Lisbon & Exclusive Golden Douro

Meeting at London Gatwick, we board a direct flight to Portugal and are transferred to our Lisbon hotel by coach.

Overlooking the Tagus River, Lisbon's seven hills are dotted with elegant palaces, grand squares and verdant parks. This area of the Iberian Peninsula has been inhabited for thousands of years, and Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in western Europe. As such, the city boasts a culture that has been forged over the centuries. After a devastating earthquake in 1755, the city centre was rebuilt in the Pombaline style, showcasing attractive Enlightenment-era architecture.

On arrival at our hotel in this attractive and historic city, we are greeted with a welcome drink and dinner this evening.

• Dinner

We get to know Portugal's capital on a guided tour of the city's main attractions after breakfast this morning.

As a special touch, part of our tour is enjoyed aboard a specially chartered tram from the 1930s and 40s. Our sightseeing reveals the brilliant colours of Lisbon, and the history of its streets, squares and boulevards. We finish in the waterfront district of Belém, famous for its pastries and grand villas. Here, we stop off at one of the pastry shops to sample the Belém pastries.

This afternoon, you are free to explore the city at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of one of Europe's oldest cities, wander the cobblestone streets and experience the soulful melodies of Fado music at a cosy tavern. You could end your evening by heading to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte - a unique spot with incredible panoramic views over the city and the Tagus River.

• Breakfast

The beautiful town of Sintra is our destination after breakfast today. Located on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, it was the summer retreat of Portuguese royals, and there have been palaces and monasteries here for centuries.

A tantalising selection of summer palaces of all colours and shapes await us here. Enjoy time at leisure in this fairytale landscape, discovering the history and the people behind the magnificent buildings dotting its hills. The jewel in the crown is the joyful Pena Palace*, perched on top of a jagged hill. This colourful Romanticist castle was completed in 1854 and stands on the site of a medieval monastery.

Elsewhere, you could discover the Quinta da Regaleira to view its exuberant pinnacles and mysterious inverted tower, or explore the lush gardens at Monserrate Palace. Returning to Lisbon this evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

*Please note: to enter Pena Palace it is necessary to book in advance.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving the capital after breakfast this morning, we travel by rail through the Portuguese countryside to Porto. This historic city has a long and significant connection with sailing, as it was from here that many famous explorers set out to discover the New World.

On arrival, we transfer to our ship, the MS Estrela, built in 2024 especially to navigate the winding Douro River. Welcomed onboard by our wonderful crew, there's time to settle into our comfortable cabins. With just 60 cabins, it's an intimate and sociable way of exploring this beautiful valley - one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. On the sun deck, you can find seating areas, an outdoor pool, a bar and even a putting green, the ideal place to soak up the vistas as we glide by.

Before our first dinner aboard we enjoy a stunning introduction to Porto on a sunset cruise. With all cruising done during daytime to ensure you see the splendid scenery, our ship stays moored in Porto tonight.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Setting sail during breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely cruise this morning along the winding Douro. Admiring verdant landscapes dotted by bright-white villages, you can also take part in a Portuguese language lesson. One remarkable sight to keep an eye out for is the Barragem do Carrapatelo. Overcoming a difference of nearly 115 feet, this is the deepest lock in Europe.

After lunch, we arrive in Peso da Régua, from where we transfer a short distance to Lamego. Boasting attractive local Baroque architecture, the town has a history stretching back centuries. Our visit includes Lamego Cathedral, founded in 1129 by Portugal's first king. This monumental Gothic cathedral is an important place of pilgrimage and still has its original tower, plus Renaissance details in the cloisters. Inside, we discover vaulted ceilings decorated with beautiful frescoes.

This evening, we transfer to a quinta - an agricultural country estate - near Pinhão to enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner. Enjoying freshly cooked local cuisine, including dessert, is the ideal way to round off our first day of sailing on the Douro.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning as we sail further eastwards to the Spanish border, arriving in Vega de Terrón around lunchtime. There's chance to soak up the views from the sun deck or take a dip in the pool before today's excursion.

Docking in Vega de Terrón, we set off on a scenic coach journey past olive groves to Castelo Rodrigo. This historic walled town of stone cottages and cobbled alleyways is huddled around the crest of a hill and epitomises medieval Portugal. At its centre are the ruins of the castle itself, which we visit to uncover the region's history as well as tales of battles between the Portuguese and the Moors. From this vantage point, the views across terracotta roofs to Spain and Portugal are spectacular.

Returning to the MS Estrela this evening, we gather for our four-course dinner onboard with drinks included.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An excursion into Spain awaits after breakfast as we venture to the golden city of Salamanca, one of the country's most beautiful.

Known as the academic capital of Spain, its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and contains the country's oldest university, founded in 1218. Our guided tour showcases the highlights of this ancient city, including the ornate House of Shells, the grand 18th-century Plaza Mayor and other magnificent buildings. When our tour concludes, we head to a local restaurant for lunch and a flamenco performance, marvelling as the swirling dancers put on a dazzling display.

Back on board our luxury ship this evening, we savour an authentic taste of Portugal as we gather on the sun deck for a barbecue - or churrasco. This special dining experience is both convivial and delicious as we enjoy marinaded items cooked over coals amid the beautiful panoramas.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Beginning our cruise back downstream, we are surrounded by sloping banks of vineyards and rugged cliffs. After breakfast, there's an option to take part in a Portuguese history lesson, enriching our understanding of the country and the landscapes through which we're sailing.

Our destination is Peso da Régua, where we arrive shortly after lunch. On an excursion into Régua, we uncover a town renowned for its importance in the production of port wine. After the tour, there's free time to visit the Douro Museum. The Alto Douro became the world's first-ever demarcated region for wine production in 1756, and it was in Peso da Régua that the barrels were loaded on to specially designed boats called barcos rabelos and sailed down to the caves in Porto.

Later, we experience the region's famed produce for ourselves with a port tasting, sampling varieties of Portugal's most celebrated drink before returning to our ship for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we transfer by coach to historic Vila Real after breakfast to visit the magnificent Mateus Palace.

One of the most beautiful and astonishing stately homes in all of northern Portugal, this 18th-century masterpiece is a delight with its classic Italianate exterior, beautifully decorated interiors and manicured grounds. The palace's architecture blends brilliant-white walls and revealed stonework, while the bold spires immediately catch the eye. Still owned by the Count of Vila Real, we tour this living museum and its gardens, viewing grand halls and Baroque displays of topiary arranged around small ponds. Mateus Palace has also played a significant role in the world of wine and gives its name to a popular variety of rosé.

Returning to our ship, we cruise this afternoon through delightful scenery to Entre-os-Rios at the confluence of the Tâmega and Douro rivers. There's free time to relax onboard or stroll through this small riverside town. Our four-course Captain's Dinner this evening is followed by a Portuguese folk music show onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing back to Porto this morning, we arrive in the city mid-morning where there's a choice of excursions.

You could choose to embark on a guided tour of Porto, exploring the winding streets steeped in centuries of history. We admire townhouses adorned with intricate azulejos, the ornate details of regal churches and the iconic iron bridge - an emblem of the city. Afterwards, we visit a wine cellar to sample port, hearing tales of the meticulous craftsmanship behind every drop while savouring the velvety texture and lingering finish of these exquisite wines. This afternoon, there's free time to continue exploring at leisure.

Alternatively, you could opt to join an excursion to Guimarães. This UNESCO World Heritage city is known as the 'birthplace of Portugal' and boasts many well-preserved 10th-century buildings. Back on board this evening, we gather for our final dinner together.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After exploring Lisbon and the incredible palaces of Sintra, Portugal's golden Douro has been discovered on a luxury river cruise from Porto to the Spanish border. Aboard our brand-new ship, we have explored the history and culture of this beautiful region, while enjoying five-star service as we sailed. Lamego revealed its majestic cathedral and a visit to Mateus Palace showcased Baroque elegance. Entering Spain, a discovery of Salamanca was followed by lunch and a flamenco show, while tastings of port were enjoyed. We also enjoyed cultural experiences aboard our ship, while a churrasco was savoured amid the scenic landscapes of the Douro.

After breakfast, we disembark and say farewell to our wonderful crew. Transferring to the airport, we fly back to London Gatwick where your river cruise holiday comes to an end.

• Breakfast