Douro Discovery Cruise

1 departure

13 October 2021

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8 days

From £2,395

Activity Level:

Summary

The River Douro rises in Spain and runs into Portugal, through the heart of the wine growing region, the steep hillsides lined with countless terraces of vines ripening in the sun. Our cruise begins at the river mouth in Porto, forever linked with the sweet fortified wine that has been shipped by the barrel-load to England for centuries. Cruising upstream we call at Régua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the picturesque town of Pinhão. We continue to Barca d’Alva, surrounded by steep hillsides, and Vega Terron before turning round and cruising gently downstream to Porto.

Excursions are included to the Mateus Palace, with its stunning interiors and famous garden, and the spectacular ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at Lamego, with a range of further optional excursions available at a supplement.

Single cabin middle/upper deck on request
Double cabin main deck Outer £195.00
Double cabin middle deck with balcony £595.00
Double cabin upper deck with balcony £875.00
Optional excursions:

Salamanca £120.00
Castelo Rodrigo £55.00
Porto City tour £55.00

Tour highlights:

All-inclusive service aboard a luxury river-cruiser
The Mateus Palace and Gardens
The ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at Lamego
Terraces of vineyards
Autumn colours reflecting off the river

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Today's Price
£2,395

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Deposit: £200 Single supplement: £995

Includes flights

Keeping you safe on your next tour

FREE 'Travel Safe' kits for every traveller
COVID-19 insurance
Enhanced Health and Safety audits
Distanced seating on coaches
'Get me home' service and private airport transfers
COVID protocols at our hotels, and aboard our cruise ships
Packed lunches and flexible dining options
Flexible balance payment date and COVID-friendly refund conditions
COVID-testing and medical training for tour staff
Constant monitoring and post-tour tracing

Your itinerary

Day 1 -

We depart from London on a direct flight to Porto and on arrival transfer to the quayside where we join our ship.

Dinner is served on board in the evening and we overnight here in Porto.

Meals included	Dinner

Day 2 -

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.

Meals included	All meals included

Day 3 -

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.

Meals included	All meals included

Day 4 -

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

Meals included	All meals included

Day 5 -

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.

Meals included	All meals included

Day 6 -

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.

Meals included	All meals included

Day 7 -

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.