21 Day Colours of Spain and Portugal with Douro Discovery
Colours of Spain and Portugal with Douro Discovery
Days: 21
From: Barcelona to Porto
Countries Visited: Spain, Portugal
Code: eutcops21
Code_ERC: eutcops21
( Brochure Price: $ 11,190 pp )
Our Price: $10,631 pp
Itinerary
1. Arrive Barcelona
On arrival at the airport in Barcelona, be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.
2. Barcelona
Explore Barcelona’s famous landmarks on a city tour today. Drive to the famous hill of Montjuic, stop at the Catalunya National Art Museum and continue down to Placa d’Espanya on your way to the iconic Sagrada Familia. On foot, your guide will take you through the Old Town and show you the wonders of this beautiful city.
3. Barcelona, Madrid
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.
4. Madrid
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.
5. Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba
Today, travel to Toledo for a guided tour. Explore the Old Town’s winding cobbled streets and its majestic 13th-century cathedral before continuing to Córdoba.
6. Córdoba
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 pay a visit to the magnificent Alhambra.
7. Granada, Marbella
Take a guided tour of Granada. Then enjoy a picturesque drive to Marbella. On the way, stop to savour a lovingly home-cooked meal with a local Spanish family surrounded by olive groves and charming villages.
8. Marbella, Gibraltar
Today, journey to the British overseas territory of Gibraltar for a guided tour. Here, you’ll marvel at the famous Rock of Gibraltar and discover its fascinating history.
9. Marbella, Ronda, Seville
This morning after breakfast, travel to Ronda and see the Puente Nuevo and the Plaza de Toros. Then, continue to Seville.
10. Seville
Today experience the beauty of Seville with a local guide. Then, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to explore as you wish.
11. Seville, Évora, Lisbon
Enter Portugal and stop to admire the architecture of World Heritage-listed Évora before arriving in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
12. Lisbon
Explore the Alfama district and marvel at the World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery. Then, visit the gorgeous Belém Tower and see the Castelo de São Jorge.
13. Lisbon
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps visit nearby Sintra.
14. Lisbon, Vila Nova de Gaia, Embark Ship
After breakfast travel by coach to Vila Nova de Gaia and board the MS Douro Serenity.
15. Régua, Mateus Palace, Pinhão
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. Discover for yourself the connection between this beautiful 18th-century palace and the famous Mateus Rose wine.
16. Vega de Terrón, Castelo Rodrigo
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.
17. 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. Here you’ll enjoy a Flamenco show and lunch. Be entranced by captivating Flamenco dancers as they astound you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance. 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.
18. Régua, Lamego
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a Portuguese cooking demonstration on board as your ship cruises past Pinhão to Régua. After visiting a local quinta, 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. Once an episcopal palace, this beautiful building is home to a vast collection of paintings, tapestries and jewellery. You may also like to sample one of the town’s famous specialties Bola de Lamego, a sumptuous smoked ham roll.
19. Régua, Entre-os-Rios
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.
20. 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 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 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 Guimarães. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner with your new-found friends.
21. Disembark Ship, Depart Porto
After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight.
Cruise Enquiry
For more information about this European river cruise, or to make a booking, please complete the enquiry form below: