Picturesque Solo Douro Cruise

Upon arrival at Porto airport, transfer to the pier on own. Check in begins at 17:00hrs. This evening, enjoy welcome reception with the captain and crew.

Overnight on board 

Spend the morning on board the cruise enjoying on-board entertainment facilities. Perhaps you can join us for a guided tour of Porto, one of the oldest European centers, it is also known as the birthplace of port wine. It is a charming riverside community with a historic center that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can admire beautiful bridges, baroque cathedrals, and romantic architecture that lines its narrow, cobblestone streets.

Overnight on board

Optional Excursion: Guided Tour of Porto - Price is Part of Excursion package

A unique opportunity to admire the city of Porto, you will love the old, preserved districts of this city of immense character, classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Porto is not only a city rich in vestiges from a glorious past, but also the young-spirited, warm capital city of a region marked by its winemaking as well as its closeness to the ocean. During the tour, visit one of the wine cellars for a wine-tasting session and get a chance to taste the most popular wines of Porto. Return to the ship in the evening to board, enjoy your evening meals on board as your ship sails towards Caldas De Aregos. 

Your journey continues to Pinhao, a quaint little town surrounded by terraced hillsides that produce some of the best port wines, it is located on a particularly lovely bend of Duoro. The sleepy little town holds little interest except for its delightful railway station which is beautifully decorated with hand-painted tiles. Perhaps enjoy a city tour of Pinhao or choose to take an excursion to Vila Real and the most beautiful Palace of Mateus.

Optional Excursion: Guided Tour of Pinhao - Only Bookable onboard

Enjoy a guided tour of the sleepy town of Pinhao, a town synonymous with great Port wines and magnificent Table wines. Surrounded by the terraced hillside, located at the confluence of Pinhao and Duoro river, wineries and their competing signs dominate the scene. Although the town offers little architectural or historical interest, it has a delightful train station adorned with blue and white tiles, along with several large, very well-preserved hand-painted panels portraying historic scenes of the surrounding area, thus giving visitors a good idea of how the Douro looked before the dams were built and the river was made navigable.

Optional Excursion: Vila Real and Mateus Palace - Price is Part of Excursion package   

Leave from Pinhão for Vila Real, where aristocrats built grand palaces during the 16th and 17th centuries. The architecture of the religious buildings is here extremely varied. Take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, followed by a tasting of the local pastry, Cristas de Galo. Then set out to explore Mateus Palace, the most beautiful and astonishing manor in all of Northern Portugal. The subtle mixture of granite, white walls and extravagance from the Age of Enlightenment such as ledges covered in statues and Baroque-style pilasters is a striking feature. Behind the manor is a delightful garden with box hedges, more statues, and a spectacular 115-foot cedar tunnel. After our tour, return to our ship in Regua or Pinhão.

This morning sail towards Barca D’ Alva, a quaint Portuguese river port near the Spanish border. This tranquil town is shadowed by mountains and surrounded by miles of gorgeous countryside filled with vineyards and orchards. Known for being one of the most typical localities in Portugal, it is a region of unique landscapes and is dominated by scores of Almond trees, which when blossom, give a typical white and pink hue to the village. This tiny port is your gateway to the Quinta do Seixo, a historic port wine–making facility typical of the Douro region.

Optional Excursion: Excursion to Castelo Rodrigo - Price is Part of Excursion package     

Explore one of the historical parishes of Portugal, with an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, a small, fortified village perched high on a hilltop. Initially founded in the 13th Century, it was renovated in 16th Century. Enjoy walking through the narrow and steep medieval streets. Among the sights is the Chafariz dos Pretos in the market square, a one-of-a-kind fountain decorated with striking black faces. In the olden days, it also stood on the route taken by the pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. Legend has it that none other than St. Francis of Assisi spent the night here on his pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James.

Absorb the scenic surroundings of Barca D’ Alva or just enjoy the onboard entertainment facilities. Perhaps you can take a same-day excursion to the Spanish University town of Salamanca or take a walk through the village to explore its hidden charms. Early evening sail towards Pocinho, a quaint little village in the North of Portugal. Perhaps you can choose to take a walk through the beautiful valley, visit Coa Valley Museum, or see the impressive site of Pocinho Dam.

Overnight on board

Optional Excursion: Guided tour of Salamanca (lunch included) – Bookable only on board

Departure by coach towards Salamanca where you'll meet up with your guides. Since 1988, the Old Town of Salamanca has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The classified area extends to the major part of the city as it used to be until the middle of the 20th century and is responsible for its growing popularity. We'll visit the cathedral whose successive extensions created a mixture of styles going from late Gothic to Baroque, including Renaissance. Afterwards, we'll visit one of the world's oldest Universities which first opened in 1218. You'll enjoy lunch and be free to discover the city on your own. Return on board in Vega de Teron.

Experience the on-board entertainment and recreation facilities or just admire the beautiful coastline of Duoro, as you sail to Regua, a town of ornamental carvings and tiled walls. It is the region’s largest riverside town which grew into a major port-wine production region which thrives since the 18th century. It is also the place where world's first ever demarcated region for wine production was set up. A base to explore the scenic vineyards, the town itself gives you many vantage points for jaw dropping views of Duoro Valley. Relax on board the ship, perhaps you can take an excursion to tour to the city of Lamego. 

Optional Excursion: Excursion tour to the city of Lamego -Price is Part of Excursion package        

Enjoy a late afternoon excursion to Lamego, a charming episcopal and commercial town where you'll get to discover the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary. This 18th century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The first stone was laid on February 14th, 1750 and gave way to the construction of a massive temple overlooking the city and providing a breathtaking view over the misty mountains of the surrounding landscape. Return on board in Regua.

Your magical journey along the river Duoro continues with your return to Porto. Enjoy the breathtaking views along the river and get lost in these beautiful valleys, green areas, and extensive vineyards. Arrive late in the afternoon at Porto. Perhaps you can go out to explore the city of Porto on your own or remain onboard to enjoy the onboard facilities.

Overnight on board 

Optional Excursion: Excursion tour to Guimarães – Bookable only on board

Enjoy an afternoon excursion to the Cradle of the Nation of Portugal Guimarães. Begin the tour of this university town on foot to discover its historical treasures. Get the chance to discover the Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church (outdoors), the most important religious building in the city. The medieval heart of Guimarães is a labyrinth of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings. Continue to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza with striking architecture. The palace is closed on May 1 and Easter Day. At the end of our visit, returned on board in Porto.

After you have enjoyed breakfast on board, you will disembark the river cruise in Porto at 9:00am. You will then make your own way to the airport for your flight back home.