Enjoy this delightful journey along the river Douro, through an untouched landscape of wonderful high hills, Port vineyards, quaint villages and traditional towns. Cruise from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto to riverside towns of Regua and Pinhao, noted for its blue-glazed murals at the train station
This cruise on the World Heritage River Douro offers many optional excursions - a port quinta, the sanctuary of Our Lady at Lamego, and the Vila Real home of the Count de Mateus - familiar from the Mateus wine label. A highlight is an optional full day visit to Salamanca in Spain, noted for its huge Plaza de Mayor square and cathedral - and itself a World Heritage Site.
E189 Operated by CroisiEurope
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PPH - Douro River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 - Porto (Portugal)
Embarkation from 5pm. Settle into your cabin followed by a welcome cocktail served in the lounge and presentation of the crew. Dinner on board and an optional excursion by coach to explore Porto by night.
Day 2 - Porto
After a buffet breakfast on board, we will set off to explore Porto on an optional guided tour. One of the oldest cities in Europe, its historic centre is classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with an unspoilt old quarter of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses, and superb churches. But Porto is best known as the home of Port wine. Wine properties extend as far as the eye can see along the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia. A second optional excursion is available - a tour of Porto by tram and a visit to the tram museum. Back on board for lunch, followed by a free afternoon to discover Porto at your own pace. Return on board for dinner and a fado evening.
Day 3 - Porto - Regua
Take the optional excursion to Guimaraes or perhaps enjoy an optional guided hike along the Douro. Afternoon cruising. Dinner on board followed by dancing or a stroll through Regua.
Day 4 - Regua - Vega de Teron
Buffet breakfast on board and departure for the optional excursion to Vila Real, a town in which the religious architecture is very varied. You will get the chance to take a beautiful walk in the gardens of Solar de Mateus, noted as the wine label picture. During this time, the ship will sail to Pinhao where we will join it for lunch. We then sail into the heart of the vineyards of the Douro, past magnificent hillsides covered in trellised vines planted in terraces up to 700m and plunging majestically down towards the river. We will go through the locks in Valeira and Pocinho to reach Barca d'Alva during the evening. Dinner followed by a flamenco evening on board.
Day 5 - Barca d'Alva - Salamanca (Spain)
Buffet breakfast on board before departure for the optional excursion to Salamanca, awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. This town of dazzling beauty houses some extraordinary Romanesque, Arab and Christian architectural treasures. Lunch in Salamanca before returning to the ship late afternoon. There is a second optional excursion which explores Salamanca by bike. Dinner and an evening's entertainment back on board.
Day 6 - Barca d'Alva - Ferradosa - Pinhao (Portugal)
This morning will be spent cruising. After, join an optional excursion to discover the Porto wines including tasting.
Day 7 - Pinhao - Porto
Buffet breakfast on board. Departure from Pinhao by coach for the optional guided tour of Lamego. You will discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios sanctuary and the cathedral. Meet the ship back in Regua for lunch. An afternoon's sailing passes through a number of large locks before arrival in Porto. Dinner and traditional evening on board.
Day 8 - Porto
Disembark after breakfast.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary