Lisbon and the Heart of the Douro

Travel to Lisbon where you'll stay at the 4-star Mundial Hotel for a three nights. Dinner is included tonight and the rest of your stay is on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

The hotel is set right in the heart of Lisbon in the commercial Baixa Pombalina district, overlooked by medieval St George's Castle.

Discover this historic city on an included morning tour. See the Belém Tower, a Moorish fortification on the banks of the Tagus river that once protected the city from pirates, and the nearby Monument to the Discoveries featuring 33 figures from the Portuguese Age of Exploration on the prow of a ship.

This evening you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Fado dinner and show.

At leisure. Perhaps visit the intricate Jerónimos Monastery, or stroll through the quirky sloping streets of the Bairro Alto district.

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and transfer to Oporto, stopping at the historic city of Coimbra for an orientation walk and lunch en route. The city was once the capital of Portugal and the university here is one of the oldest in Europe.

Embark Spirit of the Douro later this afternoon.

Spend the morning cruising, arriving in Régua this afternoon for an included visit to Mateus Palace and its gardens. Your guide will give you an introduction to the palace which features on the Mateus rosé wine label. Admire the interior and explore the formal gardens during your free time.

Rejoin your ship, and continue your cruise to Pinhão, arriving later this evening. Look forward to a traditional Portuguese folk music show after dinner.

Depart Pinhão early this morning and take in the scenery as you sail towards Vega de Térron. This afternoon, join an included excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval village with a scenic hilltop location. See the 18th-century baroque church and stroll around the village in your own time.

Look forward to a traditional Portuguese dinner back on board your ship.

Today join an included excursion across the border into Spain to the city of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its beautiful old university buildings of golden-coloured stone. The journey here usually takes about two hours, during which your guide will give a talk on the scenery.

After some free time, a light lunch will be served at a local restaurant where a flamenco show will give you a taste of traditional Spanish culture. Then, join a walking tour with a local guide to the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest town squares in Spain.

Return to Spirit of the Douro which will now be in Barca d’Alva and moor overnight.

Depart Barca d’Alva and enjoy the panoramic view as you spend the morning sailing towards Cais de Espinho, arriving after lunch.

This afternoon, visit Quinta do Seixo for an included tour followed by an opportunity to taste their port wines. The ship continues sailing to Pinhão late this afternoon and this evening you’ll visit a local quinta for dinner, with wine and entertainment included.

The ship remains moored in Pinhão overnight.

Cruise to Régua and travel by coach to the attractive city of Lamego. See the elaborate Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, set atop nine steep terraces overlooking the town.

There’ll be free time to explore this baroque church and walk down into the city using the ornate staircase – but be warned, there are almost 700 steps.

Alternatively, take the coach down to the city where you can visit the Gothic cathedral, which in parts dates back to the 12th century. Rejoin your ship in Régua and cruise to Bitetos for an overnight mooring.

Spend the morning at leisure as you sail back towards Oporto. Learn the history of Portugal’s second-largest city on an included tour. This famous centre of port wine production has a scenic setting on the Douro estuary.

The coach tour includes a stop near the Sé Cathedral, which dates from the 12th century, and is where Phillipa of Lancaster married King Joao I of Portugal in 1387 becoming the first and only English queen of Portugal.

Your tour also includes a visit to a port wine cellar where you’ll learn about the production of this famous drink and enjoy a tasting. Remain moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.