Douro River Cruise Itinerary
DAY 1 - PORTO
Embarkation from 5.00pm. Settle into your cabin and be introduced to the crew followed by a welcome cocktail served in the lounge. Dinner on board. In the evening, there is an optional excursion by coach to explore Porto see night. Overnight in Porto.
DAY 2 - PORTO - REGUA
After a breakfast there is an optional guided tour to explore Porto. Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe and its historic centre has been classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is characterised by unspoilt old quarters, a maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses and superb churches. Most of all Porto is known for its wine and wine properties extend as far as the eye can see along the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia. The tour includes a visit to a famous cellar and some wine tasting. Return to the ship for lunch followed by an enjoyable afternoon cruise through the Douro Valley and the fabulous landscape to Regua, going through the lock in Carrapatelo, arriving in Regua around 8pm. Dinner on board followed by dancing or time at leisure seeing Regua at your own pace. Overnight in Port.
DAY 3 - REGUA - VEGA DE TERON
Breakfast on board and morning optional excursion to Vila Réal where you can take a leisurely stroll in the beautiful gardens of the Solar de Mateus. During this time, the ship will sail to Pinhao. Return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon cruising into the very heart of the vineyards of Porto, past magnificent hillsides covered in trellised vines planted in terraces up to 700m plunging majestically down towards the river. The ship will go through the locks in Valeira and Pocinho to reach Vega de Teron during the evening. Dinner followed by a flamenco evening on board.
DAY 4 - BARCA D'ALVA - SALAMANCA
Breakfast on board. Optional excursion to Salamanca which has been granted world heritage status by UNESCO. This town of dazzling beauty houses some extraordinary Romanesque, Arab and Christian architectural treasures. Lunch in Salamanca. Return to the ship in Barca d'Alva. Dinner and an evening’s entertainment on board.
DAY 5 - BARCA D'ALVA - FERRADOSA - PINHAO
Departure early in the morning and enjoy a buffet breakfast during the cruise. Sail through the locks in Pocinho and Valeira. Lunch during the cruise and stop in Ferradosa around 2pm. Departure for the optional “wines of Porto” excursion following the road through vineyards. There is a tasting of the wines of Porto in a quinta. Back on board in Pinhao around 6pm. Dinner and gala evening on board.
DAY 6 - PINHAO - PORTO
Breakfast on board. Departure from Pinhao by coach for an optional guided tour of Lamego to discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios sanctuary and the cathedral. This afternoon will be spent cruising with a leisurely lunch on board. The afternoon’s sailing includes passing through a number of large locks. Arrival in Porto at the end of the evening. Dinner and traditional evening of Fado-themed entertainment on board.
DAY 7 - PORTO
After breakfast enjoy leisure time in Porto. In the afternoon, after lunch on board, there is an optional guided tour of Guimaraes. Return to the ship for dinner followed by an evening of traditional folk entertainment.
DAY 8 - PORTO
Breakfast on board and checkout at 9am for your transfer and flight home.
Please note: for reasons of navigational safety, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the cruise itinerary, which is beyond Orbital Travel's control.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
There is a comprehensive programme of guided optional excursions which can either be pre-booked or can be booked on board the boat. There is a 5% discount when you pre-book the whole excursions package.
Please contact us for more information on our excursion packages.
**Orbital Travel act as agents for the activity operator/supplier. Please note that the contract for these excursions, tours and activities is between the client and the local suppliers who offer them. Local suppliers are independent of Orbital Travel.**
CRUISE MAP
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