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From the Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto and the Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon to the bustling wineries in the Douro Valley, there's no shortage of sights to take in on a Douro River cruise. You'll have the chance to explore Lamego, city rich in heritage and tradition, or Guimarães considered the beating heart of Portugal. You will also be amazed by the striking history of the tram museum in Porto or the Quaint Afurada. We are the Tour Operator specialised in Douro Tourism, with the largest offer in the market. Our experience in River Tourism and Douro Cruises ensures the organisation of the best programmes and suggestions. With low and competitive prices, we provide fantastic and unforgettable experiences in Douro.
Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley
Discover also the splendid city of Porto, with the sweet authentic charm, before venturing more in the heart of the country, among the innumerable quintas (vineyards) and pretty small traditional villages. At the end this trip to Portugal, you can opt for the extension taking you onto Lisbon to discover this wonderful city on the banks of the Tagus. During a Douro River cruise, passengers can enjoy guided tours of local wineries, where they can learn about the winemaking process and sample a variety of wines, including port, vinho verde, and Douro DOC wines. Some cruises also offer onboard wine tastings, where passengers can sample a selection of wines from the region. Discover the wonders of a special town right in the gateway of the Douro Valley, Lamego.
We provide the bestCruises in the Douro River
Although some 80 varieties of grapes are approved for the creation of Port, six grape varieties dominate. As you journey through the hills to a local quinta, a prestigious Port wine estate and the oldest in the Douro River Valley, you will see a unique landscape that has been shaped by wine growers for two millennia. The stone terraces curving around the steep slopes hold soil that is largely the... Today, you can visit the historic university town of Salamanca—the “Golden City”—famous for its sand-colored buildings and abundance of churches. Feel the centuries fall away as your ship winds its way through the pristine, dramatic UNESCO-protected landscapes of the Douro River Valley. The areas along the Douro River are filled with scenic landscapes, vineyards, cities and architecture.
Night Portugal's River Of GoldDetails
Whether you are exploring the vineyards on foot or simply relaxing on deck, the Douro Valley never fails to impress with its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. We hereby expressly prohibit the use of contact data published in the context of website legal notice requirements with regard to sending promotional and informational materials not expressly requested. The website operator reserves the right to take specific legal action if unsolicited advertising material, such as email spam, is received. The data collected on this website are processed by the website operator. The operator's contact details can be found in the website's required legal notice.
Douro River Cruising: Explore Portugal’s Stunning Valley
First settled in Roman times, Regua, Portugal, was once an important trading post where boats transported port wine to Porto. Today it's a destination for Douro River cruise excursions to Vila Real, a small town nestled among vineyards nearby. There, you'll find Casa de Mateus (Mateus Palace), which is depicted on the labels of Mateus Rosé wine. Interiors are renowned for a collection of religious artifacts and carved wooden ceilings, and outside there are beautiful gardens.
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Our Portugal cruises uncover one of Europe’s oldest and most renowned wine regions. Cruise the Douro River through ancient wine estates, passing barcos rabelos laden with casks en route to Porto and Lisbon. A sublimely scenic corner of Europe, with equally sublime food and wine. Today is all about wine, which has been cultivated in the Douro River Valley since ancient Roman times. Get a crash course on the history of Port during your visit to the Douro Museum.
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The premier times to visit the Douro are in springtime, May and June, and then again during harvest season -- in fall months of September and October. For the rest of the trip, you'll be stopping at places like Bitetos, Regua, Pinhao, Barca d'Alva and Vega de Terron -- small rural villages that you've likely never heard of. Some of the places in which you'll dock are actually nothing much but piers with access to a place to board the motorcoaches. If you’re curious about Douro River cruises, here’s everything you need to know.
Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal: Excellent Porto Views and Even Better Wine
Immerse yourself in the festive and warm atmosphere of Portugal and Spain where you will discover a unique way of life. You will visit Porto, a subtle mixture of modernity and history famous for its wine, or Salamanca and its cathedral, Spain's "golden city". Lisbon is a city of incomparable beauty, rich culture, and profound history. Fall under the spell of its pastel-colored homes, blue water, and yellow, retro streetcars.
Experiences
Lines sailing this Portuguese-Spanish waterway include AmaWaterways, APT, A-ROSA, CroisiEurope, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises and Emerald Waterways. For the best value pricing, shoulder season months, like March to early May and then again in November, offer the cheapest fares, but weather can be cool and rainy. Mid-July through August is another good time for snagging deals; the region can be very hot then. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
Riviera's new ships to sail Danube and Douro rivers - Travel Weekly
Riviera's new ships to sail Danube and Douro rivers.
Posted: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Rowling with the inspiration for the stairs at Hogwarts when she was an English teacher in Porto. The store charges an entry fee, refundable against the purchase of a book. You also can book tours that include a stop at Lello through our sister site, Viator. Read on for our guide to the best destinations along the Douro River in Portugal and get inspired to plan your next river cruise.
The good news is the scenery is just gorgeous and varies throughout the region, so there's a lot to look at. The motor coaches are new, clean and comfortable (with bathrooms onboard, if necessary). Still, be prepared, as the most interesting places to visit are not accessed by simply walking off the gangway. In the last decade, Douro River cruises have become increasingly popular.
We're here to answer your questions about Uniworld cruises and ships, as well as any of our special offers. Guimarães was home to the first king of Portugal, Afonso I, who managed to win his kingdom’s independence in the 12th century from neighboring suzerains. Rove with your guide from the castle toward the beautiful main square, the Largo da Oliveira, and to the splendid Monastery and Church of Our Lady of Oliveira and the 14th-century Gothic Padrão do Salado. But remember that despite these historic beauties, Guimarães has the youngest population of any city in Europe, so the pedestrian area is full of lively and fun cafés and shops. Head ashore for a choice of excursions, including a tasting at a prestigious Port wine estate or a vineyard hike with a wine tasting at a local quinta.
It's also easy for independent travelers to explore by themselves -- English is spoken virtually everywhere in the city -- and the Porto Card provides free travel on public transport and discounted entry to attractions. Other novel experiences include a motorcycle and sidecar tour that will take you to out-of-the-way places, or a cruise in a replica of the wooden rabelo boats once used to transport port from the vineyards to Porto. For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests.
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When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Although no longer used commercially, these iconic workhorses can still be seen plying the waters of the Douro today. Observe the dramatic landscapes, losing yourself in the vibrant green hills of the Douro Valley, or spend your days relaxing in the Portuguese sunshine. The Douro River begins to open up from Porto as it makes its way to the Portuguese coast. Follow the river all the way to the sea and keep biking along the coastline for the most scenic cycling route this region has to offer—and that’s saying a lot.
TUI River Cruises Building New Ship to Sail Portugal's Douro River - TravelPulse
TUI River Cruises Building New Ship to Sail Portugal's Douro River.
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
A Douro River sailing is rich in destinations to appease almost any traveler's desires. Some of the most popular include Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Pinhão and Salamanca. In some cases, ships are operated by DouroAzul, a Portugal-based company that owns much of the region's cruising infrastructure, from docking facilities to a fleet of river ships.
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