Riviera Travel Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca River Cruise

• Explore Porto’s old town
• Sample Portugal’s most famous product, port
• Enjoy lunch at a traditional Quinta
• Tour Salamanca with a guide
• See a flamenco show in Salamanca

• 7-nts onboard a 5-star ship
• Return flights and transfers
• 7 visits & tours
• Full board, including 1 dinner and 1 lunch off the ship
• Complimentary tea & coffee
• Complimentary on-board wi-fi
• Services of an expert cruise director
• Checked luggage
• All port charges

Day 1 – Arrival in Porto
Arrive in Porto and transfer onto the ship. Once onboard, you’ll gave time to relax and settle in before dinner.

Day 2 – Porto
This morning, explore Porto on a coach tour of the city, with pauses to appreciate the stunning architecture. In the afternoon, set sail for Regua. After docking in Peso da Regua, visit the Quinta da Pacheca. Here you’ll stop for dinner, accompanied by a selection of their own wines. After dinner, take the opportunity to wander through the estate.

Day 3 – Castelo Rodrigo
Enjoy a morning sailing, and enjoy the luxurious facilities onboard. In the afternoon, visit the walled village of Castel Rodrigo, home to a well-preserved gothic castle. From here, enjoy a view of the Spanish border and beyond.

Day 4 – Salamanca
Embark on a guided tour of Salamanca and visit its two cathedrals. Over a local lunch, enjoy a traditional flamenco show before having time at leisure to carry on exploring.

Day 5 – Quinta da Avessada
Spend the morning relaxing as you wind down the Douro river. After mooring at Pinhao, visit Quinta da Avessade, an estate renowned for its muscatel wines where you can enjoy a traditional prepared cooked lunch.  After, take a guided tour of the estate with the owner, exploring the vineyards and learning about the production process. In the evening, enjoy free time in the town of Pinhao.

Day 6 – Lamego & Mateus Palace Gardens
After breakfast, take a short drive to the city of Lamego, known for its church, the Sanctuary of our Lady of Remedies. Other highlights are the ancient Moorish castle, Gothic cathedral and its 18^th Century villas Head to the Avenida, for tea in an open-air café or shop at the market stalls.

Day 7 – Villa Nova de Gaia & Guimaraes
Spend the morning enjoying the facilities on board the ship. In the afternoon, you can choose to return to Villa Nova de Gaia for a port tasting or join the tour to Guimaraes*. Villa Nova de Gaia is located in Porto and here you’ll learn more about the history of port and its production. Alternatively, explore Guimaraes, believed to be the hometown of Portugal’s first king. Visit the Paco dos Duques de Braganca. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s dinner. (*Lunch is not included if choosing the excursions to Guimaraes)

Day 8 – Return home
After breakfast, catch a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

MS Porto Mirante – Brand new for 2024

Step on board the beautifully crafted ship MS Porto Mirante, a spacious 80-metres long with cabins and amenities spread over four decks. This brand new, state-of-the-art ship offers a first-class service to each and every guest.

Fact File

• Currency: Euro
• Flight time: 2 hrs 30 mins to 3 hrs
• Language: Portuguese, Spanish
• Time zone: GMT
• Country: Portugal, Spain

Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship for the duration of your cruise. Please note that speeds may vary.

Visa Information

UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Portugal or Spain however must have a valid passport.

*All transfer times listed are approximate

Porto airport to Ship: 45 minutes