The Top 6 Best European River Cruises
Jan 26, 2022 · By Vacations By Rail
Six all-inclusive expeditions artfully combine travel on local rail lines with small boat cruising experiences to create a vacation to remember.
Read moreSave $100 per person on an Escorted Rail tour this Summer.
2023 Tour code: GR-DORA-23
About the tour
Located on the sunny Iberian Peninsula, Portugal plays host to this impressive rail and cruise vacation. The tour begins on land, exploring the capital city of Lisbon. From here, we move to Sintra and learn why Portuguese royalty chose this location for their summer retreat. Also in Sintra, we board our train for a resplendent ride through the lush countryside of Portugal to the city of Porto. Here, we board the Douro Serenity and set sail down the "River of Gold," the Douro. The valley that surrounds the Douro is a famed wine region and has a rich history dating back to medieval times and beyond. Ports of call include Regua, from which we travel to Lamego for touring and dinner at a wine estate, and Barca d'Alva, where we stay docked for two days of Spanish excursions. The first day takes us to Castelo Rodrigo, a destination with a heritage dating back to the Roman times; the second day, get acquainted with the beauty and culture of Salamanca through touring and an unforgettable flamenco dancing performance. Back on the ship, we cruise up the Douro once more, making a stop in the Vila Real region to visit 18th-century Mateus Palace. As our cruise ship arrives in Porto, we have one last day of touring and adventure - the ideal conclusion to this vivacious Portuguese discovery.
Highlights
What’s included
Itinerary
Meet your group and Tour Manager at the Hotel Mundial or Hotel Portobay Marques in Lisbon. On arrival, we are greeted with a welcome drink after which you are free to settle into your room. For dinner this evening, we head to our hotel's excellent restaurant for our first meal of the vacation. Afterward, you may wish to acquaint yourself with the city a little before you retire for the night.
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