Authentic Europe
Grand Tour of Spain & Portugal
Guided small-group tour from Lisbon to Seville with a National Geographic escort
15 daysfrom $4,979
20% rail
Vacations By Rail · River Cruise
Lisbon & Premium Golden Douro
Explore Portugal's capital before setting sail aboard a luxurious new ship on a seven-night cruise through one of Europe's oldest wine regions.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Lisbon
Arriving in Lisbon, Portugal's capital
Arrival in Lisbon and an independent transfer to the hotel, meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel this evening.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Lisbon
Touring Lisbon's sights
A guided tour of Lisbon's main attractions, finishing in Belém to sample Belém pastries, with the afternoon free to explore at your own pace. Note: on the May 24 departure, Days 2 and 3 are swapped.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Lisbon
Exploring the colorful palaces of Sintra
A visit to Sintra with free time to explore Pena Palace (advance booking required), Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace's gardens, returning to Lisbon for dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Ship (moored in Porto)
Boarding our luxury ship in Porto
A rail journey to Porto to board the newly built MS Estrela (60 cabins), followed by dinner onboard and a sunset cruise introducing Porto's skyline; the ship stays moored in Porto overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Ship
Lamego Cathedral and dinner at a quinta
A leisurely morning cruise past the Barragem do Carrapatelo (Europe's deepest lock) to Peso da Régua, then a transfer to Lamego to visit its Gothic cathedral, followed by a traditional Portuguese dinner at a quinta near Pinhão.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Ship
Ancient Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border
Sailing to Vega de Terrón near the Spanish border, then a coach excursion to the historic walled town of Castelo Rodrigo, followed by a barbecue (churrasco) on the ship's sundeck this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Ship
Discovering Salamanca, Spain's golden city
An excursion into Spain to Salamanca for a guided tour including the House of Shells and Plaza Mayor, followed by lunch and a flamenco performance at a local restaurant, then a four-course dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Ship
Touring ornate Mateus Palace
Cruising back downstream, then a coach transfer to Vila Real to tour the 18th-century Mateus Palace and its gardens, returning to the ship in Peso da Régua for dinner and a Portuguese folk music show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: Ship
Along the port wine route
A visit to the Quinta de São Luiz port wine estate (founded 1638) to learn about winemaking and sample port, then cruising to Entre-os-Rios for a four-course Captain's Dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Ship
Return to Porto for a guided tour and port tasting
A choice of a guided tour of Porto with a wine cellar port tasting, or an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, followed by a final dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11
Homeward bound
Disembark after breakfast and transfer independently to Porto airport to begin the journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Estrela
- Five-Star service onboard from our English-speaking crew
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
- All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
- 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners on your Lisbon tour
- 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
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
- Flights and Airport transfers not included
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