PORTUGAL CRUISES

History, culture, food, architecture and class are all a part of our Ponant Portugal Cruises.

Since the 15th century, Portugal has shone on the Atlantic Ocean and been the launching pad for many of the world's greatest explorations. It is in Lisbon and Porto that this heritage is most striking. Religious buildings, squares and historic buildings bear witness to this aura and merge into a strong and attractive identity.

A day visit to Lisbon

During a day in Lisbon , it is always pleasant to let yourself be taken on board by the famous yellow tram . Emblematic of the city, it allows an immersion in this sloping capital and offers breathtaking perspectives on the streets and the facades of buildings covered with azulejos, these typical earthenware tiles. A tour of the Baixa district , one of the liveliest in Lisbon with its Rossio square, allows you to taste the particular atmosphere of this city on the Atlantic coast. The history of Lisbon is intimately linked to the ocean as proven by the Belém district , also called the district of the Great Discoveries, and of which the Belém tower is representative.

Watch a Fado show

Fado is the inseparable musical genre of Portugal. Several restaurants, often called fado houses, organize dinners to the sound of violas and guitarras , kinds of rounded guitars, and songs by recognized artists. Often inspired by the melancholic notes of saudade, the lyrics of fado evoke the turpitudes of life: jealousy, disappointments in love, a sometimes difficult daily life. It should not be forgotten that this music finds its origin in the popular districts of Lisbon in particular.

The Palaces of the Kings in Sintra

Located about thirty kilometers from Lisbon, the village of Sintra is worth the detour for its unusual side. Perched on pine hills that are home to many palaces , it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Surrounded by sumptuous gardens, the Montserrate Palace is one of the most beautiful, with its finely carved stuccos and ceilings richly decorated, reminiscent of Arab-Andalusian architecture. As for the most emblematic, with its two towers, it is the National Palace or Royal Palace. Don't be fooled by its modern appearance: it was the seat of royal power from the 8th century and the Reconquista. It has undergone many transformations over the centuries. This is why the Manuelian and Renaissance styles intertwine.

Porto Cathedral

In Porto too the tram is a privileged means of transport. The museum dedicated to him is also worth a visit, with its collection of trains dating from 1871 to 1950. Letting yourself be carried by one of the trams, you cross the old town and the main places of entertainment in the city. : Bathala Square and Santa Catarina Street. It is also impossible not to enter one of the many churches and cathedrals, among which is the Porto Cathedral . Built from the 12th century and renovated many times, it mixes different architectural styles: Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic. A real gem that imposes its silhouette above the city.

A private port tasting

From the heights of the old town of Porto, the view of the opposite bank of the Douro is striking: the names of the largest Porto cellars are displayed. Further along the river and sinking into the valley of the same name, the vines remind us that production here is local and often the business of families established for centuries on these fertile lands. Among them is the Taylor's cellar, founded in 1692. The visit to the house and its cellar ends with a tasting. The opportunity to appreciate the variety of notes of Port wine according to its maturity.

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