The National Review 2010 Portugal & Spain Riverboat Cruise will be a remarkable experience. What’s in store for you this May 12–22 (surely you are going to reserve one of the few remaining cabins!)? Here’s a nice rundown (and you will find even greater details, and a secure sign-up page, at www.nrcruise.com).

DAY 1: You arrive in beautiful LISBON and spend a relaxing day at the five-star Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa.
DAY 2: With jet lag behind you, today you’ll enjoy a morning tour of the Old Town and the spectacular 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery. The afternoon is time for you to explore one of Europe’s historic capitals.
DAY 3: A great morning is followed by an afternoon excursion along the coast to CASCAIS (the Portuguese Royal Family’s resort until the early 19th century) and ESTORIL. Then it’s on to the delightful mountain village of SERRA DE SINTRA, and the Castelo da Pena (a wonderful example of Portuguese Romantic Period architecture).
DAY 4: After breakfast, we leave the Tiara Park for the Amadouro and our seven-night sail. Along the way we’ll visit COIMBRA, a beautiful city, the former capital — birthplace to many Portuguese kings — and seat of one of Europe’s oldest universities. The we arrive at PORTO The Amadouro departs from and returns to this renowned wine city. On board this afternoon, we will have our first scintillating seminar (Maybe as Dick Morris, Ralph Reed, and Bill McGurn discuss the upcoming elections with Kate O’Beirne), followed by a revelrous cocktail reception and a gourmet meal.
DAY 5: The morning features our second seminar (Norman Podhoretz, Michael Mukasey, and Dan Hannan discussing foreign policy with Kevin Williamson would be a great way to start the day), and then we dock at RÉGUA, where our tour affords us a visit to the Palacio de Mateus, a beautiful casa with stunning gardens. We rejoin the Amadouro and head to PINHÃO, to dine in this quaint town at the riverside Vintage House Hotel. Aboard ship this evening, a fun-filled late-night smoker featuring complimentary cognac and world-class H. Upmann cigars.
DAY 6: A heady day with seminars in the morning and afternoon (What does Bing West think of our prospects in Afghanistan? How do Midge Decter and Kathryn Lopez view the consequences of aggrandizing government on the family and culture?). Then we revisit PINHÃO for an afternoon Port wine lecture and tasting.
DAY 7: On to Spain and SALAMANCA. A UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the center of the “Castilla y León” region, we’ll enjoy a full-day tour and visit the University, the 12th-century Romanesque church of San Martin, the House of Shells, and other famous local spots. Complementing the touring is a delicious, authentic Spanish lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight, back on the Amadouro, local entertainers will follow our gourmet meal with a Flamenco show and a smoker with H. Upmann cigars.
DAY 8: Today we’re back to Portugal and VEGA DE TERRÓN where we’ll tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified village perched high on a hilltop, with 16th-century walls and narrow, steep medieval streets, famous for its Chafariz dos Pretos fountain. Back on the Amadouro, another seminar awaits, and before dinner, a delightful cocktail reception.
DAY 9: Charming LAMEGO is an ancient village of picturesque houses that is a revered stop for pilgrims visiting Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). During our tour, be sure to drop by a café to sample a “bola de Lamego” (bread filled with smoked ham) or a glass of Raposeira, the local sparkling wine. Tonight in BITETOS we’ll savor a traditional “home cooked” meal at the 14th-century Alpendurada Monastery. In between is a seminar with our acclaimed guest speakers and editors, and the day ends with another late-night smoker sponsored by H. Upmann cigars.
DAY 10: We arrive back in PORTO, a sightseer’s delight: Our tour here features 16thcentury arcaded buildings, Baroque churches, and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. An afternoon seminar, a final cocktail reception, and a last delightful gourmet dinner will end the day.
DAY 11: Yes, we said 10 days, but we won’t officially count this melancholy one as you depart the Amadouro in the morning, heading for home, carrying happy memories of a wonderful trip and newfound friends!