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Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid - Eastbound 2024

From Lisbon, Portugal to Madrid, Spain
Length: 12 Days - Departs: Wed, Jun 19, 2024
Operator
Departure
Jun 19, 2024
Arrival
Jun 30, 2024

Please see below brochure cabin pricing

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Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement on all European River Cruise

Mention Promo Code: PT1572
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Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement on all European River Cruise

Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement on all European River Cruise

Promotion Details
Tauck is now offering solo travelers in Category 1 cabins - no single supplement on all European river cruises. Solo travelers also enjoy savings of $1000 per cabin in select categories on select river cruises. (Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking).
Must Book By Tue, Dec 31, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

Contact one of our Tour Specialists for more information. Offer valid on new bookings only. Savings vary per cabin category on select river cruises. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount. Capacity controlled and may be removed at any time without notice. Certain restrictions may apply; ask at time of booking.


River Cruise Itinerary

Centuries of vineyards, wine and timeless Port traditions along an enchanting "river of gold"… white-painted quinta estates lined with terraced vineyards… Lisbon's treasures from the Age of Discovery and beyond… art and architecture royally inspired and the joys of tapas in Madrid… Cruise through the heart of one of the world's oldest and most beautiful wine regions on a 12-day journey bookended by stays in Lisbon and Madrid, featuring a 7-night cruise aboard Tauck's ms  Andorinha , custom designed for exploring Portugal's "golden" Douro River. Visit  quintas  for wine tastings, hike through vineyards and villages, and discover the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto, where the Douro kisses the Atlantic and timeless Port traditions steal your heart. Spend two nights each in Lisbon, the gate to the "New World," enticing with palaces aplenty and  azulejos  chronicling life from Moorish times to present day – and Madrid, Spain's bigger-than-life capital, with its bar culture and bevy of baroque and belle époque architecture.

  1. Day 1
    Porto, Portugal
    Wed, Jun 19, 2024

    Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Lisbon. A transfer is included from Lisbon Airport to the InterContinental Lisbon, located between Eduardo VII Park, Marques de Pombal Square and the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade. Join us tonight for a private visit and welcome dinner at 18th-century Queluz National Palace, a blend of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical architectural designs graced with gardens inspired by French styles.


    Meals: Dinner
  2. Day 2
    Lisbon, Portugal
    Thu, Jun 20, 2024

    Crafted atop seven hills over centuries, Lisbon is home to cobbled lanes, castles in the clouds and maritime monuments that pay lasting tribute to Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama who changed the world. You'll have a choice of excursions today. Your first choice is city sightseeing in Lisbon; discover landmark places steeped in history, including Eduardo VII Park, Trade Square, the Monument to the Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery where Vasco da Gama and Portugal's kings are buried. Your second choice is also in Lisbon, a robust Lisbon walking tour of the city's terraces for those seeking a more active walk. Alternatively, visit the town of Sintra for a visit to Sintra National Palace, the best preserved medieval residence in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy some free time in Sintra before driving to the seaside town of Cascais for a guided walk in the town's center and lunch before returning to Lisbon. Regardless of your choice, spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the sights of Lisbon as you wish.


    Meals: Breakfast
  3. Day 3
    Porto, Portugal
    Fri, Jun 21, 2024

    Drive back in time to Coimbra, Portugal's medieval capital for more than a century. A walking tour along the tiered cobbled lanes of this hilltop city brings you to its esteemed university, founded here in 1537, where its caped students evoke images of Harry Potter's Hogwarts School, its majestic buildings line squares steeped in history and cloistered arcades lead to architectural showpieces beautiful to behold. Learn about student life, past and present; many of its centuries-old traditions still exist today with time to explore on your own. Continue on to Porto, where Tauck's riverboat, ms Andorinha, is docked on the Douro and awaiting your arrival. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcome reception followed by dinner onboard the ship.


    Meals: Breakfast
  4. Day 4
    Porto, Portugal
    Sat, Jun 22, 2024

    Culturally rich and historically charming, Porto's pleasures are diverse and delightful, blending old and new to reveal a fascinating portrait of the city through art and architecture, wine and food, and magnificent waterfront views. Explore the city by land, river, and air when you ride a historic tram from the Foz Quarter to the medieval riverfront district of Porto, before boarding a water taxi that takes you across the river for a cable car ride to the top of the Luiz I Bride, rewarding with a stunning panorama. Or, if you prefer, join a local guide into the historic heart of Porto. Your tram ride will take you up to the top of the city for a robust walking tour with stops to taste local culinary treats.


    Meals: Breakfast
  5. Day 5
    Guimarães Portugal
    Sun, Jun 23, 2024

    The Douro River cuts a 200-mile path through one the world's most beautiful and prolific wine regions as it makes its way from Porto and the Atlantic Ocean through rugged wilderness to the Spanish frontier. The wine growing regions of the Douro surprise visitors with an array of vintages, young and old. Today unfolds with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, regarded as the birthplace of Portugal and renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings and national monuments. Then, drive to Aveleda to discover uniquely produced "green wines" during a tasting lunch at a quinta in a Vinho Verde vineyard. Green refers to its age not its color; the grapes they use for these wines are typically consumed within three to six months after bottling and can be red, white, or rosé. Chart a course for Peso da Régua this afternoon and dine onboard your riverboat tonight.


    Meals: Breakfast
  6. Day 6
    Peso da Régua Portugal
    Mon, Jun 24, 2024

    Step off the boat into Peso da Régua and begin a day of discovery – you'll learn about the town's historic role in the production of port wine. An important transport junction, this is where barrels of wine were boarded onto traditional rabelos bound for Gaia in the 18th century, where the wine was aged in local lodges. A choice of morning activities includes joining a local guide for a bicycle ride that entices with scenic views of terraced vineyards, or joining a local guide for a visit to a local wine-making estate called a quinta, rewarding with a port cocktail making class. Spend the afternoon cruising the Douro, then tonight entices with a special culinary experience. Dine with a riverside view at DOC, an acronym for "Degustar Ousar Comunicar" (translated: "Taste, Dare, Communicate"), savoring gourmet cuisine by acclaimed chef Rui Paula who delights in blending traditional Portuguese dishes with contemporary fare along with the Douro's famous wines.


    Meals: Breakfast
  7. Day 7
    Pinhão Portugal
    Tue, Jun 25, 2024

    The idyllic village of Pinhão, situated at a scenic bend of Portugal's Douro River, is considered the gateway to the quintas and large wine estates of the Douro River Valley, one of Europe's oldest and revered wine making regions. A choice of shore excursions today includes a walk in pretty Pinhão, nestled in the heart of port wine country, with a visit to its historic tile-covered train station, a vision of blue and white Azulejo tiles – or a vigorous hike through the area's lush, sloping terraced vineyards with striking views of the town and river. Dine onboard the riverboat at your leisure tonight.


    Meals: Breakfast
  8. Day 8
    Pocinho Portugal
    Wed, Jun 26, 2024

    Spend the day enjoying a leisurely cruise in the heart of port wine country, past sloping terraced vineyards and picturesque villages; your riverboat was custom designed for Douro cruising and offers an expansive sun deck for viewing the scenery, cooling off in the pool or enjoying a casual café or cocktail at the rooftop bistro. Disembark in Pocinho for a choice of excursions that include a visit to a wine estate in a local village for a tour, presentation and tasting; activities in Pocinho rotate between this afternoon and tomorrow morning.


    Meals: Breakfast
  9. Day 9
    Barca de Alva Portugal
    Thu, Jun 27, 2024

    20,000 years ago prehistoric man called the Côa Valley home, leaving evidence of their residence on rocks in the Coa Valley. Visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Côa Valley, stunning exhibits of rock art from the valley's Paleolithic era, discovered in the 1990s when excavations began for a Côa River dam. Return to the riverboat; as the river courses its way to Spain, it passes the ruins of hilltop castles hidden in the hills. Disembark in Barca de Alva to visit Castelo Rodrigo, standing watch over the medieval village of Rodrigo since the 13th century when its defensive battlements were built and fought over by both Spain and Portugal. A walking tour of the site reveals remnants of its storied roots on the river, before your cruise continues towards the Spanish border.


    Meals: Breakfast
  10. Day 10
    Madrid, Spain
    Fri, Jun 28, 2024

    Disembark your riverboat and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Salamanca for a guided walking tour of its ancient heart, viewing the "living room of Salamanca," the elegant arcaded Plaza Mayor, its stunning 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral, and its esteemed 800-year-old university, one of the oldest in the world. Continue on to Madrid for a two-night stay at a legendary palace hotel commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912 and located in the heart of the city's renowned art triangle with easy access to its three most famous museums, El Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Tapas tantalize with small bites of local culinary fare on a tasting walk with an expert guide who knows where to find the best samples of this regional specialty.


    Meals: Breakfast
  11. Day 11
    Madrid, Spain
    Sat, Jun 29, 2024

    Choose either a guided one-mile walk – or a short drive via coach – before making your way to Madrid's 18th-century Royal Palace, home to a succession of Spanish kings from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, and reigning today as the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in name only. Your visit to this 2,000+ room jeweled palace, by square feet Europe's largest palace, takes you on a journey through history and time-honored splendor with a local guide as you view rooms and salons overflowing with art treasures and antiques, and gilded, floor to ceiling, with fine fabrics, magnificent mosaics, crystal chandeliers and more. Highlights may include the Reception Room, the State Apartments, the Armory, the Throne Room, the Banquet Room and the Royal Pharmacy. Head-turning art welcomes you to the Museo del Prado, one of the world's premier art museums with over 4,000 works of art masterpieces, including works by iconic Spanish artists Goya and Velázquez, many of them acquired by kings through the ages. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel tonight.


    Meals: Breakfast
  12. Day 12
    Madrid, Spain
    Sun, Jun 30, 2024

    Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid-Barajas Airport or Madrid's Atocha Station. Allow a minimum of 3 ½ hours for flight check-in.


    Meals: Breakfast

Countries Visited

Portugal, Spain

Rivers Visited

Douro

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-342-0019

Inclusions

Centuries of vineyards, wine and timeless Port traditions along an enchanting "river of gold"… white-painted quinta estates lined with terraced vineyards… Lisbon's treasures from the Age of Discovery and beyond… art and architecture royally inspired and the joys of tapas in Madrid… Cruise through the heart of one of the world's oldest and most beautiful wine regions on a 12-day journey bookended by stays in Lisbon and Madrid, featuring a 7-night cruise aboard Tauck's ms Andorinha, custom designed for exploring Portugal's "golden" Douro River. Visit quintas for wine tastings, hike through vineyards and villages, and discover the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto, where the Douro kisses the Atlantic and timeless Port traditions steal your heart. Spend two nights each in Lisbon, the gate to the "New World," enticing with palaces aplenty and azulejos chronicling life from Moorish times to present day – and Madrid, Spain's bigger-than-life capital, with its bar culture and bevy of baroque and belle époque architecture.

  • TAUCK EXCLUSIVE  - Tour and private dinner in Queluz National Palace in Lisbon
  • 7-night cruise aboard a brand new riverboat custom designed to sail on the Douro River
  • A choice of excursions that includes active hikes, a port cocktail-making class, a tour of wine caves, bicycle rides and more valued at $4,142!
  • In-depth exploration of 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain and Portugal
  • Private wine tastings in quintas along the Douro River

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-342-0019

Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Tauck Tours Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.4
Accommodations
4.4
Itinerary
4.5
Professional Staff
4.6
Repeat with Operator
4.4
Value for Money
4.2

Ratings based off 134 reviews about Tauck Tours - currently showing 15 reviews with comments only

We just returned home from our trip. All four of us enjoyed it very much. The river cruise and the land part were very enjoyable .

Great trip-Keukonhof gardens very special. MS Treasures was a lovely boat

We had a marvelous trip. Tauck thinks of everything!!

The Tauck experience was everything we expected it to be. We also appreciated the warm reception as their first cruise on the Danube since the Covid shutdown. Their professional staff navigated the travel restrictions as we moved from country to country and overall elimated those worries for us. Their were 52 (of a possible 130) passengers on board so to say we were given VIP treatment is an understatement. We loved the crew on board the MS Joy as well as the talented Cruise Director and Tour Directors. The experience that they created for us is the reason why we will continue to travel with Tauck and recommend them to others. On a negative note, I was disappointed in the hotel selection in Prague. The InterContinental where we had originally been booked was under renovation. We were shifted to the Hilton which was average at best. Additionally as a Category 7 traveler, we were put in a standard room. Other Category 7 travelers were upgraded to the premium floors which I found irritating.

Tauck is absolutely top notch! They treated us like absolute Royalty on the ship. I would without a doubt highly recommend Tauck for your next vacation.

Very good itinerary and great on board staff, including the Cruise Director, who was immensely helpful when my partner became ill with bronchitis. Local guides in Colmar, Stuttgart, and Amsterdam were very, very good too. Food and drink were plentiful and well-prepared.

This trip was wonderful. Tauck experience is over the top and enjoyed every minute.

Tauck is incredible. I would recommend them to anyone. They think of details I would never have imagined... down to the coins it takes to use a restroom at one of the Christmas markets in Salzburg.

Although our trip was changed due to unforeseen events (low water) Tauck came together to make it better than we could have expected.. many competitors canceled but Tauck made it happen !!!

Once you take a Tauck tour, you'll never go with another Operator. The Tauck experience was incredible and totally worth the money. Can't think of one thing to complain about or would change.

Tauck is everything they promise and more. The room was wonderful, the food was outstanding, the guides were knowledgeable and fun to be with.

It was the first of - I hope- many. Excellent organization and staff.

Enjoyed all aspects of the Tauck Cruise.

It is wonderful to have every detail taken care of with a smile on the face of the staff.

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