Itinerary Overview
Madrid/Porto (Oporto)
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 Jun 24, 2026 - Madrid
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg Empire and the Prado Museum. Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open late into the night.
Day 2 Jun 25, 2026 - Madrid
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg Empire and the Prado Museum. Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open late into the night.
Day 3 Jun 26, 2026 - Salamanca
The ancient city of Salamanca, famous for its university founded by Alfonso IX in the early 1200s, is well preserved, with turreted palaces, faded convents, Romanesque churches, and colleges that have attracted scholars from all over Europe. Nearly all the attractions are within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor. In its day, Salamanca was ranked with Oxford, Paris, and Bologna as one of "the four leading lights of the medieval world." The intellectual life continues to this day, and a large invasion of American students brings added life to the town in summer. Still a youthful, spirited place because of the venerable Salamanca University, the city has been named a "World Heritage City" by UNESCO, one of six such cities in Spain.
Day 4 Jun 26, 2026 - Barca d'Alva
This tiny village, only a few hundred feet from the Spanish border, sits on the banks of the Douro River. The Douro River Valley is famous for its vineyards and port wine grapes. Also see almond, olive and cherry orchards lining the valley.
Day 5 Jun 27, 2026 - Barca d'Alva
This tiny village, only a few hundred feet from the Spanish border, sits on the banks of the Douro River. The Douro River Valley is famous for its vineyards and port wine grapes. Also see almond, olive and cherry orchards lining the valley.
Day 6 Jun 27, 2026 - Pocinho
Day 7 Jun 28, 2026 - Douro Valley
The Douro Valley in Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site devoted to vineyards. Port wine production and beautiful scenery sculpted by the Douro River are highlights of the region. Enjoy the local cuisine, bike, canoe or cruise along the Douro, and drink in the unforgettable beauty of the area that has inspired many poets, writers, chefs and painters.
Day 8 Jun 28, 2026 - Pinhao
Spectacularly located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers, the small town of Pinhão is the epicenter of the Port winemaking area. Although a sleepy town for most of the year, Pinhão bursts into life in autumn during the annual grape harvest, attracting pickers from all over the country. Popular for its peaceful riverside location and surrounding scenery, Pinhão is a mecca for lovers of fine wine. Built on the site of an 18th century wine estate, the four-star Vintage House Hotel operates regular tastings and courses covering a wide range of aspects, such as the main types, how the wine is made and buying and storing. The railway line passes within view of some of the most famous Port vineyards. Croft’s Quinta da Roeda, Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos and Cockburn’s Tua are all within sight of the train. Further along are two of the grandest of vineyard estates: Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas and the Symingtons’ Quinta do Vesúvio, both of which have their own private railway stations.
Day 9 Jun 29, 2026 - Pinhao
Spectacularly located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers, the small town of Pinhão is the epicenter of the Port winemaking area. Although a sleepy town for most of the year, Pinhão bursts into life in autumn during the annual grape harvest, attracting pickers from all over the country. Popular for its peaceful riverside location and surrounding scenery, Pinhão is a mecca for lovers of fine wine. Built on the site of an 18th century wine estate, the four-star Vintage House Hotel operates regular tastings and courses covering a wide range of aspects, such as the main types, how the wine is made and buying and storing. The railway line passes within view of some of the most famous Port vineyards. Croft’s Quinta da Roeda, Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos and Cockburn’s Tua are all within sight of the train. Further along are two of the grandest of vineyard estates: Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas and the Symingtons’ Quinta do Vesúvio, both of which have their own private railway stations.
Day 10 Jun 29, 2026 - Peso da Regua
Peso da Régua is a town in the north of Portugal, on the River Douro. It has a population of about 10,000 and is in the heart of Portugal's port wine-producing region.
Day 11 Jun 30, 2026 - Peso da Regua
Peso da Régua is a town in the north of Portugal, on the River Douro. It has a population of about 10,000 and is in the heart of Portugal's port wine-producing region.
Day 12 Jul 01, 2026 - Douro Valley
The Douro Valley in Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site devoted to vineyards. Port wine production and beautiful scenery sculpted by the Douro River are highlights of the region. Enjoy the local cuisine, bike, canoe or cruise along the Douro, and drink in the unforgettable beauty of the area that has inspired many poets, writers, chefs and painters.
Day 13 Jul 01, 2026 - Porto (Oporto)
Porto (Oporto), Portugal's second largest city, is full of interest, and the district it heads offers the visitor plenty to see. Along the coast, there are resorts like the cosmopolitan beach of Espinho, busy ports like Matosinhos, with splendid seafood, or traditional fishing towns like Póvoa de Varzim, and there is also an animated casino. Charming Amarante has 17th century mansions overlooking the river and is famous for a sweet egg pastries called "papos de anjo" (angel bellies). In Vila Nova de Gaia, there are lodges where Port wine is blended and aged and where tasting are offered, or visitors may take a river cruise along the Douro. The whole district is filled with prosperous towns, but there are also many calm roads with wonderful views over the river and a rugged and still unspoilt coastline.
Day 14 Jul 02, 2026 - Porto (Oporto)
Porto (Oporto), Portugal's second largest city, is full of interest, and the district it heads offers the visitor plenty to see. Along the coast, there are resorts like the cosmopolitan beach of Espinho, busy ports like Matosinhos, with splendid seafood, or traditional fishing towns like Póvoa de Varzim, and there is also an animated casino. Charming Amarante has 17th century mansions overlooking the river and is famous for a sweet egg pastries called "papos de anjo" (angel bellies). In Vila Nova de Gaia, there are lodges where Port wine is blended and aged and where tasting are offered, or visitors may take a river cruise along the Douro. The whole district is filled with prosperous towns, but there are also many calm roads with wonderful views over the river and a rugged and still unspoilt coastline.
Day 15 Jul 03, 2026 - Porto (Oporto)
Porto (Oporto), Portugal's second largest city, is full of interest, and the district it heads offers the visitor plenty to see. Along the coast, there are resorts like the cosmopolitan beach of Espinho, busy ports like Matosinhos, with splendid seafood, or traditional fishing towns like Póvoa de Varzim, and there is also an animated casino. Charming Amarante has 17th century mansions overlooking the river and is famous for a sweet egg pastries called "papos de anjo" (angel bellies). In Vila Nova de Gaia, there are lodges where Port wine is blended and aged and where tasting are offered, or visitors may take a river cruise along the Douro. The whole district is filled with prosperous towns, but there are also many calm roads with wonderful views over the river and a rugged and still unspoilt coastline.
Stateroom Categories
Included Inclusions & Amenities
EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Three-wheel taxi tour of Porto's historic center
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Choice of a vineyard hike or kayaking on the Douro River
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Bicycle tour through Vinho Verde wine country
TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES
- Seven nights on the Douro aboard a new riverboat designed for Tauck
- Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,773
- A bicycle tour of Porto's colorful Ribeira district
- Ride a 4x4 in search of prehistoric art at an archaeological site in Foz Côa
- Walking tour of medieval Salamanca and its university, founded in 1218
- Visit to the Museu do Douro, a museum of local viniculture in Peso de Régua
- Guided visits to the Royal Palace and the Museo del Prado in Madrid
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
- Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks
- 23 meals; service charges, gratuities to local guides, mission fees, taxes and porterage
Trip Summary
Pricing Terms & Remarks
Special Solo Traveler Savings – No Single Supplement in Category 1: On all departures, the single price in Category 1 is the same as the double price – no single supplement, which means savings of up to 50% for solo travelers!
$500 Child Savings: Children 12 and under
Shipboard Credit for Category 5 Staterooms: a €80 shipboard credit (one per stateroom) is provided to guests booked in a Category 5 stateroom to be used for onboard purchases or services (spa, laundry, gift shop, etc.)
Please note: Children under 18 must be booked in a cabin with at least one adult. Accommodations for families of 3 or 4 in Categories 1 through 5 consist of two adjacent, but not connecting, double cabins. Triple and quadruple accommodations in Category 5 consist of a suite featuring a pillow-top queen-sized bed (with optional twin-bed capacity) and a full-sized pull-out couch. Please note that Category 5 suites can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults over the age of 18, or of 2 adults plus 2 children (only available on Bridges family cruises).
Recommended age: 8+: minimum age for our Tauck Bridges river cruises is 4 years
Gratuities to Tauck Cruise Director, Tauck Directors, local guides, drivers & ship staff included: Cruise price per person, based on double occupancy, includes cruise fare, most meals, port charges, shore excursions, and applicable fuel surcharges. Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks.
Itinerary Changes: Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice.
Shore Excursion Selection: Tauck will contact guests 90 days prior to departure to assist with shore excursion selections.
Note: This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city. *For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day descriptions, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.