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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale.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 & the Douro Valley Cruise

Lisbon, Douro River cruise, and medieval Portugal by rail and ship

Illustration of Lisbon & the Douro Valley Cruise

Vacations By Rail's 11-day Lisbon and Douro Valley Cruise blends city exploration with river travel through Portugal's wine heartland. You begin in Lisbon with three nights at a four-star hotel, taking a guided tour of the azulejo-tiled streets and a day excursion by train to Sintra's palaces. On Day 4, you travel by rail to Porto and embark on the MS Gil Eanes for a seven-night cruise along the Douro River. Each day brings guided excursions: a port wine cellar visit in Porto, Mateus Palace near Vila Real, the golden city of Salamanca across the Spanish border, wine estate tastings on the port route, Lamego's Baroque cathedral with its 700 decorated steps, and the medieval streets of Guimarães. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director escort the group throughout. All rail, coach, and cruise travel are included, as are all meals and a nightly drinks package aboard. This trip suits couples, history enthusiasts, and wine lovers seeking a guided blend of culture and river scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; you arrange your own journey to Lisbon.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the from-price.
  • The fado-themed entertainment on Day 8 may shift to Day 9 depending on your departure date.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lisbon

    Arrival in Portugal's capital, Lisbon

    Arrival in Lisbon and check-in for the first of three nights at a four-star hotel, followed by a first dinner together with the Tour Manager and group.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lisbon

    Exploring Lisbon

    A guided tour of Lisbon's streets and squares, finishing in Belém to sample Belem tarts, with the evening free to explore at your own pace.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lisbon

    Sintra's multi-hued palaces

    A train journey to Sintra, a former royal summer retreat, with free time to explore Pena Palace (advance booking required), Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace's gardens, before returning to Lisbon by train.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship

    To Porto, where we join our cruise ship

    A rail journey to Porto, boarding the cruise ship, followed by a welcome dinner and a panoramic evening coach tour of Porto including São Bento railway station.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Uncovering Porto and onward to Régua

    A guided tour of Porto's streets and a wine cellar visit to sample port wine, then rejoining the ship for lunch and cruising the Douro to Régua.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Visiting Mateus Palace and Gardens

    A coach excursion to the 18th-century Mateus Palace and its gardens, returning to the ship for lunch, then cruising to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border with an onboard flamenco performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    The golden city of Salamanca

    A coach excursion into Spain to Salamanca for a guided walking tour including the House of Shells and Plaza Mayor, with lunch at a local restaurant and a free afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    The renowned Porto wine route

    Cruising downstream to Ferradosa, then an excursion along the port wine route to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira with a quinta tasting, rejoining the ship in Pinhão for dinner and fado-themed entertainment (may instead take place on Day 9 for select departures).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Baroque splendor in Lamego

    A morning tour of Lamego and its Baroque cathedral, famed for its 700 decorated steps, then an afternoon and evening sailing back toward Porto.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Exploring Porto and Guimarães

    A free morning in Porto, perhaps riding the Gaia Cable Car, then a guided tour of the medieval city of Guimarães in the afternoon, followed by a farewell dinner and folk entertainment onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11

    Traveling home

    Arrival back in Porto, disembarking the ship and beginning independent travel home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Train journey to Sintra to explore Pena Palace and the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace
  • Day 5Day 5: Guided wine cellar visit in Porto to sample port wine before cruising the Douro to Régua
  • Day 6Day 6: Visit the 18th-century Mateus Palace and its gardens near Vila Real, followed by an onboard flamenco performance
  • Day 7Day 7: Coach excursion into Spain for a guided walking tour of Salamanca's Plaza Mayor and House of Shells
  • Day 9Day 9: Tour of Lamego's Baroque cathedral, famous for its 700 decorated steps

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Gil Eanes operated by Croisi Europe
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 3 breakfast, 2 dinners on your Lisbon tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on your cruise, including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Superb excursions included

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 train travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel between Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto is included. The price also covers the seven-night cruise and all coach travel.
Is this trip escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort you throughout the 11 days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day on the cruise, plus three breakfasts and two dinners during your Lisbon hotel stay. A drinks package is included with dinner every evening aboard the ship.
What ship do we sail on?
The MS Gil Eanes, operated by CroisiEurope.
How much walking is involved?
The trip has a Mobility Rating of 2, with guided walking tours in Lisbon, Porto, Salamanca, Lamego, and Guimarães, plus stairs in some palaces and cathedrals.
What excursions are included?
Guided tours of Lisbon's streets and Belém, a train day trip to Sintra's palaces, a Porto wine cellar visit, a coach excursion to Mateus Palace, a walking tour of Salamanca, a quinta wine tasting, a tour of Lamego cathedral, a free morning in Porto, and a guided tour of medieval Guimarães.

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