Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and head to your hotel to get settled. This gives you time to adjust to the city and prepare for the journey ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VP Plaza España Design (or similar))
- Day 2
Madrid to Salamanca to Vega de Terrón
Travel to Salamanca this morning to tour the University and House of Shells, then continue on to Vega de Terrón where you'll board your river ship. A welcome dinner kicks off your cruise experience.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca
- Visit University of Salamanca
- Visit House of Shells
- Welcome dinner on board
Landmarks/POIs University of Salamanca House of Shells 
- Day 3
Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo to Pinhão
Explore the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and check out the castle ruins. Back on the ship, you'll sail through the afternoon, arriving in Pinhão where the ship docks for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
- Visit castle ruins
- River cruise to Pinhão
Landmarks/POIs Castle ruins of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo 
- Day 4
Pinhão to Régua
Start at Pinhão Railway Station, known for its 19th-century tiled walls showing port production history. Tour a local quinta afterward, then cruise through the Douro Valley past terraced vineyards heading toward Régua.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Visit Pinhão Railway Station
- Visit local quinta
- River cruise through Douro Valley to Régua
Landmarks/POIs Pinhão Railway Station 
- Day 5
Régua
You have options in Régua for the day. Either tour Lamego and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, or check out Palácio de Mateus near Vila Real. Either way, you'll have lunch and wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca with views over the river.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch and wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca with views over Douro River and Régua at prestigious 16th-century estate with 75 hectares of vineyards)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Lunch at Quinta da Pacheca with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Guided tour of Lamego with visit to Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and tasting of local specialty Bola de Lamego
- Freedom of Choice - Visit Palácio de Mateus near Vila Real, an 18th-century palace featured on Mateus Rosé wine labels
Landmarks/POIs Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Palácio de Mateus Quinta da Pacheca - Day 6
Régua to Entre-os-Rios
Cruise through the Douro Valley to Entre-os-Rios. Choose between exploring the medieval city of Guimarães with its UNESCO World Heritage architecture, or visiting Quinta da Aveleda winery for gardens, wine, and cheese tasting.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- River cruise to Entre-os-Rios
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Guided tour of Guimarães with exploration of medieval architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage city centre
- Freedom of Choice - Winery tour and tasting at Quinta da Aveleda, a family business producing Vinho Verde wine since the 1870s, including garden exploration and wine and cheese sampling
Landmarks/POIs Guimarães Historic Centre Quinta da Aveleda - Day 7
Entre-os-Rios to Porto
You'll arrive in Porto in the afternoon. Walk through the 16th-century Old Town and take a cable car ride. Later, tour Palácio da Bolsa, enjoy a cocktail reception, and experience a traditional fado performance in the Arabian Hall.
- Meals
- Dinner (Cocktail reception and traditional fado performance at Palácio da Bolsa)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Explore Porto's 16th-century Old Town
- Cable car ride
- Signature Experience - Guided tour of Palácio da Bolsa, cocktail reception, and traditional fado performance in Arabian Hall
Landmarks/POIs Porto Old Town Palácio da Bolsa 
- Day 8
Porto
In the morning, choose between a cooking demonstration at a traditional restaurant or a tour of Taylor's Port cellars with tasting. The afternoon is free to relax. By evening, take an illuminations cruise around Porto on your final night aboard the ship.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Illuminations cruise around Porto
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Cooking demonstration at a traditional Porto restaurant to discover the city's culinary heritage
- Freedom of Choice - Guided tour of Taylor's Port cellars, a 300-year-old establishment established over three centuries ago, with wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Landmarks/POIs Taylor's Port Vila Nova de Gaia - Day 9
Porto to Coimbra to Lisbon
Leave the ship and travel through Portugal's countryside to Coimbra. You'll tour this medieval city and the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290 and the country's oldest university. Continue to Lisbon and check in to your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Lisbon Liberade)
Included Activities
- Visit University of Coimbra
- Tour Coimbra medieval city
Landmarks/POIs University of Coimbra 
- Day 10
Lisbon
Explore Lisbon's highlights by riding the iconic tramcars through the Old Town. You'll visit the World Heritage-listed Jeronimos Monastery, built in 1502 by King Manuel I to mark Vasco da Gama's voyage to India.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Lisbon Liberade)
Included Activities
- Ride on Lisbon's iconic tramcars
- Visit Old Town
- Visit Jeronimos Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Jeronimos Monastery Lisbon Old Town - Day 11
Sintra to Lisbon
Head to Sintra to visit King Ferdinand II's Park and the National Palace of Pena, set in dramatic mountain scenery. You'll have free time to walk around Sintra and grab lunch on your own. Return to Lisbon along the coast and dine at a local restaurant for your last night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Lisbon Liberade)
Included Activities
- Visit National Palace of Pena
- Free time to explore Sintra
- Coastal drive back to Lisbon
Optional Activities
- Lunch at leisure in Sintra
- Dinner at local restaurant in Lisbon
Landmarks/POIs National Palace of Pena Serra de Sintra 
- Day 12
Lisbon to Algarve
Travel to the Algarve coast, famous for its dramatic cliffs, attractive bays, and pristine islands. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pine Cliffs Resort Algarve)
- Day 13
Algarve
Take a local boat trip through Ria Formosa National Park, exploring about 60km of Portugal's southeastern coast with islands, sandbars, lagoons, and diverse wildlife. Back at the resort, you'll have leisure time to relax by the pool or try spa treatments.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pine Cliffs Resort Algarve)
Included Activities
- Local boat trip through Ria Formosa National Park
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment at resort
Landmarks/POIs Ria Formosa National Park - Day 14
Algarve to Seville
Cross into Spain and travel to Seville, the Andalusian capital. The city's known for flamenco dancing and Moorish architecture, so you'll get a sense of that character as you settle in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Seville)
- Day 15
Seville
Spend the day exploring Seville. Visit the Royal Alcázar, Europe's oldest active palace dating back to the 11th century with various palaces and gardens from different periods. You'll also see Seville Cathedral and the iconic La Giralda tower.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Seville)
Included Activities
- Visit Royal Alcázar of Seville
- Visit Seville Cathedral
- Visit La Giralda tower
Landmarks/POIs Royal Alcázar of Seville Seville Cathedral La Giralda - Day 16
Seville to Ronda to Granada
Travel to Ronda, a mountaintop town perched above a deep gorge. A guided exploration shows you the dramatic vistas. Later, continue on to Granada for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Granada)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Ronda
Landmarks/POIs Ronda 
- Day 17
Granada
Take a guided tour of the Alhambra, a World Heritage site that captures Andalusian history. You'll see the Moorish architecture, the Court of the Lions with its restored fountain, and the Nasrid Palace complex. In the evening, experience a flamenco show with tapas in a local gypsy cave.
- Meals
- Dinner (Flamenco show with tapas in local gypsy cave)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Granada)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Alhambra
- Signature Experience - Flamenco show and tapas in local gypsy cave
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Court of the Lions Nasrid Palace - Day 18
Granada to Córdoba
Visit an authentic Spanish olive estate to sample fine olives and learn about Spain's olive oil production. From there, continue to Córdoba, a prominent Roman city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Córdoba)
Included Activities
- Visit authentic Spanish olive estate and olive oil sampling
- Day 19
Córdoba
Take a guided tour of Córdoba to see the impressive Mosque-Cathedral and explore the historic Jewish Quarter. The architecture reflects a blend of cultures and religions. You'll have leisure time afterward to walk around more on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Córdoba)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Córdoba
- Visit Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
- Visit historic Jewish Quarter
Landmarks/POIs Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba Jewish Quarter of Córdoba - Day 20
Córdoba to Toledo to Madrid
Travel to Toledo and walk through its narrow streets full of history with a guide. You'll explore this UNESCO World Heritage city, a former Spanish Empire capital, then head on to Madrid.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VP Plaza España Design (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided stroll through Toledo's historic streets
Landmarks/POIs Toledo Old City - Day 21
Madrid
Discover Madrid's major sights on a guided tour including the vast Royal Palace, the lush Buen Retiro Park, and Plaza Mayor. The evening is yours to explore the vibrant city and dine at local restaurants.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VP Plaza España Design (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid highlights
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit Buen Retiro Park
- Visit Plaza Mayor
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local Madrid restaurant for authentic Spanish cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace of Madrid Buen Retiro Park Plaza Mayor - Day 22
Madrid to Barcelona
Take a guided tour of the Museo del Prado, Spain's main national art museum. After that, you'll travel by rail to Barcelona, the coastal city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Méridien Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Museo del Prado
Landmarks/POIs Museo del Prado 
- Day 23
Barcelona
Start early with an exclusive before-hours visit to Casa Vicens, Antoni Gaudí's first house and architectural masterpiece. A panoramic tour of Barcelona follows, including a drive along Passeig de Gràcia to see Gaudí's buildings and Sagrada Família's exterior. Share a farewell dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Méridien Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Before-hours visit to Casa Vicens
- Panoramic tour of Barcelona
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia to see Gaudí's buildings
- View exterior of Sagrada Família
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks/POIs Casa Vicens Sagrada Família Passeig de Gràcia - Day 24
Barcelona
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
