Three Rivers Discovery

Return economy flights from one of up to 9 UK regional airports are included in the price of your holiday. Please call us to check if we can offer your local airport.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Waterways Star-Ship, where a sunset cruise will introduce you to the best of Porto’s illuminated skyline.
EmeraldPLUS: A sunset cruise through Porto

Meals Included: Dinner

Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. This fascinating area was inscribed because it hones in on two millennia of wine producing history, where viticulture has shaped the surrounding landscape and small, sleepy villages are peppered with dozens of sun-drenched vineyards. Tonight, your captain will host a welcome dinner and cocktail reception.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, nestled on the confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. This 18th-century estate is environmentally sound, creating organic produce by using traditional viticulture methods.
Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through local vineyards, stopping along the way to admire your surroundings.
This afternoon, enjoy sailing to Vega de Terrón, perhaps relaxing on the Sun Deck before your included Port wine cocktail demonstration or cooking demonstration on board.
EmeraldPLUS: A Port wine cocktail lesson on board
EmeraldPLUS: A Portuguese cooking demonstration on board
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided walk through the vineyards
EmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to Quinta do Tedo with tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.
Travel to the beautiful golden city for a walking tour, starting among the postcard-worthy galleries and arcades that adorn Plaza Mayor. You will have the opportunity to see Casa de las Conchas, a building that has been lovingly decorated with more than 300 shells.
EmeraldPLUS: Enjoy local entertainment from a tuna music band
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Salamanca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, arrive in Pocinho where you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a canoeing excursion or to visit the Côa Valley Museum. Later, return to your ship for lunch and soak up your idyllic surrounds as you sail towards Régua, taking part in a casa painova tasting on board. A rural dinner at a wine estate is certain to be a highlight of your trip.
EmeraldPLUS: A Casa Painova product tasting on board
EmeraldPLUS: A rural dinner with entertainment at Quinta da Pacheca
EmeraldACTIVE: A canoeing excursion
EmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to the Côa Valley Museum

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, on an included excursion, you will visit the marvellous Baroque village of Lamego, stopping to see the picturesque Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, a structure that stands gracefully over the town
EmeraldPLUS: A mosaic tile painting lesson on board
EmeraldACTIVE: Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Lamego
DiscoverMORE: A visit to Mateus Manor House with wine tasting (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture. Famous for its exports of Port wines, it’s easy to imagine how British merchant ships would have once clustered together in the medieval harbour, waiting to take Port wines across the water.
Your included tour of the coastal city will touch on the fortified structures of Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, a building whose pentagonal façades overlook the ocean.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk in Porto
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Porto
DiscoverMORE: An excursion to Guimarães (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you will be transferred from the sun-drenched landscape of Porto to Lyon, a land famous for its delightful cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Chalon-sur-Saône is known for its art and history. Today, you will have the opportunity to witness the areas architectural heritage and peaceful surrounds as you travel to the quaint village of Beaune and visit the Hospices de Beaune, originally a hospital for the poor, and now home to one of Burgundy’s most popular wine auctions.
EmeraldPLUS: A cheese and olive tasting on board
EmeraldEXCURSION: Visit the Hospices de Beaune

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

France’s third-largest city, Lyon is a former Roman capital, steeped in history and considered to be the gastronomic heartbeat of the country and the home of traditional Lyonnaise cuisine.
Today, enjoy a guided tour of Lyon, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, part of the inscribed historic site of Lyon. Wander through the city and soak in its vividly illustrated history, as buildings from all time periods can be seen adorning narrow cobblestone streets. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour of Lyon.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour of Lyon
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Lyon
DiscoverMORE: Visit to Pérouges

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The picturesque village of Tournon borders the gently meandering Rhône, dominated by a 16th-century castle that overlooks the village and a number of iconic landmarks, including a set of ancient watchtowers.
Your guided tour of the village will showcase its intangible cultural heritage, granting every opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Alternatively, embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through some of the local vineyards.
Later, a guided bike tour to Glun will showcase rural life in the French countryside.
EmeraldPLUS: A regional wine lecture on board
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour to Glun
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike through the vineyards
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Tournon

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Viviers, a town with much Middle Age flair and home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals. Your included walking tour of Viviers will showcase some of its numerous listed monuments, along with their ornate windows and lavish façades.
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Viviers
DiscoverMORE: A guided tour of Grignan (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Avignon has a rich history, from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of the Pope and central to the French Revolution.
Your included walking tour of Avignon will take you past the ornate beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, as well as Pont d’Avignon, an ancient stone bridge crossing the Rhône. This afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.
This evening, return to your Star-Ship for a delightful Provençal dining experience, expertly prepared by Top Chef finalist, Fabien Morreale.
EmeraldPLUS: A Provençal dining experience on board
EmeraldACTIVE: A canoeing excursion in Avignon
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Avignon
DiscoverMORE: A guided tour to Pont du Gard (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: A classical concert in Avignon (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The past is yours to discover in Arles, once an important Phoenician trading port that was captured by the Romans, who peppered the city with iconic monuments. Today, your included tour of the city will showcase some of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arles, showcasing how the city has evolved over the centuries.
Visit the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre and follow in the footsteps of world-renowned artist, Vincent van Gogh. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, perhaps stopping at a local café or returning to your Star-Ship to relax on board.
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Arles with arena visit
DiscoverMORE: Tour to Les Baux-de-Provence (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to Nice airport, taking memories of the idyllic French countryside and delightful cuisine with you.

Meals Included: Breakfast