Douro river cruises

Embark the coach with your guide and drive through Porto’s narrow streets. See 16th-century buildings, elaborate Baroque churches and chapels, and the Romanesque style Porto Cathedral – one of the oldest fortifications within the area. Make your way to Sao Bento Train Station, a unique must-see railway attraction built in 1904 and decorated in blue tiles illustrating historical events that took place in Portugal and around Europe.

Travel by coach to small and picturesque Lamego, an old town rich in history. Its shrine, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Portugal. Built in the second half of the 18th century over the remains of a 14th-century chapel, it is an excellent example of Portuguese baroque style. The vast staircase leading up to the cathedral is adorned in intricate blue and white tiles, and has nearly 700 steps.

Journey by coach to Salamanca, a city rich in traditions. On arrival you will have some time at leisure to explore. During this time, we recommend taking a visit to the Old Cathedral to appreciate its classic Romanesque architecture. You will enjoy a local buffet lunch and flamenco show before starting your guided tour of the city. Admire the exterior of the beautiful university, and see the House of Shells and the “Plaza Mayor”, formally a site of bullfighting and now a popular gathering point for locals and visitors. The tour continues to the Gothic ‘New’ Cathedral – a name which serves as a testimony to the city’s age and rich history, since this ‘new’ building was constructed in the 16th century to replace the original 12th-century Salamanca Cathedral.

Visit a local wine cellar with a sweeping backdrop of the river Douro. During your stroll, you will venture past several century-old buildings, many of which were or are still used for the production of Portugal’s famous drink: Port. When you arrive you will be greeted by a local guide who will give you an insight into the production and ageing of the different types of port wine at the cellar. The tour finishes in the tasting room where two glasses of different port will be given to you to sample.

Travel by coach to Quinta da Avessada, which is located in the village of Favaios on a high plateau above the Douro Valley. This small, family-owned estate produces Moscatel, one of the richest wines for the Douro region. During your time here, you can look forward to exploring the history and culture of wine in the Douro Valley. At the small museum, the various stages of wine production from planting the vine and the winemaking process to nectar tasting and wine labelling will be revealed. Later, you can enjoy a traditional dinner at the vineyard, hosted by the family.

Travel to the medieval town of Óbidos, one of the most picturesque and well-preserved towns in Portugal. Its walls encircle a castle and a maze of streets lined with whitewashed houses, which you can stroll past. On arrival you can look forward to a sour cherry brandy tasting – known traditionally as Ginjinha de Óbidos – which is drunk from a small chocolate cup. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore independently. There are many examples of religious architecture from the town’s heyday, such as the Santa Maria Main Church, the Misericórdia Church, the Church of São Pedro, and the Pillory, and beyond the walls, the Aqueduct and the Senhor Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary.

Your tour begins with a scenic drive from your ship, during which your guide will introduce you to the diversity of flora and fauna of the Douro Valley along the way to Castelo Rodrigo. On arrival in this charming Portuguese village, you will be taken through the characteristic cobbled streets to reach the Church of Our Lady of Rocamadour. Once a stop-off point for pilgrimages, you can admire the surrounding countryside scenery from its hilltop viewpoint. Along the way you’ll pass by quaint cafes, boutiques and the medieval castle which you are free to explore.

Travel by coach to Porto, pausing along the way at the historic city of Coimbra, home to a renowned UNESCO-listed University – one of the oldest in Europe and the centre of this once medieval capital of Portugal. When you arrive in Coimbra, enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch if you wish to, you will have the opportunity to admire the University’s exterior and perhaps take some photos during a short, guided walking tour, or alternatively enjoy some free time to explore independently.

Explore river cruising destination that ticks all the boxes…

Discover a region with rich history and cultural heritage.

Join us as we explore the famous Douro river.