Viking Rivers Cruises – NEW! Iberian Odyssey (3 Countries) 17 Days

Barcelona, Spain
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Visitors flock to this spectacular haven for sun, relaxation and Mediterranean breezes. Remnants of past civilizations abound: the massive La Seu Cathedral in Palma was built over a mosque, and the Almudaina Palace was originally constructed as an Arabian fort. The picturesque village of Valldemossa invites long strolls and samplings of the island’s jellied breadsticks. Here, at the foot of forested mountains, a Carthusian monastery housed devout monks for 436 years. Composer Frédéric Chopin spent the winter of 1838 writing some of his best work in this tranquil setting.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Mallorca
Duration: 4 hours    
See an excellent overview of Palma de Mallorca, from its capital to its most beautiful mountain-ringed village. Join your local guide for a panoramic drive around Palma. Along the stunning seafront, pass the honey-colored La Seu Cathedral and Almudaina Palace. Inside the city walls, you will see the Paseo del Born, Gran Hotel, Teatro Principal as well as the tree-lined Rambla with its colorful flower market. A drive through pine forests and almond groves delivers you to Valldemossa, a mountain village overflowing with charm and beauty. You will have time here to explore at your leisure. At the monastery-museum of La Cartuja, visit the church and pharmacy and see the monks’ cells. You will also ascend to circular Bellver Castle for spectacular views of Palma and the seafront. Please note: on Sundays the church is closed to visitors.

Murcia (Cartagena), Spain
The charms of Murcia lie in its embrace of its rural pleasures. Surrounded by farmland and fertile huertas, Murcianos are never at a loss for produce freshly plucked from “Europe’s orchard.” They, in turn, live by the patient cycle of the harvest, going about their days at a leisurely pace. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243. Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982.

Shore Excursions – Ancient Roman City of Cartagena
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes  
Enjoy a scenic drive to Cape Palos, part of a small peninsula formed by long-ago volcanic activity. At the Mar Menor’s most southerly tip, the picturesque village is centered around a quaint marina, rocky coastline and wonderful array of restaurants and cafés. Stop for a photo, then continue your drive to Cartagena. Enjoy free time to explore the charming coastal city and its abundance of sights as you wander through the Old Town’s narrow cobblestone streets. You will visit the fascinating Museum of the Roman Theater. Cartagena’s 6,000-seat Roman Theater, built as an entertainment venue in the 1st century BC, when Rome was at the height of its power, lay undiscovered for more than 2,000 years until its ruins were identified in 1990. The museum is ingeniously designed to take you on a journey through time, as you explore the exhibits and displays. After your guided tour, return to your ship.

Granada (Málaga), Spain
Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.

Shore Excursions – Málaga Overview & Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours 
Explore the seaside Andalusian city of Málaga, one of the oldest cities in the world, by motor coach and on foot. Your informative guide will explain the city’s rich history as you pass grand 19th-century buildings such as City Hall, the Old Justice Court and the Central Post Office. Witness the remnants of the 14th-century Gibralfaro Castle, a reminder of the legacy of the Moors. You will briefly stop here to take in superb views of the city below. Back in Málaga’s city center, you can take some photos of the birthplace of one of Málaga’s most famous native sons, Pablo Picasso. Continue on your walk past the ruins of a former Roman Theater and to the foot of the beautiful Alcazaba Palace, the best-preserved citadel in Spain. It was built during the 11th century and once served as a residence for Arabian caliphs. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Tangier, Morocco
A pivotal port city linking Africa and Europe, Tangier lies just nineteen miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from the Iberian Peninsula. Long coveted for its strategic location where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, numerous empires called it their own throughout history. The city’s vibrancy and multicultural air attracted all manner of artists in the late 20th century, including Henri Matisse and Paul Bowles. Tangier’s ancient, walled medina brims with the pleasures of Morocco, from intricate carpets and finely made slippers to fresh dates.

Shore Excursions – Snapshots of Tangier
Duration: 3 hours     
Admire the culture and historic monuments of Tangier’s colorful medina. Start at the Casbah, the former fortress that dominates the northern section of the medina. Inside, tour the Casbah Museum. Its exhibits showcase artifacts spanning Morocco’s history from the Romans through the Islamic dynasties and include textiles, manuscripts and antique ceramics. Then, walk through a fruit and vegetable market while perusing stalls displaying local produce. You will pass through the medina’s main gate and into the Grand Socco. Once the city’s main market, today its plaza, lined with palm trees, is more of a meeting place and transportation hub. Mingle with the local vendors, sip a coffee in a nearby café or escape the noise and relax in the Mendoubia Gardens—a quiet sanctuary that is home to a reportedly 800-year-old banyan tree. Afterward, you will have time to shop before returning to your ship.

Seville (Cádiz), Spain
Cádiz lies on Spain’s breathtaking province of Andalusia and gained incredible wealth during the 18th century; riches from the Americas were unloaded here after the Guadalquivir River to Seville silted up. This scenic southern region is the home of the matador and world-class equestrian art. Seville, city of polyamorous suitor Don Juan, boasts plenty of its own glories. Its grand cathedral, Alcázar Palace and Tower of Gold were built from the coffers of Spanish kings, but its fiery flamenco defines its true spirit. It is best to ponder it all while sipping sherry at a bodega.

Shore Excursions – Cádiz Walking Tour – Duration: 3 hours     
Admire some of this historic city’s most ornate sites on a pleasant and enlightening stroll with a local guide. Cádiz is one of the oldest continually inhabited places in Southern Europe. Situated on a narrow promontory of land surrounded by water on three sides, it is an easy city to get around. You will navigate passageways that connect elaborate plazas, stopping to explore Plaza de San Antonio de Padua, Plaza de España and Plaza de Mina. Pause also to admire the Torre Tavira. Merchants once looked out to sea from this tower in search of their returning ships. Visit the Catedral Nueva, or New Cathedral, with its elaborate baroque exterior. Its gold dome reflects the wealth that poured into this city from the New World after the river that led into nearby Seville silted up in the 18th century. If the cathedral is closed, you will instead visit the fascinating Diocesan Museum.

Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has inspired explorers for centuries with its stunning setting at the Tagus River’s mouth. Its labyrinthine streets carry echoes of 16th-century navigators who sailed on the winds of the Age of Discovery. The city prospered greatly from its trade. And today’s streets are lined with the legacies of wealthy builders, including the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, stunning works that introduced Manueline architecture. Savoring local cuisine and port wine are favorite pastimes here. On any evening, the strains of fadospill from clubs in the historic Alfama District.

Shore Excursions – Lisbon City Drive
Duration: 4 hours      
Witness the enduring legacy of the Age of Discovery in Portugal on this tour of Lisbon’s grandest landmarks. On the banks of the Tagus River, gaze up at the Monument to the Discoveries, inaugurated on the fifth centennial anniversary of explorer Henry the Navigator’s death. Nearby is Belém Tower, a UNESCO Site and a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the New World. Another UNESCO Site is the Jerónimos Monastery at the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. You can also see the 25th of April Bridge, named for the date of the revolution that restored democracy to Portugal. With your guide, view the riverside statue of Christ the King looking over the city, and pass beautifully landscaped Eduardo VII Park, named for England’s king, who visited here to improve Anglo-Portuguese relations. After your insightful tour, return to your ship.

Lisbon, Portugal
Throughout Lisbon, fascinating monuments tell this proud city’s story. Along the riverfront, in Praça do Comércio, an equestrian statue at its center represents Portugal’s King José I, who capably rebuilt the city following the devastating 1755 earthquake. Among the most recognized of Lisbon’s monuments is the grand Monument to the Discoveries on the banks of the Tagus River, displaying statues of more than 30 contributors to exploration, whose bravery and spirit still shape the culture of this vibrant European capital. After breakfast, disembark your ship and embark your motor coach to begin your transfer. Arrive and check in to your hotel.

Lisbon, Portugal
Alongside Lisbon’s colorful buildings and bustling streets is a thriving culinary scene that is not to be missed. Street corner restaurants offer myriad dishes, from the classic bifana, a marinated pork sandwich, to the ubiquitous bacalhau, salted cod, a cornerstone of Portuguese cuisine that is featured in many forms, including savory pastries and stews. One of Lisbon’s most renowned dishes is the pastéis de nata, a delectable, flakey egg custard tart that is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven with a dash of cinnamon and can be found in pastry shops throughout the city.

Shore Excursions – Cosmopolitan Lisbon & the Maritime Museum
Duration: 4 hours      
Walk through the maritime history of the great Portuguese explorers and see the impressive Jerónimos Monastery. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach past the bold and soaring Monument to the Discoveries and the elegant Belém Tower, where there will be time for photos. Arrive at the Jerónimos Monastery, a Manueline masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire its exterior. Enter the West Wing, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the Maritime Museum and explore the Golden Age of Discovery, when Portuguese caravels set sail in search of new worlds. Here, you will view naval exhibits, including ceremonial barges from the 18th century and the royal cabin from Queen Amelia’s 19th-century yacht. You will also stroll through displays of maritime artifacts, see replica maps showing the caravels’ 16th-century discoveries and admire the wooden figurine of the archangel Raphael that accompanied Vasco da Gama on his voyage to India.

Porto, Portugal
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your journey to your embarkation city. Porto holds a place of great traditional importance. The town lends its name to the port wine produced in the region and throughout the nation. Located along a rocky embankment, the city boasts picturesque neighborhoods, fashionable restaurants and lively markets. Like Lisbon, Porto has a rich past; its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow cobblestone streets brimming with romantic buildings spanning the centuries and a Romanesque cathedral. At the riverside, small barcos rabelos, boats once used to transport casks of wine, paint a charming scene.

Shore Excursions – Coimbra University
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes  
En route to Porto, explore one of Portugal’s oldest cities and visit its medieval-era university. Depart Lisbon in the morning and arrive in Coimbra for lunch. The Portuguese hold this city close to their hearts, as it was the birthplace of six of their kings. The most beloved of them all, Afonso Henriques, moved his capital to this burgeoning city along the Mondego River in 1139 soon after it was taken back from the Moors. See the Santa Clara-a-Velha, once an active convent. Then, cross the river and ascend the hill to the university where 700 years of learning whisper down hushed corridors. View the library, its shelves lined with 300,000 books, and chapel, with its baroque organ. After, enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by fado music and continue your drive to Porto.

Régua, Portugal
The peaceful town of Peso da Régua, commonly known as Régua, overlooks the Douro River with the Serra do Marão mountains as a stunning backdrop. In 1756, the Marquês de Pombal proclaimed this city as the center of his newly demarcated wine region, and it has remained so since. As such, the town is steeped in the wine-making culture. This is particularly true at Casa do Douro, the headquarters of the Port Wine Institute. Its beautiful stained glass windows are a tribute in light and glass to the rich history of port wine and its cultural significance to the region.

Pinhão, Portugal
The sleepy town of Pinhão is situated between the Douro and Pinhão Rivers, in the epicenter of the valley’s port wine-making region. The climate and growing conditions here are perfect for port grapes and the surrounding landscape, festooned with vineyards, creates a serene experience. The biggest names in port have quintas, or wine estates, nearby. During the annual grape harvest in autumn, the village comes to life, attracting workers and wine enthusiasts from across the whole of Europe.

Shore Excursions – Mateus Palace & Gardens
Duration: 5 hours     
Visit the extraordinary Mateus Palace, the building depicted on the Mateus Rosé wine labels. Meet your guide and journey through Portuguese countryside, admiring its rolling hills and lush vineyards on your way to Vila Real. Here, visit the stunning baroque Mateus Palace, home of the last Count of Vila Real. As you explore with your guide, marvel at its pinnacled facade, grand stairway, richly appointed interiors and priceless objects on display. Wander through the palace’s enchanting formal gardens which feature cedar-lined walkways, elegantly sculpted hedges, statuary and serene bodies of water. After, visit one of the area’s port wine-making institutions, open from April to October. Here, stroll through the vineyard and bottling facility to learn how its delectable port wines are crafted before sampling the product yourself.

Scenic Sailing: Douro River
Journey through the Douro River valley into the history of fine Portuguese wine. Surrounded by terraced hills, spot some of the area’s quintas, or wine estates, clinging to the slopes, nestled snugly among their vines. In this beautiful and largely unspoiled region, olive and almond groves share the river’s banks with vineyards. And it is hard to ignore the fact that this journey follows in the wake of traditional barcos rabelos that once transported wine downriver to the waiting casks in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Salamanca, Spain
Founded by a Celtic tribe before the rise of the Roman Empire, Salamanca was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its beautifully preserved buildings. It is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1134, and its main square, bustling with students, is often called the most beautiful in Spain. The beauty of this richly historic city, besides the enormous Romanesque cathedral whose profile dominates the town, is the grace with which Salamanca retains a traditional Spanish village feel. It is a living museum that takes visitors back to the Middle Ages.

Pinhão, Portugal
Pinhão is surrounded by picture-postcard terraced hillsides that are synonymous with the Douro River Valley. Its slow pace and quiet atmosphere belie the fact that it produces world-renowned port wines; some of the most recognizable names in port production operate wine estates near here. One of the “station towns” along the Douro River, Pinhão boasts a relaxing and scenic promenade along the river, perfect for strolling and drinking in the beauty of vineyard-clad hills. The village’s railway station is decorated with 24 spectacular scenes depicted in azulejos, Portugal’s distinctive blue-and-white tiles.

Shore Excursions – Favaios Bakery & Lunch at Quinta Avessada
Duration: 6 hours     
Head to the little village of Favaios and indulge in the baking and winemaking traditions of the Douro Valley. Meet your guide for a visit to this charming village, where bakers make bread the traditional way: in an oven heated with wood and old grapevines. At a bakery that pays tribute to the past, watch as the resident baker demonstrates traditional techniques. After enjoying a fresh-from-the-oven sample, visit the local museum of wine and bread to learn about the importance of these industries to this small town. Take time to explore this typical village that has retained its old-world ambience. Continue to Quinta da Avessada, a beautiful century-old wine-growing estate in the heart of the Douro wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will meet the dedicated vintners, tour the atmospheric cellars and sample some local varieties of port in the rustic tasting room.

Régua, Portugal
In Portuguese cuisine, pork plays a central role, appearing in paio, a pork loin sausage, and chouriço, a spicy sausage often flavored with paprika or wine. These cured meats are nicely complemented by the smooth and creamy cheeses of the region. Among main dishes, the addictive pastéis de bacalhau (small cod cakes) are enjoyed hot or cold. And Portugal’s famed soup, caldo verde, gets its deep green color from a variant of kale. At meal’s end or just as a treat, the city’s pastelarias are well worth a visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Shore Excursions – Charming Lamego
Duration: 3 hours    
Visit the sacred pilgrimage town of Lamego and witness the legacy of Moors. Journey with your guide to the elegant Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, or Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, a baroque wonder dating to the 18th century. The small hilltop chapel is reached via 686 steps up a grand double staircase, interrupted by nine terraces. Along the way, the devout can admire azulejo tiles and decorative urns. Still today, pilgrims often conduct the long upward journey on their knees. You, however, will begin your exploration at the top of the stair. Visit the shrine, decorated with exquisite blue-and-white tilework. From the top, you will have spectacular views of the town and its surroundings. Descend the grand baroque staircase at your leisure. After, you will enjoy free time; perhaps step inside Lamego’s Gothic cathedral or browse the town center shops for locally crafted, handmade products.

Porto, Portugal
Porto’s prosperous future was sealed when the distinctive, single-masted barcos rabelos delivered the first wine shipments here from vineyards up the Douro River. Before the advent of the railroad, these wooden cargo boats provided the fastest and most efficient transport of wines between the Douro River valley’s wineries and the city, from which bottles were exported all over the world. Today, the vessels are owned by port wine companies along the Douro. Though no longer in use, they still grace the river’s edge nonetheless, enriching the city’s character and cultural identity.

Shore Excursions – Porto on Foot
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes    
Experience the intriguing city of Porto on foot and see the sights during a leisurely walk. See the city’s noted architecture, such as the iconic Luís I Bridge, a double-decked metal arch that spans the Douro River. With your guide, drive by motor coach to Porto Cathedral, a Romanesque landmark in the Old Town. Learn more about the 12th-century church, one of the oldest monuments in the city, and see the stunning interior. Continue to São Bento train station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Monument of Portugal. View the blue and white tile panels inside, depicting historical scenes of Portugal. Then, head to Porto’s most famous street, the Rua das Flores, where you can enjoy free time to explore on your own. Continue to Ribeira’s riverfront; from here you may choose to walk back to the ship with your guide or return independently by water taxi.

Porto, Portugal
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.