River
Cruise: Douro
- Porto
Iberian
heritage, port wine and spectacular scenery
Cruise
the meandering Douro River through the picturesque vineyards of northern Portugal
on an elegant 80-passenger river boat (8 days - 7 nights).
The
Portuguese section of the Douro River used to be famous for its tumultuous waters
rushing down from the high plateau of Castilla y Leon in neighboring Spain. In
the 1980's, nine dams were built to bring it under control and locks were installed
to make river traffic possible up and down the new waterway. As a result, this
once fast-flowing river is now a succession of peaceful lakes surrounded by some
of the most beautiful scenery anywhere.
The
riverboat has elegant stained hardwood interiors. All upper deck cabins have a
large picture window to view the passing countryside. Lower deck cabins have smaller
windows but the rooms are larger.
Sipping
luscious port wine on a wide river surrounded by verdant vineyards and olive groves...
an ideal setting for total relaxation!
TYPICAL
RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Day
1 - Friday: Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia).
During the afternoon, board the river boat at the Vila Nova de Gaia Quay on the
south bank of the Douro River across from the city of Porto. Welcome drink, dinner
and overnight on board.
Day
2 - Saturday: Vila Nova de Gaia to Bitetos.
Guided city tour of Porto. Cruise to Bitetos with lunch on
board. Dinner at the Alpendurada Monastery.
Day
3 - Sunday: Bitetos to Pinhão.
Cruise to Régua through the Carrapatelo lock, the highest in western Europe
with a rise of 141 feet. Lunch on board, followed by guided tour of Mateus
palace and gardens. Return to the river boat in Pinhão by late afternoon.
Portuguese show and dinner on board.
Day
4 - Monday: Pinhão to Vega Terron. Morning
at leisure. Visit to the Vintage House Wine Academy. Cruise
to Vega Terron (Spain). This stretch of the river offers spectacular views of
cliff formations, terraced vineyards and sprawling olive groves. Lunch on board.
Late afternoon arrival in Vega Terron, the farthest navigable point up the river.
Dinner and flamenco show on board the boat.
Day
5 - Tuesday: Vega Terron to Barca d'Alva. Tour
to Salamanca, a World Heritage city with an ancient university
and a famous Plaza Mayor. This quintessential Spanish city is one of the country's
finest showcases for Renaissance and Plataresque architecture. Typical Spanish
lunch. Dinner on board the boat and cruise back down the river to Barca d'Alva.
Day
6 - Wednesday: Barca d'Alva to Pinhão.
Tour to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified
village with 13th century walls. Cruise to Pinhão. Lunch on board. Arrival
in Pinhão late afternoon. Captain's dinner at the Vintage
House Hotel.
Day
7 - Thursday: Pinhão to Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia).
Morning cruise to Régua. Tour to Lamego, which offers
a wealth of Baroque houses and churches. Lunch on board and cruise to Porto in
the afternoon. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day
8 - Friday: Vila Nova de Gaia.
Breakfast and check-out.
This
itinerary is subject to change without notice.
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Highlights
-
Porto, "City of Bridges"
- Mateus
palace and surrounding gardens
- Salamanca,
a World Heritage city
- Figueira
de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval town
- Lamego
and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
Included
- Accommodations
with private shower
- All
meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
- Sightseeing
tours and activities as specified
- All
local taxes and fees
Not
Included
- Drinks
during meals (wine, water, etc.)
- Bar
drinks on board the ship
- Crew
gratuities (suggested 80-100 euros per passenger)
- Transportation
to and from beginning and end points
- Health
and travel insurance
- Personal
expenses
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
River
Boat Features
- Size:
205 ft. x 30 ft.
- 24
upper-deck cabins
- twin/doubles - 90 square feet
- 16
main-deck cabins
- twins - 100 square feet
- Central
heat, air conditioning and TV
- Sundeck,
panoramic lounge, restaurant and gift shop
2008
Cruise Departures - Every
Friday subject to availability (except winter)
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More
on Excursions and Activities
Porto
- Spreading
along the banks of the Douro River, Porto, a World Heritage city, owes its history
and development to the river that runs through it. A Celtic settlement at first,
it became a prosperous Roman village thanks to its busy harbor. As a medieval
town of fishermen, sailors, merchants and ship builders, it contributed to the
great success of the Portuguese world discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries.
In the 18th century, Porto gave its name to some of the finest wines in the world:
port.
The
tour will drive through narrow streets to view 16th century arcaded buildings
and ornate Baroque churches. We will cross a 19th century iron bridge, built by
disciples of the famed French engineer Gustav Eiffel. Then on to Foz, at the mouth
of the Douro River, to discover the upscale neighborhoods of the city. The tour
ends with a visit to one of the port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you
will see old casks full of port and sample the delicious wines of Portugal.
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to itinerary]
Alpendurada
Monastery - Dating
back to 1024, this convent was used by pilgrims on their way north to the shrine
of Santiago de Compostela (St. James). In this peaceful environment they could
rest for a few days before their final stages to the holy city in the Spanish
province of Galicia. Today the monastery has been remodelled into a modern hotel
where the monks' cells accommodate a different type of travellers. The hallways,
corridors and lounges are all decorated with furniture, chandeliers and tiles
from the 17th and 18th century. The medieval kitchen is still in use, and its
firewood oven is still used to roast the meat you will be served at dinner. Enjoy
the simplicity of a meal cooked in traditional Portuguese style.
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to itinerary]
Mateus
Palace and Gardens -
The palace and gardens of Mateus are located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes
just outside the city of Vila Real. Built in 1745, this magnificent mansion is
considered a perfect example of Baroque architecture. We start the excursion with
a panoramic bus ride along the river banks, through quaint villages and grandiose
vineyard-covered terraces. In the gardens of the palace of Mateus you will find
out about the history of Mateus rosé wine and its connection to this 18-century
mansion. The property is still owned by the current Count of Vila Real but a cultural
foundation called "Casa de Mateus" is now in charge of preserving the
palace and its archives and promoting a variety of cultural, scientific and educational
activities. Several concerts take place there every year, during the "Festival
Mateus" in the summer. Inside
the palace, you will visit the library, a small museum with liturgical vestments,
a collection of silver reliquaries from the 18th century, a 17th century woodcraft
altar, ivory images of Our Lady of Conception (17th century), and a "Descent
from the Cross" (18th century), among many other artifacts. You will also
have a chance to see Portuguese, French and English furniture, mainly from the
17th and 18th centuries, and a few paintings from the same periods.
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Vintage
House Hotel -
Uniquely
located on the majestic Douro River, 60 miles inland from the coastal city of
Porto, the elegant Vintage House Hotel is built on the site of an 18th century
wine estate. The hotel's year-round program of activities includes wine courses
and wine-tasting operated by the Vintage House Wine Academy.
Salamanca
-
Salamanca is a city full of traditions, located at the center of the "Castilla
y León" region of Spain. It was founded by Celtic tribes on the banks
of the river Tormes and was later occupied by the Romans and the Arabs. It was
finally reconquered by the Christians in the 12th century. During the 13th century
the oldest university of the Iberian Peninsula was founded there. The city was
visited many times by kings, princes, bishops and artists who contributed to its
enrichment over the ages.
The
visit of Salamanca (a World Heritage city) vividly reminds us of the Middle Ages.
The monuments are impressive, but so is the large modern university of some 40,000
students coming from all over the world. (The city itself only has 160,000 inhabitants.)
The walking city tour will take you to the New Cathedral, the University, the
House of Shells and, of course, the beautiful "Plaza Mayor."
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Figueira
de Castelo Rodrigo - Castelo
Rodrigo is up in the hills at about 2,200 feet above sea level. The steep and
narrow streets, the 16th century façades of the buildings and the Manueline
windows give this village a uniquely medieval atmosphere. The Romans were the
first to build a fortress there. In 1209 king Alfonso IX built the walls around
the fortress. The village became part of the Portuguese territory in 1297. For
centuries, Jews, Arabs and Christians peacefully coexisted in this small town,
and signs of this can still be seen in Sinagoga Street. Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
is also known for its many almond trees scattered around the village.
The
region's economy is primarily based on agriculture: grain, olives, cattle and
cheese. Wine has been produced in the region by monks since the 12th century.
Every year, Figueira welcomes the beautiful storks that stay in the village for
about 9 months (the stork is the symbol of the village).
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Lamego
- Lamego
is a very old historical town. Small but picturesque, warm and very charming,
it houses one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal: the Sanctuary
of Our Lady of Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos Remédios). Built during the
second half of the 18th century, it is a good example of the Portuguese Baroque
style. Embracing the whole town from the top of the hill, its impressive staircase,
with almost 700 steps, is beautifully decorated with enormous panels of blue and
white tiles (the famous azulejos). Thousands of pilgrims gather here at the beginning
of September every year to seek healing and consolation.
Besides
the shrine, you will have free time to visit the Gothic cathedral and the museum
or just wander around the narrow, winding streets or watch the world go by in
one of the outdoor cafes. Lamego is also famous for its gastronomy: smoked ham,
"Bola e Lamego" (bread filled with smoked ham), oven-roasted lamb, regional
cakes and the well-known sparkling wine called "Raposeira."
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to itinerary]
We
have personally visited this boat and the Douro River valley region of Portugal
and Spain where the cruise takes place. See pictures from our trips:
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