Douro River Cruise including Porto & Salamanca (Porto - Porto)
Fully
Guided
Nights
Full Board
Flights &
Transfers
- Experience a relaxing river cruise through Spain & Portugal on this guided group holiday.
- Stay 7 nights on board the 4 Star MS Douro Cruiser.
- Ports of call include: Caldas de Aregos, Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Vega Terrón & Barca d‘Alva.
- Experience the cities of Porto, Salamanca with guided walking tours & leisure time.
- Enjoy a guided visit to the beautiful Baroque Mateus Palace and Gardens in Vila Real.
- Taste the flavours of the region at an authentic Portuguese dinner in a traditional quinta (vineyard).
- Enjoy plenty of free time for optional excursions like a visit to the city of Guimarães, the “Cradle of the Portuguese Nation”.
Book Your Trip From £2198pp
Book Your Trip From £1779pp
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Remove from WishlistYour Escorted Douro River Cruise Holiday
Discover the highlights of Northern Portugal with us on this 7-night Douro Valley River Cruise holiday. We’ll begin our journey in Porto with a guided city tour, before commencing our cruise down the Douro River. Travelling on board the MS Douro Cruiser vessel, we will experience the comfort of a boutique hotel as we’re transported to some of Portugal’s most exciting locations. Guided city tours of Porto & Salamanca and a visit to the Mateus Palace and Gardens are included during our holiday. These excursions are led by expert local guides who will share their wealth of knowledge and take us to the must-see attractions of each destination. There will also be a full programme of further optional excursions available at each port of call. Much smaller than an ocean liner, the ship will take us into the heart of most cities we visit, allowing us more time to discover and enjoy time ashore.
Trip Itinerary
Travel To Portugal
Arrive in Porto
Today begins your cruise on the beautiful Douro River. Upon arrival in Porto, you will be met by your local guide who will assist you in the transfer to Porto port. Settle into your cabin and explore the range of facilities on board the MS Douro Cruiser. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. Your ship will be moored in Porto overnight.
Porto & Caldas de Aregos
Porto City Tour
Morning
After breakfast, enjoy an included guided tour of Portugal’s second city. See Porto’s beautiful sites including the Chamber of Commerce, Palacio da Bolsa, the Porto Cathedral, and a walk along the riverside Ribeira quarter. Your tour will also include a Port wine tasting in one of the typical wine cellars for which Porto is famous.
River Cruise to Caldas de Aregos
Afternoon
During the early afternoon, you will cruise along the scenic Douro River and arrive in the small Portuguese town of Caldas de Aregos where you will dock for the night.
Caldas de Aregos & Pinhão
Visit the Mateus Palace
Full Day
This morning you will depart Caldas de Aregos and sail towards Pinhão where you will have an included half day guided excursion to the Baroque Mateus Palace and Gardens in Vila Real. The former home of the Counts of Vila Real, the palace is situated in a beautifully maintained park and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Portugal. You will have a guided tour of the palace and time to explore the gardens before returning to your ship in the early afternoon. Discover more of Pinhão, where you will be docked overnight.
Pinhao and Quinta Dinner
Evening
This evening, your guide will take you on a short tour of the charming town of Pinhão with its famous station, decorated with blue and white ceramic tiles.
Pinhão & Barca d‘Alva
Optional Castelo Rodrigo Excursion
Half Day
Discover the beauty of the Portuguese waterways this morning as your ship departs Pinhão and sail towards Vega Terrón or Barca d'Alva where you will stay overnight. During today's cruise, you can book an optional excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, one of Portugal's ancient parishes (payable locally) or else relax on board and watch the world go by as you continue drifting down the Douro River.
Salamanca
Salamanca City Tour
Full Day
After breakfast, you will embark on a city tour of Salamanca in the neighbouring country of Spain. The historic city centre of Salamanca has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour will take in many of its highlights, such as the impressive Cathedral, Plaza Mayor and the famous University of Salamanca, the oldest in Europe. Before returning to the ship you will have some free time to explore the Old Town at your own pace and discovering its many charms. (Lunch in a local restaurant is included)
Pocinho & Peso da Régua
Optional Lamego Excursion or Free Time
Morning
Today the ship will depart Pocinho and travel on to the town of Peso de Régua in the Vila Real district of Portugal. Here, you can take an optional excursion to the pilgrimage site of Lamego with its impressive Gothic cathedral and stairway (payable locally), or visit the town of Peso da Régua at your own pace. Situated on the banks of the River Douro, Peso da Régua played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine in the past. Your ship will remain overnight in Peso de Régua.
Porto
Leisure time in Porto or Guimaraes Optional Tour
Afternoon
After a morning sailing down the Douro, your ship will redock in Porto after lunch where you will have the afternoon free to explore more of this beautiful city. Alternatively, you can take an optional excursion (payable locally) to Guimarães, known as the “Cradle of the Portuguese Nation” home to the last of the Portuguese kings. Here you can enjoy its medieval historic centre which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Porto
Evening
You will have the rest of the day and evening to spend at your leisure. There are several pretty squares in the Ribeira quarter where you can relax with a drink after your afternoon of sightseeing. Your ship will remain in Porto overnight.
Averio & Return Home
City tour of Aveiro and Depart Portugal
Full Day
It is time to say goodbye after a full week of delights aboard your ship. However, our holiday is not over yet! After disembarkation we will meet with our local guide and let’s head south to the seaside city of Aveiro, nicknamed as the Portuguese “Venice”. Here let’s see the channels that cross the town and view the colourful traditional Moliceiro boats used to collect the local seaweed. You will have some free time to explore the streets of this beautiful town before returning to Porto for some free time and then head to the airport with great memories of your holiday in the Douro Valley.
Accommodation Available
Know before you go
Will I be met at the airport?
You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.
Do I need a Visa?
Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements
What if there is an emergency?
We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.
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