Cruise from Portugal to Spain

Cruise on the scenic Douro River from Porto on the Atlantic to Salamanca in Spain

Here is a truly delightful cruise holiday. It offers a gentle, relaxing journey through breathtaking scenery, quaint villages and town, and the great cities of Porto and Salamanca.

Your cruise on the Douro River takes you from Porto on a wonderfully scenic path through deep-cleft gorges terraced with thousands of vineyards, past sleepy villages and a tranquil countryside of almond and citrus trees, to the Spanish border. From here, visit Spain's ancient seat of learning, Salamanca, with its grand buildings in rich copper hues, and its most magnificient square, the Plaza Mayor.

Douro Queen details and deck plan

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Itinerary
DAY 1	Arrive in Porto and embark on the Douro Queen. Two cities, Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto, are divided by the Douro River, and a number of impressive bridges span its high banks. The Douro Queen is docked on the Vila Nova de Gaia side. The view of the Old Town of Porto, across the river, is spectacular. Relax or explore the city on your own before a welcome onboard cocktail and dinner.
DAY 2	Porto - Bitetos This morning, discover Porto’s wealth of historic sights on your city tour. See its elegant residential section along the Atlantic coast, and explore the Old City with steep medieval lanes and alleys. Depart this afternoon for Bitetos, cruising through delightful scenery. This evening’s highlight is dinner in the 14th-century former Monastery of Alpendurada. Before dinner, enjoy a Port wine cocktail on the monastery’s terrace with breathtaking views of the river valley below.
DAY 3	Regua Continue up the scenic Douro, arriving after lunch in Regua. This afternoon, visit a local Quinta for a wine tasting and a lecture on Port wine. Continue to a local winery, a beautifully restored 18th-century “pousada” manor house, with a spectacular location high above the river. Here you will enjoy a Port wine cocktail and dinner. The ship overnights in Regua.
DAY 4	Regua - Vila Real - Palace of Mateus - Barca D’Alva Drive to Vila Real, the capital of the Port wine region, for a tour of this charming town. Continue to Casa de Mateus, a beautiful 18th-century palace, and one of the most splendid examples of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Explore its formal gardens, which feature a unique 100- foot cedar tunnel. This afternoon, cruise past terraced vineyards, almond, olive and cherry orchards on a leisurely and tranquil journey up the Douro. Arrive in Barca D’Alva in the late afternoon. This quaint river village is only a few hundred feet from the Spanish border. This evening, a group of Flamenco dancers will perform onboard the ship.
DAY 5	Vega de Terron - Salamanca Sail into Spain, then travel by motor coach from Vega de Terron to Salamanca for a full-day tour. Salamanca has been famous as a seat of learning since the early 13th-century. During a guided city tour, see the university buildings, the 12th-century Romanesque church of San Martin and the unusual twin-towered cathedral. Enjoy an included lunch in a local restaurant, and the afternoon to shop or stroll the Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. Return to the ship for dinner.
DAY 6	Sao Joao da Pesqueira - Pinhao Spend the morning cruising the delightful Douro. After lunch, stop at Ferradosa for an afternoon tour to Sao Joao da Pesqueira. See its charming town hall decorated with beautiful tiled murals depicting Port wine scenes. Leave this small town via steep, winding roads to the famous nine chapels of Sao Salvador de Mundo. The view of the river below is breathtaking. Continue to Pinhao, where the ship moors for the night. There is time to explore this delightful small town before dinner. Tonight, enjoy a performance onboard by a local Portuguese folk ensemble.
DAY 7	Lamego - Porto After breakfast, disembark for a tour to Lamego, one of the most attractive cities in Portugal. Visit the famous Gothic church, Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, situated high above the city. Enjoy free time in this delightful city to shop or visit its interesting museum before arriving at the ship in time for lunch. This afternoon, sail through the scenic Douro Valley to Porto, set on Penaventosa Hill, high above the Douro. Sail for several miles under the impressive bridges along the fascinating and colorful Old Town. The quaint beauty of this city is a delightful surprise. Enjoy cocktails onboard and a farewell dinner.
DAY 8	Your delightful holiday comes to an end this morning. Disembark for your flight home.