Portugal, Spain & the Douro

Portugal, Spain & the Douro Luxury River Cruises

12 Days
PT, ES 🇵🇹
Portugal | Spain

Inspiration

Portugal, Spain & the Douro

12 Days
From

Highlights

  • Lisbon city tour
  • Coimbra tour with Joanina Library visit and family-style lunch
  • Panoramic city tour
  • Exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Porto walking tour with local tastings and vintage tram ride
  • Douro Museum and Quinta de Avessada wine estate
  • Scenic sailing lunch onboard
  • Scenic wine route to Pinhão Valley
  • Quinta do Seixo guided tour with tasting
  • Vineyard hike and wine tasting at a local quinta
  • Salamanca – the Golden City and Spain’s oldest university
  • Castelo Rodrigo
  • Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley
  • Guimarães city tour
  • Porto surprise discovery tour

cruise direct prices



Itinerary

Day 1: Lisbon
Arrive at Lisbon Portela Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2: Lisbon
Everything old is new again in the Portuguese capital, which is undergoing a remarkable rebirth of late. Get to know this hilly metropolis with a city tour that shows you all the top sights and treats you to an iconic, locally-made pastry with an intriguing tale all its own. Vibrant, colorful and picturesque, Lisbon will continually surprise you. Glorious historic architecture reflects the wealth brought in during the “Age of Discovery,” when the Portuguese owned the seas, but it is also a modern center of finance and international trade.

Day 3: Lisbon
Experience your own “Age of Discovery” with a full day to explore Lisbon however you wish. Get out and see the city on your own. Ride the famous iron elevator from the Baixa district up to the Bairro Alto, the cultural and bohemian heart of Lisbon, and catch a fantastic view of the city from the vantage point of São Pedro de Alcantara Belvedere. Once you reach Bairro Alto, head for São Roque, whose plain façade hides a magnificent baroque interior. The city hosts remarkable museums and excellent shopping. Your options at Centro Comercial Colombo, the biggest mall in the Iberian Peninsula, are seemingly limitless. Or try a flea market, perhaps the Campo de Santa Clara, if you prefer to hunt for unique treasures. Natives of Lisbon boast that they have the best food in the world; the many cafés and taverns tempt you to verify that claim.

Day 4: Lisbon, Coimbra, Transfer to Porto (Embark)
You’ll check out of your Lisbon hotel and board a motorcoach, heading north through Portugal’s picturesque countryside toward Porto. En route to Porto, you’ll stop in Coimbra, home to an ancient university and a lavish baroque library considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Admire the lingering traces of the town’s Moorish and Roman past after sitting down to a traditional Portuguese lunch. After lunch, continue on to the port city at the mouth of the Douro.

Day 5: Porto, Cruising the Douro River, Porto Antigo
There’s much more to Portugal’s second city than its eponymous fortified wine—historic architecture, cutting-edge design, fabulous food and wine, and a hip, laid-back vibe. Discover its many charms with your choice of distinctively different tours today. Portugal’s second city (after Lisbon), Porto gave its name to the nation’s most famous export, Port wine, and to the nation itself. The city is a fascinating combination of historic buildings and cutting-edge architecture, tradition and vivacious modernity. You must choose between two distinctive—and distinctively Portuguese—ways to explore Porto.

Day 6: Cruising the Douro River, Régua, Pinhão
As you cruise along the river today, take note of the little chapels you see along the banks. Though the river is slow and calm now that it has been tamed by dams, it was once extremely hazardous. These tiny chapels mark spots where entire rabelo boat crews perished attempting to get their cargo of Port wine to Porto. Today we learn about wine, which has been cultivated in the Douro River Valley since ancient Roman times. Get a crash course on the history of Port during your visit to the Douro Museum.

Day 7: Pinhão, Vega de Terrón
Feel the centuries fall away as your ship winds its way through the pristine, dramatic, UNESCO-protected landscapes of the Douro River Valley. Head ashore for a choice of excursions, a tasting at a prestigious port wine estate or a vineyard hike with a wine tasting at a local quinta.

Day 8: Vega de Terrón (Salamanca), Barca d’Alva
What adventures await you in Spain today? The ship docks near the Spanish border today, where you may head across the country to the historic university town of Salamanca—the “Golden City”—famous for its sand-colored buildings and abundance of churches.

Day 9: Barca d’Alva, Pocinho, Cruising the Douro River
A tiny village surrounded by mountains, Barca d’Alva is your base for today’s adventures. Go medieval today at Castelo Rodrigo, both the name of a hilltop castle as well as the village that surrounds it. It has been singled out as one of Portugal’s 12 historic villages for its medieval beauty. The view from the top is incredible and the village is a charming place to ramble, relax and replenish. Or, if you wish, you can also lace up your hiking boots and unleash your inner Indiana Jones with an up-close gander at some prehistoric carvings during a visit to Portugal’s first archaeological park, Foz Côa.

Day 10: Cruising the Douro River, Porto (Guimarães)
Guimarães or Porto? That’s the question of the day today (you really can’t go wrong either way). Guimarães is the town where Portugal was born and its well-preserved architecture and stylish young residents make it a pleasure to visit. Or opt to explore one of Porto’s oldest neighborhoods, picturesque Ribeira, considered the soul of the city. A tough choice awaits you today: Do you venture off to historic Guimarães, Portugal’s first capital, or do you stay in Porto and explore the Ribeira district on foot?

Day 11: Porto (Disembark)
You’ve experienced the best of Portugal, Spain and the pristine Douro River, but now the journey comes to a close and it’s time to disembark the ship. If your cruise/ tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Porto Airport for your flight home. Your Uniworld adventure may be over, but we know you’ll enjoy the memories you’ve made for years to come.

 

Getting There with Tailormade Travel

When it comes to planning out how to reach your destination, Tailormade Travel have all the air travel expertise to help you get the best route to your final location.

For many destinations a number of flights may be required and sometimes it will include arriving into one airport and leaving from another. We will ensure you have the best combination of flights to do this and make sure you cover the necessary MCT (minimum connecting time) so that you have the best opportunity of a smooth and easy journey.

Several airlines have introduced many ancillary charges such as seat assignments, checked bags, priority boarding etc. Tailormade Travel will look after these for you and book you at the best available bundle package at the best price. Upgraded airline fares, lounge access & Fasttrack are also available and again Tailormade Travel know how to avail of the best value for these extras.

S.S. São Gabriel

S.S. São Gabriel embodies the beautiful Douro River Valley like no other ship in the region. Beautiful azulejos tilework, polished wood, and a summery palette bring the vivacity of Portugal onboard, while a sundeck pool beckons passengers to relax in the sunshine while soaking in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. This Super Ship vessel offers an entire deck of lavishly appointed suites with butler service, as well as three different dining venues in which to experience the delectable wine and cuisine of the Douro River Valley.

Quick Facts

INAUGURATION 2021
RIVERS Douro

GUESTS 100

STAFF 57
GRAND SUITE 4 (28.5 sq m)
SUITE 12 (20.4 sq m)
DELUXE 10 (14.5 sq m)
FRENCH BALCONY 20 (14.5 sq m)
CLASSIC 4 (12.5 sq m)
LENGTH 79.5 m
WIDTH 11.4 m

Uniworld Luxury

Each of Uniworlds luxury floating boutique hotels bring your destinations onboard.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is modeled after their sister company, the five-star Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Their collection of boutique hotels is known for their destination-inspired interior décor, gracious service and carefully selected amenities—all of which provide an intimate, elegant and relaxed experience.

Likewise, the boutique river cruise ships are stylish floating hotels with inviting spaces, exquisite antiques, custom fabrics and original works of art.

Gracious and Attentive Service

Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is “No request is too large, No detail too small.” Uniworld employs a dedicated crew, professionally trained to the highest standards of service, so guests never have to worry about being well taken care of during their journeys.

No Detail Is Too Small

Each ship is inspired by the very rivers upon which they cruise. With distinctive themes, color palettes, custom-made fabrics, personally selected original artwork, sumptuous furnishings and antiques, each element, down to the smallest detail, has been thoughtfully considered and flawlessly rendered.


All Inclusive - Whats Included

The Most All-Inclusive Ameneties finely tailored to your tastes.
There’s all-inclusive, and then there’s the unmatched level of inclusive luxurious amenities that only we provide. To ensure truly carefree and effortless travel, we’ve gone ahead and included it all–so the only thing you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation.

Unlimited premium spirits and wines

Delicious, Five-Star, farm-to-table cuisine

Your choice of Carefully Curated Excursions

All Gratuities onboard

Onboard Fitness Centre and Wellness Classes with a certified wellness instructor

All scheduled Airport Transfers

Bicycles and Nordic Walking Sticks for onshore use

Shipwide Internet and Wi-fi access

Onboard Entertainment and Enrichment



Contact an Agent


The   Destination

Portugal

About Portugal

Magnificent historic buildings, bustling beaches filled with surfers, exceedingly diverse landscapes, heritage wineries, world-famous golf courses and a distinctive traditional cuisine. Portugal, one of the oldest European nations, is a stunning combination of rich traditions, modernity, top-class food and endless recreation.

The country’s terrain changes dramatically as you move across it. Green hills and mountains to the North, sweeping waterfalls and rugged cliffs in the Central to beautiful beaches in the Algarve and deserts in Alentejo.

Portugal is a paradise for surfers and golf lovers. The beaches of the country are ideal for surfing with majestic waves. There are multiple world-class golf courses, with fourteen of them ranking among the top 100 best European golf courses.

Visit the heritage sites in Lisbon, the capital city, which is also the most visited city in the country. Porto, the second largest city, is home to many wineries, and bars and offers a stunning view of Douro River. Visit the golden beaches of the Algarve, explore the wilderness of Azores Island and go surfing, scuba diving and sky diving. Spend a day exploring the beautiful coastal towns of Ferragudo, Tavira, and Azenhas do Mar.

For hassle-free, safe and memorable holidays in Portugal, connect with Tailormade Travel. Our team comes with decades of experience in providing bespoke tour packages in Ireland. Whether you are looking for a family holiday, city-based tours or a honeymoon, we have just the right options for you.

Our team conducts family holidays in Portugal and luxury river cruises in the Douro river. You can also discover the riches of Lisbon through our specially curated city breaks.

To get a highly personalised travel package, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Getting to Portugal

When it comes to planning out how to reach your destination, Tailormade Travel have all the air travel expertise to help you get the best route to your final location.

As an Irish company we have access to negotiated contract and wholesale fares with airlines worldwide. Our Travel Concierge team members will help you with the best connections and airlines to suit your own personal requirements.

For many destinations a number of flights may be required and sometimes it will include arriving into one airport and leaving from another. We will ensure you have the best combination of flights to do this and make sure you cover the necessary MCT (minimum connecting time) so that you have the best opportunity of a smooth and easy journey.

Several airlines have introduced many ancillary charges such as seat assignments, checked bags, priority boarding etc. Tailormade Travel will look after these for you and book you at the best available bundle package at the best price. Upgraded airline fares, lounge access & Fasttrack are also available and again Tailormade Travel know how to avail of the best value for these extras.

Tailormade Travel are an Irish company travel agent so you have a lot more protection with us than with the internet (airlines are not bonded).

Portuguese Experiences

Portugal offers a diverse range of experiences, from exploring historic cities to enjoying breathtaking natural landscapes. History enthusiasts can wander through the cobblestone streets of Lisbon’s Alfama district or visit the medieval castles of Sintra. Nature lovers will marvel at the rugged coastline of the Algarve, the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the pristine beaches of the Azores. Foodies can indulge in traditional Portuguese cuisine, from seafood delicacies like bacalhau to pastéis de nata custard tarts. Adventure seekers can surf along the Atlantic coast, hike in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, or explore the volcanic terrain of Madeira. With its rich history, stunning scenery, and warm hospitality, Portugal offers something for every type of traveler.

Getting Around Portugal

Portugal has a well-developed transportation network, making it easy for travelers to get around. High-speed trains connect major cities like Lisbon and Porto, offering quick and convenient travel options. Regional trains and buses provide access to smaller towns and rural areas, allowing visitors to explore beyond the urban centers. In Lisbon and Porto, metros, trams, and buses offer efficient public transportation options, with extensive networks covering most areas. Renting a car is a popular choice for exploring the countryside and coastal regions, providing flexibility and freedom to travelers. Additionally, Portugal has well-maintained highways, making road trips a popular way to discover the country’s diverse landscapes and charming villages. With various transportation options available, getting around Portugal is convenient and accessible for travelers of all preferences.

Portuguese Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors, influenced by its maritime history and diverse cultural heritage. From fresh seafood dishes like grilled sardines and seafood rice to hearty meat stews like cozido à portuguesa, Portugal offers a culinary adventure for food lovers. Each region boasts its own specialties, from pastéis de bacalhau in Lisbon to francesinha sandwiches in Porto, showcasing the country’s rich gastronomic diversity. Local markets brim with fresh produce, cheeses, and cured meats, inviting visitors to taste the essence of Portuguese cuisine. The country’s wine culture is equally impressive, with renowned wine regions like the Douro Valley and Alentejo producing world-class wines. Whether dining in a traditional tasca or enjoying a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, the food and drink experiences in Portugal are sure to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Portuguese Climate

Portugal’s climate varies depending on the region. The north has a maritime climate with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall throughout the year. The central interior experiences hot summers and cold winters, with greater temperature variations. The Algarve region in the south enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The Azores have a subtropical climate, characterized by mild temperatures and high humidity year-round. Madeira has a similar subtropical climate, with warm temperatures and moderate rainfall. Overall, Portugal offers a pleasant climate for travelers, with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures, making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and culinary experiences.

Spain

About Spain

Espana, a country that is truly larger than life, would make a great option for your honeymoon or summer holidays. It is a country that is pulsating with life, culture and various delights, and it never ceases to amaze or surprise.

Nestled at the confluence of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Spain offers majestic architecture, diverse terrain, round-the-year pleasant climate, vibrant culture and mouth-watering authentic cuisine.

Spain has long been one of the top 10 most visited nations, and there are reasons for that. Countryside dotted with olive groves, majestic mountains, colourful wildflowers, busy beaches, and the Pyrenees hills to bustling modern cities and serene old towns, there is a lot to explore in this European gem.

Relax and laze at the beautiful beaches of Costa del Sol and the Canary Islands, and explore the historical architecture of Madrid. Indulge in the unique food, art and culture of Barcelona. Immerse in the country’s rich history at the Alhambra Palace, El Greco Museum or Picasso Museum. Don’t forget to taste the traditional recipes of Spain at the local restaurants, tapas bars and cafes.

Dive deep into Spain’s age-old tradition, history, cuisine, art and architecture with Tailormade Travel. We are experienced in conducting and arranging holidays in Spain in collaboration with leading tour operators and cruise operators. Go on family holidays to Spain in the Canary Islands or discover the top cities of Spain with our city break packages.

For something more personalised and specific, our experts will provide bespoke travel packages to cater to your requirements and demands.

Getting to Spain

When it comes to planning out how to reach your destination, Tailormade Travel have all the air travel expertise to help you get the best route to your final location.

As an Irish company we have access to negotiated contract and wholesale fares with airlines worldwide. Our Travel Concierge team members will help you with the best connections and airlines to suit your own personal requirements.</p>

For many destinations a number of flights may be required and sometimes it will include arriving into one airport and leaving from another. We will ensure you have the best combination of flights to do this and make sure you cover the necessary MCT (minimum connecting time) so that you have the best opportunity of a smooth and easy journey.

Several airlines have introduced many ancillary charges such as seat assignments, checked bags, priority boarding etc. Tailormade Travel will look after these for you and book you at the best available bundle package at the best price. Upgraded airline fares, lounge access & Fasttrack are also available and again Tailormade Travel know how to avail of the best value for these extras.

Tailormade Travel are an Irish company travel agent so you have a lot more protection with us than with the internet (airlines are not bonded).

 

Spanish Experiences

Spain offers a diverse range of experiences, from the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the tranquil beaches of the Balearic Islands. History enthusiasts can explore ancient sites like the Alhambra in Granada or the medieval streets of Toledo, while art lovers can admire the works of Gaudí in Barcelona or visit the renowned Prado Museum in Madrid. Foodies will delight in the culinary delights of Spanish cuisine, from tapas in Seville to paella in Valencia. Adventure seekers can hike the Camino de Santiago, surf in Tarifa, or ski in the Sierra Nevada mountains. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, Spain promises unforgettable experiences for every traveler.

Getting Around Spain

Spain boasts an efficient transportation network, making it easy for travelers to navigate the country. High-speed trains like the AVE connect major cities, offering fast and comfortable travel options. Regional trains and buses provide access to smaller towns and rural areas, allowing visitors to explore beyond the tourist hotspots. In urban areas, metros, trams, and buses offer convenient public transportation options, with extensive networks covering most areas. Renting a car is a popular choice for exploring the countryside and coastal regions, providing flexibility and freedom to travelers. Additionally, Spain has well-maintained highways, making road trips a popular way to discover the country’s diverse landscapes and charming villages. With various transportation options available, getting around Spain is convenient and accessible for travelers of all preferences.

Spanish Cuisine

Spanish cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and regional diversity. From succulent jamón ibérico and savory paella to crispy churros and indulgent pintxos, Spain offers a culinary adventure for food lovers. Each region boasts its own specialties, from seafood in Galicia to tapas in Andalusia, showcasing the country’s rich gastronomic heritage. Local markets brim with fresh produce, spices, and artisanal products, inviting visitors to taste the essence of Spanish cuisine. The country’s wine culture is equally impressive, with renowned regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat producing some of the world’s finest wines. Whether dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant or enjoying a casual meal at a local tavern, the food and drink experiences in Spain are sure to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression on visitors.

The Spanish Climate

Spain’s climate varies greatly depending on the region. The north has a maritime climate with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall throughout the year. The central plateau experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters, while the Mediterranean coast enjoys hot summers and mild winters with low rainfall. Inland areas, such as the Meseta Central, have more extreme temperatures, with scorching summers and cold winters. The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round and little variation between seasons. Overall, Spain offers a Mediterranean climate in most regions, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. However, the country’s diverse geography results in a wide range of microclimates, providing travelers with a variety of climates to choose from when planning their visit.

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