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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Discover the Douro

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

Illustration of Discover 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.

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.
  • Single supplement is substantial: the from-price for a single traveller (GBP 3,699) is nearly 1.5 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

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Gil Eanes, Porto

    To Porto where we board our cruise ship

    Depart from London Gatwick and fly to Porto. On arrival, a coach transfers to the waterfront where the MS Gil Eanes awaits. After settling in, enjoy a welcome drink and first three-course dinner on board, followed by a panoramic evening coach tour of Porto including São Bento railway station with its magnificent azulejos.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Gil Eanes, Porto

    Guided tour of Porto and port wine tasting

    Morning guided tour of Porto's winding streets, azulejo-adorned townhouses, ornate churches and iconic iron bridge. Visit a wine cellar to sample port wine. Afternoon free time to explore independently. Evening drinks, three-course dinner and traditional folk entertainment on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Gil Eanes, Régua

    Exploring historic Guimarães

    Visit the medieval city of Guimarães on a guided tour of its historic Old Town, Gothic fortifications, cobbled squares and traditional timber-framed houses. Free time before returning to Porto. Rejoin the ship for lunch and begin cruising along the Douro to Régua. Evening drinks and three-course dinner with entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: MS Gil Eanes, Vega de Terrón

    The delights of Mateus Palace and Gardens

    Coach excursion to Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece with Italianate exterior, adorned interiors and lush gardens. Explore grand halls, the chapel and winery dating to the 16th century. Return to ship for lunch, then cruise through astounding scenery to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border. Evening three-course dinner with drinks and onboard flamenco performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Gil Eanes, Vega de Terrón

    The golden city of Salamanca

    Coach journey into Spain to Salamanca in the Castille y León region. Optional guided city tour showcasing the House of Shells, Plaza Mayor and magnificent buildings, or a discovery tour with tapas tasting. Free afternoon to explore at leisure. Return to ship for evening drinks and three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Gil Eanes, Pinhão

    The renowned Porto wine route

    Cruise back downstream to Ferradosa. After lunch on board, excursion along the Porto wine route to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, and a visit to a local quinta for port wine tasting. Rejoin the ship in Pinhão. Dinner followed by Fado-themed entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Gil Eanes, Porto

    Baroque splendour in Lamego

    Morning guided tour of Lamego, renowned for its stunning Baroque cathedral with 700 decorated steps. Return to ship for lunch, then a relaxing afternoon and evening of sailing back to Porto. Three-course farewell dinner and traditional Fado performance on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Disembark the ship in Porto. Coach transfer to Porto airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.

    Meals: Breakfast

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

  • Experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Gil Eanes operated by Croisi Europe
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Gatwick to Porto
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise
  • Spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

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.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from London Gatwick, seven-night cruise, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, drinks with dinner each night, all coach travel, all guided excursions, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and a gala farewell dinner with entertainment are included. Not included are travel insurance, gratuities and optional city tour upgrades.
When does this trip depart?
Great Rail Journeys has confirmed departures in May 2027, August 2027 and September 2026.
How much walking is involved?
Expect guided city walking tours in Porto, Guimarães and Lamego, with stairs and cobbled streets. Lamego cathedral involves climbing 700 decorated steps. Otherwise travel is by coach and ship.
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.

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