Essence of the Douro

Your holiday begins today as you arrive at London Gatwick and meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travellers. Together, we board our flight to Portugal, with the charming city of Porto as our destination. This city is famous for the explorers who set out from here to discover the New World, and thus, makes a fantastic starting point for our cruising adventure.

Upon arrival, a coach transfers us to the waterfront, where our floating hotel awaits to welcome us aboard. After getting settled in your cabin, take some time to explore the ship's layout and get acquainted with its amenities. This evening, we enjoy an official welcome with a drink before our first three-course dinner on board.

After, we set out on a panoramic evening coach tour of Porto. We see the preserved areas of the city - a UNESCO World Heritage site - and hop off the coach at the São Bento railway station, where we admire its magnificent azulejos before returning to our ship.

• Dinner

This morning, we begin to discover Porto on a guided tour. We wander its winding streets, steeped in centuries of history. Admire townhouses adorned with intricate azulejos, the ornate details of regal churches, and the iconic iron bridge - an emblem of the city's industrial prowess and architectural ingenuity.

We also visit a wine cellar to sample the city's famous port wine, hearing tales of the region's viticultural legacy and the meticulous craftsmanship behind every drop. From the luscious sweetness of Tawny to the robust complexity of Vintage, each sip unveils a distinct character.

Rejoining our ship for lunch on board, we begin our cruise along the Douro. Enjoy the river's picturesque landscapes enroute to Régua, a town rich in history and culture and surrounded by terraced slopes.

After docking this evening, we enjoy drinks, a three-course dinner and entertainment on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another Portuguese attraction lies ahead this morning as we disembark our ship and make our way by coach to Mateus Palace, one of the most beautiful and astonishing houses in northern Portugal. This 18th-century masterpiece is a delight, with a classic Italianate exterior, beautifully adorned interiors and lush gardens. Our visit includes time to explore the grand halls and carefully preserved rooms of the palace, and then we have time at leisure to explore the property's chapel and winery, which dates to the 16th century.

We also get to experience the historic architecture of the town of Vila Real before returning to our ship for lunch. Settling back in, we spend the afternoon cruising through astounding scenery to Vega de Terrón on the border with Spain. This evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner and a colourful display of music and dance during an on-board flamenco performance.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Soak up the changing views as we venture by coach into Spain and through the countryside to the golden city of Salamanca in the Castille y Léon region today. Known as the academic capital of Spain, this ancient city boasts an impressive array of sandstone university buildings and, founded in 1218, is the country's oldest and most prestigious centre of learning.

On arrival, you can delve into its attractions on one of two optional excursions. The first is a guided city tour showcasing the highlights of Salamanca, including the House of Shells, Plaza Mayor and other magnificent buildings. Alternatively, you could join a discovery tour, which features a tapas tasting.

Afterwards, there is a free afternoon to wander at leisure and discover the city's hidden gems. You might like to continue admiring the architecture of this ancient location or explore Salamanca's culinary side while perusing the Central Market. We return to the ship this evening for drinks and a three-course dinner on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our cruise back downstream through scenic landscapes to Ferradosa today. Spend some time relaxing in the ship's lounge or have a seat on one of the loungers on the sun deck, admiring the views while the route unfolds.

After having lunch on the ship, we discover the wines of Portugal on an excursion along the Porto wine route. Our excursion takes us to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, two small towns set amongst the vineyards on the Rio Torto valley. We also visit a local quinta, where we indulge in a tasting of some of the region's finest ports.

We rejoin our ship in Pinhão this evening, and dinner is followed by a folklore dancing performance, offering another taste of Portuguese culture.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This journey of discovery along the Douro has allowed us to experience the cultures, traditions and flavours of Portugal in memorable ways, both on the ship and while in fantastic ports of call. Having explored favoured Douro destinations, including Porto, Régua, Salamanca, and Pinhão, your holiday draws to a close in Porto this morning.

We say goodbye to our crew and disembark the ship for the final time. A coach transfer takes us from the river to Porto's airport to begin our journey home, landing at London Gatwick later today.

• Breakfast