Douro Discovery Cruise

We cruise from Porto to Régua, where we visit the Mateus Palace. Still owned by the Count of Vila Real, it was built by the architect Niccolo Nasoni in Baroque style. The original furniture and, above all, the exceptional and handcrafted chestnut wooden ceilings make the interior of the palace unique. After our guided tour we will visit the famous and beautiful garden with its sculptures, ponds and rare trees.

In the afternoon we continue our cruise to Pinhão.

We cruise from Pinhão to Vega Terrón. An optional excursion is available to the Spanish city of Salamanca, which is home to some exceptionally ornate architecture including the Cathedral and the University, the fourth oldest in the world.

Our cruise continues as we sail from Vega Terrón to Barca d’Alva.

We cruise from Barca d’Alva to Pocinho and back to Pinhão. An optional excursion is available to Castelo Rodrigo, one of Portugal's twelve historically significant villages, with typically narrow streets and facades from the 16th century as well as Manuelistic window ornaments. After visiting the ruins of the castle, we walk through the narrow streets of the village, where there are still numerous traces of the Jewish community. We also visit the small medieval church.

This morning we cruise from Pinhão to Régua and Bitetos and visit the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at Lamego. one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites. The main thoroughfare leads up to the 686 steps that come to an end high up at the baroque church of Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. The so called "stairway to heaven" is decorated with beautiful azulejos (coloured tiles) and from the top there are stunning views of Lamego.

The last leg of our cruise takes us from Bitetos to Cais da Laxa and Porto. Here we have the option of a tour of the city that gave its name to one of the finest wines in the world. The tour takes us along the Douro river to the mouth of the river and further along the Atlantic coast past the noble villa town, Foz do Douro, right into the city centre. Photo stops and explanations at Porto Cathedral in the heart of the old town, at the Palace of Justice near the Clerigus bell tower and at the famous railway station will bring you closer to the city. Here in the middle of the old town, which has enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage staus since 1996, you will also have some free time. Then we cross the landmark of the city, the bridge "Dom Luís I", which was designed by Gustav Eifel, to Vila Nova de Gaja. This town is known for the warehouses of the winegrowers which are over 100 years old. Here we will visit a typical wine cellar with a tasting of famous port wine.

Following breakfast we disembark the ship in and transfer to the airport for our flight back to London.