Colours of Spain with Douro Discovery Barcelona to Porto (2025)

Welcome to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Settle in and freshen up before joining your fellow travelers for a delightful welcome dinner.

Today, we delve into the heart of Barcelona. We'll drive up to the famous hill of Montjuic, offering panoramic views of the city, and visit the Catalunya National Art Museum. Our journey continues to Placa d'Espanya and the iconic Sagrada Familia. A guided walk through the Old Town reveals the city's hidden gems.

We bid farewell to Barcelona and board a train to Madrid, the lively capital of Spain. Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore the city's vibrant streets. In the evening, we'll savor a delicious tapas dinner at a local restaurant.

Our exploration of Madrid begins with a guided tour of the Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. We'll then visit some of Madrid's most beloved attractions. The afternoon is yours to relax in the lush Parque del Retiro or explore the vast collection of the Prado Museum.

Today, we travel to the historic city of Toledo. A guided tour takes us through the winding cobbled streets of the Old Town and to the majestic 13th-century cathedral. After soaking in the medieval charm of Toledo, we continue our journey to Cordoba.

Our day begins with a guided tour of Cordoba, where we'll marvel at the Mezquita, a medieval mosque turned cathedral. We then continue to Granada for another guided tour. Tonight, we'll experience Spanish hospitality at its finest at the Hotel Alhambra Palace (or similar).

This morning, we visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace, a testament to Moorish culture in Spain. The afternoon is yours to explore Granada at your leisure. Wander through its charming streets, visit local shops, or simply relax and soak in the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Today, we travel to the picturesque city of Ronda. Enjoy an insider experience before embarking on a guided tour of the city. We'll visit the Puente Nuevo, a stunning bridge spanning the deep gorge that divides the city, and the historic Plaza de Toros.

After breakfast, we journey to Jerez, where we'll visit the renowned Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Witness the grace and precision of the Andalusian horses before we continue our journey to the enchanting city of Seville.

Today, we explore the beauty of Seville with a local guide. This city is a treasure trove of palaces, churches, and magnificent Moorish buildings. After the guided tour, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to join an optional visit to the royal palace of Alcazar.

We leave Spain behind and enter Portugal. Our first stop is the World Heritage-listed city of Evora, known for its well-preserved Roman temple and medieval walls. After admiring its architecture, we continue to Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal.

Today, we discover the charms of Lisbon. We'll explore the historic Alfama district, visit the World Heritage-listed Jeronimos Monastery, and admire the Belem Tower. We'll also visit the Castelo de Sao Jorge, offering panoramic views of the city and the Tagus River.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Lisbon. You can choose to relax and soak in the city's vibrant atmosphere or join an optional visit to the nearby town of Sintra, known for its fairy-tale palaces and castles.

After breakfast, we travel by coach to Vila Nova de Gaia, the hub of Portugal's port wine industry. Upon arrival, we'll board our river ship, our home for the next few days as we cruise along the beautiful Douro River.

Today, we'll participate in a Portuguese language lesson before visiting the picturesque village of Lamego. In the evening, we'll enjoy a memorable dinner at a local quinta in Pinhao, offering a taste of the region's culinary delights.

We cruise across the border into Vega de Terron in Spain. After some leisure time, we'll join an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, a tiny village with well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle, and a magnificent statue of Santiago Matamoros. We'll then return to our ship.

Today, we disembark and travel by coach to the glorious city of Salamanca in Spain. After our insider experience, we return to Portugal and arrive at Barca d'Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro. In the evening, we'll enjoy a traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner on board our ship.

Today, we'll enjoy a history lecture before visiting a local Quinta for a tasting of Portugal's famous port wine. In the afternoon, we'll take a guided tour in Regua and have some free time to visit the Douro Museum, dedicated to the culture and wine of the Douro Valley.

We start the day with a tour to the Gardens and Palace of Mateus. Afterwards, we continue to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios. Upon arrival, you'll have free time to explore this vibrant town at your own pace.

After breakfast, we cruise back to Vila Nova de Gaia. Upon arrival, we'll join a tour of nearby Porto, where we'll visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting. The afternoon is yours to explore Porto at leisure or join an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimaraes. In the evening, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner on board our ship.

Our memorable journey comes to an end. After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Porto Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!