Porto, Portugal 

You’ll start your river cruise in Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto. Depending on what time you arrive, there may be time to wander across the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge, shop the big-name brands on Rua Santa Caterina street, or head to the train station in the centre of town. Even if you’re not going anywhere, it’s worth popping your head in to see the ornate Azulejo tiles on the walls – the whole place gives New York’s Grand Central Station a run for its money in the looks department. 

 

DAY 2: Entre-os-Rios, Portugal 

You’ll arrive in Entre-os-Rios, today. Old stone houses, cobbled streets and rolling hills filled with vineyards are the biggest pulling points in this cosy little village, while the surrounding forests are ideal for hiking. If you’d rather take it easy, you can head out on a shore experience or visit the thermal baths just outside town. Their natural, sulphur-rich waters have been soothing the locals here for more than a century. 

 

DAY 3: Regua (Peso da Regua), Portugal 

It’s on to Peso de Régua today – a compact town that’s nestled just inside Portugal’s Vila Real district. It’s hard to find a more central spot in the country’s port wine region, so it’s no surprise that wine-tasting’s on the cards in the hillside vineyards that are dotted around. It’s also within easy reach of Lamego if you fancy spreading your wings a little – this scenic town’s got thousands of years of history behind it, and it’s just a short trip away. And don’t panic if you don’t get to see everything in Peso de Régua today, as you’ll be back here on day six. 

 

DAY 4: Vega de Terron, Portugal 

You’ll reach Vega de Terron today – a laidback town that straddles the border between Portugal and Spain. If you’re staying local, you can stroll among the traditional textured sandstone buildings around town and head to the old market square. Or, if you fancy crossing the border, Salamanca’s within easy daytripping distance 

 

DAY 5: Barca d'Alva, Portugal 

There’s another border town on the cards today – Barca d’Alva. Nature thrives here, with groves of almond and olive trees, plus plenty of vineyards and orchards dotted along the banks of the river. It’s the ideal spot for heading out to the International Douro Natural Park, too. This bird watcher’s paradise is a great place to spot rare species like the Egyptian vulture, royal eagle and Eurasian golden oriole, and it’s only an hour’s drive away. Even closer is the picturesque town of Castelo Rodrigo, with its Medieval city walls and castle – this place is only around 30 minutes’ drive away. 

 

DAY 6: Regua (Peso da Regua), Portugal 

You’ll get a second look at Peso de Régua today. While wine-tasting’s the big attraction here, away from the corks and carafes you can find out all about the local history at the Douro Museum. And don’t forget to check out the Miradouro de Sao Leonardo de Galafura while you’re in town. This high-up spot comes with widescreen views over the surrounding valleys. If you fancy heading out of town for a few hours, Mateus Palace is just a 20-minute ride away. This impressive winery and manor house dates back to the 16th century, and you can wander around its pristine gardens or visit the vineyard museum. 

 

DAY 7/8: Porto, Portugal 

You’ll arrive back in Porto today, so there’s time to see anything you might’ve missed on your first day. You can take the tram along the waterfront to Foz do Douro if you fancy heading to the beaches on the edge of town, or make a beeline for the Livraria Lello bookstore – its carved wooden interiors are said to have inspired the appearance of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter universe.You’ll head home today, but hopefully you’ll still have time to try Porto’s signature dish if you haven’t already. The francesinha can be found on menus across the city, and while it’s technically a sandwich, this towering mound of meat and cheese with an egg on top and lashings of spicy sauce is definitely a knife and fork job.