Highlights of the Douro, Featuring Salamanca, Spain

The baroque buildings and tiled facades of Porto, Portugal, form the gateway to the Douro River Valley, where terraced vineyards climb steep hillsides overlooking the water. As we journey inland, scenic cruising is paired with vineyard visits, historic towns, and a full-day excursion to Salamanca, Spain, whose honey-colored sandstone buildings have earned it UNESCO recognition. Along the way, enjoy regional wine tastings, traditional Portuguese cuisine, and a folklore music performance aboard the MS Riviera Rose, which launched in 2025.

November 7-15, 2027

Itinerary Highlights:

Porto city tour
Quinta da Pacheca dinner and wine tasting
Castelo Rodrigo village excursion
Salamanca, Spain, walking tour
Traditional Flamenco show and lunch
Quinta da Avessada lunch and wine tasting
Lamego tour
Mateus Palace Gardens visit
Choice of excursion: Guimarães tour or port cellar wine tasting
Folklore music show on board

Package Includes:

Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Seven nights’ accommodations aboard the MS Riviera Rose
20 meals: seven breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners
All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
Deluxe motor coach transportation
Professional tour director
Our State host
Superior drinks package during lunch and evenings (see below)
Hotel transfers
Baggage handling at the ship
Wi-Fi on board

**About the Riviera Rose:**

Cruise the Douro River on the beautifully crafted MS Riviera Rose, a luxurious boutique hotel and the perfect place to unwind between onshore adventures. This state-of-the-art ship, launched in 2025, provides a first-class experience, with cabins and amenities on four decks. Whether you are relaxing on the Sun Deck, enjoying a drink with your fellow travelers in the bar, or curling up for a good night’s sleep in your spacious cabin, everything has been meticulously designed for your comfort. The Sun Deck features a small pool, lounge chairs, and panoramic river views. The Diamond Deck (upper) features the bar/lounge and specialty Rio Restaurant, while the Main Restaurant is located on the Ruby Deck (middle). The fitness center and spa are on the Emerald Deck (lower). The ship includes a small elevator connecting the upper, middle, and lower decks.

Meals & Drinks

The Main Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Rio Restaurant — located on the Diamond Deck and seating about 30 guests — offers a more informal and intimate setting for lunch and dinner. The Superior Drinks Package includes select wines, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea during lunch. From 6 p.m. to midnight, those beverages are also included, along with house spirits, a cocktail of the day, port or brandy, and a featured dinner wine.

Staterooms

All staterooms offer river views and are bright and modern, offering a comfortable retreat with the amenities and thoughtful touches of a hotel. Staterooms are on three decks: upper, middle, and lower. Each features a TV, phone, private bathroom with shower, Nespresso machine, safe, mini-fridge, climate control, European Type C plugs, and Wi-Fi.

Note: Ship is subject to change.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart the U.S.
Sunday, November 7, 2027

Depart the United States on an overnight flight to Portugal.

Day 2: Arrive in Porto • Vila Nova de Gaia • Board ship
Monday, November 8, 2027

Arrive in Porto and meet your tour director. Transfer to Vila Nova de Gaia and board the MS Riviera Rose for your seven-night Douro River cruise. Settle into your stateroom before gathering with fellow travelers for a welcome dinner on board.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: MS Riviera Rose

Day 3: Porto city tour • Douro Valley cruising • Estate wine dinner
Tuesday, November 9, 2027

Begin the day with a panoramic Porto city tour, taking in the city’s striking architecture, bell towers, baroque churches, and traditional Portuguese tilework. This afternoon, cruise through the scenic Douro Valley toward Peso da Régua. Enjoy dinner and a wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca, a historic estate recognized as the first in Portugal to bottle wine under the owner’s name. After dinner, stroll through the 18th-century estate before returning to the ship.