- Cruise the Douro Valley’s UNESCO recognized wine region aboard A-Rosa Alva for 7 nights
- Enjoy a walking tour in Sintra
- Stroll the ancient grounds and library of Universidad de Coimbra, one of the world’s oldest universities
- Take a guided tour of Lisbon
- Explore the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, an important pilgrimage site
Portugal & The Douro River Valley
Highlights
Drift into a world of golden vineyards clinging to sun-baked hillsides as you embark on this enchanting journey through one of the oldest and most storied wine regions in the world.
Your adventure begins in vibrant Lisbon, a city of sun-washed plazas and seaside charm, before continuing to the fairytale town of Sintra with its mist-covered palaces and lush forested hills. As you sail into the breathtaking Douro River Valley — home to a thriving wine culture for more than 2,000 years — the scenery transforms into tiered vineyards carved into steep hillsides, each terrace telling the story of generations of vintners.
Glide past enchanting riverside gems such as Régua and Pinhão, where rustic wine estates and traditional Portuguese life unfold at every turn. From the soulful streets of Porto to the peaceful beauty of Barca d’Alva, this cruise blends culture, history, and natural splendor into an unforgettable journey through one of Europe’s most captivating regions.
What Guests are Saying
Moderate
Designed for travelers comfortable with a mix of walking and sightseeing.
Walking distances average 1 mile per day, with some extended periods on foot.
May involve stairs, moderate inclines, and occasional uneven surfaces.
Travel days may vary, with some early departures or longer sightseeing excursions.
Suitable for those looking for a balanced blend of activity and relaxation.
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Tour Includes
1 Country
- Portugal
Locations Visited
- Lisbon
- Sintra
- Leiria
- Coimbra
- Porto
- Douro River Valley
- Régua
- Pinhão
- Vega de Terrón
- Barca d’Alva
- Leverinho
- Fatima
- Cascais
Cruise Accommodations
- 7 nights
- River cruise aboard A-ROSA Alva
Hotel Accommodations
- 4 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- All meals onboard ship
- 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner on land portion
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room and cruise ship cabin throughout your tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Lisbon, Portugal
Tour Ends:
Lisbon, Portugal
Day 1
Depart for Europe
Your journey begins on an overnight flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal
If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. Relax before your included welcome dinner at the hotel begins.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel Marques de Pombal or similar
Day 3
Lisbon and Fatima
Enjoy a guided city tour through Portugal’s coastal capital, watched over by seven picturesque hills. Take in views of Lisbon’s historic cobblestone streets and stately ruins. Tour the grounds of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, filled with incredible sights; from the colonnade, and the chapels, to the Monument of the Berlin Wall. Enjoy your evening at leisure in Fatima.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Regina Fatima or similar
Day 4
Leiria, Coimbra and Porto
Start your morning in Leiria with a self-guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Batalha, commissioned in the 14th century by King John I. Continue to Coimbra, one of Portugal’s loveliest college towns. Enjoy lunch on your own before taking a guided tour of the library and grounds of Universidad de Coimbra, originally founded in 1290. The university is dazzling, and you will visit many of its most impressive sites, including the Great Hall, Baroque Library, and Natural History Collection. Arrive in Porto and enjoy an evening at leisure. You may choose to join us at an optional Fado dinner and show.
Meals: Breakfast
Holiday Inn Porto Gaia or similar
Add-On: Folkloric Fado Show & Dinner
Day 5
Porto with Wine Tasting (board ship after 3pm)
Porto is one of Portugal’s oldest cities, and is a spectacular place to spend the day. First settled around 300 BC, it has since been captured by the Romans, the Moors, and even Napoleon; its historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking city tour and an included port wine tasting at a renowned local vineyard (included)! After your free time and lunch on your own, board A-ROSA’s Alva to enjoy dinner on board before leaving port tomorrow morning. Note: Ship has a small elevator that does not go to the upper deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Régua (1:00 PM–2:00 PM) to Pinhão, Portugal (5:00 PM)
Depart Porto this morning at 7:00 AM and watch the sights of Portugal drift slowly by on your first morning on the Douro. Take in sweeping views of the beautiful countryside of the UNESCO-listed Douro River Valley all the way to Régua. Blessed with near-constant sunshine, Régua has a colorful past as an epicenter of Renaissance-era port wine production and is now the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. Return to the ship, then continue on to dock in Pinhão for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Add-On: Portugal 3-in-1 Shore Excursion (Days 6, 9 & 10)
Day 7
Pinhao, Portugal (Departs at 1:00 PM) to Barca d´Alva, Portugal (Arrives at 7:00 PM)
Begin your day with a few leisurely hours in Pinhão. Surrounded by vineyards, it’s a small town nestled in a particularly scenic riverbend. Look up, and you’ll see lush hills and terraces encircling the city.
Arrive in Barca d’Alva this evening. Nestled at the eastern edge of Portugal, where the Douro River meets the Spanish border, Barca d’Alva is a picturesque village surrounded by dramatic vineyards, rugged hills, and the unspoiled landscapes of the Douro Valley. Known as the final Portuguese stop along the Douro River, the village offers a peaceful atmosphere, scenic riverfront views, and a rich connection to the region’s winemaking heritage.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Barca d'Alva, Portugal (Departs at 12 noon) to Vega Terron (Arrives at 12:30 pm)
This noon, you’ll leave Barca d’Alva behind and sail to Vega Terron in Spain. Located in the province of Salamanca, Vega Terrón is a peaceful river port where the Águeda River flows into the mighty Douro, marking a scenic stretch of the natural border between Spain and Portugal. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and dramatic river landscapes, this charming destination offers visitors a glimpse into the beauty of the Iberian frontier.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
Vega Terron, Spain (Departs at 12.30 pm) to Pinhão, Portugal (Arrives at 6:30 pm)
Set in the heart of Portugal’s celebrated Douro Valley, Pinhão is one of the region’s most picturesque wine villages. Terraced vineyards climb the surrounding hillsides, creating a breathtaking landscape that has shaped the area’s winemaking traditions for centuries. The village serves as a gateway to many renowned wine estates.
Beyond its wine heritage, Pinhão charms visitors with its tranquil riverside setting and authentic character. Narrow streets, traditional architecture, and stunning views of the Douro River invite leisurely exploration. A highlight of any visit is the historic railway station, famous for its beautifully crafted blue-and-white azulejo panels that depict scenes of local vineyard life and the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
Pinhão (Departs 7 am) to Régua (9 am –3 pm) and Leverinho (Arrives 7 pm)
Return this morning to Régua, a beautiful village that played a key role in port wine production in the 18th century. This afternoon, set sail for Leverinho, a tranquil riverside area near the city of Porto in northern Portugal. Overlooking the scenic Douro River, it offers beautiful views of the valley and terraced hillside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
Leverinho (Departs 8:30 am) to Porto (Arrives 10:30 am)
Spend the day in Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Perched along the banks of the Douro River, Porto captivates visitors with its rich history, vibrant culture, and timeless charm. The city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre is a maze of narrow streets, colourful houses, and grand monuments, while its iconic azulejo-covered churches and buildings showcase Portugal’s artistic heritage. Famous as the birthplace of Port wine, Porto also delights with lively riverside cafés, stunning viewpoints, and elegant bridges, making it one of the country’s most unforgettable destinations. Your cruise ship will dock overnight in Porto.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
Disembarkation in Porto (7 am), Sintra, Cascais, and Lisbon
Disembark from your cruise ship and travel by coach to Cascais for a walking panoramic tour, and a delicious included farewell lunch. Continue on to Sintra, located in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains. Sintra is home to charming pastel buildings surrounded by lush terrain. Enjoy an included walking tour of the Old Town and free time for shopping. Arrive in Lisbon for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel Marques de Pombal or similar
Day 13
Depart for Home
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Alva Small Picture Window - SOLD OUT!
Spacious and comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe.
Cabin Category: A
Click to enlarge +
Alva Panorama Window Middle
Spacious and comfortable outside cabin with drop-down panorama window. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe.
Cabin Category: C
Click to enlarge +
Alva Panorama Window Upper
Spacious and comfortable outside cabin with drop-down panorama window. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe.
Cabin Category: D
Click to enlarge +
Reviews
Great side trips and wonderful river cruise.
Competent, helpful leader. Great side trips and wonderful river cruise.
Extremely knowledgable about the culture and history of Portugal.
The tour director, Joao Parracho Filipe, was outstanding in every way. He handled all details with ease and was extremely knowledgable about the culture and history of Portugal.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Folkloric Fado Show with Dinner
Enjoy an evening of traditional Portuguese cuisine accompanied by the soulful and nostalgic music that defines Fado. Fado comes from the latin word fatum, which means fate. Fado-style music focuses on topics such as love, pain, loss, and injustice in society. The slightly somber melody marches perfectly with the deep and romantic personality of the Portuguese people. Fado started in Lisbon in the early 19th century and quickly emerged as a popular form of entertainment in Coimbra and Porto as well. Your tour will begin in your hotel, where your tour manager and coach driver will accompany you for the evening. From there, you will be accompanied to a local restaurant to enjoy Fado music accompanied by a 3-course traditional meal.
Inclusions
-
3 course dinner with drinks. Starter: Cheese board selection, Main course (pre-choice): Codfish with prawns or Black pork from Alentejo with potatoes and vegetables; Dessert: Raspberry tart + coffee; House wines (or drink alternative)
- Folkloric Fado music show (guitar and vocals)
-
Transportation to and from your hotel from included events
Note: Guests will return to the hotel at approximately 11 pm.
Duration: Approx. 5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $159 USD
Portugal 3-in-1 Shore Excursion
Explore more of Portugal with this value-packed add-on that features three experiences: Stairway to Heaven of Lamego, Castelo Rodrigo and The Palace & Gardens of Mateus.
Inclusions
- Take a guided afternoon tour of Lamego, an elegant town and home to one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites. Explore the famous Santuario de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, a baroque church flanked by two 18th century towers.
- Take a morning tour of Figueira Castelo Rodrigo, one of Portugal’s most historically significant villages. Visit the ruins of the medieval Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, then explore a small medieval church before enjoying free time to discover the town on your own.
- Explore the palace and gardens of Casa de Mateus, which dates back to the early 18th century. After a 40-minute guided tour of the house and chapel, take a walk through the palace gardens inspired by the gardens of Versailles.
Note: Shore Excursions will combine bus tour and walking tours into the historic towns.
Duration: Varies
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate
Price: $239 USD
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