Portugal's Douro River Cruise
Enjoy a relaxing cruise through stunningly beautiful countryside, vine steeped terraces and traditional villages.
Douro Valley
MS Infante de Henrique in Oporto
Oporto and the Douro River
Port wine cellar, Vila Nova de Gaia
Douro River Valley
Bom Jesus Church, Braga
Regua
Vila Real
Solar de Mateus, Vila Real
Salamanca (optional)
Douro Valley
Douro vineyards
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Your Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Oporto.
Fly to Oporto where you will be met and transferred to your ship, MS Infante de Henrique, for embarkation. Enjoy a welcome cocktail party and a chance to meet the crew. In the evening there will be an optional excursion to see Oporto by night. (D)
DAY 2: Oporto.
After breakfast, there will be an optional guided tour of medieval Oporto, Portugal's second largest city. After a tour through the steep, winding lanes of the town, with grand archways and magnificent churches, travel to Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will visit one of the producers of the port wine that the region is famous for, followed by a wine tasting. After lunch on board, enjoy a free afternoon to discover Oporto at your own pace, or take an optional trip downtown on the river in a traditional rabello. After dinner there will be a folk evening on board. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: Oporto - Regua.
The morning is yours to discover Oporto at leisure or for you to take an optional excursion to Portugal's religious centre, Braga. Here you will have a chance to see the remains of the medieval city walls, city gates and towers, and various examples of imposing Baroque architecture that embellish the palaces and monuments built by archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Teles. After lunch, begin cruising through the spectacular scenery of the Douro Valley to Regua. In the evening you can take part in the organised entertainment, or enjoy an evening stroll at leisure through Regua. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: Regua - Barca d'Alva.
This morning, enjoy an optional excursion to Vila Real for a visit to the beautiful manor and gardens of Solar de Mateus. In the afternoon, rejoin your ship in Pinhão, the geographical centre of the demarcated port wine making region. Later, your ship continues cruising amidst the steep, terraced vineyards that line the banks of the river, en route to Barca d'Alva. Enjoy a flamenco evening on board. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: Barca d'Alva - Vega de Teron.
After breakfast, there is a full day optional excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca, home to one of the oldest universities in the world. The city has been well-preserved and has beautiful stone-built noblemen's houses, convents and palaces scattered among the faculty buildings. The architecture reflects its Roman, Arabic and Christian past, and it is also said to have the most impressive town square in the whole of Spain. You rejoin the ship in Vega de Teron for an evening of entertainment. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: Vega de Teron - Ferradosa - Pinhão.
Continue your journey through the stunning countryside of the Douro Valley, arriving in Ferradosa after lunch. There is an optional excursion in the afternoon that takes you through vineyards where grapes are grown for the production of local wines before heading to a Quinta to taste Port wine. You rejoin the ship in Pinhão before dinner, where you will have time to look at the local train station, built at the end of the 19th century, the inside of which is entirely lined with panels of patterned tiles, or azulejos. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: Pinhão - Oporto.
This morning, there is an optional excursion to the ancient town of Lamego, 12km from the banks of the Douro. This includes a visit to the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios sanctuary, 600m above the town, the medieval castle, the church of Almacave with its azulejo lined walls and gilded woodwork on the altars, and the Cathedral. After lunch on board, the ship continues its journey to Oporto. Tonight, there is a fado evening on board, where you can hear the traditional songs of Lisbon. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: Oporto - UK.
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Optional Excursion Package
£170 per person
The following optional excursion package can be purchased at the time of booking and includes:
Oporto
Day 1 - 'Oporto by night' excursion
Day 2 - Guided city tour
Braga
Day 3 - City visit
Vila Real
Day 4 - City tour and visit to Solar de Mateus manor and gardens
Salamanca
Day 5 - City visit
Ferradosa
Day 6 - 'Wines of Porto' vineyards route and wine tasting
Lamego
Day 7 - Guided tour
Note: All optional excursions are subject to change and a minimum number of participants are required for them to operate.
Drinks with meals included on cruise
Wine, beer, fruit juice, mineral water and one cup of tea or coffee.
Your Holiday Map
Portugal's Douro River Cruise
MS Infante de Henrique
A typical cabin
Restaurant, MS Infante de Henrique
Lounge, MS Infante de Henrique
Restaurant, MS Infante de Henrique
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MS Infante de Henrique
MS Infante de Henrique is fully air-conditioned throughout and accommodates 142 passengers in 71 light, comfortable, outside cabins. With excellent facilities and amenities, including an extensive sun deck, splendid European cuisine, and a friendly, knowledgeable crew, MS Infante de Henrique is an ideal base from which to enjoy the pleasures of the Douro.
Public Rooms & Facilities
Large partially covered sundeck; swimming pool (July and August only); lounge bar with dance floor; restaurant; gift shop; lift.
Dining
Your cruise includes full board. The dining room is large enough to accommodate all passengers in one sitting. Breakfasts are buffet style, while lunch and dinner have set menus, usually including a choice of regional specialities and traditional favourites. Aperitifs, coffee and digestifs are available in the lounge bar. Vegetarian meals and any special dietary requirements should be requested at the time of booking. There is an evening programme of entertainment and a welcome cocktail on the first night. While on board you will be looked after by the ship's hostess and purser.
Cabins
All outside cabins have twin or double beds; air-conditioning/climate control; satellite TV; radio; hairdryer; safety deposit box; shower and wc; and large picture window. Your holiday price includes a main deck cabin, or you may choose to upgrade.
Options/Upgrades
Cabin Categories & Descriptions:
Twin/double main deck cabin with large window
Twin/double middle deck cabin with large window
Twin/double upper deck cabin with large window
MS Infante de Henrique
MS Infante de Henrique Sun Deck
MS Infante de Henrique Upper Deck
MS Infante de Henrique Middle Deck
MS Infante de Henrique Main Deck
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Main Deck twin or double cabin with large window
Middle Deck twin or double cabin with large window
Upper Deck twin or double cabin with large window
Portugal's Douro River Cruise 7 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and departure month, update the calendar then select your holiday.
Portugal's Douro River Cruise 7 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.
| Earlier Dates | Date | Depart From | Price from PP | Later Dates | |||||
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| 9 Jul 2012 |
Make your own way
Make your own wayThis is the price of the holiday without flights
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| 9 Jul 2012 | Birmingham |
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| 9 Jul 2012 | London Gatwick |
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| 9 Jul 2012 | Manchester |
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| 16 Jul 2012 |
Make your own way
Make your own wayThis is the price of the holiday without flights
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| 16 Jul 2012 | Birmingham |
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| 16 Jul 2012 | London Gatwick |
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| 16 Jul 2012 | Manchester |
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| 30 Jul 2012 |
Make your own way
Make your own wayThis is the price of the holiday without flights
|
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| 30 Jul 2012 | Birmingham |
Departure Times
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| 30 Jul 2012 | London Gatwick |
Departure Times
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| 30 Jul 2012 | Manchester |
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Portugal's Douro River Cruise
Price from £1005.00
What's Included
- Flights UK - Oporto - UK
- Accommodation as per cruise ship details
- Meals Full board on cruise ship
- Drinks with meals on cruise (wine, beer, fruit juice, mineral water, one cup of tea or coffee)
- Porterage on cruise ship (for one suitcase per person)
- Transfers between overseas airport and cruise ship
- All local, port and airport taxes
Cruise Highlights
- Oporto
- Regua
- Barca d'Alva
- Vega de Teron
- Ferradosa
- Pinhão
Departures from
- Birmingham
- London Gatwick
- Manchester
Departures between
09 Jul 2012 to 15 Oct 2012
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme
© Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. All holidays and offers are subject to availability.
