Start your journey in Portugal's beautiful capital city, Lisbon. Then travel to Porto to embark your ship and begin to traverse through one of Europe’s wildest and unexplored regions, filled with vineyards, dramatic gorges and steeply terraced hillsides. Visit the small town of Pinhão, a Mecca for wine lovers, the beautiful region of Tras-os-Montes, and the village of Entre-Os-Rios. Conclude your 14-day journey in beautiful Madrid, renowned for its great cultural and artistic heritage.
Highlights
Explore Serra de Sintra, former home to the Portugese royal family
Scenic cruise through the Douro valley, famous for cultivating grapes
Visit one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, Lamego
Tour the historic districts of Spain's capital, Madrid
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free to explore on your own.
Day 2: Lisbon
1 Breakfast
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon sprawls across several hills along the Tagus River. See Belem Tower, a fortified 4-story tower made of limestone, and visit the Late Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the burial place of many Portuguese kings and heroes. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city’s other top sights, such as the Castle of São Jorge or the Santa Justa Elevator that overlooks the castle, river and Rossio Square.
Day 3: Lisbon
1 Breakfast
Enjoy an excursion to Serra de Sintra, former home of the Portuguese royal family, one of the most picturesque mountain villages in Portugal and a source of inspiration for generations of poets. Take a guided tour of the Pena National Palace, a fairy tale castle from Portugal’s Romantic period, situated high up on a rocky peak.
Today leave Lisbon behind and take the TGV high-speed train to Porto to board your ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. The ship moors overnight in Porto.
Your sightseeing tour of Porto reveals 16th-century arcaded buildings, Baroque churches and the magnificent iron bridge built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. You also have a chance to see the elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast. This afternoon, you can explore on your own or take part in a guided hiking tour of Porto where you can explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto, and cross the Dom Luis Bridge. The ship moors overnight in Porto.
An excursion to Guimarães brings you to one of the most historic towns in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy some scenic cruising through the Douro Valley on your way to Entre-os-Rios. This evening, journey to a nearby winery for a delicious Portuguese dinner off ship at Casa de Vila Verde. The ship moors in Entre-os-Rios overnight.
This morning take an excursion to Quinta de Avelada, a historic family-owned wine estate near the city of Penafiel. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the winery followed by a delicious wine and cheese tasting. Afterwards you can enjoy some free time to explore the grounds and admire the estate’s famous gardens. When the ship arrives in Régua, visit the Wine Museum.
Today, take an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). Other attractions include a Gothic cathedral, a museum, and charming cafés. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Quinta da Pacheca where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Douro River and picnic in a terraced vineyard. This afternoon, enjoy the wild, rugged scenery as your ship cruises through the dramatic gorges of the Douro river valley on your way to Pinhão. Upon arrival, enjoy a wine tasting at Quinta Avessada.
After breakfast, take an excursion to the Baroque palace and gardens known as the Palacio de Mateus, located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes near the city of Vila Real. This afternoon enjoy a special lunch and wine tasting at Quinta da Roeda. Afterwards arrive at Quinta do Seixo for an additional port wine tasting, taking time to enjoy the stunning view over the Douro River.
Take in the stunning views along the valley as you cruise from Pinhão to Barca D’Alva. In the afternoon, visit Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified 16th-century village nestled high on a hilltop with many steep, narrow streets. Be sure to stop in the market square to admire the Chafariz dos Pretos, a striking fountain decorated with black faces. The ship arrives in Vega Terrón later this evening, where it moors overnight.
Disembark your ship and head off for a full-day tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. Your guided city tour includes the university buildings, the 12th century Romanesque church of San Martin, the House of Shells, and also some free time to explore the city on your own. Later, transfer to Madrid and check in to your hotel.
Day 12: Madrid
1 Breakfast
Today you have a guided tour of Madrid, the capital and largest city in Spain. Known for its many historic districts as well as its modern infrastructure, the city’s top landmarks include the elaborate Royal Palace, Buen Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and world-renowned art galleries such as the Prado Museum and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.
Day 13: Madrid
1 Breakfast
Enjoy an unforgettable excursion to the walled city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital of Spain. Populated since pre-Roman times, the city’s landmarks include the Alcázar, Cathedral of Toledo and the El Greco Museum.
Day 14: Depart Madrid, Spain
1 Breakfast
Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,249
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Category E
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category D
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category B
Lisbon Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Category A
Porto Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Suite
Porto Deck Balcony, 323 sq. ft.
Notes
Single Supplement for Cruises: 50% of twin price; Suites 100% of twin price.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 131 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 131 reviews on
21 hours ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
Jennifer Howard Schroeder
1 day ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
2 days ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
2 days ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
2 days ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.