Douro Explorer
Douro
from
£1,897 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
- Return UK travel service
Cruise the Douro to explore the scenery and culture of Portugal
Enjoy an all-inclusive river cruise through Portugal and admire the vineyard-clad landscapes and traditional towns of the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, one of the oldest wine-producing regions of the world.
Sample regional delicacies and enjoy wine tastings as you step away from the main tourist hotspots to explore such attractions as the UNESCO-listed city of Salamanca and the medieval town of Figueira Castelo de Rodrigo.
You’ve seen the Mateus Rosé wine label, now visit the 18th-century Casa de Mateus Palace, and round off your cruise with a tasting in a port wine cellar in Oporto…
Itinerary
Spirit of the Douro
Fly to Oporto on the north bank of the Douro and embark your ship the Spirit of the Douro at Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank.
You'll remain moored here overnight.
Spend the morning cruising, arriving in Régua this afternoon. From here you travel by coach for an included tour of Lamego, one of the most attractive cities in Portugal. See the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, set atop nine steep terraces overlooking the town.
There’ll be free time to explore this baroque church and walk down into the city using the ornate staircase – but be warned, there are almost 700 steps! Alternatively, take the coach down to the city where you can visit the Gothic cathedral. Rejoin your ship in Régua and enjoy a Portuguese Folk Music show on board this evening.
Your ship remains moored here overnight.
Depart Régua this morning and admire the scenery as you sail towards Pinhão.
This afternoon an included excursion visits Favaios in the Douro Valley for an included visit to Favaios Winery, where you can enjoy a guided tour of the cellar followed by an opportunity to taste the port wines.
Afterwards, visit a local bakery before travelling by coach to a nearby quinta where dinner, wine and entertainment is included. Your ship remains moored overnight in Pinhão.
Cruise into Spain this morning, arriving at Vega de Térron this afternoon. Enjoy an included excursion to the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval village with a hilltop location. See the 18th-century church and stroll around the village at leisure. Your ship remains moored overnight in Vega de Térron.
Today join an included excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its old university buildings of golden-coloured stone.
The journey here usually takes about two hours, during which your guide will give a commentary about the passing scenery. After some free time, lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a flamenco show. Then, join a walking tour with a local guide to the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest town squares in Spain.
This evening your ship will sail to Pocinho for an overnight mooring. Enjoy a Portuguese dinner on board this evening.
After a morning on board Spirit of the Douro arrive in Régua for a visit to Mateus Palace and its gardens. Your guide will give you an introduction to the palace which features on the Mateus rosé wine label.
Admire the interior and explore the formal gardens. Rejoin your ship, and continue your cruise to Bitetos, where you’ll arrive later this evening. Look forward to a Farewell dinner tonight.
Sail back to Oporto this morning.
Discover the history of Portugal’s second-largest city on an included tour. This famous centre of port wine production is located on the Douro estuary. Walk from the ship to a local wine cellar where you’ll learn about the production of port and enjoy a tasting.
This afternoon, enjoy a coach tour of Oporto. Your ship remains moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.
Disembark your ship after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Spirit of the Douro
Travel to Oporto on the north bank of the Douro and embark your ship Spirit of the Douro at Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank.
You remain moored here overnight.
Depart Oporto, 0700.
Arrive Régua, 1400.
Spend the morning cruising, arriving in Régua this afternoon. From here you’ll travel by coach for an included excursion to Lamego, one of the most attractive cities in Portugal.
See the elaborate Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, set atop nine steep terraces overlooking the town. There’ll be free time to explore this baroque church and walk down into the city using the ornate staircase – but be warned, there are almost 700 steps!
Alternatively, take the coach down to the city where you can visit the Gothic cathedral, which in parts dates back to the 12th century. Rejoin your ship in Régua for an overnight mooring. Enjoy a traditional Portuguese folklore show after dinner.
Depart Régua, 0900.
Arrive Pinhão, 1200.
Depart Régua this morning and take in the scenery as you sail towards Pinhão.
This afternoon an included excursion visits Favaios in the Douro Valley for an included visit to Favaios Winery, where you can enjoy a guided tour of the cellar followed by an opportunity to taste the port wines.
Afterwards, visit one of the local bakery’s before travelling by coach to a nearby quinta where dinner, wine and entertainment is included. Your ship remains moored overnight in Pinhão.
Depart Pinhão, 0800.
Arrive Vega de Térron, 1500.
Cruise into Spain this morning, arriving at Vega de Térron this afternoon.
Enjoy an included excursion to the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval village with a scenic hilltop location. See the 18th-century baroque church and stroll around the village in your own time.
Depart Vega de Terron, 1800.
Arrive Pocinho, 2000.
Today join an included excursion across the border to the city of Salamanca in Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its beautiful old university buildings of golden-coloured stone.
The journey here usually takes about two hours, during which your guide will give a commentary about the passing scenery. After some free time, lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a flamenco show to give you a taste of traditional Spanish culture.
Then, join a walking tour with a local guide to the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest town squares in Spain. Back on board Spirit of the Douro, sit down to a traditional Portuguese dinner.
Depart Pocinho, 0700.
Arrive Régua, 1400. Depart 1700.
Arrive Bitetos, 2100.
After a relaxing morning on board Spirit of the Douro arrive in Régua for a visit to Mateus Palace and its gardens.
Your guide will give you an introduction to the palace which features on the Mateus rosé wine label. Admire the interior and explore the exceptional formal gardens.
Rejoin your ship, and continue your cruise to Bitetos, where you’ll arrive later this evening. Look forward to a Farewell dinner tonight.
Depart Bitetos, 0700.
Arrive Oporto, 0900.
Sail back to Oporto this morning. Discover the history of Portugal’s second-largest city on an included tour. This famous centre of port wine production is located on the Douro estuary.
Walk from your ship late morning to a local wine cellar where you’ll learn about the production of port and enjoy a tasting.
This afternoon, enjoy a coach tour of Oporto.
Your ship remains moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.
Disembark Spirit of the Douro after breakfast and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Return flights and transfers
- Drinks reception and Farewell dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
2024 Included excursions
- Tour of Lamego
- Visit Figueira Castelo de Rodrigo
- Sightseeing in Salamanca
- Dinner at a local quinta
- Tour of a wine estate
- Casa de Mateus Palace
- A tour of Oporto including a port wine cellar visit
2025 Included excursions
- Tour of Lamego
- Visit to a quinta in Favaios
- Dinner at a local quinta
- Visit Figueira Castelo de Rodrigo
- Sightseeing in Salamanca
- Casa de Mateus Palace
- A tour of Oporto including a port wine cellar visit.
Our cruises include excursions at selected ports so you can make the most of the destinations you visit. Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available on board from 11am to 11pm and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
from
£1,897 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
from
£1,897 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.