Itinerary
- Day 1
Embarkation
You'll board your Douro river cruise ship and get settled into your luxury stateroom. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the ship, check out the facilities, and get ready for the days ahead on the water.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Douro Valley
Walk through a quiet village along the Douro River, then head to the Baroque Palacio de Mateus to see its beautiful gardens and ornate wooden ceilings. The estate gives you a real sense of Portuguese architecture and design from that period.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Palacio de Mateus and its gardens
- Interior tour of Palacio de Mateus including furnishings, paintings and carved wood ceiling
Landmarks/POIs Palacio de Mateus - Day 3
Castelo Rodrigo
Spend your morning at a port town taking in the riverside scenery, then visit Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified hilltop village with centuries-old stone walls and narrow winding streets. If you're up for it, you can do a guided hike to explore the village more thoroughly and get a better feel for the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Castelo Rodrigo fortified village
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Castelo Rodrigo village
Landmarks/POIs Castelo Rodrigo - Day 4
Salamanca
Drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city, for an escorted tour through its medieval streets. You'll see the university buildings, the New Cathedral, the House of Shells with its ornate facade, and the Plaza Mayor. Plan to spend a few hours walking through the different districts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted tour of Salamanca
- Visit Salamanca University buildings
- Visit New Cathedral
- Visit House of Shells
- Visit Plaza Mayor
Landmarks/POIs Salamanca Salamanca New Cathedral House of Shells (Casa de las Conchas) Plaza Mayor - Day 5
Wine Tasting
Cruise through the Douro Valley to Pinhao and tour a local vineyard's historic wine cellars with a specialist guide. You'll taste port wines and then head to Quinta da Roca estate for an exclusive dinner with views of the famous terraced vineyards that line the hillsides.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Exclusive dinner at Quinta da Roça historic estate in the Douro Valley)
Included Activities
- Private guided tour of local vineyard wine cellars
- Port wine tasting at local vineyard
- Exclusive dinner at Quinta da Roça
Landmarks/POIs Pinhão Quinta da Roça - Day 6
Lamego
Travel to Lamego to visit the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios sanctuary, one of Portugal's most important pilgrimage sites, known for its iconic 700-step staircase covered in blue and white tiles. You can climb the stairs on a guided hike if you want the more active option, then sample local food and have lunch at a traditional quinta.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local quinta with traditional regional specialties), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies)
- Sample local traditional specialties including bolas de Lamego, presunto and Espumante
- Lunch at a local quinta
Optional Activities
- Guided hike up the 700-step staircase at Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
Landmarks/POIs Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies) Lamego - Day 7
Porto
An escorted tour takes you through Porto's UNESCO World Heritage historic quarter to see the Cathedral and the famous Sao Bento Railway Station with its distinctive blue and white tile panels. If you prefer a more active day, there's an optional guided hike available. Later, you'll do a Port wine tasting in the afternoon, and the day finishes with a scenic sunset cruise around the city's lit-up waterfront.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted tour of Porto historic quarter
- Visit Cathedral
- Visit São Bento Railway Station
- Port wine tasting
- Scenic sunset cruise on ship viewing illuminated Porto landscapes
Optional Activities
- Guided hike in Porto
Landmarks/POIs Porto Cathedral São Bento Railway Station - Day 8
Disembarkation
Leave the ship and prepare for your flight home. Pack up, check out of your stateroom, and head to the airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
