Merit Travel Douro Cruise 2017

04/09/2021

Want to go to the Algarve next year?

18/07/2021

Hello From your travel Host Laura, I hope you and yours are well and getting excited about getting back to "normal".

It has been a long while and a very hard 18 months since we have chatted about travel. I just wanted to touch base and let everyone know that I will be hosting for a different company in 2022 and thought you might like some information. If you have any questions or want more information, just let me know and I will get Georgia know.

This is where I am going, want to join in the fun?

https://travelmrg.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MRG-Travel4-5.pdf

28/09/2017

Hello everyone, have you chosen your 2018 trip yet? I may be going to Barbados or Arizona.

08/04/2017

Back in Lisbon today with the last of my Merit Friends. We enjoyed a drink together on the terrace and then parted. It was a hurried goodbye with hugs and promises to stay in touch. Everyone will be looking forward to the new Merit Travel Longstays brochure coming out in June.

Traveling is so rewarding in so many ways but the best part for me is meeting new friends. Safe travels to all and farewell ...for now. Your Host,Laura aka Lala.

http://www.merittravel.com/destination/longstays

Longstays Vacations are a unique collection of longer duration vacations, exclusively by Merit Travel. Spend up to 30 days in your favourite destination, and live like a local with the perks of a tourist. Our itineraries include excursions, some dedicated host, and round-trip airfare making our itin...

06/04/2017

06/04/2017

What a lovely way to end our cruise down the Douro. Back in Porto for a ride in a rebello boat and then an afternoon excursion to followed by another glorious dinner and a folk show.

06/04/2017

A nice day of cruising with good food, a contest, a lesson on how to pilot the ship and topped off with a Fado performance.

04/04/2017

A nice cruise down the river before lunch and then a tour along the wine route ending with another tasting of the delicious port wine. This evening was a dinner of pure delight.

04/04/2017

A trip to Spain today would not be complete without seeing the University of
University of Salamanca, 1164.

The University of Salamanca was the first university founded in what would eventually become Spain, and like the aforementioned University of Valladolid, it is also located in Castile and León. While its origins are a bit hazy, teaching began here sometime around 1094, and it was officially recognized by the king of León, in 1164.



One particularly notable discussion to have taken place within the walls of the University of Salamanca revolved around Christopher Columbus – first about whether his proposed trip west from Spain would be feasible, and second about how he and his men should have treated the American Indians.

We also toured the Cathedrals, one 800 years old. Lunch and leisure time rounded out the day.

02/04/2017

Our bus ride through the Port trail.

02/04/2017

On board we enjoyed a leisurely Sunday cruise. The sun was out and we took advantage by sitting on the deck. Our late afternoon fun saw Helena and Ron portray Picasso and his muse.

02/04/2017

Today we got up early and boarded the bus to the city of Vila Real or The Royal City where we toured the Mateus Palace where the Count still lives. The Gardens were planted by The Count's grandmother. She wanted to recreate the Gardens of Versailles. A stop for coffee and traditional pastry. Back on board we sail through the demarked Douro Vinyard. Miles of vines that go back to Roman times.

02/04/2017

What a day, we toured Porto, toured a Gold Cathedral, a Palace that became a stock exchange and a Port distillery.

31/03/2017

After a long but smooth bus ride to Porto we boarded our ship and headed to the bar. Some drinks and a chance to meet everyone and then on to dinner. After a lovely meal we headed out for a tour of this beautiful city by night.

30/03/2017

Our last evening in Lisbon as a group. Drinks on the rooftop before we scatter for dinner. Went with Brenda and Doug to the pedestrian walk.

30/03/2017

So this is becoming a habit. 4pm coffee and pastry. Everyone does it. When in Portugal Do as...

30/03/2017

Omg! ! Lisbon is amazing. I took the old trolley car up the mountain and walked down to our hotel through winding streets filled with shops and cafe's. I stopped for a lemonade to look out over the water and found my way down to a very cool eating market where you can buy all kinds of food to eat and go or stand at a table. You could even get a glass of take away sangria. I did not get to the castle but that is on my list for next week. Off for some lunch at an outdoor café. How will I ever be able to eat indoors again?

29/03/2017

After a long train ride from Albeferia to Lisbon, Portugal, we arrived at our beautiful hotel. I have a balcony!!

A tiring day of travel but we were revived with a welcome rink and a chance to meet the rest of the new group.

Out to dinner and then back to rest up for a day of sightseeing.