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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale.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

Premium Golden Douro

Eight-day Douro River cruise from Porto through Portuguese vineyards and Spanish heritage sites

Illustration of Premium Golden Douro

Vacations By Rail's Premium Golden Douro is an eight-day, seven-night escorted river cruise aboard the MS Estrela, a luxury ship built in 2024 and purpose-designed for the Douro. You depart Porto and cruise through one of Europe's oldest wine regions, visiting medieval Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border, the UNESCO-listed golden city of Salamanca with a flamenco lunch, the ornate Mateus Palace, and a historic port wine estate. Your nights are aboard ship at various moorings; days combine leisurely cruising with guided excursions by coach and on foot. All meals, wines with dinner, onboard entertainment (Portuguese folk music and a sunset cruise), and a superb choice of excursions are included. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team is with you throughout, while day-one and day-eight transfers to the airport are independent. This suits luxury-seeking couples, food-and-wine travellers, and history lovers who want escorted comfort without the pace of hotel hopping.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; you arrange and pay for these separately.
  • Day 1 and Day 8 transfers to and from Porto airport are independent, not guided; you must get to the ship on your own.
  • The from-price is per person and reflects an average daily cost; final pricing may vary by cabin type and season, which are not detailed in the published itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Porto (aboard ship)

    Boarding our luxury ship in Porto

    Land in Porto and transfer independently to the ship. Settle into cabins aboard the MS Estrela (built 2024, 60 cabins), then enjoy a sunset cruise introduction to Porto after dinner. Ship stays moored in Porto overnight.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Pinhão area (aboard ship)

    Lamego Cathedral and dinner at a quinta

    Cruise the Douro past the Barragem do Carrapatelo (Europe's deepest lock). Arrive in Peso da Régua, transfer to Lamego to visit Lamego Cathedral (founded 1129), then dinner at a traditional quinta near Pinhão.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Vega de Terrón (aboard ship)

    Ancient Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border

    Cruise to Vega de Terrón, then coach excursion to the historic walled town of Castelo Rodrigo. Evening barbecue (churrasco) on the sun deck.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Vega de Terrón area (aboard ship)

    Discovering Salamanca, Spain's golden city

    Excursion to Salamanca, guided tour of its UNESCO World Heritage center, lunch with a flamenco performance, then return to the ship for a four-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Peso da Régua (aboard ship)

    Touring ornate Mateus Palace

    Cruise back downstream through vineyard-lined banks. Coach transfer to Vila Real to visit Mateus Palace, then return to the ship in Peso da Régua for dinner and a Portuguese folk music show.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Entre-os-Rios (aboard ship)

    Along the port wine route

    Visit the Quinta de São Luiz port wine estate (founded 1638) for a tour and tastings. Cruise to Entre-os-Rios at the confluence of the Tâmega and Douro rivers, then a four-course Captain's Dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Porto (aboard ship)

    Return to Porto for a guided tour and port tasting

    Sail back to Porto. Choice of a guided Porto walking tour plus port wine cellar tasting, or an excursion to Guimarães. Final dinner together onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Disembark after breakfast and transfer independently to Porto airport.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Sunset cruise introduction to Porto aboard the newly built MS Estrela after settling into cabins
  • Day 2Day 2: Pass through the Barragem do Carrapatelo, Europe's deepest lock, then visit Lamego Cathedral and dine at a traditional quinta
  • Day 3Day 3: Coach excursion to the walled town of Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border, followed by a barbecue on the sun deck
  • Day 4Day 4: Guided tour of Salamanca's UNESCO World Heritage center with lunch and a flamenco performance
  • Day 6Day 6: Port wine tour and tastings at the Quinta de São Luiz, founded 1638, followed by a four-course Captain's Dinner

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Estrela
  • Five-Star service onboard from our English-speaking crew
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your 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 train travel included?
The itinerary includes rail and coach travel throughout the tour. Most transport is by ship; rail and coach segments link excursion sites to ports.
What ship is used?
The MS Estrela, built in 2024, with 60 cabins and five-star onboard service from an English-speaking crew.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, you are escorted throughout by an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team.
What meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the cruise, including spectacular gala dinners. A drinks package is included with dinner each night.
What excursions are included?
Visits to Lamego Cathedral, Castelo Rodrigo, Salamanca with a flamenco performance, Mateus Palace, and the Quinta de São Luiz port wine estate with tastings. On Day 7, you choose between a Porto walking tour with port wine cellar tasting or an excursion to Guimarães.
How much walking is involved?
Mobility Rating 2: city walking tours, stairs in palaces, and luggage handling; you are not climbing hills or hiking.

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