Lisbon & the Essence of the Douro

Your Douro cruise holiday begins this morning at London Gatwick, where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Together, we board our flight to Portugal, arriving this afternoon. As our plane touches down in Lisbon, we are greeted by a coach, which takes us to our four-star hotel. We spend the next three nights in the capital of Portugal - a delightful stop before our cruise, with its colourful houses contrasting the deep blue sea and white beaches.

After checking in to our hotel on arrival, you can take some time to relax in your comfortable room or walk around near our hotel, getting acquainted with this vibrant city. This evening, we kick off our journey with a welcome drink at the hotel and our first dinner together in the on-site restaurant.

• Dinner

Our excursion today takes us on a tour of Portugal's intriguing capital city. As a special touch, our outing includes a ride in a specially chartered tram from the 1930s and 40s. Guided by an expert, we uncover the colours of Lisbon and the history of its streets, squares and boulevards. We finish in the waterfront district of Belém, famous for its pastries and grand villas. Here, we stop at one of the local shops to sample authentic Belém egg tarts.

The remainder of the day and evening are yours to explore the city at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of one of Europe's oldest cities, wander the cobblestone streets or experience the soulful melodies of Fado music at a cosy tavern. You could end your sightseeing by heading to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte - a unique spot with incredible panoramic views over the city. For lunch and dinner, Lisbon has an excellent selection of restaurants serving everything from traditional Portuguese favourites to international cuisine.

• Breakfast

After breakfast at our hotel, we walk to Lisbon's train station to travel to the beautiful town of Sintra, located up in the hills behind Lisbon. Once a favourite summer retreat for the Portuguese royals, Sintra is filled with a selection of grand summer palaces in all shapes and hues.

Enjoy time at leisure to discover the history and people behind the magnificent buildings lining the streets. Marvel at Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, and explore the lush gardens at Monserrate Palace, savouring panoramic views. During your visit to this fairytale town, you may also like to wander about Sintra's historic centre, where you can sip Portuguese coffee at one of the many quaint cafés.

We return to Lisbon by train this evening, arriving in time for drinks at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Lisbon this morning, we set out on a rail journey through the Portuguese countryside to the historical city of Porto on the northern coast. This destination sits on the golden Douro River with its buildings stacked up the hillsides and alluring bridges and history lining the riverbanks. Porto is famous for the explorers who set out from here to discover the New World, and thus, makes a lovely beginning point for our cruise.

Upon arrival, a coach transfers us to the waterfront, where our floating hotel awaits to welcome us aboard. Take some time to get settled in your cabin, 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.

• Breakfast, 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 has shown Lisbon's lively ambience and the spectacular summer palaces of Sintra. Joining the Douro on an enchanting cruise 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