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When Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama set sail aboard the São Gabriel in 1497, his fleet was joined by the São Rafael, a matching ship captained by his brother, Paulo de Gama. Likewise, in 2027, our new S.S. São Rafael will join the S.S. São Gabriel on the Douro River to introduce even more guests to the rich flavors and wonderous landscapes of Portugal’s famed winegrowing region.
Your Uniworld stateroom is a chic yet cosy cocoon- ideally designed for a daytime catnap and full-night’s rest alike. Your bed is handcrafted by Savoir® of England bed-makers to the world’s finest hotels, including London’s legendary Savoy Hotel. Your bed is dressed in divine linens of the highest quality and topped with a fluffy duvet and you always have your choice of pillow options to ensure the most restful sleep.
Your bathroom is adorned in gleaming floor-to-ceiling marble. They’ve even added special touches, such as backlit magnifying mirrors. Daily housekeeping keeps things tidy, and evening turndown service always features a scrumptious surprise.
Culinary Excellence
We treat cooking as an art form, a very delicious art form.
Enjoy an Unrivaled Taste of your Destinations
When dining onboard, you’ll be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit.
From Farm to Ship
Farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy culinary buzzword around here. It’s a governing philosophy and commitment to serving you the very best local dishes created by our master chefs. When in Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, prepared to your liking, with meats and vegetables sourced from just miles away. After a day immersed in Indian culture, your taste buds may do some immersing of their own with Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka for lunch. Live brilliantly. Dine locally.
Creative Culinary Options
For those interested in healthier dining options, our Traveling Lite menu conveniently highlights the lightest dinner options every evening. We also offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as gluten-free replacements upon request. If you have a specific meal preference, just ask. Our chefs will be happy to accommodate.
Portugal
Inviting and timeless
Bem-vindo! This hearty welcome envelopes you as you embark on a cruise down the Douro River Valley, noted by UNESCO for its 2,000 years of wine-making and its “cultural landscape of outstanding beauty.” As the only place in the world that can legally produce port wine, the region abounds with wine-producing farms called quintas offering private tastings. Porto is synonymous with port wine but also offers visitors awe-inspiring architecture while other ports of call along the river boast castles and monasteries.
Landmarks
There are so many ways to embrace the enchanting towns tucked along the Douro River. Feel the centuries unfold as Porto’s medieval alleys snake through UNESCO-designated neighborhoods enclosed by 14th-century walls. Head off the beaten path and explore Castelo Rodrigo whose brooding 13th-century remains continue to stand watch over the village. Witness the astonishing prehistoric carvings etched into Côa Valley’s Archaeological Park walls. Marvel at Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO-recognized site of Moorish and Gothic designs with imposing spires, carvings, tombs, and ornate arches.
Cuisine
Portugal may share a border with Spain but their cuisines are each distinctly their own. While it’s true that many of their menus have a lot in common—fresh, seasonal ingredients and similar dishes like Portugal’s arroz de pato and Spain’s paella, their use of spices sets them apart. Portuguese cooks favor hot chili peppers called piri piri and, with 1,115 miles of Atlantic coastline, seafood is the star on most menus. Bacalhau, or cod, is a particular favorite, and the Portuguese have invented hundreds of different ways to prepare it, from baking it in cream sauce to frying it into delicious bolinhas (aka “marbles”).
Wines
The Douro Valley is Portugal’s most beloved wine trail. A mecca for wine aficionados, you’ll be treated to tastings of red and sparkling wines and, of course, port. We visit traditional quintas that offer an authentic taste of this world-renowned elixir. Drink in its history in the quaint village of Barca D’Aliva with a tour and tasting at a boutique winery that’s the oldest quinta in the Douro River Valley, or set out on a vineyard hike through the hills in pretty Pinhão to a family-owned quinta where Port samples await.
Landscapes
Follow the Douro River through Portugal to cruise past quaint villages and acres of shore-hugging vineyards gently kissed by the sun. The Douro River Valley is UNESCO-designated for its “outstanding beauty,” which comes as no surprise if you spend any time sailing through the steeply terraced mountains rising from the river banks. Grape vines, silver-green olive leaves, and almond orchards are perfectly arrayed to catch the sunlight, promising a flavor and bounty unique to this corner of the world.
Sip a glass of wine while you cruise past beautiful landscapes and world-famous landmarks on your way to your next destination...
Wanderlust Meets Wellness
Onboard and onshore
All our cruises feature several options to get up, get going and stay fit, both onboard and onshore. Our seasoned wellness experts have an average tenure of ten years with Uniworld and continuously hone their craft with annual Ayurveda yoga and other trainings. They are there to lend their expertise to you.
All-Inclusive Family River Cruises
Every Uniworld Generations cruise includes special programs, events and excursions designed specifically for your world travellers in training.
