Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and head to your hotel in the city center for check-in. You're staying three nights here, so get settled in and take some time to get oriented with the neighborhood around your hotel.
- Day 2
Madrid
This morning you'll meet your local guide for a walking tour through central Madrid. You'll see the Sabatini Gardens, the Royal Palace, and Gran Vía. After the tour wraps up, the rest of your day is open so you can wander around and discover things on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Madrid
- Visit to Sabatini Gardens
- Walk past Royal Palace
- Explore Gran Vía
Landmarks Sabatini Gardens Royal Palace Gran Vía 
- Day 3
Madrid
Today is yours to spend however you like around Madrid. You might check out the Royal Palace if you didn't get enough time yesterday, or head to Retiro Park to see the ornamental gardens and the scenic lake. Mercado de San Miguel is also worth stopping by if you want to try some local Spanish food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Royal Palace
- Explore Retiro Park
- Visit to Mercado de San Miguel
- Guided Tour of Toledo (extra expense, zip line optional)
Landmarks Royal Palace Retiro Park Mercado de San Miguel - Day 4
Madrid to Porto
After leaving your hotel, you'll head to Madrid airport and fly to Porto. Once you arrive, you'll board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and have dinner with your fellow passengers that evening on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner on board Star-Ship
- Day 5
Douro Valley
You're sailing through the Douro Valley today, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of vineyards and small villages. From your ship you'll see the landscape change as you move downriver. There's a welcome dinner and cocktail reception on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner and cocktail reception)
Included Activities
- Portuguese cooking demonstration on board
Landmarks Douro Valley - Day 6
Vega de Terrón
The day starts with a visit to Quinta do Tedo, an 18th-century vineyard estate in the Douro Valley. You can either take a guided walk through the local vineyards or do a kayak excursion along the river, depending on what interests you. Later on the ship sails to Vega de Terrón.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Quinta do Tedo with wine tasting
- Guided active walk through the vineyards
- Kayak experience in Pinhão
Landmarks Quinta do Tedo - Day 7
Salamanca
You'll travel to Salamanca, known as the Golden City, for a guided walk through its UNESCO-listed Old Quarter. The tour includes the galleries and arcades at Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas with its shell decorations, and Salamanca's historic university dating back to 1218.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca
- Exploration of Plaza Mayor galleries and arcades
- Visit to Casa de las Conchas
- View of Salamanca University
- Tuna music performance
Landmarks Plaza Mayor Casa de las Conchas Salamanca University 
- Day 8
Régua
From Pocinho you'll travel to Castelo Rodrigo, a charming medieval town where you can explore the fortress history and try local products. Then you head back to the ship for lunch. Before sailing toward Régua, there's a port wine cocktail lesson on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour to Castelo Rodrigo
- Port wine cocktail lesson on board
Optional Activities
- Archaeological tour by 4x4 at the Côa Valley Museum (extra expense)
Landmarks Castelo Rodrigo - Day 9
Lamego
You visit the Baroque village of Lamego and see the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies overlooking the town. If you're up for it, you can walk down 686 steps from the Sanctuary to the main square. Lunch happens at Quinta da Pacheca estate out in the countryside, and later there's a tile painting lesson on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lamego
- Visit to Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies
- Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
- Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca
- Mosaic tile painting lesson on board
Optional Activities
- Visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)
Landmarks Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies Quinta da Pacheca - Day 10
Porto
Porto awaits with its mix of old and new architecture at the mouth of the Douro River. Your guided tour covers Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, the fortified structures. You can also do an active walk through the city if that appeals to you, and there's an optional evening harbor cruise available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Porto
- Visit to Castelo da Foz
- Visit to Castelo do Queijo
- Evening cruise through Porto
- Guided active walk in Porto
Optional Activities
- Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (extra expense)
- Guided bike tour to the Atlantic (extra expense)
Landmarks Castelo da Foz Castelo do Queijo - Day 11
Porto Departure
After breakfast you'll leave the Star-Ship and say goodbye to your fellow passengers. You're heading home with memories of sun-drenched vineyards and the charming villages of the Douro Valley behind you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
