Douro Discovery

Fly from the UK to Porto today, Portugal’s second-largest city. Bordering its larger neighbour Spain, Portugal is one of Europe’s warmest countries and boasts a mix of vibrant art, music, wine, and food, as well as endless sunny days. Be met at the airport and transferred to your river ship, the MS Estrela.

Tonight, meet your fellow travellers and Travelmarvel Cruise Director at a Welcome Reception as you take in the sights along the Douro River on a sunset cruise.

Stay: Seven nights, aboard your river ship, the MS Estrela.
Daily: Dinner

INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.

Begin cruising along the spectacular Douro River. Flowing from the northern reaches of Spain, through Portugal and into the Atlantic, this river is bordered by countless vineyards. As you cruise this morning, you’ll take part in a Portuguese language lesson, during which you’ll learn some essential phrases of this beautiful language.
This afternoon you’ll visit the picturesque village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated baroque cathedral, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. While in Lamego, visit one of Portugal’s best museums. You may also like to sample one of the town’s famous specialties, Bola de Lamego, a delicious smoked ham roll. On arrival in Pinhão, you will enjoy an Insider Experience.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terrón in Spain. Enjoy some time at leisure before joining an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. This tiny village sits atop a hill overlooking both Spain and Portugal and features many well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle, and a magnificent stone statue of Santiago Matamoros. After exploring this charming little town, you’ll board a coach and return to your ship.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a Flamenco show and lunch and be entranced by Flamenco dancers as they captivate you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance.

Today you’ll disembark and board a coach to set off for the glorious Spanish city of Salamanca. This gorgeous city is arguably one of the most beautiful in Spain and boasts sunlit sandstone buildings along with a majestic city square and an ancient university. After your Insider Experience, return by coach back over the border to Barca d’Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro, where your ship awaits. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Portuguese BBQ dinner.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

INSIDER EXPERIENCE
On arrival in Régua, head to a local quinta, which boasts outstanding views over the Douro Valley. Here, you’ll enjoy a tasting of local port wine, Portugal’s most famous tipple.

This morning, enjoy a fascinating history lecture as your ship cruises past Pinhão to Régua. After your Insider Experience on arrival in Régua, this afternoon, enjoy a guided tour in Régua followed by free time to visit the Douro Museum.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Join an excursion to the splendid Gardens and Palace of Mateus. Tour this living museum which is still owned by the Count of Vila Real. Discover the connection between this beautiful 18th-century palace and Mateus Rose wine for yourself. Afterwards, continue to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this gorgeous, vibrant town as you please.

Tonight, be treated to an energetic performance of traditional Portuguese folk music back on board at a special Captain’s Dinner.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, cruise back to the enchanting city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On arrival, join a fascinating tour of nearby Porto, which sits just across the river. Here, you’ll be led past an array of the city’s most famous attractions and visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting.

This afternoon, there’s ample time to explore Porto at leisure. You may like to visit a Portuguese boutique to buy authentic, local souvenirs. Or perhaps take a stroll through the city’s old-fashioned Bolhao food market. Alternatively, you might choose to take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner with your new-found friends.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your return flight to the UK.
Daily: Breakfast