How much does it cost?

From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

Great Rail Journeys provides an Experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. All excursions to Porto, Guimarães, Salamanca, Lamego and the wine route are guided, and coach transfers are included.

The MS Gil Eanes, operated by Croisi Europe, is the floating hotel for all seven nights.

When does this trip depart?

Great Rail Journeys has confirmed departures in May 2027, August 2027 and September 2026.

Are there any optional extras?

Optional upgrades include a guided city tour of Salamanca, a discovery tour of Salamanca with tapas tasting, flight upgrades, London hotel stays and UK rail connections to Gatwick.

Rail content not confirmed

Not counted among our train tours: no train journey, named train or rail transport recorded in the listing. It stays listed under Great Rail Journeys.

Great Rail Journeys · River Cruise

Discover the Douro

Seven-night river cruise through Portugal and Spain on the Douro

Great Rail Journeys operates Discover the Douro, an eight-day escorted river cruise through Portugal and Spain. After flying from London Gatwick to Porto, you board the MS Gil Eanes for a seven-night voyage along the Douro River through the heart of the Douro Valley. The itinerary balances ship-based relaxation with guided excursions: morning tours of Porto's azulejo-covered streets and historic churches, a day exploring medieval Guimarães with its Gothic fortifications and cobbled squares, a coach journey to the 18th-century Mateus Palace with its winery and gardens, a full-day outing to golden Salamanca in Spain, and a guided morning in Lamego admiring its Baroque cathedral. A highlight is the Porto wine route excursion, where you visit a local quinta to taste port wine among the terraced vineyards. Each evening brings three-course dinners with drinks, live Fado and flamenco entertainment, and a gala farewell dinner on the final night. All meals, flights, coach transfers and excursions are included in the price.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £300 since 4 Jul, to £2,799.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

This is primarily a river cruise with coach excursions; rail travel is not featured despite the operator name. The from-price includes flights, cruise, meals and excursions but does not cover cancellation insurance, gratuities or the optional Salamanca city tour upgrades.
5 times the per-person double rate, a significant premium.
Salamanca excursion is optional; the main day includes free time to explore independently or choose between a guided city tour or a discovery tour with tapas tasting at extra cost.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Porto (onboard)
Fly to Porto to board our ship
Your holiday begins at London Gatwick where you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of the group before boarding our flight to Portugal. Upon arrival in Porto, a coach transfers us to the waterfront, where our floating hotel awaits. This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink before our first three-course dinner on board, followed by a panoramic evening coach tour of Porto.
Day 2overnight: Régua (onboard)
Discovering Porto & Regua
We are introduced to Porto on a guided tour, admiring azulejo-tiled townhouses, regal churches and the iconic iron bridge, with a visit to a wine cellar to sample port wine. Rejoining our ship for lunch, we begin our cruise along the Douro to Régua.
Day 3overnight: Vega de Terrón (onboard)
Visiting Mateus Palace and Gardens
We disembark and travel by coach to Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece near Vila Real, with time to explore its grand halls, chapel and 16th-century winery. Returning to our ship, we cruise to Vega de Terrón on the border with Spain, enjoying a flamenco performance over dinner.
Day 4overnight: Onboard, cruising toward Ferradosa
The Golden City of Salamanca
An excursion by coach into Spain takes us to the golden city of Salamanca, the oldest centre of learning in the Hispanic world, for a guided city tour including the House of Shells and Plaza Mayor, with free time to explore before returning to the ship.
Day 5overnight: Pinhão (onboard)
The renowned port wine route
We cruise back downstream toward Ferradosa, with time to relax on board before an excursion along the Porto wine route to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, including a tasting at a local quinta. We rejoin our ship in Pinhão for a gala dinner.
Day 6overnight: Onboard, cruising toward Porto
Baroque splendour in Lamego
A morning tour of Lamego takes in its Baroque cathedral and famous 700-step staircase. We return to the ship for lunch before a relaxing afternoon and evening of sailing back toward Porto, with Fado-themed entertainment at dinner.
Day 7overnight: Porto (onboard)
Exploring Porto and Guimarães
A morning at leisure in Porto, with the option to ride the Gaia Cable Car, is followed by a visit to the medieval city of Guimarães, known for its 10th-century buildings and castle, on a guided tour. Tonight, a three-course farewell dinner with traditional folk entertainment.
Day 8
Homeward bound
A coach transfer takes us from the riverside to Porto's airport to begin our journey home, landing at London Gatwick this evening.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Evening panoramic coach tour of Porto includes São Bento railway station with its magnificent azulejos tiles and ornate architecture
Day 3Guided exploration of medieval Guimarães reveals cobbled squares, Gothic fortifications, timber-framed houses and the birthplace of Portugal's historic old town
Day 4Coach excursion to Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece with lush gardens, grand halls, chapel and working 16th-century winery
Day 6Porto wine route excursion visits a local quinta for port wine tasting in the heart of the Douro terraced vineyards
Day 7Guided morning tour of Lamego showcases its stunning Baroque cathedral preceded by 700 decorated steps and the historic city centre

Included

Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
7-night cruise onboard MS Gil Eanes operated by CroisiEurope
Excellent service onboard
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Return flights from London Gatwick to Porto
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
A superb choice of excursions

Not included

Tips/gratuities are not included in the price of the cruise
Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Vacations By Railfrom $2,695

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: Great Rail Journeys provides an Experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. All excursions to Porto, Guimarães, Salamanca, Lamego and the wine route are guided, and coach transfers are included.
What ship is used?: The MS Gil Eanes, operated by Croisi Europe, is the floating hotel for all seven nights.
When does this trip depart?: Great Rail Journeys has confirmed departures in May 2027, August 2027 and September 2026.
Are there any optional extras?: Optional upgrades include a guided city tour of Salamanca, a discovery tour of Salamanca with tapas tasting, flight upgrades, London hotel stays and UK rail connections to Gatwick.