Overview
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Barcelona airport, you'll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a delightful Welcome Dinner. Stay Two Nights: Barcelona, Hotel Catalonia Eixample 1864 (D)
Explore Barcelona's famous landmarks on a city tour today. Drive to the famous Montjuïc Hill, visit the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, then admire the striking exterior of the iconic Sagrada Família. On foot, your guide will take you through the Old Town and show you the wonders of this beautiful city. (B)
Today, travel by train to Madrid, Spain's lively capital. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore before sitting down to a tapas dinner at a local restaurant. Stay Two Nights: Radisson RED Madrid (B/D)
On a guided tour this morning, visit Palacio Real, residence of the Spanish Royal Family, then see a selection of Madrid's best-loved attractions. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps wander the lawns of Parque del Retiro or browse the Prado Museum. (B)
Today, travel to Toledo for an escorted tour. Explore the Old Town's winding cobbled streets and its majestic 13th-century cathedral before continuing to Córdoba. Stay: Córdoba, NH Amistad (B/D)
Enjoy a guided tour of Córdoba, during which you'll admire the Mezquita of Córdoba, a medieval mosque converted to a cathedral. Continue to Granada, where you'll embark on a tour with an expert guide. Experience a revival of grand Spanish hospitality at Hotel Alhambra Palace. Stay Two Nights: Granada, Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar (B/D)
This morning, pay a visit to the magnificent Alhambra Palace. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Granada. (B)
Travel to Ronda, stopping along the way for your authentic Insider Experience. Set off on a guided tour of Ronda and see the Puente Nuevo and the Plaza de Toros. Stay: Ronda, Catalonia Ronda (B/L)
Insider Experience - Local Olive Oil Farm Immerse yourself in the idyllic countryside surrounding a local olive oil farm. Learn about organic olive oil production and indulge in a tasting. Then, savour a homemade lunch of traditional flavours and regional ingredients.
This morning after breakfast, travel to Jerez and visit the famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Then, continue to Seville. Stay Two Nights: Seville, Catalonia Santa Justa (B/D)
Today, experience the beauty of Seville with a local guide. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Enter Portugal and stop to admire the architecture of World Heritage-listed Evora, before arriving in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Stay Three Nights: Lisbon, Altis Grand Hotel or similar (B)
Explore the Alfama district and visit the iconic Castelo de São Jorge. Then, head to the Belém district to see the World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery and the historic Belém Tower. (B)
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps Enhance Your Journey with an optional visit to nearby Sintra. (B)
Enhance Your Journey - Sintra Travel to the mountain range of Serra de Sintra. After a guided tour of the charming town of Sintra, visit the World Heritage-listed Pena National 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. Stay Seven Nights: aboard your river ship, the MS Estrela (B/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Olive Oil Farm Lunch: Immerse yourself in the idyllic countryside surrounding a local olive oil farm. Learn about organic olive oil production and indulge in a tasting. Then, savour a homemade lunch of traditional flavours and regional ingredients.
- Portuguese Quinta Dinner: Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.
- 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.
- Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change
- Prices are for land/cruise and rail only. Flights are not included unless specified
Life Onboard MS Estrela
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) Most Recent 'Colours of Spain with Douro Discovery' Reviews
Highlights for us, oh sooo many. Let's start with the helicopter flight over Barcelona, a must do. Then there's the home-cooked meal we had in the kitchen of a local Spanish family on the way to Marbella, just fabulous. Next was the visit to Sintra and Cascais where we had lunch at the seaside. Onwards and upwards to the beautiful Douro Serenity, what an elegant ship with happy and friendly staff.
The Douro river is so beautiful dusted with vineyards along the way and quaint villages which we visited. If you like doing a lot of walking then this is the trip for you as the tours through the different villages take up at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours walking. We have come away from this tour making some wonderful new friends who will we keep in contact with via Facebook.
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.
