2026 Essence of Portugal & Douro DIscovery

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)

Say olá to Portugal’s sunny capital upon arrival at the airport, where you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Lisbon effortlessly blends traditional culture with striking modern architecture. Explore its charming neighbourhoods, taste local specialties, or venture to one of the popular beaches that are accessible from the city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers before spending the rest of the night at leisure.

Discover the wonders of Lisbon. Explore the city’s hilly streets, jump aboard an iconic tram for a scenic journey and finish at Belém Tower, a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, for a picturesque look into Lisbon’s maritime history. Belém is also renowned for being the home of the Portuguese tart, which was invented at the famous Pastéis de Belém in 1837. It’s here in Belém you can enjoy your special Insider Experience. Tonight, join a fado Welcome Dinner. Savour the rich flavours of Lisbon with a delicious dinner while witnessing a powerful fado performance, traditional folk music originating from Lisbon’s neighbourhoods.

At a local bakery, discover the art of making the world-famous Pastel de Nata (Portuguese tarts). Master the culinary skills required to make this sweet pastry with a hands-on lesson led by a local baker. While you bake, learn about the history behind the Pastel de Nata, before the best part: tasting your efforts. (B,D)

Set off on a full-day tour to the charming towns of Sintra and Cascais today. Begin in World Heritage-listed Sintra, a picturesque town stolen from the pages of a fairytale. Set in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, this was once the summer retreat for Lisbon’s nobility and royalty. Now, visitors and locals alike make the journey to Sintra to visit the famous Pena Palace, which is perched atop a hill and boasts stunning panoramas of the surrounds. Admire the palace’s vivid colours, decorative terraces and Romanticist architecture, before exploring its famous gardens.

Continue to Cascais, a coastal resort town flaunting gold, sandy beaches, a popular marina and well-preserved medieval buildings. Enjoy time to explore at your leisure. You might like to sprawl out on one of Cascais’ postcard-perfect beaches, peruse a museum, or enjoy a bite to eat at a local restaurant. (B)

Spend the day further exploring Portugal’s picturesque towns and cities. In Obidos, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval villages, step back in time to an era of knights and folklore as you explore the medieval walls and castle. Continue to Nazare, renowned worldwide for its big-wave surfing. Stroll through the cobblestone lanes, enjoy people-watching at a local café, or relax on the beach. Conclude your day in Coimbra, a historic riverfront city home to Portugal’s oldest university, founded in 1290. Check in to your hotel before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Stay: NH Coimbra Dona Ines or Tivoli Coimbra Hotel or similar

Explore Portugal’s version of Venice when you visit Aveiro this morning. Board a traditional Moliceiro boat and set off on a canal cruise along the city’s historic waterways. Afterwards, explore the vibrant Beira Mar neighbourhood, the oldest area in Aveiro, and discover colourful houses adorned with azulejos tiles, as well as the city’s bustling fish market. Your journey continues to the riverside city of Porto. (B)

Stay: Two Nights, Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina or similar

Begin your day with a walking tour of Porto, learning about the city’s rich history and architecture as you navigate its hilly terrain. Prepare for an exciting Insider Experience before spending the remainder of your day at leisure.

Immerse yourself in local cuisine, wine, and culture during an exclusive wine tasting experience at a private quinta. Accompanying the delicious local wines is a memorable Farewell Lunch, hosted by the quinta owners to celebrate your time here. (B,L)

★Insider Experience: Exclusive Wine Tasting at a Local Quinta

Transfer to the port and embark the Ms Estrela for your seven night Douro cruise (B,D)

Porto, Portugal's vibrant and historic second city, captivates visitors with its unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary energy.

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.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery. (B,L,D)

★Insider Experience — Portuguese Quinta Dinner

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.

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. (B,L,D)

★Insider Experience — Flamenco Show

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.

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. (B,L,D)

★Insider Experience — Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting

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.

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. (B,L,D)

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)