You are invited to join us on a unique holiday to the stunning Douro Valley Port wine area of northern Portugal, the world’s first demarcated wine region, and to the historic city of Porto (Oporto) itself. Following the Douro upstream we discover a world of neat terraced vineyards producing fine wines and ports.

One of the only ways to see the river, and make the most of the wonderful scenery is by river cruiser. Our ship is the 68 metre “Invicta” She cruises at an average speed of 12 knots. On board is a large sun deck, panoramic bar and restaurant. Each of the 40 cabins has an en-suite shower and WC, twin beds, TV, desk and a picture window. The whole boat is air-conditioned.
 

Friday  (D) Various flight options between the UK and Oporto including direct flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Liverpool. Flight time is 2 hours. Overland travel from London St Pancras can also be arranged. You will be met by the PTG guide and taken by taxi to Vila Nova de Gaia Quay to join the river cruiser “Invicta”. Dinner on board. Overnight in your own en-suite cabin.

Saturday  (B,L,D) We set sail during breakfast and travel up river through a beautiful area of small villages and river beaches. Late morning we pass through the Crestuma Lever dam and into a stretch of the river with  steeper valley sides and areas of woodland and vineyards. Lunch is served on board before we have a short stop at the village of Caldas de Aregos. Setting sail again we reach the famous Carrapatelo dam which, with a water level difference of 35 metres, is the deepest navigable lock in western Europe. We arrive in Regua mid afternoon and have a tour to the Mateus Palace and gardens before we continue up river to Pinhão. In the evening we have dinner at the fine Vintage House Hotel. Overnight on-board moored in Pinhão.

Sunday  (B,L,D) After breakfast the morning is free followed by wine tasting. During lunch we depart up river. This stretch of the river is the most spectacular area of rock cliffs, terraced vineyards and olive trees. The Douro Valley Railway follows the banks of the river as far as Pocinho. En-route we pass through the Valeira and Pocinho dams to reach our destination of  Vega Terron in Spain. This is the last navigable point on the river. Dinner on board and overnight moored in Vega Terron.

Monday  (B,L,D) After breakfast we travel by coach to the fine Spanish city of Salamanca; Spain’s finest showcase of Renaissance and Plateresque architecture. We have a guided tour of the historical sites including the fine Plaza Mayor and Cathedral. Lunch in a local Spanish restaurant and visit a Spanish Flemengo show. We return to our river cruiser in time for dinner and sail back down river to Barca d’Alva.

Tuesday  (B,L,D) After breakfast we have a coach tour to Figueira Castelo Rodrigo; a tiny fortified village still with its 13th-century walls. Returning to the ship we set sail back down-river to Pinhão. This is a fine riverside town surrounded by famous port wine quintas. Time for your own exploration. Portuguese show and dinner on-board. Overnight in Pinhão.

Wednesday  (B,L,D) We continue down-river and through the Bagauste dam to reach Regua. We then take a road excursion to the old episcopal city of Lamego, which has a wealth of baroque churches and mansions. We see the 18th-century pilgrimage church and shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios (Our Lady of Cures), situated high above the city with magnificent views of Lamego and the valley below. We return to the cruiser for lunch and continue down river, through the Carrapatelo dam to arrive at Melres. We transfer to the nearby Alpendurada Monastery for dinner. Overnight on board at Melres.
 

Thursday (B,L,D) After breakfast we sail back down the lower Douro, through Crestuma Lever dam and back to the fine city of Porto. After lunch on board we have a guided tour of this city full of interest, ancient buildings and port wine lodges. Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday  (B) After breakfast you will be taken by private taxi back to the airport for your flights back to the UK. Alternatively we can book you in to one of the fine hotels for extra nights for your own time to enjoy and explore the city.

• All excursions as listed in the itinerary

• On-board accommodation for 7 nights

• Services of our tour manager

• All meals listed in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)