S.S. São Gabriel, 19 Night Cruise & Tour: Discover Portugal & Spain ex Madrid, Spain to Porto, Portugal

From the awe-inspiring collections of Madrid’s Prado Museum to the beautiful National Palace of Queluz in Portugal, your land tour of Iberia will leave its mark. Savor the region’s culinary delights with curated experiences, from Michelin-starred dining and market tastings to a hands-on cooking class, blending tradition with modern flair. In Granada, explore the Alhambra Palace’s water gardens with a local expert. Wander through Seville’s whitewashed alleys, then enjoy a private flamenco performance in an 18th-century mansion. When your journey by land concludes, it’s time to board your cruise of the Douro River Valley. Sail past the steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages, and acres of ripe vineyards that make up the UNESCO-designated landscape, heading ashore to visit charming quintas and meet the winemakers who operate them.

Day 1 – Madrid
Arrive at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Gran Melia Felix.
Tonight, toast the start of your journey with your fellow guests at our Welcome Dinner.

Day 2 – Madrid
The riches of Madrid are yours to uncover, beginning with a stroll among the city’s historic sites with your Local Expert. Personalize your day by joining an art historian at the Prado Museum or choosing to join a walking tour of the old town.

Day 3 – Madrid, Barcelona
Barcelona’s captivating architecture is yours to discover. Pay a visit to Gaudí’s imaginative Sagrada Família, where mosaic spires pierce the sky like a giant crown and serve as symbol of Barcelona. Later, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 – Barcelona
Stroll through the colorful mosaics and playful designs of Park Güell with a Local Expert, uncovering Gaudí’s unique vision. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore more of Barcelona at your own pace.

Day 5 – Barcelona, Valencia
Follow the golden Costa Dorada through olive and orange groves along the Mediterranean coast. Stop for lunch to savor a creative Mediterranean menu made from fresh seasonal produce at Vicent Guimera’s Michelin-starred L’Antic Molí before arriving in Valencia. Explore this vibrant city, rich in history, with your Travel Concierge.

Day 6 – Valencia, Granada
Travel to colorful Granada to live the good life. Join a Local Expert to experience the exquisite Alhambra Palace, a sprawling arabesque complex built by the Moors in the 13th century. Later, check into your own decadent stay—a renovated 19th-century palace centrally located in Granada.

Day 7 – Granada, Córdoba, Seville
Step back in time at Córdoba’s Old Roman Bridge and great Mosque-Cathedral, strolling beneath delicate arches and pillars. Exquisite structures continue at the magnificent Mezquita, one of the greatest works of Islamic architecture. After arriving in Seville, dine at an elegant restaurant in town.

Day 8 – Seville
Discover the rich Andalusian culture of Seville, from its orange-scented streets to lively plazas. Personalize your day by visiting the Fine Arts Museum to admire treasured masterpieces or choosing to explore the magnificent Seville Cathedral. Later, embrace the spirit of flamenco on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a private dance lesson at the Cristina Heeren Foundation.

Day 9 – Seville
After enjoying a relaxed start to your morning, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of Andalusia with a morning market visit to Mercado de Abastos, where your cooking experience awaits. Learn the secrets to Spain’s popular dishes and dine on your creations.

Day 10 – Seville, Évora
Greet Portugal in the charming hilltop town of Serpa. Over lunch, you’re treated to a stirring performance of Cante Alentejano. With a song in your heart, continue to Évora and check into your elegant hotel.

Day 11 – Évora, Lisbon
Discover the charming, historic town of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bask in Évora’s flavors at Herdade da Calada winery where you’ll explore the estate, learn about their winemaking process, and have the privilege to sip on a selection of their tantalizing local wines. Later, enjoy a delicious dinner of Portuguese specialties.

Day 12 – Lisbon
Begin your day at Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries and the waterfront Belém Tower, two enduring symbols of Portugal’s Age of Exploration. Visit the National Coach Museum to admire one of the world’s finest collections of ceremonial carriages, before marveling at the intricate design of the Queluz Palace. This evening, dine in style at Cervejaria Liberdade.

Day 13 – Lisbon, Porto (Embark)
Transfer to Porto, where your Floating Boutique HotelTM awaits. As you settle into your new home for the week, we’ll begin our cruise of the spectacular Douro River Valley.

Day 14 – Porto, Entre-os-Rios
Portugal’s second city (after Lisbon), Porto gave its name to the nation’s most famous export, Port wine, and to the nation itself. Today, choose to explore Portugal on foot or by panoramic drive.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 15 – Entre-os-Rios, Régua
Get a crash course on the history of Port during your visit to the Douro Museum. Later, discover the wonders of a special town right in the gateway of the Douro Valley, Lamego. This evening, enjoy a Night Out with dinner at a local quinta.

Day 16 – Pocinho, Vega de Terrón
Go medieval today at Castelo Rodrigo, both the name of a hilltop castle as well as the village that surrounds it. The view from the top is incredible and the village is a charming place to ramble, relax and replenish. Alternatively, lace up your hiking boots and unleash your inner Indiana Jones with an up-close gander at some prehistoric carvings at an archaeological park.

Day 17 – Vega de Terrón (Salamanca), Barca d’Alva
Today, you can visit the historic university town of Salamanca—the “Golden City”—famous for its sand-colored buildings and abundance of churches. Feel the centuries fall away as your ship winds its way through the pristine, dramatic UNESCO-protected landscapes of the Douro River Valley.

Day 18 – Barca d’Alva, Pinhão, Régua
Today is all about wine, which has been cultivated in the Douro River Valley since ancient Roman times. Partake in a choice of excursions including a tasting at a prestigious Port wine estate or a vineyard hike with a wine tasting at a local quinta.

Day 19 – Régua, Porto (Guimarães)
Explore Guimarães, the town where Portugal was born. Its well-preserved architecture and stylish young residents make it a pleasure to visit.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 20 – Porto (Disembark)
If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Porto Airport for your flight home.

S.S. São Gabriel embodies the beautiful Douro River Valley like no other ship in the region. Beautiful azulejos tilework, polished wood, and a summery palette bring the vivacity of Portugal onboard, while a sundeck pool beckons passengers to relax in the sunshine while soaking in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. This Super ShipTM vessel offers an entire deck of lavishly appointed suites with butler service, as well as three different dining venues in which to experience the delectable wine and cuisine of the Douro River Valley.

Leading the Way since 1976 We were the first American company to set sail in Europe, and we’ve been revolutionizing the landscape of river cruising ever since. With more experience than practically any other line on the rivers, we spent our time developing deep local connections, destination expertise, and the most incredible crew in the industry. Over the years we’ve grown to offer unparalleled itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, and the Peruvian Amazon.

The Original Floating Boutique Hotels We took everything travellers love about boutique hotels and made it float—think warm and personalized service, unique design schemes that highlight your destination, locally-inspired dining, thoughtfully curated activities, and ultra-comfortable furnishings. Each member of our fleet is one-of-a-kind, a work of art with its own bespoke details, custom fabrics, and local craftsmanship to bring the destinations outside in. Many of our ships even share a design team with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. And the best part is, you’ll wake up to a wonderful new place to explore every day.

The Highest Quality in All-Inclusive Luxury River Cruising Our all-inclusive itineraries are tailored to deliver authentic luxury. You can keep your wallet closed the entire trip, and still find everything you need and more to have a fantastic time. What truly distinguishes the meaning of “All-Inclusive” at Uniworld is our commitment to quality and passion for Tiny Noticeable Touches™. Handmade Savoir beds, a wide selection of premium wines and spirits, and delicious cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients—every piece of the Uniworld experience is hand selected to transform good experiences into exceptional ones.*

No Request Too Large, No Detail Too Small® “No request too large, no detail too small”—that’s our driving ethos, and every member of the Uniworld crew lives by it. Our service is second to none. With a 2.4-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio and the longest tenured team in the business, our team starts to learn your name and your drink order from day 1. It’s little touches like this that make you feel like family onboard with us, and what makes returning for your next sailing feel like coming home.

Our Travel Family We’re proud to be a part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) collection of award-winning travel brands—including Trafalgar Tours, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki, and African Travel. We share a collective ethos: treat your guests, your staff, and the local communities you visit like family, and you’ll create the most rewarding travel experiences out there.

*Note: Inclusions may vary in Egypt, Asia, and Peru.

Select the Deck to view detail.

S.S. São Gabriel - Madeira Deck

S.S. São Gabriel - Cape Verde Deck

S.S. São Gabriel - Azores Deck

Sao Gabriel - Sun Deck

S.S. São Gabriel - Blue Azzelij Terrace

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Grand Suite

Grand Suite (307 sq ft – 28.5 sq m)
Note that amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship

Suite

Suite (220 sq ft – 20.4 sq m)
Note that amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship

French Balcony

French Balcony (156 sq ft – 14.5 sq m)
Note that amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship

Deluxe

Deluxe (156 sq ft – 14.5 sq m)
Note that amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship

Classic

Classic (135 sq ft – 12.5 sq m)
Note that amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship

Grand Suite

4 (28.5 sq m)

Suite

12 (20.4 sq m)

French Balcony Stateroom

20 (14.5 sq m)

Deluxe Stateroom

10 (14.5 sq m)

Classic Stateroom

4 (12.5 sq m)