Celebrity Cruises: Best Experiences in Portugal
By Tully Luxury Travel | 02-26-2024 |
With so much choice when it comes to finding the right European cruise, it’s nice to know that Celebrity Cruises is looking out for the true explorer.
Celebrity delivers some of the best shore excursions in Portugal, catering to your particular tastes, whether you want a curated guided tour with a group or an exclusive, private visit to iconic landmarks. Their list of on-shore itineraries includes a multitude of experiences that will not only connect you to the region but also keep you coming back – to the rolling vineyards, medieval castles, sandy beaches and forest hilltops.
With 500 miles of Atlantic coastline, Portugal presents a world of adventure for your luxury cruise. The melange of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic influences – the Romans, Moors, Christians and Celts all left their mark on the culture – definitely make for a good story or two. Portugal is full of surprises, whether your stops are Lisbon or Porto, or the islands of Maderia or the Azores.
See well-preserved chapels and Baroque treasures
The hilly capital city of Lisbon – with its terracotta rooftops, thriving culinary scene, classic cable cars and fascinating museums – is an indulgence of the senses. Experience the numerous chic neighbourhoods here, exploring the museums of Belém and the narrow streets of Alfama, through gorgeous boutiques and quaint cafés. The city’s architecture is world-famous, including the 11th-century ramparts of Castelo de São Jorge, Commerce Square, and the modern Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Celebrity excursions can easily make a sidestep to take in the storybook beauty of Pena Palace near Sintra. Visitors often also experience the musical heritage of Portugal with a melancholic yet romantic Fado music performance.
Sample your way through famous wine regions
The panoramic city of Porto is the gateway to the wine region, with the port of Leixoes being the name of your stop. One of Europe’s oldest cities, Porto is a maze of Gothic architecture, cathedrals and squares, winding stairs and hidden haunts. A trip through the beautiful Douro River Valleys reveal the rural bliss of the countryside – through Regua, Pinhão and Pocinho – where you will taste incredible vintage ports and relax among the terraced olive groves that line the riverbanks.
Sail to Madeira to taste the distinct fortified wines
The four Atlantic islands of Madeira are a microcosm of amusement. The beautifully preserved city of Funchal is noted for its luxury leanings, as well as its cable-car tours over the hills of town. The nearby coastal walks offer dramatic cliffs and pastoral waterfalls, while a hike up Pico Ruivo, the tallest peak on the island, will get your heart pumping. A Madeira wine-tasting is definitely in order on your Celebrity excursion agenda: The wines here were those used to toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Witness the dramatic volcanic scenery of the Azores
If your Celebrity itinerary crosses the Atlantic Ocean, a stop at Ponta Delgada on the Azorean island of Sao Miguel is very likely part of the plan. Visitors find botanical gardens, soothing hot springs and engaging Azorean folklore, along with geological anomalies and volcanic vistas. Small-boat excursions in the Azores acquaint you with the humpback, minke and blue whales that frequent the waters here.
Tully comes through with multiple itineraries to suit
Various Celebrity embarkation points in the UK and Europe, along with transatlantic voyages, can easily bring you the stunning beaches, lush landscapes, tasty cuisine and captivating history of Portugal. The Tully Travel Designers can easily arrange a private vehicle with a guide for shore excursions, book you onto the top golf courses or find the perfect pre- or post-cruise luxury villa.