PORTO, VILA REAL, SALAMANCA, RIO TORTO VALLEY, LAMEGO & GUIMARAES
We’ll explore the Douro River from the port city of Porto through one of Europe’s oldest wine regions to Barca D’Alva. We’ll have three-and-a-half days to explore picturesque Porto with its lovely Old Town and visit a quinta, or wine cellar, where we can enjoy a wine tasting before we set sail through the vineyard-laced Douro Valley. We’ll tour Vila Réal and enjoy a pastry tasting, visit the beautiful Mateus Palace, and cross into Spain for a full day of exploration of dazzling Salamanca! On our return to Porto, we’ll visit two small towns set among the vineyards of the Rio Torto Valley, see the stunning Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary in Lamego, and take in the streets of Guimaraes, an incredible example of a medieval settlement and its transformation into a modern-day town.
Itinerary at a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 1 night in Porto
- 7-night Cruise from Porto to Porto
- Porto
- Regua
- Vega De Terron
- Barca D’Alva
- Pinhão
- Porto
Tour Highlights
- Porto Historic Center Walking Tour
- Guided Tour of Porto with Wine Tasting
- Sailing through vineyard-lined Douro Valley
- Flamenco Entertainment
- Vila Real and Mateus Palace
- Guided Tour of Salamanca with lunch
- Wine Trails of Porto with port tasting
- Fado Entertainment
- Guided Tour of Lamego
- Traditional folk entertainment
- Guimaraes Excursion
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from the New York area (varies by departure) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned motor coach
- 1-night accommodation at a superior first-class hotel in Porto
- 7-night cruise on the Douro River
- 21 meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Local house white and red wine, beer, sodas, coffee/tea for all onboard lunches and dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours including admission fees as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager and local English-speaking guides throughout
Note: Flights may not be available on all departures.
You may have to book your own flights to the tour destination. If so, you are responsible for making your own way to the tour starting point, where you will meet your Tour Director. This is normally the first hotel in your itinerary.
You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.
Arrive in Porto, Portugal today. Located on the steep banks of the Douro River, Porto is the country's second-largest city and northern hub. Check into our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodations: Porto Palácio Hotel & Spa or similar
After a morning at leisure, we'll explore Porto on foot! We'll traverse the well-preserved historical center which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, walk along the beautiful Avenida dos Aliados, an impressive boulevard at Porto's heart; and see the city's ornate and architecturally diverse buildings including Porto Cathedral. After our walking tour, we'll transfer to the port where we'll board our floating hotel and embark on a journey through the Douro Valley region. After comfortably settling into our cabins, we'll have a welcome cocktail before dinner.
Accommodations: MS Infante Don Henrique
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we'll cruise past Dom Luis I Bridge to the historical center. We'll explore the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building) which was originally built in 1834 by climbing the beautiful granite and marble stairway, and visiting the former Tribunal Room, Golden Room, and Arab Room, which is decorated in the Moorish Revival style. Next, we'll visit the Igreja de São Francisco, also known as the "Golden Church". Originally a modest convent, the patronage of prominent Porto families contributed to the baroque and gilded features we see today. We'll return to Villa Nova de Gaia where we'll visit a wine cellar and sample Porto's famous wine! Tonight, set sail to Regua.
Accommodations: , ,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we'll leave for Vila Real where aristocrats built grand palaces during the 16th and 18th centuries. We'll take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, followed by a tasting of the local pastry, Cristas de Galo. Next, we'll explore the most beautiful manor in Northern Portugal, Mateus Palace. This 18th-century beauty set in a hilly landscape offers one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture. This afternoon, our cruise continues to Vega de Terron, a small port town with terraced vineyards. We'll arrive this evening and enjoy Flamenco entertainment.
Accommodations: , ,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we'll have a full-day excursion to Salamanca, Spain! From Barca D'Alva we'll travel to the Old Town of Salamanca, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Here, we'll visit the cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles from late Gothic to Baroque to Renaissance. Next, we'll visit Salamanca University, one of the world's oldest universities which opened in 1218. Its wonderful library is brimming with old manuscripts dating back before the 19th century. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore Salamanca independently.
Accommodations: , ,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a morning of cruising from Barca D'Alva, we'll disembark in Ferradosa for an excursion along the Porto wine route. We'll visit San Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, two small towns set among the vineyards of the Rio Torto Valley. In São João da Pesqueira, we'll have the opportunity to explore the arcaded main square, the chapel, and see the white houses with their balconies. We'll visit a quinta, or wine cellar, and enjoy a Porto tasting before returning to our ship, now in Pinhão.
Accommodations: , ,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we'll travel to Lamego, a charming episcopal and commercial town where we'll enjoy a guided tour of the city center including the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary. This 18th-century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. After our excursion, we'll return to the ship for afternoon cruising and later, an evening of Fado-themed entertainment.
Accommodations: , ,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we'll venture to UNESCO World Heritage site, Guimaraes, an "exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town." While there, we'll be immersed in the historic center with its magnificent castle and the 1420 Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. The remainder of the day is free to explore independently or shop for last-minute souvenirs and gifts before our farewell dinner this evening.
Accommodations: , ,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast when we disembark the ship in Porto. Travelers who purchased the air-inclusive package will return home with lovely memories of Portugal and the Douro Valley.
Meals: Breakfast
We are working diligently to secure future tour dates and pricing for
this itinerary. Please fill out the "Request a Future Date" form
linked below, and we will notify you once dates are available.
Featured Accommodations
With elegantly furnished rooms, everything at Porto Palácio Hotel & Spa is meticulously tempered with comfort so that every stay is unique.
Av. da Boavista 12694100-130 Porto, Portugal
Website
Built in 2004 and fully renovated in 2014, this first-class, 4-star vessel has a maximum capacity of 134 passengers and was perfectly designed to explore the winding valleys of the Douro River. The restaurant, where all meals are served during the cruise, is located on the lower deck while the lounge and bar, where we'll find evening entertainment and aperitif games, are located on the middle deck. The sun deck features a swimming pool, armchairs, and sun loungers - the perfect place to relax and enjoy panoramic views of the countryside as we cruise. WiFi access where available. The currency on board is the Euro and Visa and Mastercard are accepted for on-ship purchases. The outlets onboard are 220V.
View Cabins and Deck Plans
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 1
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More
Pacing Level: Leisurely
Expect half-day tours most days with a free day in most cities to explore independently. There are few to no early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 4+ nights. Learn More
New in 2025: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in 2025, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.