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Bordeaux & Basque by Rail with Douro Discovery

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 Trip Length
19 Days
 Trip Starts
Bordeaux
 Trip Finishes
Porto
19 Day Bordeaux & Basque by Rail with Douro Discovery Itinerary (Travelmarvel)
Countries Explored: France, Spain, Portugal
Trip Style
River Cruise
Accommodation
4 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
Trip Code
EUTCOSJ19

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Travelmarvel's 19 Day Bordeaux & Basque by Rail with Douro Discovery. Journey through France, Spain & Portugal on this rail journey. Visit a Bordeaux Wine Estate, Cruise the Ria de Arousa on a catamaran & enjoy the beauty of Salamanca.

Itinerary

Arrive in Bordeaux today and be transferred to your hotel. Meet your Tour Escort and fellow guests during dinner this evening. Stay Two Nights: Bordeaux, Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons (D)

Join a city tour of Bordeaux before heading to the countryside for your Insider Experience. This afternoon, travel to Saint-Émilion and enjoy a guided walk through this medieval village before free time. (B/L)

Insider Experience: Visit one of Bordeaux's highly esteemed wine estates. Learn about local wine-producing techniques during a tour, then indulge in a delicious lunch with the owners.

Departing Bordeaux, travel by train to Hendaye. From here, a coach will take you across the border into Spain and on to the resort town of San Sebastián, set on the Bay of Biscay in Spain's Basque Country. Enjoy time at leisure then continue to Bilbao and settle in to your hotel before dinner. Stay Three Nights: Bilbao, Meliá Bilbao (B/D)

Today commences with a walk to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Housing a range of contemporary and modern art, this is not only an incredible museum, it's also an architectural wonder in its own right, designed as it was by famous North American architect Frank Gehry. After ample time to explore, ride the city tram to the Ribera Market, set next to Casco Viejo – the city's atmospheric old quarter. Enjoy a guided walk around this beautiful riverside district before the afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. (B)

You'll spend most of today exploring the Basque countryside and visiting vineyards in La Rioja wine region. Enjoy free time to wander the streets of Laguardia, a typical Rioja wine village. Continue on to the town of Haro and explore its many bodegas during time at leisure. (B/L)

Insider Experience: See another Frank Gehry creation – the Marqués de Riscal. This unique Michelin-starred restaurant overlooks its own vineyard.

A wonderful rail journey takes you today from Bilbao to León, a city set along the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James). During a tour, you'll see the brass scallop shells that mark the route of the Camino through the city, as well as a number of historic sites including the Gothic 13th-century Catedral de Léon. After, check in to your hotel before dinner. Stay: León, NH Collection Plaza Mayor (B/D)

Following a free morning, you'll depart León by train, passing through Ponferrada and Ourense, among other cities, on the way to Santiago de Compostela. On arrival, settle in to your hotel and enjoy dinner. Stay Three Nights: Santiago de Compostela, Hotel Eurostars Araguaney (B/D)

During a guided walking tour today, you'll start to become familiar with Santiago de Compostela, the walled medieval cathedral town that marks the end of the Camino de Santiago. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to further explore the city's grand plazas and back alleys. (B)

Explore the towns and villages of the Galician coast today. Call in at Pontevedra and visit the fishing village of Combarro. Then it's on to the peninsula town of O Grove. After enjoying free time in Cambados, indulge in a special dinner in Parador de Santiago de Compostela. (B/D)

Insider Experience: In O Grove, board a catamaran for a cruise on the Ria de Arousa and a visit to a mussel farm.

Rise early this morning and set off on your last rail journey, this time taking you to the bustling Spanish capital of Madrid. Heading south-east, pass through the dry rocky landscapes of central Spain. On arrival in Madrid, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Stay Two Nights: Madrid, Hotel Catalonia Gran Via (B)

This morning brings with it a guided sightseeing tour of Madrid, taking in the city's elegant boulevards and vast parks by coach and on foot, visiting a selection of the city's most intriguing attractions. Look out for the Palacio Real and Retiro Park as well as the Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Cibeles squares. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local Spanish restaurant. (B/D)

After breakfast, fly from Madrid to Porto on your included flight. Be met at the airport and transferred to Vila Nova de Gaia to board your river ship, the MS Douro Serenity. Tonight meet 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 Seven Nights: MS Estrela (B/D)

Today you begin your cruise along the spectacular Douro River. 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 Régua and join an excursion by coach to the splendid Gardens and Palace of Mateus. Tour this living museum which is still owned by the Count of Vila Real. Afterwards, travel by coach to Pinhão for a special dinner. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: 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. Here you'll enjoy an Insider Experience. Afterwards, 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. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: 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.

This morning after breakfast, enjoy a Portuguese cooking demonstration on board as your ship cruises past Pinhão to Régua. On arrival, head to a local quinta, which boasts outstanding views over the Douro Valley. Afterwards, board a coach and take a scenic drive past swathes of expansive vineyards, visiting 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, visit one of Portugal's best museums, home to a vast collection of paintings, tapestries and jewellery. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: Enjoy a tasting of local port wine, Portugal's most famous tipple.

This morning, enjoy free time to explore Régua — 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. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, cruise back to the enchanting city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On arrival, join a tour of nearby Porto, where you'll be led past a collection of the city's most famous attractions, and visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting. This afternoon, there's ample time for you to step back out to explore Porto at leisure. You might choose to take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner. (B/D)

After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Visit a Bordeaux wine estate to learn about local wine-producing and enjoy a lunch of local specialities
  • Enjoy lunch at the Michelin-starred Marqués de Riscal
  • Cruise the Ria de Arousa aboard a catamaran and stop for a tour and tasting at a local mussel farm
  • Savour a delicious dinner at a local quinta, a traditional Portuguese winery, in Pinhão
  • Discover the golden sandstone beauty of Salamanca on a tour, and take in a Flamenco performance
  • Indulge in a port tasting and tour at a local quinta

  • 11 nights in premium accommodation
  • Seven nights on a premium river ship, the MS Estrela
  • Services of a Great Rail Journeys & Tour Escort, Travelmarvel Cruise Director and expert local guides
  • Transfers, port charges and tipping

  • 38 meals – 18 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 13 dinners
  • Onboard water stations, plus tea and coffee, soft drink, beer and local wine during lunch and dinner on your cruise

  • Rail itinerary operated by Travelmarvel's partner Great Rail Journeys
  • Itinerary and hotels may be subject to change
  • Prices include a flight from Madrid to Porto
  • Prices are for land/rail/cruise and flights as specified only
  • Low or high water levels may cause disruption to cruising
  • Order of touring is subject to change
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time 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 Travelmarvel. These 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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