Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Porto
You'll arrive in Porto and board the MS Estrela river ship. After settling into your cabin, head up on deck for an illuminations cruise around the city. The lights reflecting off the water give you a nice introduction to Porto's layout and major landmarks before the sun completely sets.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Illuminations cruise around Porto
Landmarks Porto 
- Day 2
Porto
This morning you have three options to choose from. There's a guided walk through Porto's Old Town that includes a cable car ride and port wine tasting, or you can join a cooking demonstration focused on the city's food traditions, or take an active walking tour through the medieval streets and colorful Ribeira quarter. By evening, everyone reconvenes for a guided tour of Palácio da Bolsa, followed by a cocktail reception and traditional fado performance.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Palácio da Bolsa
- Cocktail reception at Palácio da Bolsa
- Traditional fado performance in the Arabian Hall
Optional Activities
- Explore Porto's 16th-century Old Town with scenic cable car ride and port wine tasting
- Cooking demonstration at a traditional restaurant
- Active walking tour through medieval streets and Ribeira old harbour quarter
Landmarks Palácio da Bolsa Porto Old Town Ribeira - Day 3
Porto to Entre-os-Rios
The ship sails through the Douro Valley and you'll reach Entre-os-Rios. You'll pick between two activities for the day. One option takes you to Guimarães, a medieval UNESCO World Heritage city with well-preserved historic architecture. The other heads to Quinta da Aveleda winery in the Vinho Verde region where you can wander the gardens and do a wine and cheese tasting.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Douro Valley
- Wine and cheese tasting at Quinta da Aveleda
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Guimarães with medieval architecture in UNESCO World Heritage city centre
- Winery tour at Quinta da Aveleda
Landmarks Douro Valley Guimarães Quinta da Aveleda - Day 4
Entre-os-Rios to Régua
You cruise into Régua this morning. Start with a visit to the Douro Museum to get some background on the region's wine culture. From there, head to Quinta da Pacheca for a traditional lunch paired with wine tasting, and enjoy views over the Douro River. The estate itself dates back to the 1500s and spreads across 75 hectares of vineyards.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch and tasting at Quinta da Pacheca with views over the Douro River and Régua)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Visit Douro Museum
- Lunch at Quinta da Pacheca with wine tasting
Landmarks Douro Museum Quinta da Pacheca Douro River - Day 5
Régua to Pinhão
Choose your morning activity before returning to the ship as it cruises toward Pinhão. You can explore Lamego, a charming hillside city in the Alto Douro region, visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and trying local pastries. Alternatively, take a trip to the 18th-century Palácio de Mateus near Vila Real, known for appearing on Mateus Rosé wine labels. Spend the afternoon relaxing on deck.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Cruise to Pinhão
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lamego with visit to Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and tasting of Bola de Lamego pastry
- Visit to Palácio de Mateus near Vila Real
Landmarks Lamego Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Palácio de Mateus Vila Real - Day 6
Pinhão
Visit Pinhão Railway Station, a beautiful 19th-century structure with decorative tiled walls showing scenes from port production. From there, you'll head to a local quinta to see how things work. Later in the evening, gather for the captain's farewell dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner (Captain's farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Visit Pinhão Railway Station
- Visit to local quinta
- Captain's farewell dinner
Landmarks Pinhão Railway Station - Day 7
Pinhão to Spain
Take a guided tour of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo with a stop at the castle ruins. Head back to the ship for dinner and settle in for your final night on board as you cruise toward Spain.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo with castle ruins visit
- Dinner on board
- Cruise to Spain
Landmarks Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Castle - Day 8
Spain to Madrid
You'll disembark from the river ship in the morning. Travel by coach to Salamanca for a guided tour, visiting the University of Salamanca and the House of Shells. After that, continue to Madrid where you'll spend your final night with the evening free to explore the city on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VP Plaza España Design (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca including University of Salamanca and House of Shells
- Coach transfer to Madrid
Landmarks University of Salamanca House of Shells Salamanca - Day 9
Departure from Madrid
Have breakfast, then transfer to the airport to head home and wrap up your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
