Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and head to your hotel to settle in. This is where your Douro Valley river adventure kicks off, so take the evening to rest up after your travel day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VP Plaza España Design (or similar))
- Day 2
Madrid to Vega de Terron
After breakfast, you'll travel to Salamanca for a guided tour hitting the University of Salamanca and the House of Shells. From there, it's on to Vega de Terron where you'll board the MS Estrela river ship. Once you're settled into your cabin, there's a welcome dinner that evening to meet other travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner onboard)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca
- Visit University of Salamanca
- Visit House of Shells
- Welcome dinner onboard
Landmarks University of Salamanca House of Shells 
- Day 3
Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo to Pinhão
This morning brings a guided tour of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, including a stop at the castle ruins. Back on the ship, you'll have a relaxing afternoon as it sails through the Douro Valley, passing terraced vineyards and hillsides. You'll arrive in Pinhão later and the ship docks there overnight.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
- Visit castle ruins
- Afternoon river cruise to Pinhão
Landmarks Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Castle Ruins - Day 4
Pinhão to Régua
Start the day at Pinhão Railway Station, known for its beautiful 19th-century tiles showing port production scenes. Then you'll visit a local quinta to learn about local wine production before cruising toward Régua. The ship passes through the valley's vineyards and rolling terrain on the way.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Visit Pinhão Railway Station
- Visit local quinta
- River cruise through Douro Valley to Régua
Landmarks Pinhão Railway Station - Day 5
Régua
You've got options today in Régua. Choose between joining a guided tour to either charming Lamego and its Sanctuary, or heading to Palácio de Mateus, the 18th-century palace pictured on Mateus Rosé labels. Lunch happens at Quinta da Pacheca winery with views overlooking the Douro River.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch and tasting at Quinta da Pacheca with views over Douro River and Régua, located in Cambres village)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Lunch at Quinta da Pacheca with wine tasting and Douro Valley views
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Guided tour of Lamego including Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and Bola de Lamego tasting
- Freedom of Choice - Visit Palácio de Mateus, 18th-century palace near Vila Real
Landmarks Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Palácio de Mateus Quinta da Pacheca - Day 6
Régua to Entre-os-Rios
The morning is yours to relax on deck as the ship cruises through the valley. Once you reach Entre-os-Rios, you can either explore the medieval city of Guimarães (a UNESCO site) or visit Quinta da Aveleda winery for a tour and wine with cheese tasting.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Morning river cruise to Entre-os-Rios
- Signature Experience - Wine and cheese sampling at Quinta da Aveleda
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Guided tour of Guimarães with medieval architecture in historic city centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Freedom of Choice - Winery tour and tasting at Quinta da Aveleda
Landmarks Guimarães Old Town Quinta da Aveleda 
- Day 7
Porto
You'll arrive in Porto by afternoon and get to explore the 16th-century Old Town. Don't miss the cable car ride for views over the city. That evening, there's a guided tour of Palácio da Bolsa followed by a cocktail reception and traditional fado performance in the Arabian Hall.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Explore Porto's 16th-century Old Town
- Cable car ride
- Signature Experience - Guided tour of Palácio da Bolsa with cocktail reception and traditional fado performance in Arabian Hall
Landmarks Porto Old Town Palácio da Bolsa 
- Day 8
Porto
This full day in Porto lets you pick a morning activity: either a cooking demonstration at a traditional restaurant to see local culinary techniques, or a guided tour of Taylor's Port cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia with a tasting. The afternoon is free to wander. By evening, you'll take an illuminations cruise around Porto from your river ship.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Illuminations cruise around Porto
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Cooking demonstration at traditional restaurant
- Freedom of Choice - Guided tour of Taylor's Port cellars (300-year-old historic cellar) with Port tasting at Vila Nova de Gaia
Landmarks Taylor's Port Cellars Vila Nova de Gaia - Day 9
Porto to Departure
Your Douro journey wraps up with breakfast on the ship. After that, you'll transfer to the airport for your departure, ending a week exploring Portugal's river and wine country.
- Meals
- Breakfast
