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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale.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 · Escorted tour

Portugal, Spain & the Douro

15-day escorted rail journey from Biarritz through Spain and Portugal's Douro Valley

Illustration of Portugal, Spain & the Douro

Vacations By Rail's Portugal, Spain and the Douro is a 15-day escorted tour that departs from London St Pancras with a tour manager and returns there at the end. The journey travels by rail and coach from the Basque coast through the Spanish cities of Salamanca and Valladolid into Portugal, with the heart of the trip focused on the Douro Valley and its renowned port wine estates. Days flow between guided city tours, wine experiences, and free time to explore on your own. You stay in four-star hotels in Salamanca, Peso da Régua, Porto, Lisbon, Valladolid, and San Sebastián, with breakfast included daily and eight dinners, featuring local restaurants that reviewers praised highly. The signature moments are the train rides through terraced vineyards on the Douro Valley Line, private wine dinners at historic estates, and visits to palaces in Sintra and historic cathedrals. This tour suits travellers who enjoy guided structure, rail journeys with named trains, food and wine experiences, and European history.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement pricing and final room options at some hotels not published; confirm accommodation tier when booking
  • Day 8 in Porto and day 14 in San Sebastián are free days; the rest of the tour is guided or structured
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; travellers arrange their own transport to London St Pancras

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Biarritz

    A French beginning in Biarritz

    Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar Plus to Paris, then continue by First Class rail to Biarritz.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Salamanca

    Journeying by rail to the 'Golden City', Salamanca

    Transfer by coach over the Spanish border to San Sebastián, then join the rail network via Valladolid Campo Grande to Salamanca.

  3. Day 3overnight: Salamanca

    Discovering the sights of Salamanca

    A morning tour of Salamanca's cathedrals, Baroque city hall, the historic university and Casa de las Conchas.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Peso da Régua

    Traveling into the Douro Valley by rail to Peso da Régua

    Coach transfer to Pocinho, then Portugal's scenic Douro Valley railway to Peso da Régua.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Peso da Régua

    Into the Douro Valley by train and an evening at a wine estate

    Local train to Pinhão for a guided port wine tasting, then an exclusive evening visit and private dinner at the Quinta da Casa Amarela wine estate.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Porto

    Arrival into the picturesque wine city of Porto

    Train to Porto for a three-night stay, with a guided tour of the city including Porto Cathedral and the Palácio da Bolsa.

  7. Day 7overnight: Porto

    Visiting Portugal's original capital, Guimarães, and Taylor's Port

    Coach to Guimarães via the Bom Jesus do Monte shrine, visiting the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, then an evening port wine tasting and dinner at Taylor's Port cellar.

  8. Day 8overnight: Porto

    At leisure amongst the history and charms of Porto

    A full free day and evening to explore Porto independently.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lisbon

    From Porto to captivating Lisbon by high-speed rail

    First Class rail journey to Lisbon for a three-night stay, with the afternoon free to explore.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lisbon

    Sightseeing in Lisbon

    A city tour taking in Alfama, Bairro Alto and the Belém district, including a taste of Pastéis de Belém.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Lisbon

    A day in the forested hills of Sintra

    Train to Sintra to see the Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors and Palacio Nacional, with shuttle bus access included.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Valladolid

    Back across the Spanish border to Valladolid

    Train from Lisbon to the Spanish border, then coach to Valladolid, with free time to explore the Plaza Mayor.

  13. Day 13railovernight: San Sebastián

    To San Sebastián on the Basque coast

    Direct First Class train north to San Sebastián for a two-night stay in La Concha Bay.

  14. Day 14overnight: San Sebastián

    A free day in Basque country

    A free day to explore San Sebastián's beaches and old town, with a final group dinner in the evening.

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward bound

    Coach to Hendaye, then a direct First Class train to Paris and the Eurostar Plus service back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Coach transfer to Pocinho, then a scenic train ride on Portugal's Douro Valley Line through vineyards and terraced slopes to Peso da Régua
  • Day 5Local train to Pinhão for a guided port wine tasting, followed by a private dinner at the Quinta da Casa Amarela wine estate
  • Day 7Coach visit to the Bom Jesus do Monte shrine, then an evening port wine tasting and dinner at Taylor's Port cellar in Porto
  • Day 11Train to Sintra to explore the Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Palacio Nacional with included shuttle bus access

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 14 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • First and Standard Class rail travel
  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class
  • Breakfast each day, 8 dinners
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Salamanca to San Sebastián
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • 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. All rail travel is included: Eurostar Standard Premier from London to Paris, French TGV First Class to and from Biarritz, the Douro Valley Line in Portugal, a high-speed First Class train from Porto to Lisbon, and First Class trains in Spain. Coach travel between some cities is also included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from the start in London through the end at London St Pancras. All guided tours and excursions are led by professionals or local guides.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of USD 5,899 includes 14 nights in four-star hotels, all rail and coach travel, breakfast each day, eight dinners, Eurostar light meals, group luggage transfers from Salamanca to San Sebastián, and all guided tours and excursions.
What cities does the tour visit?
The tour travels from Biarritz through San Sebastián, Salamanca, Valladolid, Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Porto, Guimarães, Lisbon, and Sintra, returning via Valladolid to Hendaye before the train to Paris and Eurostar to London.
How many nights are in each city?
Salamanca 2 nights, Peso da Régua 2 nights, Porto 3 nights, Lisbon 3 nights, Valladolid 1 night, San Sebastián 2 nights. The first and last nights are in transit.
What activities are highlighted?
A private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela in the Douro Valley, evening tastings at Taylor's Port cellar in Porto, a tour of Lisbon including the Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Belém districts, and visits to Sintra's Pena Palace and Castle of the Moors.

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