Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid - Westbound

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, The Palace Hotel, Madrid. A transfer is included from Madrid-Barajas Airport or Madrid's Atocha station to The Palace Hotel, Madrid, 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. Settle in and join your fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.

Take a guided one-mile walk – or a short drive – to Madrid's 18th-century Royal Palace, home to a succession of Spanish kings from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, and reigning today as the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in name only. Your visit to this 2,000+ room jeweled palace, by square feet Europe's largest palace, takes you on a journey through history and time-honored splendor with a local guide as you view rooms and salons overflowing with art treasures and antiques, and gilded, floor to ceiling, with fine fabrics, magnificent mosaics, crystal chandeliers and more. Highlights may include the Reception Room, the State Apartments, the Armory, the Throne Room, the Banquet Room and the Royal Pharmacy. Head-turning art welcomes you to the Museo del Prado, one of the world's premier art museums with over 4,000 works of art masterpieces, including works by iconic Spanish artists Goya and Velázquez, many of them acquired by kings through the ages. 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.

Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Salamanca for free time and 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. Cross the border into Portugal, where Tauck's riverboat, ms Andorinha, is docked on the Douro and awaiting your arrival. Settle into your cabin and enjoy dinner onboard at your leisure tonight.

The Douro River cuts a 200-mile path through rugged wilderness on the Spanish frontier and one the world's most beautiful and prolific wine regions as it courses through Portugal and the city of Porto on the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, it passes the castle ruins hidden in the hills; disembark for a visit to a local town on the border between Spain and Portugal where a walking tour reveals remnants of its storied roots, before your cruise continues along the river. 20,000 years ago prehistoric man called the nearby Côa Valley home, leaving evidence of their residence on rocks in the Coa Valley; visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Côa Valley to see these 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 ship late afternoon, and cruise to Ferradosa.

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 an active hike through the sloping terraced vineyards that surround this town with stunning views of the river and town. Return to your riverboat for an afternoon cruise to Folgosa where dinner tonight entices with a special culinary experience at DOC, an acronym for "Degustar Ousar Comunicar" (translated: "Taste, Dare, Communicate"), savoring gourmet cuisine by acclaimed Portuguese chef Rui Paula who delights in marrying traditional dishes with contemporary fare along with the Douro's famous wines.

Its historic role in the production of port wine is written on the landscapes you'll see today when you step off the boat into Peso da Régua for a day of discovery. 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. This morning, you have a choice of a visit to the Douro Museum, set within the restored Casa da Companhia Velha building, once part of Real Companhia Velha (Royal Oporto Wine Company), chartered in 1756. On your guided visit to the museum, you'll explore its exhibits chronicling the history, culture and traditions of the Douro River Valley region, from the cultivation of grapes on the vines to the processes involved in the production of Port wine and its distribution around the world. Alternatively, visit the historic town of Lamego (dating back to the Middle Ages), renowned for its viticulture and production of sparkling wine. This afternoon, you have a choice of a guided tour of 18th-century Casa de Mateus, a Baroque masterpiece you may recognize from the label on bottles of Mateus Rosé, and its fantasy garden of manicured hedges and dignified statues. Or, if you choose, join a local guide for a visit to a local wine-making estate called a quinta, rewarding with a port cocktail making class. Return to the riverboat late day.

Spend a leisurely morning cruise on the lower Douro through a region known for its Vinho Verde wines. Disembark for a choice of excursions that include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings and national monuments. As an alternative, you can join a local guide for a bicycle ride that entices with scenic views of terraced vineyards.

The wine growing regions of the Douro surprise visitors with an array of vintages, young and old. Discover them at a wine tasting at a quinta in a Vinho Verde vineyard where they specialize in green wines uniquely produced here. 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. For those who would like a more active activity, a short coach ride this morning brings you 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 (note: guests choosing this excursion will not visit the Vinho Verde winery). Chart a course for Porto this afternoon, and enjoy the chef's signature dinner onboard your ship tonight.

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 waterfront views that take your breath away. Explore Porto on a choice of excursions, each offering a unique way to see this historic city. One option offers you the opportunity to see Porto by "land, river, and air." Your excursion begins with a ride aboard a historic tram from the Foz Quarter to the medieval riverfront district of Porto, followed by a water taxi ride across the river and finishing with a cable car ride to the top of the Luiz I Bride, rewarding you with stunning panoramic views of the region 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.

Disembark your riverboat in Porto this morning for a 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, and university traditions still in play today. Enjoy free time for lunch and exploring before continuing on to Lisbon for a two-night stay.

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. Alternatively, visit 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. After enjoying time at leisure, join us for an exclusive royal dinner at 18th-century Queluz National Palace, a blend of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical architectural designs graced with gardens inspired by French styles. 

Tour ends: Lisbon. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the InterContinental Lisbon to Lisbon Airport. Allow a minimum of 3 ½ hours for flight check-in.