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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise Tour

Lisbon & Premium Golden Douro

Lisbon city stay and seven-night Douro River cruise on luxury MS Estrela

Illustration of Lisbon & Premium Golden Douro

Great Rail Journeys combines Portugal's cultural treasures with luxury river cruising on the MS Estrela, a brand-new ship built in 2024. This 11-day escorted tour opens with three nights in Lisbon, where a guided tour reveals the city's colourful squares and the waterfront district of Belém. Travellers visit the fairytale palaces of Sintra, then board the ship in Porto for a seven-night cruise down the Douro River through Portugal and Spain. Days on the water are punctuated by guided excursions to Lamego Cathedral, the medieval town of Castelo Rodrigo, the UNESCO city of Salamanca with a flamenco performance and lunch, and the 18th-century Mateus Palace. The itinerary includes a Portuguese barbecue on the ship's sundeck, port wine tastings at a historic quinta, and dinner at a traditional quinta near Pinhão. All meals, drinks, tips, and most excursions are included, along with flights from London Gatwick and onboard Wi-Fi.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: October 2026. Confirm availability and book well in advance.
  • The from-price of £4,299 per person applies to shared double occupancy; single supplement from £5,799 is substantially higher (approximately double the base rate).
  • Day 2 and Day 3 are swapped on the 24 May departure, affecting the day-by-day sequence.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lisbon

    Flight to Lisbon, Portugal's capital

    Meeting at London Gatwick, board a direct flight to Portugal and transfer to the Lisbon hotel by coach. Lisbon overlooks the Tagus River across seven hills dotted with elegant palaces, grand squares and verdant parks. Greeted with a welcome drink and dinner on arrival.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lisbon

    Touring Lisbon's sights

    Guided tour of Lisbon's main attractions after breakfast, revealing the brilliant colours of the city, its streets, squares and boulevards. Finish in the waterfront district of Belém, famous for its pastries and grand villas, with a stop to sample Belém pastries. Afternoon free to explore at leisure. Note: on the 24th May departure, Days 2 & 3 are swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Lisbon

    Exploring the colourful palaces of Sintra

    Visit the beautiful town of Sintra, the summer retreat of Portuguese royals, located on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Enjoy time at leisure discovering the history and people behind the magnificent buildings, including the colourful Romanticist Pena Palace (advance booking required). Other options include Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace. Return to Lisbon for dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Estrela (Porto)

    Boarding our luxury ship in Porto

    Travel by rail through the Portuguese countryside to Porto after breakfast. Transfer to the MS Estrela, built in 2024 to navigate the Douro River, with just 60 cabins. Settle into cabins, enjoy first dinner aboard, then a stunning sunset cruise of Porto. Ship stays moored in Porto overnight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Estrela

    Lamego Cathedral and dinner at a quinta

    Set sail during breakfast for a leisurely cruise along the Douro, with a Portuguese language lesson available. Pass the Barragem do Carrapatelo, the deepest lock in Europe. After lunch, arrive in Peso da Régua and transfer to Lamego to visit the Gothic Lamego Cathedral, founded in 1129. Evening transfer to a quinta near Pinhão for a traditional Portuguese dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Estrela

    Ancient Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border

    Sail eastwards to the Spanish border, arriving in Vega de Terrón around lunchtime. Coach journey past olive groves to Castelo Rodrigo, a historic walled medieval town with castle ruins offering spectacular views across to Spain and Portugal. Return to the ship for a churrasco (Portuguese barbecue) on the sun deck.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Estrela

    Discovering Salamanca, Spain's golden city

    Excursion into Spain to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city and academic capital of Spain. Guided tour including the ornate House of Shells, the grand 18th-century Plaza Mayor and the country's oldest university (founded 1218). Lunch at a local restaurant with a flamenco performance. Return to MS Estrela for a four-course dinner with drinks included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Estrela

    Touring ornate Mateus Palace

    Begin cruising back downstream through vineyards and rugged cliffs. Optional Portuguese history lesson onboard. Afternoon coach transfer to Vila Real to visit the magnificent 18th-century Mateus Palace, still owned by the Count of Vila Real. Tour the grand halls and Baroque topiary gardens. Return to the ship in Peso da Régua for dinner followed by a Portuguese folk music show onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Estrela

    Along the port wine route

    Head ashore after breakfast to Quinta de São Luiz, one of the region's most prestigious port wine estates, founded in 1638. Tour the Romilã vineyard, visit the Casa do Alambique and the Chapel of Santa Quitéria, then sample port varieties on the terrace. Cruise through scenery to Entre-os-Rios at the confluence of the Tâmega and Douro rivers. Free time to relax or explore the town before a four-course Captain's Dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: MS Estrela (Porto)

    Return to Porto for a guided tour and port tasting

    Sail back to Porto, arriving mid-morning. Choice of excursions: (1) Guided tour of Porto including azulejo-adorned townhouses, ornate churches and the iconic iron bridge, followed by a port tasting in a wine cellar; or (2) Excursion to Guimarães, the UNESCO World Heritage 'birthplace of Portugal' with well-preserved 10th-century buildings. Free time in the afternoon. Final dinner together onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, disembark and say farewell to the crew. Transfer to the airport and fly back to London Gatwick.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Lisbon reveals the brilliant colours of the city's streets, squares and boulevards, finishing in the waterfront Belém district to sample traditional pastries.
  • Day 3Visit the fairytale Pena Palace in Sintra, the colourful summer retreat of Portuguese royals on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
  • Day 4Board the MS Estrela in Porto and enjoy a sunset cruise of the city's skyline as the ship settles in for the night.
  • Day 6Journey to medieval Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border, a walled historic town with castle ruins offering views across both countries, returning to the ship for Portuguese barbecue on the sundeck.
  • Day 7Excursion to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city, includes a guided tour of the House of Shells and Plaza Mayor, lunch and a flamenco performance.
  • Day 9Visit Quinta de São Luiz, a prestigious port wine estate founded 1638, to tour vineyards and sample port varieties on the terrace.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation in Lisbon
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Estrela with five-star service
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Gatwick to Lisbon and Porto to London Gatwick
  • 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners during the Lisbon portion of the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions
  • All tips and gratuities throughout the cruise (worth up to £100pp)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Standard Class rail travel from Lisbon to Porto and all rail and coach travel throughout the tour. Flights from London Gatwick to Lisbon and return from Porto are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort the group throughout, and guided tours are provided in Lisbon, Porto, and Salamanca. Excursion choices in Porto on Day 10 include a guided tour or an excursion to Guimarães.
What meals and drinks are included?
During the Lisbon portion (Days 1-3), breakfasts and dinners are included at the hotel plus lunch on Day 3. During the seven-night cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day, plus a drinks package with dinner every evening. Tips and gratuities (worth up to £100 per person) are included throughout the cruise.
What is the ship and what are onboard amenities?
The MS Estrela is a brand-new river ship built in 2024 with 60 cabins offering five-star service. Amenities include a lounge, outdoor pool, sun deck with barbecue, outdoor bar, and golf putting green. Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi is available. Optional activities include Portuguese language and history lessons.
What excursions are included?
Included are excursions to Lamego Cathedral, Castelo Rodrigo, Salamanca (with flamenco performance), Mateus Palace, and Quinta de São Luiz port wine estate. On Day 10 in Porto, you choose between a guided tour with port tasting or an excursion to Guimarães. Optional extras include London hotels and UK rail connections.
What is not included?
Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.

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