Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and get transferred to your hotel. It's a good time to settle in, unpack, and rest after your travel day. Take the evening to get oriented to the city if you're up for it, or just relax and prepare for the journey ahead.
- Day 2
Salamanca - Vega de Terron
This morning you head to Salamanca for a guided tour that covers the University of Salamanca and the House of Shells, both landmarks worth seeing. After that, you'll travel to Vega de Terron where your river ship is waiting. You'll board in the afternoon, settle into your cabin, and then gather for a welcome dinner with fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca including University of Salamanca and House of Shells
- Board MS Estrela river ship
Landmarks/POIs University of Salamanca House of Shells - Day 3
Pinhão
Early in the day you'll walk through the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and see the castle ruins scattered across the hillside. After exploring, you return to the ship and spend the afternoon on the water as it sails toward Pinhão. The ship docks there for the night, giving you time to see the town if you want.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
- Visit castle ruins
Landmarks/POIs Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Castle Ruins - Day 4
Régua
Start at Pinhão Railway Station, which has beautiful 19th-century tiles on the walls showing port production scenes. Then you'll tour a local quinta to learn about wine production in the region. After that, the ship cruises through the Douro Valley where you'll see the terraced vineyards covering the hillsides. You arrive in Régua by evening.
Included Activities
- Visit Pinhão Railway Station
- Visit local quinta
Landmarks/POIs Pinhão Railway Station - Day 5
Régua
You have options today in Régua. Either check out Lamego, a charming hillside town with a sanctuary and local pastry specialties, or visit the 18th-century Palácio de Mateus near Vila Real. Later in the day, there's a signature lunch at Quinta da Pacheca where you'll get wine tasting and views overlooking the Douro River.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch and tasting at Quinta da Pacheca with views over the Douro River and Régua)
Included Activities
- Choice of Tour Lamego (guided tour including Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and Bola de Lamego pastry tasting) OR Visit Palácio de Mateus
- Lunch at Quinta da Pacheca with wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Palácio de Mateus Quinta da Pacheca - Day 6
Entre-os-Rios
The morning brings a relaxing cruise through the Douro Valley as the ship heads to Entre-os-Rios. When you arrive, pick between a guided tour of Guimarães, a medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit Quinta da Aveleda winery for a tour, tasting, and time in their gardens.
- Meals
- Lunch (Wine and cheese sampling at Quinta da Aveleda (for those choosing winery option))
Included Activities
- Choice of Tour Guimarães (guided tour of medieval architecture and attractions) OR Winery Tour and Tasting at Quinta da Aveleda including wine and cheese sampling
Landmarks/POIs Guimarães Historic Centre Quinta da Aveleda - Day 7
Porto
You reach Porto in the afternoon. Spend time exploring the 16th-century Old Town by walking around, and take a cable car ride for a different perspective. That evening, head to Palácio da Bolsa for a guided tour followed by a cocktail reception. After that, there's a traditional fado performance in the Arabian Hall.
- Meals
- Dinner (Cocktail reception and traditional fado performance dinner at Palácio da Bolsa)
Included Activities
- Explore Porto's 16th-century Old Town
- Cable car ride
- Guided tour of Palácio da Bolsa
- Cocktail reception
- Traditional fado performance in the Arabian Hall
Landmarks/POIs Palácio da Bolsa - Day 8
Porto
Your full day in Porto opens with a choice: either join a cooking demonstration at a traditional restaurant to see how local dishes come together, or visit Taylor's Port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia for a tour and tasting of their 300-year-old Port production. The afternoon is yours to relax and walk around. In the evening, you'll take an illuminations cruise around Porto, a nice way to see the city lit up for your last night on the ship.
Included Activities
- Choice of Cooking Demonstration at traditional restaurant OR Port Tasting at Taylor's Port with guided cellar tour
- Illuminations cruise around Porto
Landmarks/POIs Taylor's Port Vila Nova de Gaia - Day 9
Porto
Your time on the Douro Valley ends today. After breakfast, you'll head to the airport for your departure. Pack the night before so you're ready to go.
- Meals
- Breakfast
