INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULES
Nov 2 & 3 - Extra in Madrid
M&WJ
Nov 4 - Arriving in Madrid (Extra Day 0)
TE, M&WJ, N&JS, J&TT, R&TV
Nov 5 - 15 Tauck Tour
ALL
Nov 16 - Heading home
TE, N&JS, J&TT, R&TV
Nov 17 - Heading home from Lisbon
M&WJ
On the hyperlinked destinations, this blog provides three sources of the tour visits: Tauck Tour description, general Google search descriptions, and COPILOT (Microsoft AI) comments.
Located at the center of dynamic Madrid, The Westin Palace, is ideally positioned in Las Letras quarter, with its collection of restaurants and boutiques, it´s at the heart of The Art Walk, an area linking the city’s museums, Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
We have three days in Madrid: May 4, 5, and 6
- Our FIRST day (May 4) is our arrival from the States. In the morning we transfer from the airport to the Westin and check in. In the afternoon we can take a walking exploration around the Westin and maybe find a place for dinner. WARNING: The Spaniards don't eat dinner until 8:30 PM (that includes their restaurants) which is much too late for most of us. It is VERY IMPORTANT to understand Spain's Schedules.
The Westin Palace is within walking distance of the most tourist popular points of interest. We have a half-dozen places to visit "on our own" today and tomorrow. Besides the art museums listed below check out the Puerta de Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado San Miguel.
- On our SECOND day (May 5 Gift of Time), Tauck provides breakfast is on Westin. We need to plan something. Check out Madrid COPILOT suggestions. The tour starts at 5:30 PM. Our Welcome Reception and dinner are in the Westin.
- On our THIRD day (May 6) Tauck plans a guided walking one-mile walk – or a short drive – to Madrid's 18th-century Royal Palace. (That is Tauck's excursion choice for the day). Tauck afternoon includes samples of tapas. Same WARNING as our first day. Notice: Tauck does not provide dinner.
On our FOURTH day we have a two-hour bus ride from Madrid to Salamanca.
Salamanca, with its blend of history and vibrant student life, offers a delightful experience for tourists. We'll arrive slightly before noon (no lunch, Spain's Schedule) and a guided tour from Plaza Mayor to the Old/New Cathedral.
Old Cathedral: This cathedral, built between the 1100s and 1200s, features a captivating mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Don’t miss the exquisite 15th-century altarpiece depicting the life cycle of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. The chapels house solemn tombs of medieval bishops and nobility12.
New Cathedral: Completed in the 1700s, the New Cathedral harmoniously combines Gothic and Baroque elements. Inside, admire the beautiful baroque retroquire and Renaissance paintings of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary1.
House of Shells (Casa de las Conchas): A Gothic palace housing the city’s library, the House of Shells boasts an intricate facade adorned with scallop shells. It’s a unique architectural gem that you won’t find anywhere else1.
We have about a 90 minute bus ride from Salamanca to Tauck's ms ADORINHA docked at Barca de Alva on the Douro River.
In late afternoon, we'll check-in and get stateroom keys. Dinner is on the ship at our leisure.
On our FIFTH day, before the ship starts cruising on the Douro, we take a 20-min bus tour to Castelo Rodrigo.
It is believed that the castle was founded in the 6th century based on legends. After the village was conquered by Alfonso IX of León, he ordered to build the castle and reinforce the defensive line. The name of the village, as well as the castle comes from the name of the Count Rodrigo Gonzalez de Girón who was responsible for the defense of the castle. The Castelo Rodrigo was incorporated into the Kingdom of Portugal in 1297 with the Treaty of Alcañices between King Denis of Portugal and King Fernando IV of Castile.
The fortress and walled fence were rebuilt, and 13 turrets, Menagem Tower (keep), a barbican and moats were constructed by D.Denis in the 14th century.
It has been listed as a National monument since 1922.
Lunch back on the ship, we sail 10 minutes to Vila Nova de Foz Coa.
In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Côa Valley.20,000 years ago prehistoric man called the nearby Côa Valley home, leaving evidence of their residence on rocks in the Coa Valley. The museum shows stunning exhibits of rock art from the valley's Paleolithic era, discovered in the 1990s when excavations began for a Côa River dam.
In late afternoon, we return to the ship and cruise to Ferradosa.
WILD AND INSPIRING, FERRADOSA IS A LANDSCAPE OF CONTRASTS. On the steep cliffs, granite boulders encircle the new vineyard of carefully selected grape varieties planted on old terraced stone walls, descending to the river banks. The result is surprising and unforgettableOn our SIXTH day in the morning we have one of two choices:
- walk in Pinhão, nestled in the heart of port wine country, with a visit to its historic tile-covered train station, a vision of blue and white Azulejo tiles, or
- an active hike through the sloping terraced vineyards that surround this town with views of the river and town.
In afternoon have lunch while cruising to Restaurant DOC, Folgosa do Douro.
In the dinner, at Restaurant DOC. along the river, halfway between Peso da Regua and Pinhão, the cuisine is creative and beautifully presented by the talented Rui Paula, one of the most famous chefs in Portugal. He takes Portuguese specialties, adds a little bit of French flavor, and creates something very elegant and tasty. The wines are often local, sometimes even from the village itself or close by.On our SEVENTH day our morning starts from one of two options:
- A visit to the Douro Museum, set within the restored Casa da Companhia Velha building, once part of 1756 Royal Oporto Wine Company. Explore its exhibits chronicling the history, culture and traditions of the Douro River Valley region, from the cultivation of grapes on the vines to the processes involved in the production of Port wine and its distribution around the world.
- A visit the historic town of Lamego (dating back to the Middle Ages), renowned for its viticulture and production of sparkling wine.
In the afternoon we have one of two choices:
- A guided tour of 18th-century Casa de Mateus, a Baroque masterpiece you may recognize from the label on bottles of Mateus Rosé, and its fantasy garden of manicured hedges and dignified statues. Or,
-A visit with a local guide to a local wine-making estate called a quinta, rewarding with a port cocktail making class.
We're back on the riverboat late day.
On our EIGHTH day on the morning we cruise along the river for about 30 miles.
After lunch we have a 30 mile bus ride to Guimaraes. We select one of the two choices for the afternoon: