Explore Portugal on Luxury Vessel Built for Queen

Explore Portugal on Luxury Vessel Built for Queen
After two days of 5-star accommodations in the charming capital city of Lisbon, guests will visit the scholarly town of Coimbra before embarking from Porto on a multiday cruise along the Douro River aboard the Spirit of Chartwell, a luxury vessel built especially for the Queen of England and the Royal Family. Seemingly sailing back in time, the 28-passenger “Royal Barge” will wind between steep, terraced vineyards and ancient villages where famed port wines are still produced. Centuries of history, breathtaking architecture and stonework, pristine natural scenery, beautiful music, hospitable people, and some of the finest food and wines in the world comprise the only small-group, deluxe river cruise on the Douro River.

“The Spirit of Chartwell combines state-of-the-art comfort with lovingly restored antique touches inspired by the Rene Lalique 1929 Pullman car ‘Cote ‘d'Azur',” said Tom Harper River Journeys CEO Bret Gordon. “Elegant and filled with genuine pieces from historic ocean liners, this ship was designed and built for the Queen of England to lead the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012”.

Highlights of this Portugal holiday include: dining at the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery; touring the splendid Palacio de Mateus manor house in Vila Real; visiting the Douro Museum; enjoying dinner at dinner at a 17th century mansion in Pinhão; sightseeing in Castelo Rodrigo; discovering Salamanca University (UNESCO Heritage Site); witnessing the famous Bom Jesus Sanctuary; learning the wine making process at a quinta, traditional Portuguese vineyard, and much more.

"A long-standing mecca for wine lovers, there are plenty of riverside wine caves to be sampled, along with shopping, galleries, museums, historic sites, and wonderful cafés,” said Gordon. “The Douro River Valley may just be Europe's best kept secret, but won't be for much longer.”

Guests can imagine how the Queen and the Royal Family must have felt as they led the pageant down the Thames. The elegant teak observation deck has sun loungers with alfresco dining. The staterooms continue the grand theme, each with rich cream mahogany finishes, fully restored antique details such as Royal Navy Ships badges. All are air-conditioned, with private bathroom including shower. There is one Royal Suite on the Saloon deck, which is where the Queen herself stayed.

Tom Harper River Journeys is the only North American travel company with space aboard the vessel in 2015.

For more information on this distinctive tour of Portugal starting at $4,799, visit https://tomharper.com/Portugal or call 1-855-464-2773.