The views from the sun deck of our luxurious ship are undeniably breathtaking but look a little closer and you'll see landmarks that chronicle the valley's tumultuous history. Famous battlefields, impenetrable fortresses (well, almost impenetrable) and opulent palaces await as local guides and experts bring history to life with tours and talks on the region's storied past. We’ll tour the ancient cities of Salamanca and Porto – visiting the sites of sombre battlefields – and learn more about the Peninsular Wars. There’s the chance to explore the grounds of the opulent Mateus Palace and the imposing fortress of Almeida. And, of course, we’ll be cruising through port wine territory – so we’ll stop for a tipple at a local quinta or two (it would be rude not to).