Europe River Cruises

Lisbon and the Beautiful Douro River with hotel stay in Lisbon

A 3-night hotel stay in Lisbon followed by a 7-night Douro River cruise from Coimbra to Porto with 8 included excursion

Portugal, changed the course of world history, leading the discovery of many new lands. The Portuguese invented the navigation of the seas, so it is only fitting for you to discover the warmth and friendliness of these very proud people as you travel along the Douro River. Before embarking on your cruise, enjoy Lisbon, a colourful entree to what lies ahead as you sail the river valley with steeped-terraced vineyards and picture-postcard landscapes.

The Douro Valley at Regua

Stop in Coimbra, “Birthplace of Kings,” and Porto, the “City of Bridges.” Taste new wines from old village vineyards – Régua, Pinhão and Lamego. Stroll the UNESCO World Heritage City, Salamanca, Spain, and along the way uncover a land of unspoiled beauty and charm.

Your cruise ship, the Douro Queen

More information about Douro Queen

H183: Cruise Departure Dates 2010
Aug 19, 26; Sep 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
Oct 7, 14, 21, 28
H183: Lisbon and the Beautiful Douro River 2010£ price per person
Prices above are per person based on two sharing a cabin. Flight upgrades are available on request.
Single Supplement for non-offer dates: Cat 3 - £800, Cat 2 - £900, Cat 1 - £1,000

Porto

The cruise price includes
  • VIP Home Departure Service from your front door to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport and from London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport to your front door
  • 11 day itinerary: 7 nights full board cruise on the Douro Queen and 3 nights in Lisbon hotel on bed and breakfast basis
  • Scheduled Air Portugal or other leading airline flights from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Lisbon, and return from Porto to London Heathrow or Gatwick
  • Transfers to and from airport, hotel and ship
  • Complimentary wine with dinner during your cruise
  • Included shore excursions with English speaking guides as per itinerary (subject to change)
  • Captain's Dinner
  • All airport taxes, security charges and UK Air Passenger Duty
  • All port charges
  • Airline imposed fuel surcharge
Call our dedicated Cruise Team
UK: 01756 706529
International: +44 1756 706529
Useful Links
Call our dedicated Cruise Team
UK: 01756 706529
International: +44 1756 706529
Useful Links

Itinerary
Day 1
London - Lisbon

Begin with the VIP Home Departure Service to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport for your scheduled Air Portugal or another leading airline flight to Lisbon. Meet our representative on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2
Lisbon

Included Excursion: Lisbon City Tour. Your guided exploration of the city takes you to one of the most historical districts of the city, Belem, where you will see the Belem Tower, a fortress that kept careful watch over the great navigators who left Portugal to seek their fortunes elsewhere. You will relive the opulence of the former times with a visit to the Royal Coaches Museum, and the 16th-century ornate Jerónimos Monastery.

Day 3
Lisbon

Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the cosmopolitan city often referred to as the 'city of seven hills'

Day 4
Lisbon - Coimbra - Porto

Included Excursion: Coimbra Tour with Lunch. En route to embark Douro Queen, you learn about Portugal’s third largest city on a tour of Coimbra, known as the birthplace to six of Portugal’s kings and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Enjoy lunch in a local Pousada, a family-run restaurant, before continuing on to Porto to embark the Douro Queen.

Day 5
Porto - Bitetos

Included Excursion: Porto city tour and dinner at Alpendurada Monastery. The “City of Bridges,” Porto, is Portugal’s second largest city. Its charm stems from its dramatic position above the river, with gabled houses closely terraced on the hill. You’ll be guided through the medieval city centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then on to see the Romanesque cathedral. During the afternoon, the ship sails to Bitetos, where we will spend an evening dining at the former 14th-century Benedictine Monastery of Alpendurada, perched high above the river in a stunning setting.

Day 6
Bitetos - Régua (Lamego) - Pinhão

Included Excursion: Mateus Palace and Gardens. Be amazed by the breathtaking scenery of the Douro Valley as we cruise from Bitetos to Régua in the morning. During the afternoon, you will be enchanted with a visit to the baroque architecture, with an impressive facade made up of beautiful pinnacles on the roof and an ornate stairway, all reflected in a pond in front. The gardens are among the most beautiful in Europe, with a tunnel of cypress trees shading the path. Return to the ship in Pinhão.

Day 7
Pinhão - Barca d’Alva

Included Excursion: Lecture and Port wine tasting at a local Quinta. The small town of Pinhão is the epicentre of the Port winemaking area, and a place where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best. Visit a local Quinta and learn more about the history of Port which goes back to the 17th Century. Find out more about the unique climate conditions of the region and the Port wine making process, and of course, get to indulge in some of this country's most celebrated beverage. Afternoon sailing. Captain’s Dinner this evening.

Day 8
Vega de Terrón (Salamanca)

Included Excursion: Full-day Salamanca city tour with typical Spanish lunch with a flamenco dance. The Douro Queen will dock in Vega de Terrón this morning and from here, you will travel overland to the Spanish city of Salamanca, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Spain. Visit the historic university founded in 1218 by Alfonso IX of León and stroll through one of Spain’s largest and grandest squares-Plaza Mayor with its warm, gold-coloured sandstone. After a typical Spanish lunch, with a flamenco dance, enjoy some free time before returning to the ship.

Day 9
Barca d'Alva (Castelo Rodrigo) - Pinhão

Included Excursion: Tour of Castelo Rodrigo and dinner at the Vintage House Hotel. Visit the small town of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval walled city with a parish church perched high on a hilltop that dates back to the 12th century. This evening, visit the Vintage House Hotel, set in a magnificent 18th-century mansion overlooking the Douro River, where you will be treated to a delicious dinner.

Day 10
Régua - Porto

Included Excursion: Mateus Palace and Gardens. Today, tour the old Episcopal city of Lamego, with a wealth of baroque buildings, including the 18th-century pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, museum and an 11th-century castle.

Day 11
Porto - London

Disembark the ship and transfer to Porto Airport for your Air Portugal or another leading airline flight home. Arrive at London Heathrow or Gatwick where a representative will meet you and our transport will transfer you to your own front door.

For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary

Boats on the River Douro

Blue Water Holidays, Bridge House, Brook Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1PP - 01756 706529
As a fully bonded member of ABTA (K9428) with an ATOL (9685), the Air Tour Operators Licence, we offer complete peace of mind when you  book your holiday through us.