ESCORTED SPAIN & PORTUGAL 29 April- 22 MAY 2027

Flight: Melbourne* → Porto
Depart Melbourne on an overnight international flight to Portugal.

*Flights can depart from Sydney,  Adelaide or Brisbane as well.

Arrival Porto – 1 Night
Arrive in Porto. Transfer to hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to rest after the long-haul flight or begin exploring the city independently.

Overnight: Porto

Secrets of the Douro – Porto (D)
Today you will be transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Radiance. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.

Porto – Pinhão (B,L,D)
Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. This fascinating area is celebrated because it builds on two millennia of wine-producing history, where viticulture has shaped the surrounding landscape and small, sleepy villages are peppered with dozens of sun-drenched vineyards. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and cocktail reception.

Emerald PLUS: Portuguese cooking demonstration on board.

Pinhão – Vega de Terrón (B,L,D)
Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, nestled on the confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. This 18th-century estate is environmentally sound, creating organic produce using traditional viticulture methods. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through local vineyards, stopping along the way to admire your surroundings, or embark on a kayak excursion along the river, taking in the impressive views from the heart of the Douro Valley. This afternoon, enjoy sailing to Vega de Terrón, perhaps relaxing on the Sun Deck.

Your choice of Included Excursions:
• Visit to Quinta do Tedo with wine tasting
• Emerald ACTIVE kayak experience in Pinhão
• Emerald ACTIVE guided vineyard walk

Vega de Terrón – Salamanca (B,D)
Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors. Travel to the beautiful ‘Golden City’ for a guided walking tour, including Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas, and Salamanca University, founded in 1218.

Included Excursion: Guided tour of Salamanca
Emerald PLUS: Tuna music band performance

Pocinho – Régua (B,L,D)
This morning, dock in Pocinho before travelling to the charming medieval town of Castelo Rodrigo. Discover the secrets of its fortress history and sample typical local products. Return to your Star-Ship for lunch, then enjoy a Port wine cocktail lesson on board as you sail toward Régua.

Included Excursion: Tour to Castelo Rodrigo
Emerald PLUS: Port wine cocktail lesson on board

Régua (B,L,D)
Visit the Baroque village of Lamego, stopping at the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies overlooking the town. Enjoy the option of walking down the 686 steps from the sanctuary. Later, experience a rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca, one of the Douro Valley’s finest estates, and learn about Portuguese mosaic tile painting traditions.

Your choice of included Excursions & Experiences:
• Guided tour of Lamego
• Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca
• Mosaic tile painting lesson on board
• Emerald ACTIVE walk down the sanctuary steps
• Optional visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)

Porto (B,L,D)
Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating blend of modern and ancient architecture. Your guided tour includes coastal fortresses Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo. Alternatively, join an active walking tour for a closer look at daily local life.

Your choice of included Excursions: Guided tour of Porto; Porto river cruise
Emerald ACTIVE: Guided active walk in Porto
Optional excursions available at extra expense

Disembark Porto (B)
After breakfast, farewell your Star-Ship and fellow guests, taking memories of sun-drenched vineyards with you.

Porto – Sintra – Lisbon
Meet your tour manager and depart by private coach to Sintra. Visit the spectacular Palácio Nacional da Pena, built after 1840 by King Ferdinand II, blending Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Moorish and Romantic styles. Explore the palace park and historic centre before continuing to Lisbon.

Overnight: Lisbon – 5★ Eurostars Las Letras (or equivalent)

Lisbon (B)
Full-day guided tour of Lisbon. Visit São Jorge Castle, walk through Alfama, and explore Belém, including Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Continue to Rossio Square, the vibrant heart of the city.

Overnight: Lisbon

Lisbon – Évora – Seville (B)
Travel to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city in the Alentejo. Visit the Roman Temple of Diana, Évora Cathedral, Paço dos Condes de Basto, Praça do Giraldo and the Chapel of Bones. Enjoy an olive oil estate visit with tasting before continuing to Seville.

Overnight: Seville – 4★ Meliá Sevilla (or equivalent)

Seville (B)
Half-day guided tour of Seville, including Seville Cathedral, Giralda Tower, Plaza de España, María Luisa Park and the Royal Alcázar. Explore Barrio Santa Cruz. Evening Flamenco performance.

Overnight: Seville

  Seville – Free Day (B)
A full day at leisure to enjoy Seville at your own pace.

Overnight: Seville

Seville – Córdoba – Granada (B)
Depart for Córdoba to visit the Mezquita-Cathedral and Jewish Quarter. Continue to Granada.

Overnight: Granada – 4★Barceló Carmen (or equivalent 

  Granada – Alhambra & Albaicín (B)
Visit the Alhambra including the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba and Generalife Gardens. Explore Granada’s old town and enjoy panoramic views of the Albaicín. Evening Sacromonte Cave Flamenco performance.

Overnight: Granada

  Granada – Nerja – Puerto Banús (B)
Travel to Nerja for a walking tour of the old town and Balcony of Europe. Optional visit to the Nerja Caves. Continue to Puerto Banús.

Overnight: Puerto Banús area

Puerto Banús – Leisure & Catamaran Cruise (B)
Enjoy a relaxed day in Puerto Banús. Afternoon catamaran cruise along the coast toward Marbella.

Overnight: Puerto Banús area  

Ronda & Winery Experience (B)
Full-day excursion to Ronda, visiting the historic old town, Puente Nuevo and Spain’s oldest bullring. Visit a local winery for a guided tour and tasting.

Overnight: Puerto Banús area

Málaga – Madrid (AVE Train) (B)
Transfer to Málaga train station and travel by high-speed AVE train to Madrid. Guided walking tour on arrival.

Overnight: Madrid – 4★ Hotel Emperador (or equivalent)

  Madrid (B)
Full-day guided tour of Madrid including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Cibeles, Plaza de España and a visit to the Prado Museum.

Overnight: Madrid

  Madrid – Melbourne* (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Madrid Airport for departure.

Flights arrival into Sydney, Adelaide or Brisbane also included. 

Arrival Home

Arrive and transfer back to your home.