Colours of Spain with Douro Discovery

On arrival at the airport in Barcelona, be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight. Stay Two Nights: Barcelona, NH Podium (D)

Explore Barcelona's famous landmarks on a city tour today. Drive to the famous hill of Montjuic, stop at the Catalunya National Art Museum and continue down to Placa d'Espanya on your way to the iconic Sagrada Familia. On foot, your guide will take you through the Old Town and show you the wonders of this beautiful city. (B)

Today, travel by train to Madrid, Spain's lively capital. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore before sitting down to a tapas dinner at a local restaurant. Stay Two Nights: Madrid, RIU Plaza España (B/D)

On a guided tour this morning, visit Palacio Real, residence of the Spanish Royal Family, then see a selection of Madrid's best-loved attractions. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps wander the lawns of Parque del Retiro or browse the Prado Museum. (B)

Today, travel to Toledo for an escorted tour. Explore the Old Town's winding cobbled streets and its majestic 13th-century cathedral before continuing to Córdoba. Stay: Córdoba, NH Amistad (B/D)

Enjoy a guided tour of Córdoba, during which you'll admire the Mezquita of Córdoba, a medieval mosque converted to a cathedral. Continue to Granada, where you'll embark on a tour with an expert guide. Experience a revival of grand Spanish hospitality at Hotel Alhambra Palace. Stay Two Nights: Granada, Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar (B/D)

This morning, pay a visit to the magnificent Alhambra Palace. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Granada. (B)

Travel to Ronda, stopping along the way for your authentic Insider Experience. Set off on a guided tour of Ronda and see the Puente Nuevo and the Plaza de Toros. Stay: Ronda, Catalonia Ronda (B/L)

Insider Experience - Local Olive Oil Farm Immerse yourself in the idyllic countryside surrounding a local olive oil farm. Learn about organic olive oil production and indulge in a tasting. Then, savour a homemade lunch of traditional flavours and regional ingredients.

This morning after breakfast, travel to Jerez and visit the famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Then, continue to Seville. Stay Two Nights: Seville, Catalonia Santa Justa (B/D)

Today, experience the beauty of Seville with a local guide. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to join an optional to the royal palace of Alcázar. (B)

Enhance Your Journey - Alcázar Royal Palace Tour the royal palace of Alcázar. The Palacio de Don Pedro, built for King Peter of Castile in the 14th century, is the centrepiece of the Alcázar.

Enter Portugal and stop to admire the architecture of World Heritage-listed Evora, before arriving in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Stay Three Nights: Lisbon, Altis Grand Hotel or similar (B)

Explore the Alfama district and marvel at the World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery. Then, visit the gorgeous Belem Tower and see the Castelo de Sao Jorge. (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps enhance your journey with an optional visit to nearby Sintra. (B)

Enhance Your Journey - Sintra Travel to the mountain range of Serra de Sintra. After a guided tour of the charming town of Sintra, visit the World Heritage-listed Pena National Palace.

This morning after breakfast, you will travel by coach to Vila Nova de Gaia where you'll board your river ship. Later this evening, meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception as you take in the sights along the Douro River on a sunset cruise. Stay Seven Nights: aboard your river ship, the MS Estrela (B/D)

Begin cruising along the spectacular Douro River. Flowing from the northern reaches of Spain, through Portugal and into the Atlantic, this river is bordered by countless vineyards. As you cruise this morning, you'll take part in a Portuguese language lesson, during which you'll learn some essential phrases of this beautiful language.

This afternoon you'll visit the picturesque village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated baroque cathedral, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. While in Lamego, visit one of Portugal's best museums. You may also like to sample one of the town's famous specialties, Bola de Lamego, a delicious smoked ham roll. On arrival in Pinhão, you will enjoy an Insider Experience. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience - Portuguese Quinta Dinner Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local quinta, a Portuguese winery.

Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terrón in Spain. Enjoy some time at leisure before joining an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. This tiny village sits atop a hill overlooking both Spain and Portugal, and features a number of well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle and a magnificent stone statue of Santiago Matamoros. After exploring this charming little town, you'll board a coach and return to your ship. (B/L/D)

Today you'll disembark and board a coach to set off for the glorious Spanish city of Salamanca. This gorgeous city is arguably one of the most beautiful in Spain, and boasts sunlit sandstone buildings along with a majestic city square and an ancient university. After your Insider Experience, return by coach back over the border to Barca d'Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro, where your ship awaits. Back on board this evening, enjoy a traditional Portuguese BBQ dinner. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience - Flamenco Show Enjoy a flamenco show and lunch and be entranced by captivating flamenco dancers as they astound you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance.

This morning, enjoy a fascinating history lecture as your ship cruises past Pinhão to Régua. After your Insider Experience on arrival in Régua, this afternoon, enjoy a guided tour in Régua followed by free time to visit the Douro Museum. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience - Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting On arrival in Régua, head to a local quinta, which boasts outstanding views over the Douro Valley. Here, you'll enjoy a tasting of local port wine, Portugal's most famous tipple.

Join an excursion to the splendid Gardens and Palace of Mateus. Tour this living museum which is still owned by the Count of Vila Real. Discover the connection between this beautiful 18th-c Century palace and Mateus Rose wine for yourself. Afterwards, continue to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this gorgeous, vibrant town as you please. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, cruise back to the enchanting city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On arrival, join a fascinating tour of nearby Porto, which sits just across the river. Here, you'll be led past a collection of the city's most famous attractions and visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting.

This afternoon, there's ample time for you to step back out to explore Porto at leisure. You may like to visit a Portuguese boutique to buy authentic, local souvenirs. Or perhaps take a stroll through the city's old-fashioned Bolhão food market. Alternatively take an excursion to Guimarães. This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends. (B/L/D)

Enhance Your Journey - Visit Guimarães Take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimarães, known as ‘the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality'. See Guimarães Castle and the residence of the President of Portugal

After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight. (B)