1-800-935-2620 Speak to a Tour Expert

Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid - Eastbound 2024

Operator
Tauck
Days
12
From
USD $7,690

Dates & Prices

Start Date End Date OffersBrochure
Land Price
Our PriceQuote
From
Wednesday,
Apr 03, 2024
To
Sunday,
Apr 14, 2024
Deals$7,990Get Our PriceGet Quote
From
Wednesday,
May 29, 2024
To
Sunday,
Jun 09, 2024
Deals$8,990Get Our PriceGet Quote
From
Wednesday,
Jun 19, 2024
To
Sunday,
Jun 30, 2024
Deals$8,690Get Our PriceGet Quote
From
Wednesday,
Jul 24, 2024
To
Sunday,
Aug 04, 2024
Deals$7,690Get Our PriceGet Quote

Promotions

Call or submit a quote for award-winning value and service!

Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement

Mention Promo Code: PT4855
Promotion Image

Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement

Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement

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 cabin 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.

Itinerary

Tour 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.

Countries Visited

Portugal , Spain

Cities Visited

Lisbon , Madrid , Porto

  1. Day 1
    Arrive Lisbon

    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 at Leisure or Sintra & Cascais

    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
    Captivating Coimbra & On to Porto

    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   Dinner
  4. Day 4
    Discover Porto, Your Way

    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   Lunch   Dinner
  5. Day 5
    Vinho Verde and the Charms of Guimarães

    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   Lunch   Dinner
  6. Day 6
    Port wine, Peso da Régua, & a special dinner

    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   Lunch   Dinner
  7. Day 7
    Pleasures of Pinhão

    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   Lunch   Dinner
  8. Day 8
    Discover the secrets of Douro vineyards

    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   Lunch   Dinner
  9. Day 9
    Cave Art on the Douro & A Medieval Castle

    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   Lunch   Dinner
  10. Day 10
    Salamanca Sights & Magnificent Madrid

    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
    Palatial Treasures of Madrid

    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   Dinner
  12. Day 12
    Journey Home

    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

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620

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 1-800-935-2620

Accommodations


InterContinental Lisbon
The Westin Palace, Madrid
ms Andorinha

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620

Questions & Answers

Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?

Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.

Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?

Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.

Tauck Tours Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.5
Accommodations
4.4
Itinerary
4.6
Professional Staff
4.7
Repeat with Operator
4.4
Value for Money
4.2

Ratings based off 906 reviews about Tauck Tours - currently showing 15 reviews with comments only

Always enjoy traveling with Tauck, this trip was no different. Our tour leasder was one of the best we have encountered. Weather cooperated very well for a perfect trip.

Can't go wrong with Tauck...outstanding!

We were very impressed with Tauck Tours and would book with them through you again!

We spent more money on this Tauck tour than a Luxury Gold trip to Spain and Portugal (top of the line) which required international travel and was for a longer duration. Also, I've said this before about Tauck. Although a good company, there is too much food offered and too much time spent sitting down to a meal when we could be sightseeing.

Our goals were met and exceeded by Affordable Tours.

Wonderful Tauck Tours..we will travel with them again..thank you for the suggestion..

This is our 7th Tauck tour/river cruise and they have never disappointed.

Our trip was amazing and we had to he most amazing guide Leah she went above and beyond

Ms Lawren Farias was our agent. She went out of her way to make sure that everything went smoothly and it did I would defiitely use her again. She was outstanding.

Maya was absolutely wonderful! I only want to book with her for any future travel.

The Tauck tour exceeded our expectations.Our tour director was exceedingly well informed and organized.She was the best.

The tour was one of our best. Tauck's attention to detail and covering nearly 100% of our costs or fees and booking 5* hotels is why we liked the trip.

Fantastic vacation! Exceeded all our expectations! Trip of a Lifetime!!!

Tauck delivered as promised and more. The tour director was very helpful and knowledgeable. We wouldn't hesitate to book with them again.

You May Also Like


AffordableTours.com® does not itself offer, service or administer the Travel Packages, and the ultimate terms and conditions of any Travel Package made available via the Site Offerings (including the prices quoted in connection with same) will be determined by the applicable Third-Party Travel Service Provider. AffordableTours.com® does not represent or warrant that the Price Quotes are accurate, up-to-date or free of error, or that same will be honored by the applicable Third-Party Travel Service Providers. All Price Quotes, Travel Package availability, Travel Package details/itinerary and other Content are subject to change without notice. All travel details published by and through the Site Offerings should be confirmed directly with the applicable Third-Party Travel Service Provider prior to making any travel plans. Reliance on any information made available to you by and through the Site Offerings is solely at your own risk.

Call Us Now 1-800-935-2620

How It Works

Vacationing has never been easier or cheaper with the help of a dedicated travel consultant from AffordableTours.com

Freq Quote 1. Free Quote

Find your perfect trip on our website and simply request a free quote. Need to speak to a live person? Call us 7 days a week at 1-800-935-2620. No robots here!

Dedicated Travel Consultant 2. Dedicated Travel Consultant

Your personal travel consultant will reach out and be your point of contact for your entire travel experience from start to finish. Did we mention you'll be working with an award winning team? Sweet!

Low Price Guaranteed 3. Lowest Price Guaranteed

Because we're one of the largest sellers of travel, we're able to give you a discount on your vacation package. No one beats our prices!

Stress Free Travel 4. Stress Free Travel

Knowing you got the best deal, all that's left is for you to pack your bags and enjoy your vacation!


Better Business Bureau

AffordableTours.com is a proud recipient of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) awards 2006-2022 with A+ Rating.

It Pays To Refer! Earn Up To $200!

It's simple: Sign up your friends, family, and anyone to us and when they book you will receive an American Express gift card worth up to $200 in the mail for simply referring.

Read About Our Referral Program


Get discounts by Email!