Take a Douro River Cruise to Experience the Best of Portugal’s “River of Gold”

It’s time to head to Portugal! Finally, the well-preserved historical Douro River Valley region is now easily accessible by taking a river cruise vacation. The Douro River flows through a valley with steep granite embankments and hills covered in waving rows of grape vines. It’s still a challenge to get there by road, but now this remote part of the world can be explored by those who take advantage of what the River Cruise Lines have created.

What cities are on this river cruise?

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is where you fly into and begin many Douro River cruise itineraries. It’s famous for its Tower of Belém and Jeronimos Monastery. You’ll board a scenic luxury motor coach in Lisbon and ride north through the countryside of Portugal to Porto, the “City of Bridges.” It’s here you’ll board your “five-star luxury floating hotel” and begin your cruise up the Douro River. You’ll stop in five cities along the river including Bitetos, Régua, Pinhão, Barca d’Alva, and Vega de Terrón in Spain. From Vega de Terron, you’ll motor coach to Salamanca to explore this old-world Spanish city and enjoy a traditional Flamenco show. After a couple more stops in quaint, historic cities, you’ll end up back in Porto to disembark.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to cruise the Douro depends on your personal preference. The Douro River cruising season is from late March through December and it’s beautiful regardless of when you choose to go. However, from March through June the almond blossoms and wild flowers are in full bloom, and the vineyards are budding. If you want to see harvest-time when the vineyards are full of workers hand-picking the delicate grapes, then plan your cruise for September.

What makes the Port wine so special in the region?

Is it any wonder that Port wine originated in Porto, Portugal?  Due to its sweet and stimulating flavor, Port has become a favorite after-dinner wine that has yet to be duplicated in any other part of the world.  The soil along the Douro River is like gravel, so the roots of the grape vines have to dig almost 40 feet deep, through granite-like soil, to find the mineral enriched water. The vine’s struggle to get to the water is reflected in the intensity of the sweetness of this fortified wine.   The Douro Valley was established as a protected region in 1756, making it the oldest defined and protected wine region in the world. 

VIKING RIVER CRUISES will have three ships that sail the Douro River starting 2014

Viking River Cruises recently added two new ships to meet the high demand of passengers who want to cruise the Douro. The Viking Douro will be joined by the NEW Viking Hemming and Viking Torgil in 2014. These ships are designed specifically for cruising the Douro River. Luxury staterooms have a full or French balcony and the ships feature even more optimal views of the steep terraced vineyards from the upper deck. Since the breathtaking landscape is such an important experience on this river cruise, al fresco dining is available, and a wrap-around promenade allows you to have a continuous view while floating along the serene river as it winds through the valley.

You will love Viking’s “Portugal’s River of Gold” 10-day itinerary from Lisbon to Porto. Before you board your ship in Porto, you’ll stay two nights in Lisbon. If you’re feeling adventurous, add on the two night post-cruise, “Road to Santiago” package, which takes you through northern Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It’s an old-world city by design, but popular for its new-world style of nightlife.

AMAWATERWAYS offers a full itinerary from Portugal to Spain

On AmaWaterways’ AmaVida  your time on board will be as captivating as your time on shore. The AmaVida luxury 106-passenger ship features outside balconies in most staterooms and has al fresco dining at the front of the ship.

The AmaWaterways’ “Port Wine & Flamenco” river cruise starts in Madrid, the capital of Spain, where you’ll spend three nights. From there you’ll be escorted to Salamenca and then on to Vega de Terrón  where you’ll board the AmaVida for a seven-night river cruise winding down the Douro River. You’ll stop in Bitetos, Resende, Régua, Lamego, Pinhão, Barca d’Alva on your 13-day vacation. As you transfer from Porto to Lisbon for three nights, you’ll also stop in Fatima, a city made famous by the Marian apparitions in 1917.

AmaWaterways also offers an “Enticing Douro” itinerary that starts with a three-night stay in Lisbon. You’ll transfer to Porto where your ship awaits to take you on a seven-night river cruise that goes through the Douro River Valley to Vega de Terrón with a land excursion to Salamanca, Spain. Then you return to the ship and cruise back through the Douro River Valley to Porto.

UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISES now offers a Douro River cruise

If a boutique luxury floating hotel experience sounds interesting, then take Uniworld’s Queen Isabel 116-passenger ship on their “Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley” river cruise.

Even though it has wi-fi…put it away…and  spend your time on the sun deck and enjoy a glass of port and the unspoiled landscape of the oldest distinguished wine region in the world.

Want more information?

If you have any questions about taking a river cruise, please check us out at www.CruiseExperts.com or give us a call. All of our Experts are accredited by the Cruise Line International Association and would love to help you find a river cruise that is just right for you. With so many options when it comes to river cruising, using an experienced River Cruise Expert will save you time and money. Contact us anytime by calling 1-888-804-CRUIse (2784) or visiting our website, www.CruiseExperts.com.