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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · River Cruise

Lisbon & Premium Golden Douro

Lisbon city stay plus seven-night Douro River cruise through Portugal and Spain

Illustration of Lisbon & Premium Golden Douro

Vacations By Rail combines a three-night Lisbon city break with a seven-night luxury cruise on the Douro River, blending urban exploration and river relaxation. You begin in Portugal's capital with a guided tour of its famous azulejo-tiled buildings and a day trip to Sintra's ornate palaces, then travel by rail to Porto to board the newly built MS Estrela. The ship carries just 60 cabins and offers five-star service, with daily three-course meals, drinks at dinner, and a barbecue on the sundeck. Shore excursions showcase the Douro Valley's wine estates, historic Spanish Salamanca and its flamenco tradition, the Gothic cathedral in Lamego, and the walled village of Castelo Rodrigo. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director guide you throughout. The pace is leisurely, with included excursions and free time to explore ports on your own, making this trip well suited to couples, wine enthusiasts, history lovers, and travellers seeking guided luxury.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; rail travel is Standard Class on local networks, not premium sleeper service.
  • Days 2 and 3 are swapped on the May 24 departure, and one Trustpilot review noted inconsistent tour management during the Lisbon portion.
  • On Day 10, port tour and Guimarães excursion are a choice, not both included; confirm which suits your interests when booking.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    Disembark after breakfast and transfer independently to Porto airport to begin the journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Lisbon's azulejo-tiled buildings and a visit to Belém to sample traditional pastries.
  • Day 4Embark on the MS Estrela in Porto and cruise the Douro River as the sun sets over Porto's bridges and spires.
  • Day 5Cruise past the Carrapatelo lock, Europe's deepest, on the way to Lamego Cathedral, then dine at a traditional quinta near Pinhão surrounded by vineyards.
  • Day 7Guided tour of Salamanca, Spain's golden city, including the Plaza Mayor and House of Shells, followed by a flamenco performance.
  • Day 9Visit the Quinta de São Luiz, a port wine estate founded in 1638, to learn winemaking and taste authentic port.

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

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 all the train travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel on local networks between Lisbon and Porto is included, as are all coach transfers and the seven-night river cruise.
What ship will I be on?
The MS Estrela, a newly built river cruise ship with 60 cabins offering five-star service, complimentary Wi-Fi, and daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner including a gala dinner.
What meals are included?
Three breakfasts and two dinners during the Lisbon portion; breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the cruise, plus drinks with every dinner onboard.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. Many excursions, including Lisbon, Salamanca, and Porto, are guided; Day 3 in Sintra offers free time to explore at your own pace.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is rated Mobility Level 2, with guided walking tours in cities, access to historic palaces, and coach-based excursions; some stairs and moderate walking are expected.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and the optional onboard Portuguese language and history lessons are not included.

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