tasting. In the evening we have dinner reservations at
the hotel’s restaurant Gastronómico
Marqués de Riscal
Day 22, Saturday,
October 22
Drive to back to
Bilbao stopping on the way at Bodegas Valdemar.
Check into Barcelo Bilbao Nervion and in the
evening take a Pintxos tour with Zach & Irene.
Day
23 Saturday, October 19
During the day drive around looking for
great food. We leave Bilbao at 7:15pm
flying to Porto arriving about 7:30pm and board our luxurious Scenic
Space-Ship.
Day 24 Sunday,
October 20
Wake in the city of
Porto, a 2,000-year-old city that lent its name to the nation of Portugal. And
while it is awash in history, it has a youthful vibe. Porto is both hip yet
opulent, where street art adorns ancient city walls and historical buildings
are decorated with intricate colourful tiles. Tour of Porto including cable car: Walk from
the ship to board a rabelo (a traditional wooden
cargo boat). Travel from Porto to Gaia (or Vila Nova de Gaia) where you’ll take
a cable car ride to the Dom Luis bridge, which crosses the Douro River. Walk
across the bridge towards Porto Cathedral, Sao Bento railway station, and the
bustling street of Rua das Flores.
Decorative blue tiles are synonymous with
Portugal and this afternoon you will learn about their history while creating a
masterpiece of your own during a tile painting workshop.
Day 25 Monday,
October 21
Your first port of
call along the Douro is the quaint village of Entre-os-Rios.
From here, you will set out to explore the verdant Douro Valley, with options
to enjoy a hike, sample local wines, or visit a city known as the ‘cradle of
Portugal’.
Quinta da Aveleda: Transfer by coach to this 150-year-old wine
producer for a tour and tasting. Explore the fairytale-like property of Quinta Aveleda, a renowned sparkling wine producer set on an impressive
estate. A highlight of this tour are the enchanting gardens.
Relax on board this afternoon as you cruise to Regua,
the largest of the riverside towns and an excellent base for exploring the
Douro Valley. This region is famous for producing Port wine, with rolling
vineyards on the terraced hillsides and wineries dating back to the 18th
century. Upon arrival this afternoon you can enjoy a visit to the excellent
Douro Museum.
Learn about the history, culture and
traditions of the region of the Douro Valley at Douro Museum. It’s set in a
fully restored 18th century building that once housed The Company, which was
responsible for the demarcation of Douro wines, as well as being a place where
wines and winemaking tools were stored. After the museum visit, enjoy a drink
of local port or port tonic on the terrace overlooking the magnificent Douro
Valley.
Day 26 Tuesday,
October 22
This morning join
you fellow guests for an excursion to the Varosa
Valley, the first demarcation region of sparkling wine. Visit the charming
village of Tarouca where you'll explore the restored
Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca. Walk the
fortified bridge of Ucanha, Portugal’s first toll
bridge spanning the Varosa River which was built
during the 14th and 15th centuries.
Excursion to Lamego:
Take a coach to the town of Lamego, nestled among
terraced vineyards that were the first to produce world-famous port wine. The
city prospered in the 18th century and is a fascinating place to wander, with
its many fine Baroque structures. Your tour will culminate at the stunning
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, standing gracefully overlooking the
town. The front of the cathedral is lined by a zigzagged staircase decorated in
traditional blue and white tiled mosaics leading down to the town centre. You will have the option to take a self-guided tour
of the museum and will be offered a tasting of local produce.
Day
27 Wednesday, October 23
Today you’ll enjoy a
relaxing day on board, as you sail towards Vega de Terron.
Spend the morning soaking up the sunshine on
the Sun Deck as you enjoy the Douro scenery rolling during a full day cruise
through the Douro Valley’s Vinhateiro wine growing
region. A World Heritage-listed Site, Vinhateiro has
a history of wine production that stretches back for 2,000 years. In fact, its
impeccable port wines have been world-famous since at least the 18th century.
Day
28 Thursday, October 24
Wake this morning in
the city of Vega de Terron, located on the border of
Portugal and Spain and at the confluence of the Douro and Águeda
rivers. This small town remains beautifully unspoiled, with quiet streets, lush
landscapes and welcoming locals. It’s a popular gateway to the university town
of Salamanca, which you will have the opportunity to explore today.
Salamanca Full Day Excursion: Known as the
‘golden city’ for its honey-coloured sandstone
architecture. Salamanca is home to two cathedrals, one dating to the 12th
century and the other to the 16th century, which you will see on today’s guided
tour. You will also visit a market to taste local delicacies such as olives,
cheese and smoked ham, and you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch at
your leisure.
Day
29 Thursday, October 25
Wake in the village
of Pocinho, established as the terminus of the Douro
Railway in 1887, a great location to explore more of the Douro Valley.
Tastes of the Côa Valley: Visit Casa Painova
estate for a demonstration on how sweet almonds are produced and learn how
these nuts are harvested and used in desserts and pastries. Enjoy a tasting of
almonds, olives and fruit products.
This afternoon, relax as you cruise
towards Pinhão.
Day 30 Friday,
October 26
Wake this morning in
Pinhão, set on one of the prettiest parts of the
Douro River. This small village is surrounded by terraced vineyards and
produces exceptional port wine.
This morning, transfer to the charming village of Provesende,
located on a plateau with spectacular views of the region’s fertile rolling
landscape. Wander through the village and visit the church, discover the old
bakery, learn how traditional handicraft is made, and look inside the historic
manor house, Morgadio da Calçada,
where you’ll enjoy a tasting of delicious bola.
Quinta tasting: Visit Quinta da Roêda estate for a tasting of the region’s most famous
export. On a guided walking tour, you’ll learn the secrets of the vineyard.
Finish in the estate’s visitors’ centre, housed in
the old stables that have been restored in traditional Douro style, the perfect
location for a tasting of port wines.
Day
31 Saturday, October 27
Enjoy time at leisure as you continue to
sail along the spectacular Douro River. Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive back
in Porto this afternoon, where you’ll experience an exclusive classical concert
tonight in Sao Francisco Church: From the ship, take a short walk (with some
stairs) to Sao Francisco Church, which is one of the most iconic sites in
Porto. Built in the 13th century, the Gothic church has an alter decorated with
intricately carved wood swathed in gold. All guests will enjoy a performance of
classical music.
Day 32 Sunday,
October 28
Wake in Porto, ready
for a day of unique experiences. Our choice, wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
visiting one of Porto’s most famous cellars, Cockburn’s Port. Enjoy a guided
visit and a tasting.
This afternoon you
will have free time in Porto to explore the city at your own leisure. Return to
your Scenic Space-Ship this evening for a farewell dinner.
This evening you will take an illumination
cruise through Porto to see the city lit up at night, including the bridges
that span the Douro.
Day 32 Monday,
October 29
Disembark after breakfast this morning and
transfer to Porto airport, flying first to Lisbon for our onward journey HOME.