Centuries of vineyards, wine and timeless Port traditions along an enchanting "river of gold"… white-painted quinta estates lined with terraced vineyards… Lisbon's treasures from the Age of Discovery and beyond… art and architecture royally inspired and the joys of tapas in Madrid… Cruise through the heart of one of the world's oldest and most beautiful wine regions on a 12-day journey bookended by stays in Lisbon and Madrid, featuring a 7-night cruise aboard Tauck's custom designed riverboats for exploring Portugal's "golden" Douro River. Visit  quintas  for wine tastings, hike through vineyards and villages, and discover the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto, where the Douro kisses the Atlantic and timeless Port traditions steal your heart. Spend two nights each in Lisbon, the gate to the "New World," enticing with palaces aplenty and  azulejos  chronicling life from Moorish times to present day – and Madrid, Spain's bigger-than-life capital, with its bar culture and bevy of baroque and belle époque architecture.

1. Day 1
   Porto, Portugal

   Thu, May 13, 2027

   Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Lisbon. A transfer is included from Lisbon Airport to the InterContinental Lisbon, located between Eduardo VII Park, Marques de Pombal Square and the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade. Join us tonight for a private visit and welcome dinner at 18th-century Queluz National Palace, a blend of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical architectural designs graced with gardens inspired by French styles.

   
   Meals: Dinner
2. Day 2
   Lisbon, Portugal

   Fri, May 14, 2027

   Crafted atop seven hills over centuries, Lisbon is home to cobbled lanes, castles in the clouds and maritime monuments that pay lasting tribute to Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama who changed the world. You'll have a choice of excursions today. Your first choice is city sightseeing in Lisbon; discover landmark places steeped in history, including Eduardo VII Park, Trade Square, the Monument to the Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery where Vasco da Gama and Portugal's kings are buried. Your second choice is also in Lisbon, a robust Lisbon walking tour of the city's terraces for those seeking a more active walk. Your final choice is a stop at in the town of Sintra for a visit to Sintra National Palace, the best preserved medieval residence in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy some free time in Sintra before driving to the seaside town of Cascais for a guided walk in the town's center and lunch before returning to Lisbon. Regardless of your choice, spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the sights of Lisbon as you wish.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
3. Day 3
   Porto, Portugal

   Sat, May 15, 2027

   Drive back in time to Coimbra, Portugal's medieval capital for more than a century. A walking tour along the tiered cobbled lanes of this hilltop city brings you to its esteemed university, founded here in 1537, where its caped students evoke images of Harry Potter's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, its majestic buildings line squares steeped in history and cloistered arcades lead to architectural showpieces beautiful to behold. Learn about student life, past and present; many of its centuries-old traditions still exist today with time to explore on your own. Continue on to Porto, where Tauck's riverboat, ms Andorinha, is docked on the Douro and awaiting your arrival. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcome reception followed by dinner onboard the ship.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
4. Day 4
   Porto, Portugal

   Sun, May 16, 2027

   Culturally rich and historically charming, Porto's pleasures are diverse and delightful, blending old and new to reveal a fascinating portrait of the city through art and architecture, wine and food, and magnificent waterfront views. Explore Porto on a choice of excursions, each offering a unique way to see this historic city. One option brings you by land, river, and air for a ride aboard a historic tram from the Foz Quarter to the medieval riverfront district of Porto, before boarding a water taxi that takes you across the river for a cable car ride to the top of the Luiz I Bridge, rewarding with a stunning panorama. You may also join a local guide into the historic heart of Porto. Your tram ride will take you up to the top of the city for a robust walking tour with stops to taste local culinary treats.Your final choice takes you on a walking tour of Porto focusing on the city's history with the port wine industry and is highlighted with a tour and tasting in an authentic Port wine cellar.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
5. Day 5
   Guimarães Portugal

   Mon, May 17, 2027

   The Douro River cuts a 200-mile path through one of the world's most beautiful and prolific wine regions as it makes its way from Porto and the Atlantic Ocean through rugged wilderness to the Spanish frontier. The wine growing regions of the Douro surprise visitors with an array of vintages, young and old. You'll have two excursions to choose from today. One brings you to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, regarded as the birthplace of Portugal and renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings and national monuments for a walking tour before driving to Aveleda to discover its uniquely produced "green wines" during a tasting lunch at a quinta in a Vinho Verde vineyard. Green refers to its age not its color; the grapes they use for these wines are typically consumed within three to six months after bottling and can be red, white, or rosé. Your second choice is a visit to Arouca Geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a very active hike across the 516 Arouca Bridge. Measuring in at 1,693 feet long and 575 feet high, the 516 Arouca Bridge connects the banks of the Paiva River and is the world's largest suspended pedestrian bridge. Chart a course for Caldas de Aregos this afternoon and dine onboard your riverboat tonight.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
6. Day 6
   Peso da Régua Portugal

   Tue, May 18, 2027

   Step off the boat into Peso da Régua and begin a day of discovery – you'll learn about the town's historic role in the production of port wine. An important transport junction, this is where barrels of wine were boarded onto traditional rabelos bound for Gaia in the 18th century, where the wine was aged in local lodges. A choice of activities includes a guided tour of the Douro River Museum, or joining a local guide for a visit to a local wine-making estate called a quinta, rewarding with a port cocktail making class. Spend the afternoon cruising the Douro, then tonight entices with a special culinary experience. Dine with a riverside view at DOC, an acronym for "Degustar Ousar Comunicar" (translated: "Taste, Dare, Communicate"), savoring gourmet cuisine by acclaimed chef Rui Paula who delights in blending traditional Portuguese dishes with contemporary fare along with the Douro's famous wines. Note: Tour of July 8 won't dine at DOC due to a summer closure; alternate venue will be advised. 

   
   Meals: Breakfast
7. Day 7
   Pinhão Portugal

   Wed, May 19, 2027

   The idyllic village of Pinhão, situated at a scenic bend of Portugal's Douro River, is considered the gateway to the quintas and large wine estates of the Douro River Valley, one of Europe's oldest and revered wine making regions. A choice of shore excursions today includes a walk in pretty Pinhão, nestled in the heart of port wine country, with a visit to its historic tile-covered train station, a vision of blue and white Azulejo tiles – or a vigorous hike through the area's lush, sloping terraced vineyards with striking views of the town and river. Dine onboard the riverboat at your leisure tonight.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
8. Day 8
   Pocinho Portugal

   Thu, May 20, 2027

   Spend the day enjoying a leisurely cruise in the heart of port wine country, past sloping terraced vineyards and picturesque villages; your riverboat was custom designed for Douro cruising and offers an expansive sun deck for viewing the scenery, cooling off in the pool or enjoying a casual café or cocktail at the rooftop bistro. Disembark in Pocinho for a visit to the Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Côa Valley. 20,000 years ago prehistoric man called the Côa Valley home, leaving evidence of their residence on rocks in the Coa Valley. Your time at the museum is highlighted by stunning exhibits of rock art from the valley's Paleolithic era, discovered in the 1990s when excavations began for a Côa River dam. Return to the riverboat; as the river courses its way to Spain, it passes the ruins of hilltop castles hidden in the hills.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
9. Day 9
   Barca de Alva Portugal

   Fri, May 21, 2027

   A morning choice of excursions that include a visit to a wine estate in a local village for a tour, presentation and tasting precedes an afternoon of cruising, bound for Vega Terron. Drive to Barca de Alva for a visit to a local town on the border betwen Spain and Portugal. A walking tour of the site reveals remnants of its storied roots on the river, before your cruise continues towards the Spanish border.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
10. Day 10
    Madrid, Spain

    Sat, May 22, 2027

    Disembark your riverboat and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Salamanca for a guided walking tour of its ancient heart, viewing the "living room of Salamanca," the elegant arcaded Plaza Mayor, its stunning 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral, and its esteemed 800-year-old university, one of the oldest in the world. Continue on to Madrid for a two-night stay at a legendary palace hotel commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912 and located in the heart of the city's renowned art triangle with easy access to its three most famous museums, El Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Tapas tantalize with small bites of local culinary fare on a guided exploration of Madrid's tapas culture with an expert guide who knows where to find the best samples of this regional specialty.

    
    Meals: Breakfast
11. Day 11
    Madrid, Spain

    Sun, May 23, 2027

    Begin your day with a choice of a panoramic coach tour or an active walking excursion through the heart of Madrid. Both culminate in the world-renowned Museo del Prado, home to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco — a sanctuary of Spanish artistic heritage. This afternoon, explore the striking Royal Collections Gallery, where centuries of royal patronage are displayed in a bold, modern setting. From Habsburg armor to Bourbon tapestries, it's a living chronicle of power, artistry, and legacy. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner — a final toast to new friends and unforgettable moments.

    
    Meals: Breakfast
12. Day 12
    Madrid, Spain

    Mon, May 24, 2027

    Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Palace Hotel, Madrid to Madrid-Barajas Airport or Madrid's Atocha Station. Allow a minimum of 3 ½ hours for flight check-in.

    
    Meals: Breakfast