8 Nights Europe River Cruise

So many of Madrid's buildings look like castles, you'll think you've stumbled into a fairytale. Even City Hall is astounding, with its white pinnacles and neo-Gothic features. A self-guided architecture tour can begin by the great bear statue in the central Puerta del Sol. Wander by the fanciful Royal Palace before absorbing the natural beauty of Retiro Park, then visit one of the city's many museums. You could happily cap off each day by nibbling on forkfuls of paella while sipping Spanish rioja.

So many of Madrid's buildings look like castles, you'll think you've stumbled into a fairytale. Even City Hall is astounding, with its white pinnacles and neo-Gothic features. A self-guided architecture tour can begin by the great bear statue in the central Puerta del Sol. Wander by the fanciful Royal Palace before absorbing the natural beauty of Retiro Park, then visit one of the city's many museums. You could happily cap off each day by nibbling on forkfuls of paella while sipping Spanish rioja.

Situated in Spain at the confluence of the Douro and Agueda rivers, Vega de Terron is one of the main drop-off points for excursions to the historic city of Salamanca. River cruise vessels on the Douro stop at a wharf where passengers are met by coaches. (The other drop-off point for Salamanca excursions is Barca dAlva, the last Portuguese village on the river.

Encircled by terraced hillsides that produce some of the world's best port - and some stellar table wines, too - pretty little Pinhao sits on a particularly lovely bend of the Rio Douro, about 25km upriver from Peso da Regua.

Peso da Régua, commonly known as Régua, is a municipality in northern Portugal, in the district of Vila Real.

Entre-os-Rios is a Douro River cruise port in Portugal. The town is located between two rivers - Douro and Paiva. The vineyards covering Douro Valley's slopes offer splendid scenery. The entire surrounding area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the home to the Termas

Entre-os-Rios is a Douro River cruise port in Portugal. The town is located between two rivers - Douro and Paiva. The vineyards covering Douro Valley's slopes offer splendid scenery. The entire surrounding area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the home to the Termas

The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal's second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present

The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal's second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present