It was nice to start the week slowly. There was to be no bus excursion on day one and nothing to do except sail until later in the day. Other tours I’ve been on have been “go, go, go!” Although there was plenty to stay occupied, the overall pace of this trip was FAR more relaxing than others.

We had quite a bit of sailing to do on the first morning, and we started at 5:45. With our room all the way at the back of the ship, we definitely felt the rumble as the motors started, and I immediately opened the shade to lay back in bed and watch the world.

Since we knew we’d cruise for awhile, the bear went up a deck and got us some fancy coffees and croissants, and before breakfast we made our way through our first lock. There are five total on the river, and they never cease to be fascinating to me. Going up and down stairs on a river is the coolest thing! I’m also amazed by the way that the boat itself adjusts to the low bridges as we just barely slide under.

We could have engaged in some of the activities of the morning, including tile painting and another class. Instead, we just had a big breakfast and took part in the next lock. That afternoon, shortly after lunch, it was time to enter what was the mouth of the Douro valley and the beginning of the port industry at Regua.

We had a chance to visit the port museum there. There was a fun interactive part where we got to smell the different aromas we could expect in port and the REALLY fun interactive part where we got to TASTE port, including a 10-year tawny and my first port cocktail: white port and tonic. I’ve never thought of using port as part of a mix, but they did this a lot in Porto. The museum was just a walk from the ship, so we could look around town a little as well as we made our way back.

Back on the ship, it was again time to eat. We had some fantastic starters; then, I chose a vegetarian option that was very tasty but very small. The bear loved his octopus. We didn’t meet any real “friends” on this trip. We are on the younger side (I’m 51, the bear is 48), and that may have had something to do with it. Most of the other people on the cruise were retired and seemed to be in their mid to late 60s up through early 80s. Still, most nights we had the opportunity to meet new people and dine with others. There were no tables for two on the ship in the larger dining room, but many nights you COULD sit with just two at a table for four or more if you desired. Many nights we did, some nights others joined us.

After dinner, we took second place in a trivia contest before retiring to bed to look forward to the next day and our first bus excursion to Lamego.

This was one of the days I had the most trouble deciding which tour I wanted to take, and also one of the tours we were supposed to decide in advance. Initially, I had chosen to go to Mateus Palace with the gorgeous architecture and gardens. Once hearing the overview, I changed my mind to Lamego. Kayaking was another option on this trip, but we’re not much for kayaking and even the tour director seemed to indicate the conditions weren’t particularly favorable for it.

Even if you didn’t take an excursion at all, the entertainment director led short hikes through the areas on the riverfront, or you you could just stay on the boat. Unlike the cruises that sailed at night, however, the excursions were quite short. Normally, you were only off the boat for four or five hours a day.

Ultimately, the idea of more port and trying some Portuguese food led us to choose Lamego. (And it was decisions like these that made us decide we want to return on this trip so that we could do both.)

On this cruise, Scenic told us we’d never be on the bus for more than about an hour at a time, and most of the rides were actually around 30 minutes. Like other luxury cruise companies, the busses are very nice. They have HUGE picture windows on both sides and in the front. There is even a bathroom on the bus, but you are pretty much discouraged from using it and would likely have to be a contortionist to get in it. We were told in Portugal that you are only allowed to use it if the bus is stopped and pulled over on the side of the road.

So, we were in a country in Europe that is primarily Catholic… and when you’re in Europe, you look at a lot of churches! So today was the day for the first one. Six hundred and eighty six steps up from the city center is the cathedral. A truly remarkable place! People had the option of walking down the stairs (which women climb UP on their knees during the “Our Lady of Remedies” celebration) or the option to take the shuttle. I went down ONE flight of stairs… and turned around and went right back up and took the shuttle. I decided not to destroy my knee for the rest of the trip. The bear walked down and told me that although it was very pretty, I had made the right decision.

Back in the city center we admired some statues, went into some shops, and wandered a museum on our free time before taking the bus back to the ship.

We knew we’d be having a bigger meal that night because we had been invited to our Portabello’s dinner, so we elected to go the lighter route of just having the river café food that day. for lunch. Besides, hotdogs and grilled cheese sandwiches always hit the spot.

Then, for the remainder of the afternoon, I saw the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Words can not begin to describe it. As we passed by winery after winery – port house after port house. We passed through the heart of the port wine region, and I couldn’t take enough pictures. It’s been a week since I had this amazing day, and it’s hard to believe it was even real. It was nearly eight hours that we sailed through the most beautiful sights I’ve ever beheld. Several people got in the pool. There were other activities going on as well, but most of the 96 people aboard sat on the top deck to watch while bartenders and butlers brought us snacks and drinks. It was amazing!

Eventually, it became time to get ready for our Portobello’s dinner. The dress code for all dinners was “smart casual” and most women wore dresses or nicer tops with their bottoms. Men wore trousers and collared shirts – button down for the most part. A lot of what I read said that people weren’t dressy and “no one” wore jackets. That was not the case on my cruise. Some were more casual than others, but for the most part people dressed for dinner, and they especially dressed for the Captain’s dinner on the second night, their Portobello’s invitation, the concert, and some dressed for the final night.

Portobello is a set, five course menu. All Scenic cruises have it, although the restaurant has different names on different ships. The idea is to highlight the cuisine of the area, while the chef cooks in a live presentation. It was fantastic. The clams were AMAZING!

It had been an absolutely amazing day, and I knew the next day was a BIG one. It was time for the 2 hour bus ride into Salamanca for the all day excursion.