Admittedly the River Douro isn’t the best known of Europe’s waterways. But stretching for more than five hundred miles through the summery landscapes of central Spain and Portugal, all the way to the Atlantic at Oporto, it’s certainly got just as much in the looks department as the Rhine or the Danube to warrant a river cruise.
Tours and excursions on Douro river cruises are all about history and culture, and the river itself is lined with some beautifully peaceful fishing villages and baroque landmarks. Both the Douro Valley and the Spanish city of Salamanca are UNESCO world heritage sites, and many river cruise lines offer itineraries to these beautiful sightseeing destinations.
The Art Nouveau boutiques and omnipresent azulejo tiles of Oporto make the city a shopper’s paradise, and historic landmarks like Mateus Palace, Alpendurada convent and Castelo Rodrigo spread all along the Douro are perfect for adventurous travellers.
One of the best experiences to enjoy on a Douro river cruise though has to be the chance to taste Portugal’s native Port wine, made with grapes grown on the hilly slopes of the beautiful Douro Valley. Sightseeing in a glass – what could be better?
Uniworld, Viking, Riviera, Titan and AmaWaterways all offer luxury river cruises down the Douro, with plenty of itineraries available in October and November if you’d like to escape the colder weather back home. To find out more about Douro river cruises, or to make a booking, just call your personal Cruise Concierge on 0800 197 0854.