Portugal & the Douro

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar to Paris, in Standard Premier Class. In Paris we join the TGV to Biarritz, where we stay overnight. On Day 2, we make our way to the ancient city of Salamanca for two nights. After checking into our hotel in the heart of Salamanca we dine at a traditional restaurant in the city's vibrant main square, Plaza Mayor. The city's beautiful monuments are floodlit at night to dramatic effect and an evening stroll through the Old City is magical.

• Day 1 - Eurostar Meal, Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner

Today we take a guided tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage site - known as the 'Golden City' due to the honey-coloured glow of its sandstone buildings - where Spain's oldest and most distinguished university was established in 1218. We see the city's two wonderful cathedrals, the Baroque city hall - decorated with allegoric figures including Ferdinand VI, Cervantes and St. Theresa - and the Renaissance-era Monterrey Palace. We pass elegant college buildings and see the unusual Casa de las Conchas, its shell-studded medieval façade now housing an extensive public library. Famous alumni of Salamanca include the author of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, the conquistador Hernán Cortés, and the contemporary film director Alexander Payne.

• Breakfast

This morning is a highlight of our tour as we journey into the wonderful Douro Valley. Our day starts with a transfer by coach from Salamanca to Pocinho, a tiny railway station on the banks of the Douro River. Here we join Portugal's most scenic rail route, into the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site of the Douro Valley, to Peso da Régua in the heart of this idyllic region. Our journey closely follows the contours of the river, skirting terraced vineyards and isolated Port 'quintas' - wine-growing estates - which produce the region's fortified wines. We glide past sleepy towns and villages, delightful almond orchards and through dramatic gorges, eventually arriving in Peso da Régua, a small town in a peaceful spot beneath the Serra do Marão mountain. On arrival, we walk the short distance from the station to our hotel, where we check in for two nights. This evening we dine together at our hotel which overlooks the Douro and its verdant riverbanks, and features an outdoor swimming pool.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We travel by train to Pinhão, a small town located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers and the epicentre of this Port-making region. We enjoy a Port tasting on arrival, followed by some free time to explore. We return to Peso da Régua for a relaxed afternoon when you could visit the town's celebrated Douro Museum, which describes the history of Port production in the area. Later, we dine in a beautiful local Port wine estate a short distance from Peso da Régua, in the idyllic Portuguese countryside. The excellent Quinta da Casa Amarela is set in beautiful surroundings with terrific views of the Douro.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We take the train to Porto, a city once regarded as the edge of the known world, for two nights. Exploring the winding streets with our guide, we admire the city's superb architecture, historical townhouses and regal churches before crossing the famous iron bridge. We continue to the district of Foz do Douro, at the mouth of the Douro, where stately villas dot the hills, and pay a visit to the magnificent cathedral at the peak of the Penaventosa Hill, from where we enjoy panoramic views across the city. We also see the Neoclassical Palacio da Bolsa, built in the 19th century as the Stock Exchange Palace, now a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We head to Guimarães today, the first capital of Portugal whose attractive, narrow streets have UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to the city's fantastically well-preserved buildings, dating back to the 10th century. The jewel in Guimarães' crown is the imposing medieval fortress watching over the city. We enjoy a tour through the colourful streets and lively squares before visiting the castle and its gardens as well as Bom Jesus do Monte, known for its grand, ceramic-tiled staircase. Our evening is spent back in Porto at a wonderful Port wine cellar where we enjoy a tasting followed by dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you are free to explore Porto. You could visit Livraria Lello, one of the oldest bookshops in the country. It's hidden behind a glorious Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic façade and features wood panelling, a double spiral staircase and a striking stained glass ceiling. Another unusual destination is Porto's McDonald's, regarded as the most beautiful in the world. Occupying a space previously used by the Imperial Café, a 1930s Portuguese institution, this chain restaurant is an Art Deco treasure with crystal chandeliers, ornate ceilings, a stained glass wall and a giant bronze eagle sat above the familiar logo outside.

• Breakfast

We catch the train to Lisbon for a three-night stay. After checking into our hotel for the next three nights, the rest of your afternoon is free. Lisbon is a delight to explore. A city of many hills and look out points (known as miradouros, in Portuguese), if you're feeling energetic you could hike up to St George's castle to take in the spectacular views, take a relaxed stroll through the Lisbon Botanical Garden or simply wander through the vast open squares of the waterfront into the ancient Ribeira district to sample tempting fresh cuisine such as Bacalhau or Portuguese codfish, complemented by a crisp glass of Portuguese 'vinho verde' wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we enjoy a tour of Portugal's capital by vintage tram and coach. We see the neighbourhood of Alfama, one of the oldest parts of Lisbon, and Barrio Alto - a quirky maze of cobbled streets, bohemian boutiques and traditional bars. We pause at a café along the way for a traditional pastel de nata, the delicious Portuguese custard tart. This evening you are free to continue your exploration of this colourful and enchanting city.

• Breakfast

You have free time in the old Moorish city of Sintra, once the summer residence of Portuguese royalty. Today, Sintra is popular thanks to its whimsical Pena Palace and walled fortress, Castle of the Moors, both set high above the city among the Serra de Sintra. Downtown is the Palacio Nacional, a preserved medieval royal palace, recognised by its two white conical chimneys - now a museum. Back in Lisbon, you may like to start the evening at a rooftop bar in the Barrio Alto, dine at one of the city's many seafood restaurants or seek out an authentic Fado experience.

• Breakfast

Today we travel by train from Lisbon to Guarda, close to the border with Spain, then continue by coach to the attractive Spanish city of Valladolid. After checking into our hotel we enjoy dinner together. The atmospheric Plaza Mayor is the largest square in the whole of Spain, and the soul of the city.

• Breakfast

Arriving in San Sebastián by train, we check into our hotel with plenty of time to explore this afternoon and evening. San Sebastián is one of the most beautiful and charming Basque resorts, and sits within the fashionable La Concha Bay, home to deep, calm waters and a stunning beach area.

• Breakfast

Continue your explorations of San Sebastian today. Regarded as the culinary capital of Spain, the city is also celebrated across the continent for its pintxos, the Basque equivalent of tapas. After a walk along the seafront or through the beautiful old quarter, immerse yourself in local life, stopping off at different eateries for a small plate or two and a drink before moving on, a tradition known as 'txikiteo'. This evening we enjoy our final dinner together, marking the end of our colourful and exuberant Iberian holiday.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Saying goodbye to Spain, we transfer to the station for the train to Paris. From here, we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.