Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Porto
You'll arrive in Porto and head straight to your river ship MS Estrela. After meeting the other travelers at a welcome reception, you'll get out on the water for a sunset cruise along the Douro River, which gives you your first real sense of Portugal's river landscape.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception
- Sunset cruise along the Douro River
Landmarks Douro River 
- Day 2
Lamego - Pinhão
This morning you'll cruise along the Douro and join a Portuguese language lesson to pick up some basic phrases. The ship stops at Lamego where you can walk through the village and see the Baroque cathedral and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies with its ornate decoration. You'll also get time at one of Portugal's best museums. By evening you've arrived in Pinhão for a traditional quinta dinner onboard.
- Meals
- Dinner (Sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Portuguese language lesson
- Visit Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
- Visit museum in Lamego
- Portuguese Quinta Dinner at a local winery
Optional Activities
- Sample Bola de Lamego, a smoked ham roll specialty
Landmarks Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Lamego - Day 3
Castelo Rodrigo
The ship crosses into Spain and reaches Vega de Terrón. You'll have some free time to relax, then join an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, a small village sitting high on a hilltop. There's an old castle with ruins and a large stone statue of Santiago Matamoros that looks out over both Spain and Portugal from up there.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Castelo Rodrigo
Optional Activities
- Leisure time in Vega de Terrón
Landmarks Castelo Rodrigo Santiago Matamoros statue - Day 4
Barca d'Alva
You'll leave the ship and travel by coach to Salamanca, the Spanish city known for its golden sandstone buildings and the famous Plaza Mayor. There's a flamenco performance and lunch included before the coach takes you back to Barca d'Alva, the last Portuguese village on the river where your ship is waiting. The day ends with a traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner back onboard.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with flamenco show), Dinner (Traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer to Salamanca
- Flamenco show and lunch
- Coach transfer to Barca d'Alva
- Traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner
Landmarks Salamanca Plaza Mayor, Salamanca University of Salamanca - Day 5
Régua
An excursion takes you to Mateus Palace and its grounds. You'll tour this 18th-century palace that's still lived in, and learn how it connects to the production of Mateus rosé wine. After that you'll head back to the ship now docked in Régua.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Mateus Palace and gardens
- Tour and wine information
Landmarks Mateus Palace - Day 6
Entre-os-Rios
This morning you'll visit a local quinta for a port wine tasting with views across the Douro Valley. From there the ship moves on to Entre-os-Rios, a riverside town where you can spend the afternoon on your own exploring the area at whatever pace you like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting
Optional Activities
- Leisure time to explore Entre-os-Rios
Landmarks Douro Valley - Day 7
Guided Tour - Port Winery
Back in Porto now, you'll take a guided tour through the city to see its important landmarks, then visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting. The afternoon is free so you can browse local shops for souvenirs or check out the historic Bolhão food market. That evening you'll gather back onboard for your farewell dinner with everyone you've met during the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell Dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Porto
- Port winery tour and tasting
- Farewell Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Portuguese boutique for souvenirs
- Explore Bolhão food market
- Optional excursion to Guimarães, a World Heritage-listed city
Landmarks Bolhão Market Guimarães Guimarães Castle - Day 8
Departure from Porto
After breakfast onboard, you'll transfer to Porto Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
