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Delights of the Douro

8days from

£1,895^*per person

Overview

Journey through Portugal and Spain’s most breathtaking landscapes and experience the charm of its second city, all from the comfort of a scenic cruise.

Venture through the heart of the Douro Valley, enjoying cultural and historical exploration along the way. Starting in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, you’ll discover its UNESCO-listed centre, including the Sé Cathedral, São Bento Railway Station, and traditional azulejo workshops. The cruise then follows the river through vineyard-lined valleys, stopping at Régua, Pinhão, and Vila Real, where you can see Mateus Palace, sample local wines, and visit the Douro Museum.

Optional excursions allow for tram rides, wine tastings, and more stops, like in Salamanca, with its celebrated university, and lively bodegas. Further highlights encompass tours to Lamego and its Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, a Baroque pilgrimage site with a 686-step decorated staircase, and Guimarães, often called the birthplace of Portugal. Onboard experiences feature leisure time, gala dinners, and cultural entertainment such as Fado and flamenco evenings.

Itinerary

Fly to Porto - Arrive at Porto airport, where you’ll be met by your tour manager and transferred to your ship. Depending on the time of your flight, you can explore this birthplace of Portugal with its UNESCO-listed sights and medieval streets. This evening, board the ship, and after settling into the cabin, meet the crew with a welcome cocktail before dinner. Later, you can opt to join a night tour of Portugal’s second-largest city, known for its port wine production and grand bridges. Your guide will show you around its historic centre and famed landmarks, such as the Sé Cathedral, 20th-century São Bento Railway Station with its azulejo tilework, and the bustling Ribeira district along the Douro River.
Cruise from Porto to Régua - Enjoy your first breakfast on the river and perhaps spend the day taking advantage of the ship’s on-board facilities, including the sun deck or explore the city at your own pace. Alternatively, join one of two optional excursions to discover more of Porto with a local guide. An optional guided tour of Porto takes you around the city by coach, with the first stop at St. Francis Church, a striking Gothic monument, boasting beautiful Baroque décor. Continue to Bolsa Palace, also known as the Stock Exchange Palace, a 19th-century neoclassical mansion located in the heart of the city. The final stop will be at a local azulejo tile workshop, so you can learn about this traditional art form and its history. The name ‘azulejo’ comes from the Arabic word ‘zellij’, which means polished stone. Return to the ship in the evening. Another optional tour offers the chance to leisurely explore the city by tram. From the port, you’ll board a coach to the downtown district. Here, you’ll travel on one of the city’s iconic vintage trams across the tracks and steep hills to the mouth of the Douro. There will be a stop at the tram museum, Museu do Carro Eléctrico, which is housed in a former power plant. Opened in 1922, this building now houses the oldest cars pulled by horses, called ‘Americanos’, dating back to 1872. The excursion will conclude with a tasting of local specialities, including some port wine, produced in the valley, the third-oldest protected wine region in the world. In the afternoon, the ship will then journey through the Douro Valley as you take in the beautiful views from the deck to Régua. An evening of dancing or time at leisure awaits after dinner.
Cruise from Régua to Vega de Terron - This morning, following breakfast, enjoy time at leisure, perhaps relax on board and take in the river views, or step ashore for some independent exploration at your own pace. Alternatively, join an optional excursion, appealing to wine and history enthusiasts. Starting on foot, you’ll walk from the port to the Douro Museum. Next, continue by coach to the nearby city of Vila Real, to visit the magnificent 18th-century manor, Mateus Palace. Later, return to the ship in Pinhão by coach, and in the afternoon, the cruise will make a scenic journey through some of Porto’s most well-known vineyards to Vega de Terron, a small port on the Spain-Portugal border. Dinner will be complemented by an evening of lively flamenco entertainment.
Cruise from Vega de Terron (Salamanca) to Barca D’Alva - Following breakfast, spend the day as you please, whether that’s unwinding on board or discovering the Spanish city of Salamanca. You can also set off on one of two optional excursions. The first optional involves boarding a coach at the port and travelling to Salamanca, where you’ll meet your guides. This university city is a delight to explore, and you’ll begin in the UNESCO-listed old town, home to an assortment of Romanesque, Gothic and Moorish architecture. Next, you’ll walk to one of the oldest universities in the world, dating back to 1218. This building, also known as Escuelas Mayores, boasts an ornate gate with the city’s most famous design, a tiny frog carving atop a shell. This frog originally symbolised a warning against temptation and moral decay, but today it is mostly known as a good-luck symbol for students who find it – see if you can spot it. Its library, built in the 13th century, is packed with large manuscripts and early printed books, and is one of the best-preserved historic university libraries in Europe. There will then be time for an included lunch at a local restaurant, with time to wander around the city at your own pace. Return to the ship to board in Vega de Teron. Foodies can join an optional tapas tour, which involves visiting several eateries across Salamanca’s city centre with a guide. This allows you to sample a wide range of appetisers as snacks, such as patatas bravas, salads, and cold cuts, paired with local wine. Lunch will be served at a popular restaurant, and afterwards, you can stroll around at your own pace, perhaps in search of dessert. Later, return to board the ship in Vega de Teran before dinner.
Cruise from Barca D’Alva to Ferradaso and Pinhão - The ship will have started cruising as you enjoy breakfast before another day at leisure to relax or do some discovering of Pinhão at your own pace. If you’re keen to taste more of the local delicacies, you can join an optional excursion covering the port wine route and Pinhão. Meet your guide at the dock and venture by coach along the picturesque wine route, deeper into the vineyard-lined valleys. While you travel, learn about how Portugal has cultivated vineyards since the Roman Empire and take in the enchanting scenery with the river flowing below. The coach will then arrive in Pinhão, a pretty village located right on the banks, where you’ll stop at a quinta, a family-owned estate for wine tasting with a view. The highlight of Pinhão is its train station, which you’ll get to admire its striking design. Built during the 19th century, this colourful masterpiece features azulejo frescos depicting the production of port wine. Later, return to the ship and get ready for a special gala dinner this evening.
Cruise from Pinhão to Porto and included Lamego excursion - Have breakfast, disembark the boat, and join your guide for an included tour of the small and walkable Portuguese city of Lamego. You’ll first travel by coach into the heart of the city, where you’ll get to see its most famous landmark, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Constructed in a Baroque and Rococo style in the 18th century, it’s known for its 686-step staircase. The weaving staircase is adorned with blue-and-white azulejo tiles, statues, fountains, and terraces overlooking the city. This pilgrimage site is one of the most spectacular religious stairways in Portugal and offers incredible views over the mountains and the surrounding landscape. Good walking shoes are recommended, and it’s important to dress appropriately for this visit. After you’ve explored, you can return to the ship for a rest as the ship cruises through the Douro Valley. Tonight, a Fado-themed evening of entertainment will follow dinner.
Cruise to Porto and included Guimarães excursion - The ship will arrive back in Porto after you’ve had breakfast, and you can choose to disembark and explore further. In the afternoon, a visit to Guimarães will showcase this university town and its main attractions on foot. Often called the ‘birthplace of Portugal’, this city’s medieval centre is a listed UNESCO site. You’ll begin with the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church, a Gothic structure named after an olive tree (Oliveria) that once stood in the square. Inside, you can view the carved wooden altars, religious statues, and medieval tombs. You’ll then continue around the centre, walking around its snaking lanes and beautiful plazas. The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza is the next stop, a medieval fortress bult in Built in the 15th century by Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza, one of the most powerful nobles in Portugal. Today, it houses a museum, which has preserved period furniture, paintings, and armoury. Return to the ship in Porto for a final evening of dinner and traditional folk entertainment.
Fly back to the UK - Before disembarking, enjoy your last breakfast and begin your journey home.

What's Included

Holiday Highlights

Cruise through the scenic Douro Valley and admire its vineyard-lined landscapes
Explore Porto, Portugal’s second city, with its historic centre, Ribeira district, and famous landmarks
Discover Régua, Pinhão, and Vila Real, including Mateus Palace and traditional Port wine estates
Visit Salamanca, with its UNESCO-listed old town, University of Salamanca, and tapas bars
Experience Lamego and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios with its Baroque staircase
Walk through Guimarães, the ‘birthplace of Portugal’ on an included excursion, and see the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
Enjoy gala dinners and cultural entertainment, including Fado and flamenco evenings
Enhance your cruise with a selection of optional excursions, such as tram rides, museum visits, wine tastings, and local city tours

Our Price Includes

Seven nights’ all-inclusive accommodation on board MS Infante Don Henrique or MS Vasco de Gama
Seven breakfasts, six lunches, seven dinners, and unlimited service on drinks (excluding premium labels)
Welcome cocktail
Gala dinner and evening
All port fees
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board your ship
Travel assistance
Headsets are included for excursions
Guided tour of Lamego
Guimarães excursion
Return flights to Porto
Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager, and the services of a multi-lingual crew (French and English-speaking as standard) on your river cruise

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Dates and Prices

Accommodation

MS Vasco de Gama -

Introduction
Showcasing the best of the wine-making Douro Valley, the MS Vasco de Gama promises a range of panoramic viewing areas from which to soak up the riverside landscapes.  

Facilities and amenities 
The ship has a sundeck with sun loungers, a shaded area, and an outdoor swimming pool. There’s also an onboard restaurant, serving buffet-style and a la carte meals, and a comfortable lounge-bar area with a dance floor.   Optional excursions are available to book at the ship’s reception and there’s also a gift shop offering a range of souvenirs and CroisiEurope products.  

Your Cabin 
With panoramic windows and air-conditioning throughout, each cabin also includes a TV, safe, hairdryer, and private wash facilities as well as free Wi-Fi. Cabin/suite upgrades are available at a supplement.  

MS Infante Don Henrique -

Introduction
Comprising 71 comfortable cabins and a wide array of recently renovated onboard amenities, the MS Infante Don Henrique is a stylish and well-appointed base from which to explore the idyllic Douro Valley.  

Facilities and amenities 
The ship’s restaurant, a sleek buffet-style dining room on the main deck, promises sprawling views of the local scenery from its wide panoramic windows, and there’s a sun deck, with sun loungers, armchairs and a swimming pool. The ship also has a casual lounge bar area with a dance floor, a 24-hour reception area, and a small gift shop.  

Your cabin 
Each cabin is well-equipped and air-conditioned throughout, with large windows that offer unobstructed views of the passing Douro landscapes. All cabins have private wash facilities, TVs, hairdryers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Cabins on the upper deck also include French balconies, and cabin/suite upgrades are available at a supplement. 

Other Information

Transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your ship is approximately one hour.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Optional shore excursions

Optional excursions are available on all cruises. If the number of bookings needed to operate any excursion is not reached, the excursion may be cancelled.

Order of excursions

Please note that timings of all excursions are approximate and are subject to change. Your crew and tour manager will let you know of any amendments and the most up to date information will be provided in your Final Travel Documents.

Dress codes

While visiting certain landmarks featured on the included and optional excursions, customers are advised to adhere to the dress codes of each venue (where applicable). For more information, please speak to our holiday planners or your tour manager while on your cruise. The dress code on board and ashore is comfortable and casual; we recommend that you bring sturdy footwear for excursions. For the restaurant we recommend smart casual dress. Please remember to bring warmer clothes for evenings out on deck.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory, but from experience we know that many passengers like to leave gratuities for the crew. At the end of the cruise you will find a tip box for the entire crew at the reception and the suggested amount is five Euros per guest per day. Of course, you are free to tip individual crew members at any time, should you wish.

Disabled guests and guests in need of assistance

All ships have stairs, are not equipped with lifts, and may not be suitable for passengers with restricted mobility. Wheelchairs cannot be used on board.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is provided free of charge in accordance with CroisiEurope's conditions of use. You can request a login and password from reception. Internet reception is limited and will vary from location to location.

Luggage

Where possible, we recommend non-rigid suitcases as these are easier to store within your cabin.

Cabin facilities

In your cabin you will find a safe installed in the wardrobe, a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers, insect screens and pool towels. The power supply in your cabin is 220 V/50 Hz. All sockets are European two-pin, meaning you will need to bring an adapter.

Air-conditioning

All vessels are air-conditioned throughout, with individual climate control in each cabin.

Drinking water

The water on board is potable and bottled water is provided in your cabin.

Itinerary changes

On rare occasions, the Captain may need to alter the Cruise Itinerary. If this happens, the Cruise Manager will keep passengers informed.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Holiday code

N2903

Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for Metro Travel Offers)

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.

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