Cruising along the Douro

The Douro is very scenic; in fact it is enchanting all the way along. A Douro river cruise promises spectacular valleys, rolling hills, sweeping bends, hillsides cloaked with vines – it is very picturesque from start to finish. And these glorious views go hand in hand with the peace and serenity you’ll experience as you cruise. And you’re virtually guaranteed sunshine, so if you’re so inclined, you could while away the days on the sundeck, soaking up the warmth and enjoying the scenery that slips past.

You might be surprised at how many excursions you can look forward to on a Saga Douro cruise, both included and optional. That’s because the berthing points along the banks are small, quaint little villages; whilst this is another plus for those who river cruise to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we know that this kind of laid-back holiday won’t suit everybody. We like to make sure our cruises offer something for everyone, and a mixture of active days and more relaxed ones can make all the difference between an enjoyable river cruise and an unforgettable one.

One excursion we include is a visit to the city of Salamanca in Spain. It goes back to Roman times and features so many different styles of architecture. Another thing to bear in mind is the product this part of Europe is most famous for – port! We make sure you visit Oporto, renowned for its port warehouses. Here, you will have ample opportunities for tasting and buying bottles of the delicious local tipple. It’s a brilliant way to really immerse yourself in the culture; drinking port as the ship sails past the very vines that the grapes in your glass grew on – it’s just perfect.

A river cruise is one of the best ways to explore this stunning region. Our guests agree – some will visit the Douro two, three times a year, maybe in April and again in October, because the weather is lovely almost all year round, but the scenery will be different depending on the time of year.

Find out more about a river cruise with Saga, and discover the delights of the Douro.