Planet Rail
Porto & Lisbon by First Class Rail & return by air
10 daysfrom $2,264
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Portugal, Spain & the Douro
Enjoy the comfort of First Class rail on our 15-day Portugal and the Douro tour. Our excursions include visits to Porto, Lisbon and a river cruise.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Biarritz
A French beginning in Biarritz
Arrive at London St Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus Class, enjoying a light meal. Continue by First Class rail to Biarritz in southwestern France. Check in to the hotel and walk to a local restaurant on the Grand Plage seafront for a three-course dinner.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Salamanca
Journeying by rail to the 'Golden City', Salamanca
After breakfast, transfer by coach over the Spanish border to San Sebastián. Join the local rail network and travel by train to Salamanca via Valladolid Campo Grande, arriving in the early evening. Check in to the hotel in the heart of Salamanca and dine at a traditional restaurant. Evening stroll through the floodlit Old City.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Salamanca
Discovering the sights of Salamanca
Morning guided tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the two cathedrals, Baroque city hall, Renaissance-era Monterrey Palace, Spain's oldest university (entrance included), and the Casa de las Conchas. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Peso da Régua
Travelling into the Douro Valley by rail to Peso da Régua
Transfer by coach from Salamanca to Pocinho, then join Portugal's most scenic rail route into the UNESCO World Heritage Douro Valley, following the river past terraced vineyards and port quintas to Peso da Régua. Check in to the hotel for two nights and dine in the onsite restaurant overlooking the Douro.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Peso da Régua
Into the Douro Valley by train and an evening at a wine estate
Local train trip to Pinhão. One-hour boat cruise on the Douro passing port wine estates and famous bridges. Return to Peso da Régua for a relaxed afternoon. Evening exclusive visit to Quinta da Casa Amarela for a welcome drink, guided walk, and private dinner with views across the vineyards and the Douro.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Porto
Arrival into the picturesque wine city of Porto
Travel by train west along the Douro to Porto. Free time over lunch, then guided exploration of Porto's upper streets, architecture, Porto Cathedral (with panoramic views), and the Palácio da Bolsa (entrance included). Three-course dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Porto
Visiting Portugal's original capital, Guimarães, and Taylor's Port
Coach to Guimarães, stopping at the shrine of Bom Jesus do Monte. Guided tour of Guimarães including the medieval fortress, Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (entrance included), and Villanova de Gaya. Return to Porto, then evening visit to Taylor's Port wine cellar for port wine tasting and dinner with views over Porto and the Douro.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Porto
At leisure amongst the history and charms of Porto
Full day at leisure in Porto. Options include Livraria Lello bookshop, old trams to the lighthouse, riverside walks, and watching the sunset from the riverfront. Dinner independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 9railovernight: Lisbon
From Porto to captivating Lisbon by high-speed rail
Travel First Class by high-speed rail from Porto to Lisbon, arriving mid-afternoon. Free time to explore: St George's Castle, Principe Real district, Lisbon Botanical Garden, or Praça do Comércio. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Note: April 18th, May 23rd, June 6th & 20th and August 22nd departures stay at the Lumen Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Lisbon
Exclusive vintage tram tour and sightseeing in Lisbon
Unique city tour aboard a specially chartered vintage tram through Alfama and Bairro Alto to the Belem district. Sample pastéis de Belém with coffee. Free afternoon and evening to explore Lisbon independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 11railovernight: Lisbon
A day in the forested hills of Sintra
Train to Sintra, former summer residence of Portuguese royalty. Day ticket includes free shuttle buses to Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Palacio Nacional. Return to Lisbon by train in the afternoon, free evening to explore.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 12railovernight: Valladolid
Back across the Spanish border to Valladolid
Travel by train from Lisbon to a station near the Spanish border, then continue by coach to Valladolid. Check in to the hotel near the railway station. Afternoon and evening free to explore the cathedral, San Pablo Church, National Sculpture Museum, and the atmospheric Plaza Mayor.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 13railovernight: San Sebastián
To San Sebastián on the Basque coast
Walk to the train station and board the direct First Class train north to San Sebastián. Check in to the hotel for two nights. Free afternoon and evening to explore the seafront, old quarter, and enjoy pintxos bar hopping (txikiteo).
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 14overnight: San Sebastián
A free day in Basque country
Full day at leisure in San Sebastián. Options include Playa de la Concha beach, Plaza de la Constitución, Baroque Basilica of Santa María del Coro, San Telmo Museum, and pintxos bar hopping. Final group dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 15rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, transfer by coach to Hendaye station just across the French border. Board the direct First Class train to Paris, then join the Eurostar Plus service to London St Pancras, enjoying a light meal at your seats. Arrive in London this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 14 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus Class travel (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
- Breakfast each day
- 8 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Salamanca to San Sebastián
- All guided tours and excursions
- Entrance to Salamanca University college buildings
- Entrance to Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace), Porto
- Entrance to Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, Guimarães
- Specially chartered vintage tram tour in Lisbon
- Pastéis de Belém tasting with coffee in Lisbon
- Day ticket for Sintra including shuttle buses
- One-hour boat cruise on the Douro River
- Welcome drink and guided walk at Quinta da Casa Amarela
- Port wine tasting at Taylor's Port wine cellar
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
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