Exploring the Douro, Plus Madrid - Eastbound
Date
2027-06-18
Duration
7 nights
Departure Port
Porto
Portugal
Arrival Port
Madrid
Spain
Rating
Classic
Theme
—
Tauck
ms Andorinha
Launched
2020
Refitted
—
Tonnage
—
Passengers
—
Cabins
—
Crew
—
Length
—
Width
12 m
Speed
11 knots
Adults Only
No
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Porto
Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.
Day 3
Day 3
Braga
Braga is Portugal's ecclesiastical capital, where the UNESCO-listed Bom Jesus do Monte's 577-step Baroque staircase, a cathedral predating the nation, and over thirty historic churches create one of Europe's most concentrated spiritual landscapes. Visit during Holy Week via Riviera Travel for Portugal's most elaborate Easter processions, vinho verde in the green Minho countryside, and the spiritual depth that earned this city its title as the 'Portuguese Rome.'
Day 4
Day 4
Pinhao
Pinhão sits at the most photographed bend on the Douro River, where impossibly steep terraced vineyards — the schist-stone walls built by hand over centuries — have shaped a valley so beautiful it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and produced port wine for the world since the Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries in 1756. The village railway station, decorated with 24 azulejo tile panels depicting scenes of the grape harvest, is a minor masterpiece of Portuguese folk art that alone justifies a stop. The river cruise between Pinhão and Régua, passing through the heart of the Port wine country, is among the most beautiful journeys in Europe. Visit during the September harvest for an experience of extraordinary sensory richness.
Day 6
Day 6
Pocinho
Pocinho marks the easternmost navigable point of the Douro River — the terminus of the valley where port wine's history began and where the landscape reaches its most elemental and dramatic expression: near-vertical schist slopes terraced into vineyard stairways, the river running silver between them in the early morning light. The restored rabelo boats that once carried casks of wine downriver are now a romanticised memory, but the valley's working quintas welcome visitors for tastings of the upper Douro's increasingly celebrated unfortified wines. The Douro International Natural Park, bordering Spain, protects rare Egyptian vulture colonies on the surrounding plateau. September through October, during harvest, is the unmissable season.
Day 8
Day 8
Salamanca
The port of Salamanca is a jewel in northwestern Spain, celebrated for its stunning sandstone architecture and vibrant academic atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like hornazo and jamón de Guijuelo, as well as exploring the historic Universidad de Salamanca. The best time to visit is during spring or early autumn when the weather is mild and the city is alive with cultural festivities.
Day 1
Porto
Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.
Day 3
Braga
Braga is Portugal's ecclesiastical capital, where the UNESCO-listed Bom Jesus do Monte's 577-step Baroque staircase, a cathedral predating the nation, and over thirty historic churches create one of Europe's most concentrated spiritual landscapes. Visit during Holy Week via Riviera Travel for Portugal's most elaborate Easter processions, vinho verde in the green Minho countryside, and the spiritual depth that earned this city its title as the 'Portuguese Rome.'
Day 4
Pinhao
Pinhão sits at the most photographed bend on the Douro River, where impossibly steep terraced vineyards — the schist-stone walls built by hand over centuries — have shaped a valley so beautiful it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and produced port wine for the world since the Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries in 1756. The village railway station, decorated with 24 azulejo tile panels depicting scenes of the grape harvest, is a minor masterpiece of Portuguese folk art that alone justifies a stop. The river cruise between Pinhão and Régua, passing through the heart of the Port wine country, is among the most beautiful journeys in Europe. Visit during the September harvest for an experience of extraordinary sensory richness.
Day 6
Pocinho
Pocinho marks the easternmost navigable point of the Douro River — the terminus of the valley where port wine's history began and where the landscape reaches its most elemental and dramatic expression: near-vertical schist slopes terraced into vineyard stairways, the river running silver between them in the early morning light. The restored rabelo boats that once carried casks of wine downriver are now a romanticised memory, but the valley's working quintas welcome visitors for tastings of the upper Douro's increasingly celebrated unfortified wines. The Douro International Natural Park, bordering Spain, protects rare Egyptian vulture colonies on the surrounding plateau. September through October, during harvest, is the unmissable season.
Day 8
Salamanca
The port of Salamanca is a jewel in northwestern Spain, celebrated for its stunning sandstone architecture and vibrant academic atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like hornazo and jamón de Guijuelo, as well as exploring the historic Universidad de Salamanca. The best time to visit is during spring or early autumn when the weather is mild and the city is alive with cultural festivities.
Cabin Categories
Category 1 Emerald Deck
Inside
CAT1
2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 150 cm (two beds 200 cm x 75 cm each when separate); 79" x 59" (two beds 79" x 29.5"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds
Stateroom Furnishings:
1 Chair, 2 Nightstands, 1 Desk, Closet, Mirrors
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Towels, Washcloths, Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver (220v only in bathroom), Shower Cap, Soap, lotion, shower gel, conditioner
Stateroom Amenities:
Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above desk, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses
View Details
Category 2 Emerald Deck
Inside
CAT2
2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 156 cm (two beds 200 cm x 78 cm each when separate); 79" x 61" (two beds 79" x 31"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds
Stateroom Furnishings:
1 Side Table, 2 Chairs, 2 Nightstands, 1 Desk, 1 Stool, Mirrors
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner
Stateroom Amenities:
Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair Dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v outlets above nightstands and desk, 110V above desk, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses
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Category 3 Ruby Deck
Inside
CAT3
2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 160 cm (two beds 200 cm x 80 cm each when separate); 79" x 63" (two beds 79" x 31.5"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds
Stateroom Furnishings:
1 Table, 2 Armchairs, 2 Nightstands, Closet, Mirrors
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner, Towels & Washcloths
Stateroom Amenities:
Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above dresser, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses
View Details
Category 4 Diamond Deck
Inside
CAT4
2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 160 cm (two beds 200 cm x 80 cm each when separate); 79" x 63" (two beds 79" x 31.5"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds
Stateroom Furnishings:
1 Table, 2 Armchairs, 2 Nightstands, Closet, Mirrors
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner, Towels & Washcloths
Stateroom Amenities:
Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above dresser, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses
View Details
Category 5 Diamond Deck
Inside
CAT5
2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 180 cm (two beds 200 cm x 90 cm each when separate); 79" x 71" (two beds 79" x 35"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds
Stateroom Furnishings:
Pull-out sleeping sofa 190 cm x 110 cm – 75" x 43", 1 Armchair, 1 Stool, 1 Table, 2 Nightstands, Closet, Mirrors
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per suite), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner
Stateroom Amenities:
220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above dresser, Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses, Cat 5 ONLY: Room-service breakfast featuring continental breakfast with eggs, a shipboard credit (one per stateroom) is provided to be used onboard for spa services, gift shop purchases, etc
View Details
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