JVD Classic
Portugal, Spain & the Douro Valley
October 20 to November 3, 2023
Journey Highlights
Fall in love with the idyllic country of Portugal during this 15-day Journey. Marvel at medieval castles perched on scenic hilltops, wander through quaint fishing villages and explore sandy beaches along the most epic coastline. Hear lively music fill the air in Santiago de Compostela, one of northern Spain’s most beautiful cities. Linger on the deck of the Spirit of Chartwell, a 28-guest river boat that was personally used by Queen Elizabeth II during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. While journeying by land and river, you will participate in an ancient and quintessential aspect of the area’s culture: a love of exploration and discovery.
Douro Valley Cruise
Douro Valley Cruise
Savour Porto in the Vila Nova de Gaia cellar in Port as well as along the Douro River, and local vintages in both Amarante and Algarve.
Lisbon & Sintra
Lisbon & Sintra
Venture through the stunning capital city of Portugal, Lisbon, with its charismatic charm and vibrant streets. Just a short distance away, discover the gorgeous resort town of Sintra and revel in the beauty of its sweeping mountains, lush forests and colourful storybook castles.
Tomar
Tomar
Stunning rock formations give way to pristine beaches and white-washed buildings in the Algarve coastal region. Feel your shoulders lower in the small towns of Lagos, Sagres and Tavira. See the immense cliffs from another perspective during a cruise of the grottos of Ponta da Piedade.
Porto
Porto
Immerse yourself in the dazzling coastal city of Porto. Famed for its production of Port that is stored along the banks of the Douro River, visit the stoic Cheese Castle, and famous Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellar.
Journey Itinerary
Detailed ItineraryDepart for Lisbon, Portugal
Enjoy your private car home pick up service. Guests departing from the Toronto airport are assisted with their check-in. Meet your Journey Manager and fellow guests, and board you flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Our Journey Manager travels with you to take care of all the details throughout the journey, enabling you to concentrate on your experience.
Overnight: | Flight |
Meals: | — |

Lisbon
On arrival in Lisbon, our local guide greets us with a smile. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and settle in to your hotel with the afternoon at leisure. Our local guide and your Journey Manager are on hand to assist those who want to discover the local area. This evening, join us for a relaxing welcome dinner at a special local restaurant and meet your fellow travellers.
Overnight: | Lisbon, Hotel PortoBay Liberdade |
Meals: | Lunch, Dinner |

Lisbon & Sintra
This morning, all of Lisbon awaits as we discover Rossio Square, Liberty Avenue, the Belém area with the St. Jerome Monastery, the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. In Quelez, experience the beautiful 18th-century Palace which makes this picturesque village the Portuguese Versailles. In Sintra, we dine on local traditional fare for lunch before continuing to the coast and a scenic drive back to Lisbon through Cascais, a local fishing village and along the rugged Estoril Coast. This evening our guide treats us to a traditional dinner and Fado Folklore Show.
Overnight: | Lisbon, Hotel PortoBay Liberdade |
Meals: | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |

Óbidos, Nazaré & Batalha
A scenic, relaxing drive brings us to Óbidos, known as ‘the Flowered Town of Portugal.’ This well preserved medieval town is without doubt one of Portugal’s most classic walled settlements. Walk the ramparts, to enjoy views of windmills, vineyards and surrounding farmlands. Resembling an open-air museum, this walled medieval town has been preserved to look like a picture-postcard, with its monuments, narrow winding streets and white-washed houses with windows and terraces full of flowers. We continue to the famous fishing village of Nazaré for lunch in a sea side restaurant. In Batalha, we visit and discover the Portuguese Gothic masterpiece, the Santa Maria da Vitória Monastery. It is a national landmark also included on the UNESCO International Heritage list. One must take the time to visit the Founders’ Chapel, with its magnificent stain-glassed windows, cloisters, unfinished Chapels (Manueline) and Chapter Hall.
Overnight: | Coimbra, Quinta das Lagrimas |
Meals: | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |

Coimbra & Porto
Coimbra, set along the banks of the Mondego River, is Europe’s oldest university town. A visit to the University’s 18th-century library, considered one of the first copyright libraries in the world, is a must. Enjoy some free time to take photos of the dramatic views from the top of the town hill before lunch where we indulge in the traditional roasted sirloin pig and local ‘champagne.’ We continue to Porto, one of the most picturesque cities in Portugal. Built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro River, it is an outstanding urban landscape boasting 2,000 years of history, displayed in the many and varied monuments, from the Cathedral with its Romanesque choir, to the neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typically Portuguese Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara. In Gaia, we indulge in a traditional port wine tasting at a local cellar before arriving at our hotel for dinner.
Overnight: | Porto, Hotel A Brasileira |
Meals: | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |

Viana do Castelo & the Stunning Iberian Peninsula (Spain)
Travelling north, we cross the beautiful province of Minho before arriving in Spain. In Barcelos, discover the home of the rooster, one of the most common symbols of Portugal. Visit the historic picturesque coastal city of Viana do Castelo, travelling up the mountain and passing by the belvedere of Santa Luzia. After a pleasant lunch, our adventure continues to Santiago de Compostela. An important centre of Pilgrimage since the Middle Ages when the Iberian Peninsula was under Moorish rule, Santiago was a strong hold of Christianity.
Overnight: | Santiago de Compostela, AC Palacio del Carmen |
Meals: | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |

Signature Inclusions on This Journey
THE JOURNEYS DIFFERENCEIn addition to our essentials, your Journey includes our following Signature Inclusions:

24/7 Professional Journey Manager
- Will travel with you and handle every detail
- In addition to knowledgeable
local guides

Memorable Private Excursions
- Private excursions crafted by our team
- All sightseeing & entrance fees included

Private Car Pick-up Service
- Within a 200-kilometre radius of the airport, let your Journey begin in elegant comfort
or - Hotel overnight near Toronto Pearson International Airport

Generous Tips & Gratuities
- For the porters, local guides, hotel staff & many more, paid by us on your behalf
Our essentials included with your Journey:
- 13 nights in outstanding accomodations
- Most meals included (13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners)
- Round-trip airfare from Toronto with Air Canada
- All taxes as well as port & service charges
- “Whisper” radios included for use during excursions
- Flights from select Canadian gateways for only $100
- Other gateways & travel classes available
- Porterage for one piece of luggage per person
- Complete information & assistance leading up to your departure
- Branded overnight carry-on or backpack
Discover the Spirit of Chartwell
Journey Hotels
PortoBay Liberdade, Lisbon
Located in the heart of Lisbon, PortoBay Liberdade is a 5-star hotel that resembles a resort in an urban setting. This boutique hotel offers an indoor swimming pool and free WiFi in all areas.
Designed by the architect Frederico Valsassina, PortoBay Liberdade preserved the original early 20th century façade creating an environment that evokes details from the past and the contemporary. Each room includes a seating area, a desk, a minibar, a flat-screen cable TV, a private bathroom with free Rituals toiletries and a pillow menu.
Quinta das Lagrimas, Coimbra
Quinta das Lagrimas Hotel is set in an XVIIIth century palace surrounded by a magnificent garden. This palace has once accommodated the duke of Wellington and the king Miguel of Portugal; its garden was the stage for the love affair of Prince Pedro and Ines de Castro in the XIVth century. Quinta das Lagrimas is today a beautiful hotel decorated in traditional Portuguese style providing guests comfort and relaxation. It is conveniently located in the heart of the historic town.
Hotel A Brasileira, Porto
Hotel A Brasileira is the newest 5-star hotel located in downtown Porto. Built in the famous A Brasileira Café, the first to serve coffee in a cup on the early 20th century, and known for the local saying “the best coffee comes from A Brasileira”. This new hotel has managed to preserve the building’s original architectural features. The rooms and suites are distributed across several floors, each being thematically tied one of the spices or products imported during the Portuguese maritime expansion on the 15th and 16th centuries.
AC Palacio del Carmen, Santiago de Compostela
Hotel AC Palacio del Carmen offers 75 rooms in an emblematic and splendid building. This old Oblatas Convent was recently renovated, with its original architectural and artistic style maintained. Located in the historical centre of monumental Compostela, very near to the Plaza del Obradoiro, it provides all the services of a luxury establishment, exquisitely restored in an unrivalled setting. The restaurant offers innovative cuisine, enhanced by its unique location. In a stylish atmosphere, guests enjoy an exquisite balance between traditional Galician cooking and a delicate variety of “haute cuisine” with the individual flair of top chefs. The wine list includes excellent D.O. Spanish wines.
Fares & Staterooms
Deck Plan
State Cabin –
Main Deck
129 sqft
These outward facing, luxury twin cabins, have rich hardwood finishes, individually controlled air conditioning and heating, HD satellite television, trouser press, en suite facilities featuring a power shower a safety deposit box, double wardrobe, writing desk and hair dryer.

Royal Suite
194 sqft
The spacious luxury suite features rich hardwood finishes, complete with double bed, comfortable seating area, individually controlled air conditioning and heating, HD satellite television, trouser press and en suite facilities, featuring a power shower. Other amenities include a safety deposit box, double wardrobe, writing desk and hair dryer.
Prices are per guest in CAD, all taxes included.