11 nights · Portugal · River cruise · Departs Lisbon (Portugal) · Visiting Cascais, Coimbra, Porto-Leixoes, Entre-os-Rios, Porto Antigo, Caldas de Aregos, Regua, Folgosa, Pinhao, Pocinho, Vega de Terron-Salamanca, Madrid · Aboard Riviera Travel on the Tauck MS Andorinha
Image courtesy of Riviera Travel ©
This river cruise sails the Douro, departing Lisbon.
| Cruise line | Riviera Travel |
|---|---|
| Ship | Tauck MS Andorinha |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 13 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 84 |
| Cabins | 42 |
| Crew | 36 |
| Length | 80 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 11.0 kn |
Lisbon is a city best approached with time and comfortable shoes. Its seven hills rise above the Tagus, linking tiled lanes, grand squares and viewpoints with wide river views. In Alfama, narrow streets preserve the feel of old Lisbon. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower recall Portugal’s age of discovery. Pause for coffee and a warm pastel de nata between sights.
Portugal’s Atlantic edge feels especially inviting in Cascais, a former fishing village about 30 kilometres west of Lisbon. Follow its tiled lanes to the harbour, then pause over grilled fish beside the water. Beyond town, the dramatic Boca do Inferno frames the ocean in a cleft of rock. With sandy beaches, elegant villas and a direct rail link to Lisbon, Cascais rewards both lingering and exploring.
Lisbon is a city best approached with time and comfortable shoes. Its seven hills rise above the Tagus, linking tiled lanes, grand squares and viewpoints with wide river views. In Alfama, narrow streets preserve the feel of old Lisbon. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower recall Portugal’s age of discovery. Pause for coffee and a warm pastel de nata between sights.
Coimbra pairs centuries of history with the energy of a working university city. Founded in 1290, its university is among Europe’s oldest, and its hilltop campus anchors the historic centre. Visit the ornate Joanina Library, then follow steep lanes down to the Mondego and cafés along its banks. Coimbra fado, rooted in student tradition, gives the city a sound all its own.
Porto is a city best approached on foot, where steep lanes descend towards the Douro and the Atlantic beyond. Across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia’s historic port-wine lodges offer tastings and views back to the old town. Between them, the Ribeira waterfront, tiled churches and iron bridges tell the story of a trading city shaped by water. Taste tawny port, then linger over market halls, intimate museums and unhurried meals.
Entre-os-Rios—“between the rivers”—sits where the Tâmega meets the Douro, in Portugal’s Penafiel municipality. Here, the Douro broadens beneath wooded slopes and terraced vineyards, while river traffic keeps the landscape in motion. Come ashore for a quieter encounter with northern Portugal: village lanes, local cafés and views shaped by two waterways. Nearby Penafiel offers historic churches and manor houses, a fitting pause between Porto and the Douro wine country.
Porto Antigo sits on the Douro, among steep green slopes and the river valleys of Portugal’s inland north. Use this riverside stop to explore Cinfães, a rural municipality of granite villages and wooded hills. Nearby, the Bestança valley offers clear water and walking routes through a notably unspoilt landscape. Expect a quieter, more rural Douro than the celebrated wine towns downstream; allow time for a scenic drive and lunch.
Entre-os-Rios—“between the rivers”—sits where the Tâmega meets the Douro, in Portugal’s Penafiel municipality. Here, the Douro broadens beneath wooded slopes and terraced vineyards, while river traffic keeps the landscape in motion. Come ashore for a quieter encounter with northern Portugal: village lanes, local cafés and views shaped by two waterways. Nearby Penafiel offers historic churches and manor houses, a fitting pause between Porto and the Douro wine country.
At Caldas de Aregos, the Douro sets the scene: wooded hills, vineyard terraces and a quiet riverside landing. The village is known for its thermal spa, where mineral waters have welcomed visitors for generations. Travel inland to Resende, famed for its cherries, or visit the hilltop sanctuary of Nossa Senhora de Cárquere. A river journey reveals the terraced vineyards of the UNESCO-listed Alto Douro.
Set on the Douro’s steep, terraced banks, Peso da Régua is a gateway to Portugal’s celebrated wine country. Here, the river winds through vineyards cultivated for centuries, within the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. Visit the Douro Museum to discover the region’s port and table wines, then take the historic railway along the water. Above town, vineyard estates offer tastings with sweeping valley views.
Folgosa sits on the south bank of the Douro, where steep vineyard terraces rise above the river. This small village in Armamar offers a quieter entry to Portugal’s celebrated wine country, between Peso da Régua and Pinhão. Visit a nearby quinta for a tasting, or linger over lunch at DOC, Rui Paula’s riverside restaurant. The view reveals the Douro’s working landscape, shaped by generations of wine growers.
Pinhão lies in Portugal’s Douro Valley, where steep vineyards descend to the river in terraces shaped over centuries. From the quay, boats follow the Douro past quintas producing celebrated Port and table wines. See the azulejo-covered railway station, then arrange a tasting at a historic estate. The reward is a close view of one of Europe’s most distinctive wine landscapes.
At Pocinho, the Douro’s steep vineyards give way to a quieter, more remote stretch of northern Portugal. From this small riverside village, follow the Douro railway west or head towards the Côa Valley’s prehistoric art. At the UNESCO-listed Côa Archaeological Park, open-air engravings reveal thousands of years of human history. Expect wide river views, quiet country roads and a glimpse of Portugal beyond its familiar coastal cities.
Salamanca rewards visitors with a rare concentration of Spanish history, architecture and university life. Golden sandstone glows across the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, especially at sunset. Start at Plaza Mayor, then walk to the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. Find the carved frog on its ornate façade and the shell-covered Casa de las Conchas. The city’s twin cathedrals reward a closer look, while cafés bring the lively student quarter into view.
Madrid is a city of grand boulevards, intimate plazas and late-night energy. The Prado holds masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco, while the Reina Sofía brings Picasso’s *Guernica* into sharp focus. For a quieter hour, walk beneath the trees of Retiro Park or browse the shops and cafés of Salamanca. Then linger over roast lamb, tapas at a lively market or churros dipped in thick chocolate.
Published August 22, 2026
Last updated October 29, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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