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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale.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 Essence of the Douro

Nine-day Lisbon and Douro river cruise with rail and escorted touring

Illustration of Lisbon & the Essence of the Douro

Vacations By Rail's Lisbon and Essence of the Douro combines city exploration with a five-night river cruise through Portugal and Spain over nine days. The tour begins with three nights in Lisbon, where you ride a vintage tram through the city and take a train excursion to the hilltop palaces and gardens of Sintra. On day four, you board the cruise ship in Porto and sail the Douro River for five nights, visiting wine estates along the port wine route, exploring the 18th-century Mateus Palace and its Baroque gardens, and taking a coach excursion into Spain to tour Salamanca. Throughout the journey, a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team manage logistics and lead guided tours. Most meals and all included excursions are provided, and dinner comes with drinks onboard the ship. This itinerary suits travelers seeking escorted comfort, couples looking for shared experiences, history enthusiasts drawn to palaces and ancient architecture, and wine lovers interested in tastings and vineyard visits.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price.
  • The tour ends in Pinhão on day 9 with independent travel home; return transfers are not arranged.
  • Mobility Rating 3 indicates substantial walking and activity; confirm physical demands match your fitness level before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lisbon

    Arriving in Lisbon, Portugal's capital

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

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lisbon

    Exploring Lisbon

    A guided tour of Lisbon including a ride in a chartered vintage tram from the 1930s and 40s, finishing in Belém to sample authentic egg tarts, with the rest of the day free.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lisbon

    The colorful palaces of Sintra

    A train journey to Sintra, a former royal summer retreat, with free time to explore Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the gardens of Monserrate Palace, 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 on the Douro River, 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

    A day in Porto and Régua

    A guided tour of Porto's winding 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

    The beauty of Mateus Palace and Gardens

    A coach excursion to the 18th-century Mateus Palace and its gardens, then the historic town of Vila Real, before returning to the ship and cruising to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border, with an onboard flamenco performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Into Spain to the golden city of Salamanca

    A coach journey into Spain to Salamanca, the oldest center of learning in the Hispanic world, with a guided city tour including the House of Shells and Plaza Mayor, and free time to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Uncovering the renowned port wine route

    A cruise downstream to Ferradosa, then an excursion along the port wine route to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, with a tasting at a local quinta, rejoining the ship in Pinhão for a folklore dancing performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9

    Traveling home

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

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A chartered vintage tram from the 1930s and 40s carries you through Lisbon's streets to Belém, where you taste authentic Portuguese egg tarts.
  • Day 3A train journey takes you to Sintra, where you explore Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the gardens of Monserrate Palace before returning to Lisbon by rail.
  • Day 5A guided tour of Porto's winding streets leads to a wine cellar for port wine tasting, followed by a cruise downstream on the Douro to Régua.
  • Day 6An excursion to the 18th-century Mateus Palace and its Baroque gardens, then to Vila Real, before returning to the ship for an onboard flamenco performance.
  • Day 8An excursion along the port wine route visits São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira with a tasting at a local quinta, concluding with a folklore dancing performance in Pinhão.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 5-night cruise onboard MS Gil Eanes or MS Amalia Rodrigues operated by Croisi Europe
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners
  • 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 is included for journeys to Sintra and Porto, as well as all coach travel throughout the tour.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail assigns a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team to escort the group throughout.
What is included in the price?
Three nights in a four-star hotel in Lisbon, five nights aboard the cruise ship, Standard Class rail travel, all coach excursions, 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners, a drinks package with dinner each night on the cruise, and guided tours.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included.
Which cruise ship?
The tour operates aboard MS Gil Eanes or MS Amalia Rodrigues, operated by Croisi Europe.
How much walking is involved?
The activity level is rated as Mobility Rating 3, involving guided city walking tours, palace and garden exploration, and multiple excursions.

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