Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise with Porto Extension - MS Douro Elegance

Fly to Lisbon or Porto, where we’ll meet and transfer you to your five-star cruise ship in Porto. From the moment you board, the welcoming crew are at your service. In no time you’ll be settled into your luxurious, thoughtfully furnished accommodation and familiarising yourself with all the first-class aspects of this floating boutique hotel. 

As dawn breaks over Porto the adventure begins as our elegant vessel commences her stately passage upstream. Your first delicious breakfast is served by the attentive crew and whilst you linger over another coffee, you can really start to unwind as we leave the city skyline far behind. Head up on deck to appreciate the changing landscape in all its splendour as the river weaves its way between the lush hillsides; from the first morning on board, it’s very apparent that the Douro is one of Europe’s most photogenic river valleys and the topography has prevented the building of extensive riverside roads.

After another superb lunch on board, we cruise into the small town of Peso da Régua, from where we visit the grounds of the splendid Mateus Palace. Anyone familiar with Mateus Rosé and its characteristic ‘squashed’ bottle will recognise the palace from the label. Whatever your opinion of the wine, it is an impressive 18th-century Baroque edifice, mirrored in its stunning pond, surrounded by landscaped French gardens. This evening we take the short drive to the 126-acre Quinta da Pacheca for dinner. Enjoying dramatic views over the Douro, it dates back to the 18th-century and is simply one of the most beautiful and distinguished properties in the region. It is also notable as being the first quinta – in 1738 – to bottle wine under the name of its owner, the aristocrat Mariana Pacheco Pereira. You have time to wander through part of the estate.

Tonight, as you enter the restaurant for dinner, feel free to choose your table. Later we will see a celebratory vintage port wine opened in the traditional way. We are moored in Regua overnight.

As dawn breaks, early risers can witness the ship’s graceful departure. Relax over a leisurely breakfast whilst the ever-changing scenery idly slips by through the restaurant’s superb panoramic windows.

The Douro was once a wild river, notoriously challenging to navigate, especially for the traditional flat-bottomed boats, which often foundered in its waters. Today it has been tamed by a system of dams and locks, which have raised the water level to produce a topography reminiscent of Scotland’s lochs that enhances the valley’s charm. As we cruise into ever more rural territory towards the Spanish border, the river here is at its most peaceful. It’s the perfect time to take a refreshing dip in the Sun Deck pool – a rare treat on a cruise ship – or catch up on some reading, perhaps with a cool pre-lunch glass of vinho verde, the local, gently fizzy white wine. Portuguese wine is simply outstanding but production is low, so the best is rarely exported. Our on-board wine list includes some excellent regional wines and the friendly and attentive restaurant staff will gladly guide you through them. Do experiment a little and you’ll be greatly rewarded.

This afternoon we visit Castelo Rodrigo, a delightful 12th-century walled village tucked away in the picturesque highland ranges bordering Spain. Its church was a resting place on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and it is said that Saint Francis himself stayed here. The views are simply stupendous, stretching across almost-deserted ochre hillsides.

This evening after dinner we will see a celebratory vintage port wine opened in the traditional way, then head up on to the sun deck to listen to the unmistakable sound of crickets and breathe in the scents from the surrounding valley slopes that pervade the warm evening air.

Today we visit historic Salamanca, one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey, regarded by many Spaniards as their nation’s most beautiful city. Founded by the Romans, who erected its 389-yard-long bridge, Salamanca is mostly built from local sandstone that emanates a gorgeous rose-coloured glow in the sunlight. Perched on a hill on a bend in the serene River Tormes, the city is a picture of tranquillity but its history is turbulent, having been successively fought over by Hannibal, the Moors, then the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon.

Salamanca is dominated by its two cathedrals and its university. Founded in 1218, the university is the oldest in Spain and was one of the civilised world’s most important seats of study for over 400 years. The Spanish Inquisition’s records are still kept here, and as early as the 16th century it boasted some 12,000 students. Seeing its immaculately preserved lecture halls with their vaulted ceilings, it’s easy to conjure an image of Christopher Columbus addressing the learned men of the day or legal experts constructing the international laws that originate here. On arrival in Salamanca you are free to explore as you wish. You may choose to linger, admiring the ornate interiors of its cathedrals – the more recent dates from the 16th-century – or explore its tiny streets, medieval squares, traditional shops, gardens and marketplaces. The main square, the Plaza Mayor, was built in the 18th-century in Spanish Baroque style with colonnaded walkways all around at ground level, ideal for finding a shaded spot to sit and watch the locals pass by. Over lunch you enjoy a traditional flamenco show. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the city seeing the main sights.

One of the benefits of life aboard a river cruise is the sheer sense of relaxation it brings; our elegant ship slips its moorings during breakfast, after which there is plenty of time for a spot of pampering in the on-board spa, or simply watch the seamless changing of the riverbank scenery passing by from the comfort of a cosy seat in the lounge. We’re in port wine territory, where the lush hillsides have largely given way to a patterned landscape of terraced vineyards. Inland from the Atlantic, the climate has changed, too; it’s noticeably warmer and drier, while the area has a Mediterranean appearance with orangey, earthy colours replacing verdant greens.

We arrive later in the pretty little town of Peso da Régua. We enjoy a visit to a local historic quinta to learn all about the stages of wine production, from the planting of the vines, harvesting, the wine-making process and finally tasting and labelling. No visit would be complete without sampling some of their excellent produce of course, so we enjoy a tasting before returning to the ship. (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast we take a short drive to historic Lamego, home of Portugal’s sparkling wine, Raposeira, and one of the first places to be reclaimed from the Moors in the 12th century. Situated atop the hill overlooking this lovely town is the ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies church, its stairways adorned with attractive azulejos, the country’s characteristic painted ceramic tiles. 

By the time we return to our ship, our chef and his team will be adding the finishing touches to another delicious lunch, ready to be served as we depart for Cais da Lixa. After lunch there’s the perfect opportunity to take to the sun deck to enjoy the kaleidoscope of Douro views – or perhaps a spot of reading in the lounge over a cup of tea. This evening is the Captain’s Dinner, a truly memorable experience featuring exquisite regional specialities, followed by a colourful performance of traditional Portuguese folk music by a local cultural group.

There’s a perfect opportunity to avail yourself of some of the ship’s range of five-star facilities this morning – maybe a little gentle exercise in the fitness room before heading up to the sun deck to enjoy a coffee whilst chatting with newly-made friends as our ship makes a graceful arrival in Porto once more, passing under the city’s spectacular bridges. Porto is of course synonymous with wonderful port wine and all the famous port producers are here, such as Cálem, Sandeman and Ferreira, so a visit here would not be complete without a tour of one of them. You’ll learn about this fortified wine’s fascinating history and its close British connections. Port is made from grapes still pressed in the traditional way – by feet – then lovingly matured, sometimes for decades, before you can enjoy its subtle flavours. Of course, you’ll get the chance to sample various port styles at the end of our visit.

After lunch on board we enjoy a guided tour of Porto. Strategically overlooking the Douro as it empties into the Atlantic, Portugal’s second largest city was originally a Roman town, but its wealth derived from its knowledge of the sea routes to India, with fortunes made from trading spices, silks and other fine goods. Our tour unveils some of its major and more surprising sights.

You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore  the truly fascinating city; so perhaps return to the terraced streets of the old town and wander the sloping maze of winding, cobbled alleyways, soaking up the atmosphere whilst stopping to admire the lovely architecture, soaring bell towers, fine baroque churches, golden rooftops and beautiful tiles of this slice of traditional Portugal. Stop for a drink in a cosy café and be tempted by an array of delicious cakes and pastries – perhaps sample a pastel de nata, the traditional Portuguese custard tart.

This evening, enjoy a final dinner on board expertly served by our restaurant staff under the supervision of the maître d’. Afterwards, perhaps settle into the lounge to chat into the evening and reflect on the splendours of the remarkable River Douro – over a glass of port, of course.

Today we'll say goodbye to our first-class vessel in Porto and head to the religious capital of Portugal, Braga. This conservative city is known for its Seman Santa - or Holy Week - as well as its historic centre dominated by Baroque churches. Founded by the Romans, Braga still shows traces of the empire with the ruins of an extensive bathing complex dating back to the 2nd century.  

We'll visit Braga Cathedral, Sé de Braga, the oldest cathedral in Portugal, whose construction began over 1,000 years ago. The original structure has been added to throughout the last millennia in a mixture of several architectural styles, including a stunning Baroque nave decorated with gold ornamentation.  

Later, we'll tour Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for its unchanged architecture. There aren’t many cities that can claim they played foundational role in the history of their country, but Guimarães is a notable exception – it was the first capital of Portugal and the birthplace of its first king, King Afonso Henriques.  

First, we visit the Paço do Duques de Bragançathe, the residence of the first Duke of Braganza in the 15th century. The palace has been restored to showcase its former glory, with displays of Flemish tapestries, medieval weapons, and an intricately decorated chapel with stained-glass windows. 

After some free time for lunch, our guide will show you further highlights of the town, which is dominated by an 11th-century castle - the birthplace of King Afonso. Close by is the Romanesque church, Igreja de São Miguel de Castelo, where the future king was baptized.  

We return to Porto and check into our hotel, where we stay for three nights.

Discover the charm of Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, on our visit to the Portuguese Centre of Photography, which is housed in an 18th-century prison. Here, we will delve into Portugal's cultural history through photographs taken both domestically and abroad, including vintage cameras that date back over a century. 

As we continue our walking tour, we'll stop at Clérigos Tower. Built between 1735 and 1748, this Baroque-style tower is the tallest campanile in Portugal. As you climb the 200 steps to the top of the tower, you pass 49 bells, forming a large carillon with an almost deafening ring. After reaching the top, you will be rewarded with stunning vistas of the city and river.  

You can enjoy the rest of the day exploring Porto at your own pace. For those who love books, Livraria Lello is a must-visit destination. This library is renowned for its stunning beauty, featuring a 100-year-old art-nouveau structure adorned with neo-gothic details - it is as enchanting as the books it houses. You can also take a tram to visit the local beaches or stroll through the UNESCO-protected historic centre - the choice is yours.  

Experience a delightful evening with an optional excursion to Herança Magna for a Fado night. Savour a traditional 3-course dinner paired with wine while immersing in the Portuguese culture through music and dance – this soulful music embodies the Portuguese expression of nostalgia and longing and is deemed a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

We'll travel a short distance away from Porto to Aveiro, a coastal city set along a lagoon. Sometimes known as the Venice of Portugal, it's home to a small network of canals traversed by moliceiros - colourful canal boats that were traditionally used for seaweed harvesting and are now a quirky way to see the city.

There’s no better way to experience the city than by the water so we’ll take a trip along the canals, passing landmarks like the Capitania of the Port of Aveiro and the Aveiro Cultural and Congress Centre. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Canal das Pirâmides. During summer, it's adorned with hundreds of tiny white salt pyramids representing one of the defining features of the region.

Legend has it a local nun, struggling to fast, is responsible for creation the Portuguese delicacy of ovos moles – so it’s imperative we get to enjoy a bite (or two) while we’re in Aveiro. And our guide will teach us all about the history and production of this delicious delicacy as we dig in.

After some free time for you to explore further, we will return to Porto where you can spend the afternoon at leisure.

As our time exploring more of Portugal comes to an end, it’s time to pack your bags are say goodbye to your fellow explorers. After one last breakfast at the hotel, you’ll catch a transfer to the airport for your flight home.