Tauck River Cruises, Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid Westbound, September 6, 2023

Cruising from: Madrid, Spain;

Departure Date: 6 September, 2023;

Cruise Line: Tauck River Cruises;

Cruise Ship: MS Andorinha;

Duration: 12 days;

Ports of Call: Madrid, Madrid, Salamanca, Coa Valley, Pinhao, Regua, Guimaraes, Porto, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Lisbon;

Day 0 Madrid, Spain

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. Madrid is a cosmopolitan city that combines the most modern infrastructures and the status as an economic, financial, administrative and service centre, with a large cultural and artistic heritage, a legacy of centuries of exciting history. There are countless little things that make Madrid memorable, whether that's a cafe con leche in a stately square, drinks at a rooftop bar or a wander through the Retiro or Casa de Campo on a sunny day. Madrid is famous for its Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, home to Picasso's Guernica, and Mercado de San Miguel, one of Madrid's oldest and most beautiful markets.

Day 1 Madrid, Spain

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. Madrid is a cosmopolitan city that combines the most modern infrastructures and the status as an economic, financial, administrative and service centre, with a large cultural and artistic heritage, a legacy of centuries of exciting history. There are countless little things that make Madrid memorable, whether that's a cafe con leche in a stately square, drinks at a rooftop bar or a wander through the Retiro or Casa de Campo on a sunny day. Madrid is famous for its Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, home to Picasso's Guernica, and Mercado de San Miguel, one of Madrid's oldest and most beautiful markets.

Day 2 Salamanca, Spain

Salamanca is a city in western Spain and one of the most important university cities. Salamanca attracts thousands of international students. Salamanca has a unique food culture, molded in large part by the ingredients available in the surrounding landscape, as well as by its numerous cultural influences. Its old town has the UNESCO World Heritage designation, and is home to a magnificent ensemble of monuments, with outstanding examples of different architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque. The grand main attractions of the Salamanca city centre are University of Salamanca, Plaza Mayor, Clerecia Church Towers, Casa de las Conchas, and Gardens of Huerto de Calixto y Melibea.

Day 3 Coa Valley, Portugal

Coa Valley, listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 1998, is considered "the most important open-air Palaeolithic rock art site". This archaeological location is divided into two major waterway routes: 30 kilometres along the Coa River - Faia, Penascosa, Quinta da Barca, Ribeira de Piscos, Canada do Inferno and 15 kilometres along the banks of Douro River - Fonte Fireira, Broeira, Foz do Coa, Vermelhosa, Vale de Jose Esteves, Vale de Cabrões. Like a vast open-air gallery, Coa Valley has over one thousand rock with rupestral marks, identified in over 70 different places.

Day 4 Pinhao, Portugal

Pinhao is a small town sitting in a charming bend of the Douro river. This town is surrounded by the hillsides and terraces where one of the world's best wines is made. Besides many wineries, it's worth noting the beautiful train station ornamented with tiles representing images of the vendimia (wine harvest).

Day 5 Regua, Portugal

Peso da Regua, situated on the banks of the River Douro, played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine. Most visitors stop in just long enough to visit the excellent Museu do Douro and get recommendations, maps and directions to nearby wineries. For those who linger, Regua makes a convenient base to visit the port-wine country, cruise the Rio Douro and take a scenic riverside train ride.

Day 6 Guimaraes, Portugal

Guimaraes is a city and municipality located in northern Portugal. It is considered the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques the first king of Portugal, was born here. As a tourist destination, there is a lot to see and do in Guimaraes, since its extensive history is reflected in the variety of national monuments and historic buildings.

Day 7 Porto, Portugal

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europe's most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history, interesting tourist attractions, a buzzing nightlife, and outstanding tourist facilities. There is a lot to see in Porto like gardens or street art & cutting-edge architecture.

Day 8 Porto, Portugal

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europe's most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history, interesting tourist attractions, a buzzing nightlife, and outstanding tourist facilities. There is a lot to see in Porto like gardens or street art & cutting-edge architecture.

Day 9 Coimbra, Portugal

Coimbra, Portugal's historic and fascinating city, is half way between Lisbon and Porto. Coimbra is a varied and captivating city that boasts an extensive history, vibrant atmosphere and a range of interesting tourist attractions. On summer evenings, the city's old stone walls reverberate with the haunting notes of the guitarra and the full, deep voices of fado singers.

Day 10 Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the stunning capital city of Portugal, and is one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities of Europe. It is a city that effortlessly blends traditional heritage with striking modernism and progressive thinking. The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture, and it is a home to numerous prominent museums and art collections, from all around the world.

Day 11 Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the stunning capital city of Portugal, and is one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities of Europe. It is a city that effortlessly blends traditional heritage with striking modernism and progressive thinking. The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture, and it is a home to numerous prominent museums and art collections, from all around the world.