Spain and Portugal Delights with Douro River Cruise

Be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Get to know everyone at a welcome reception. Stay Two Nights: Barcelona, Le Meridien

• Start the day with a before-hours visit to Casa Vicens, the first house designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Farewell Barcelona as you board your train to Madrid.

Upon arrival, art lovers will rejoice with a visit to the Prado Museum. Here, wander among fine works that are based on the former Royal Spanish Collection and feature pieces by Velazquez. Stay Two Nights: Madrid, Petsana Plaza Mayor (B/D)

The icons of Madrid are on show today, with a guided discovery taking you to the Royal Palace, Buen Retiro Park and the Plaza Mayor. The evening is free for you to explore. (B)

This morning, head to the narrow streets of Toledo as you take a guided stroll through the city's rich history.

Afterwards, continue the journey south to Cordoba. Stay Two Nights: Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailio Cordoba (B/D)

Visit the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the historic Jewish Quarter on a guided tour this morning.

Later, enjoy some free time. (B)

• Tonight in a local gypsy cave, feel the passion of a flamenco show as you graze on tasty tapas.

Explore the World Heritage-listed Alhambra on a guided tour. Part fortress, part palace, the Alhambra is a pinnacle of Moorish art that encapsulates Andalusian history. See the restored Lion Fountain and roam the Nasrid Palace complex. (B)

Travel to Ronda and embark on a guided exploration of this mountaintop village set above a deep gorge. Have your camera ready as you capture its vistas.

Later, arrive in Seville, the Andalusian capital, for dinner. Stay Two Nights: Seville, Gran Melia Colon Seville or similar (B/D)

On an exploration around Seville, see the royal palace of Alcazar, then admire the Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower. (B)

Enter Portugal and head to the chic Algarve coast, a region renowned for its dramatic coastline and striking rock formations. Stay Two Nights: Algarve, Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort (B/D)

This morning, discover the nature and wildlife of Ria Formosa National Park. Then, take the remainder of the afternoon to enjoy the facilities at your resort. Relax by the pool or perhaps indulge in a spa treatment. (B/D)

Journey to Lisbon today and enjoy free time on arrival. Stay Three Nights: Lisbon, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz or similar (B)

Set off to see the sites of Lisbon by riding the city's iconic tramcars and visiting the Old Town. Pay a visit to the World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery, a symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. Built in 1502 by King Manuel I, the monastery commemorates Vasco da Gama's voyage to India.

Tonight, join your fellow travellers to share a special dinner. (B/D)

As soon as you get your first glimpse of Serra de Sintra, prepare to gasp. Mountains roll from each direction, and every peak is as memorable as the last. Visit King Ferdinand II's ingenious Park and National Palace of Pena, before having free time to explore Sintra. Take the chance to have lunch at your leisure, then be guided by the sea breeze as you return to Lisbon via the coastal route. Since it's your final night here, you might like to try one of the local restaurants for dinner. (B)

Travel through Portugal's countryside then discover the medieval city of Coimbra, home to the country's oldest and most famous university. Board your river ship and settle in with a welcome dinner. Your river ship has the best vantage point to see the sights as you embark on an illuminations cruise around Porto. Stay Seven Nights: the MS Estrela (B/D)

• Explore Porto's 16th-century Old Town and take a cable car ride before sampling a few selections of port. Alternatively, visit a traditional restaurant for a cooking demonstration, or set off on foot on an active walking tour through the medieval streets and the old harbour quarter of Ribeira.

• Tonight you'll head to the Palacio da Bolsa for a guided tour, followed by a cocktail reception and traditional Fado performance in the Arabian Hall.

• Explore Guimaraes, where the evolution of medieval settlement is on show during a tour. Alternatively, visit Quinta da Aveleda, a family business that has been producing wine in the Douro region since the 1870s. Explore their gardens, and tie off the day with a sampling of wine and cheese.

• Visit Quinta da Pacheca for a traditional lunch and tasting with views over the Douro River and Regua.

• On a tour of Lamego, you'll visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and sample a local speciality, Bola de Lamego. Otherwise, you might like to take a trip to Palacio de Mateus, located near the city of Vila Real. Portuguese architect Nicolau Nasoni played a pivotal role in the palace's construction in the 18th century. The palace is also well known for featuring on the bottle labels of Mateus Rose wine.

Visit the Pinhao Railway Station, known as one of the most beautiful railway stations in Portugal. Built in the 19th century, its tiled walls depict the production of port. You'll then visit a local quinta.

This evening you'll be treated to the captain's farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

On a tour of the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, you'll stop for to visit the castle ruins. Returning to the ship, enjoy a delicious dinner. Your thoughts will be fixed on Spain during your final night on board. (B/L/D)

Disembark your ship and say goodbye to life on board. Hit the road and travel to the ancient city of Salamanca for a tour. You'll see the University of Salamanca and the House of Shells before continuing to your hotel in Madrid.

Tonight is yours to spend as you please. Stay: Madrid, Petsana Plaza Mayor (B/L)

Your journey comes to an end today. Be transferred to the airport. (B)