Summary
Short description
Discover the historic towns and world-famous wineries of Portugal's beautiful Douro Valley
British Airways Sale
The British Airways Sale is now on, with superb savings to a wide range of worldwide destinations. Book by 25 January 2025.
Highlights
- Marvel at the ancient wine-making villages & terraced vineyards of Portugal's stunning Douro Valley
- Sample the world-famous ports and wines of the Douro Valley
- Enjoy dinner at a local quinta, a traditional Portuguese winery
- Cross into Spain to explore Salamanca on a guided tour including a traditional Flamenco show
- Enjoy it all from the comfort of APT's brand new MS Estrela river ship
In Brief
- 1 Night Porto
- 1 Night Pinhão
- 1 Night Castelo Rodrigo
- 1 Night Salamanca
- 1 Night Peso da Régua
- 1 Night Entre-os-Rios
- 1 Night Vila Nova de Gaia
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
City | Food & wine | History & culture | Natural world | River cruise
The wine-making villages, historic towns and world-famous vineyards that frame Portugal’s Douro River make for a truly wonderful cruise. Enjoy all that it has to offer aboard APT’s new-for-2024 river ship, MS Estrela, from wine tastings in historic vineyards to tours of medieval cities. After flying to Porto, the colourful jewel of Portugal and gateway to the Douro Valley, you’ll sail among the terraced hills of Pinhao and mountain-framed town of Barca D’Alva. Then, across the border in Spain, you’ll enjoy a tour of Salamanca, before experiencing a flamenco show with lunch. Alongside it all, there’s inclusive dining with complimentary drinks, plus onboard entertainment throughout.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Porto
After enjoying the included airport lounge access, fly to Porto and, on arrival, transfer to Vila Nova de Gaia to embark your river ship, the new for 2024 MS Estrela. Settle in to your stateroom before meeting 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: MS Estrela
Meals: D
Day
2
Regua, Mateus Palace & PInhao
Today you begin your cruise 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. Disembark your ship in Regua and visit the picturesque village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated baroque cathedral the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, an important Portuguese place of pilgrimage. While in Lamego, why not try one of the town's famous specialties, Bola de Lamego, a smoked ham roll. Afterwards, travel by coach to Pinhao.
Stay: MS Estrela
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Vega de Terron & Castelo Rodrigo
Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terron 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 a number of 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.
Stay: MS Estrela
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Salamanca & Barca d'Alva
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' - a captivating flamenco show, with lunch - return by coach back over the border to Barca d’Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro, where your ship awaits. Back on board this evening, enjoy a traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner.
Stay: MS Estrela
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Regua & Mateus Palace
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a Portuguese cooking demonstration on board as your ship cruises to Regua. On arrival, 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. After your Insider Experience, board a coach and 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 for yourself the connection between this beautiful 18th Century palace and Mateus Rose wine.
Stay: MS Estrela
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Regua & Entre-os-Rios
This morning, enjoy free time to explore Regua. You may like to wander along the riverfront, or venture into the lovely Old Town. Afterwards continue on 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.
Stay: MS Estrela
Day
7
Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto
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 Guimaraes. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner with your new-found friends.
Stay: MS Estrela
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Disembark and fly back to the UK
After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your return flight to the UK.
Stay: MS Estrela
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Prices
8-day river cruise
from £2,495 pp incl. flights
Save up to 25% on selected dates
Book by: 31 January 2025
Special offer:
- Save up to 25% on selected departure dates in 2025
- July 2025 dates from just £2,495 pp
Includes:
- Return scheduled flights from the UK to Porto
- Transfers to/from ship
- 7 nights cruise aboard MS Estrela
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, plus on complimentary soft drink, beer and local wine with lunch and dinner on board your cruise
- Unique cultural experiences in up to 11 towns, villages and cities including dinner at a local quinta
- Services of an Travelmarvel Cruise Director
Price varies by departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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