Overview
120
2024
EUTCOPL11
Itinerary
Your adventure begins as you fly into Lisbon today, Portugal's invigorating capital. Upon arrival, be transferred to your centrally located hotel and enjoy free time.
Explore the historic Alfama district and visit the impressive Castelo de São Jorge. Then, head to the Belém district to marvel at the World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Belém Tower.
Enjoy a full day at leisure. You might like to join an optional visit to nearby Sintra.
Enhance Your Journey - Sintra Journey to the Serra de Sintra mountain range. After a guided tour of the charming town of Sintra, visit the World Heritage-listed Pena Palace.
This morning after breakfast, you will travel by coach to Porto where you'll board your river ship. Later this evening, meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception as you take in the sights along the Douro River on a sunset cruise.
Begin cruising 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.
This afternoon you'll visit the picturesque village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated baroque cathedral, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. While in Lamego, visit one of Portugal's best museums. You may also like to sample one of the town's famous specialties, Bola de Lamego, a delicious smoked ham roll. On arrival in Pinhão, you will enjoy an Insider Experience.
Insider Experience - Portuguese Quinta Dinner Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.
Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terrón 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.
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, 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 barbeque dinner.
Insider Experience - Flamenco Show Enjoy a flamenco show and lunch and be entranced by captivating flamenco dancers as they astound you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance.
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 the connection between this beautiful 18th-century palace and Mateus Rose wine for yourself. Rejoin your ship, which is now docked in Régua.
This morning, enjoy an Insider Experience. Afterwards, continue to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this gorgeous, vibrant town as you please.
Insider Experience - Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting 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 breakfast, return to the charming city of Porto. Join a captivating guided tour, taking you past the city's iconic sights, before visiting a local port winery for an informative tour and tasting. This afternoon, there's ample time for you to step back out 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 historic Bolhão food market. Alternatively, you can take an excursion to the nearby city of Guimarães. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends.
Enhance Your Journey - Visit Guimarães Take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães, known as ‘the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality'. See Guimarães Castle and and other historic landmarks that highlight the city's rich heritage.
After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight.
Tour Inclusions
- Flamenco Show: Enjoy Seville's flare for flamenco at the Flamenco Dance Museum.
- Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting: On arrival in Régua, 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.
- Portuguese Quinta Dinner: Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.
- Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change
- Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights are not included unless specified
Life On Board
From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.
Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
Wind through heavenly scenery and discover Portugal by river aboard a brand-new Travelmarvel river ship, the MS Estrela, launched in 2024. Cruise through the sun-kissed Douro Valley, visiting riverside villages and family-owned quintas.
Onboard water stations, tea and coffee, soft drinks, beer & local wine during lunch and dinner are included, along with transfers, tipping and the services of your Travelmarvel Cruise Director and local guides.
Experience a delicious range of Portuguese, Mediterranean and international flavours, expertly prepared by chefs on your river ship. Dine in the main restaurant, savour a light meal in the ship's lounge or dine alfresco on the main lounge's deck.
Trip Reviews (1)
The guided tours and accompanying guides were generally good and we enjoyed them, but often it was quite a lengthy trip away on a bus. We figured we could have simply done a bus tour! We usually found that, where the ship docked, there was little or nothing to do if you didn’t take the excursion. At times, as well, we felt the Tour Director on the boat was too verbose. Simple, straightforward explanations and directions would be been better, especially as over half of the passengers were of an age that complicated explanations meant important information was either not understood or was forgotten. So, if you just wanted a few calm days on a boat with great food and service, it was fine.
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Travelmarvel Europe (2026)
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this cruise. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Travelmarvel. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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