An Iberian River Journey
A full-board cruise on the Douro River through northern Portugal to Spain
In Brief
| Cruise - 7 nights |
Itinerary 1 (Apr 23)
Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick or Stansted to Porto and embark on the MS Douro Prince for a seven-night stay.
Day 2 Cruise upstream crossing the Crestuma-Lever and Carrapatelo dams and the flood gate. Arrive in Regua for an optional excursion to the ancient town of Lamego*. Depart for Pinhão where dinner is at the Vintage House Hotel.
Day 3 Optional visit to Quinta do Seixo for a port wine tasting*. Sail to Vega Terron in Spain where overnight is spent.
Day 4 Join an optional excursion to Salamanca with lunch and a traditional show. Overnight in Barca d’Alva.
Day 5 Take an optional morning excursion to the medieval town of Figueira Castelo Rodrigo*. Cruise downstream to Pinhão, passing the Pocinho Dam and flood gate, where overnight is spent. Dinner and a traditional Portuguese show on board.
Day 6 Optional visit to the 18th-century Mateus Manor House*. Dinner at a monastery and overnight in Bitetos.
Day 7 Optional half-day tour of Porto*.
Day 8 Return flight.
Itinerary Notes
Optional excursion package (indicated thus*) - £200.
Salamanca £65.
Extension - The Cradle of Portugal
A three-night pre-cruise stay in the Minho region of Northern Portugal including tours of medieval Guimaraes, Braga, Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima. Accommodation is in the Hotel do Parque, perched high on a hilltop overlooking Braga and surrounded by gardens, with access into the town by road or funicular. The hotel serves breakfast only.
Extension - Portugal's Capital Cities
A four-night post-cruise arrangement including two nights at the 3-star art deco Hotel Astoria in Coimbra and two nights at the 4-star city centre Hotel Mundial in Lisbon. Both hotels are well located and the transportation between Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon is by rail. A half-day city tour of Lisbon is included.
