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Cruising the Douro - Wine, gardens, history and architecture from Porto to the Spanish border
Cruise highlights
- A cruise of immense beauty through the vineyard-clad Douro valley, one of the most secluded and scenically spectacular corners of Europe.
- We are accompanied throughout by two experts who give talks on the history, gardens and wine-growing heritage of the region.
- Exclusive charter of a first-class ship, the MS Estrela, launched in 2024.
- Visit hill-top towns, castles, quinta estates and gardens.
- Option to spend two additional nights in Porto before boarding the ship.
The upper reaches of the river Douro in northern Portugal present a landscape bewitching in its splendour and scenic drama. The banks rise steeply into mountains whose flanks have been hewn and blasted into terraces of vineyards, silvery olive groves and glossy citrus orchards. Tightly-packed villages and landscaped quintas (wine-growing estates) are interspersed with patches of wild mato vegetation.
Other than for leisure purposes, there is virtually no commercial river traffic on the Douro, which until recently was one of the least accessible regions of western Europe. Nor is there any more entrancing way to experience the region than on a voyage into mountains that begins at Vila Nova de Gaia facing Porto (Oporto) across the river near its mouth. Along the way, the history of this most spellbinding of wine-growing regions will unfurl as a main theme. Starting more than three centuries ago, pioneering British merchants first ventured in the upper Douro in search of alternatives to the wines of Bordeaux, which wars with France were denying their customers. Thus was born the port wine trade. Descendants of these venturers are still involved in the trade today.
We are accompanied by two experts who both have deep knowledge of Portugal. Martin Symington was born in Porto and his ancestors were among the early pioneers of the port wine trade. He maintains close contact with his homeland where his family remain port producers and shippers. Gerald Luckhurst is a landscape architect and garden historian who has lived in Lisbon for the past 30 years. His broad interest in Portuguese history and culture spans historic palaces and botanical gardens to contemporary designs.
Brochure
Practicalities
Upper deck, owners suite, 22m2 with large sitting area and queen size bed. Corner cabins with dual aspect, floor to ceiling, electric slide-down windows. Two sharing: £5,950 or £5,600 without flights.
Upper deck, Large French balcony cabin, 18m2 with floor to ceiling electric slide-down window. Small seating area. Two sharing: £5,510 or £5,160 without flights.
Upper deck, Standard French balcony cabin, 14.6m2 with floor to ceiling electric slide-down window. Small seating area. Two sharing: £4,870 or £4,520 without flights. Single occupancy: £7,310 or £6,960 without flights.
Main deck, Standard French balcony cabin, 14.6m2 with floor to ceiling electric slide-down window. Small seating area. Two sharing: £4,580 or £4,230 without flights. Single occupancy: £6,870 or £6,520 without flights.
Lower deck cabins, 14.6m2 with a shoulder-height window that does not open. Two sharing: £3,720 or £3,370 without flights. Single occupancy: £5,580 or £5,230 without flights.
Additional cost for extension: Two sharing: £1,230. Single occupancy: £1,490.
Travel by private coach; ship accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners (of which 2 are in restaurants ashore) with wine, water, coffee; tastings as indicated in the itinerary; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; lectures onboard by two experts; an experienced team of Martin Randall Travel staff; a printed booklet including practical details, maps and background information.
An additional 2 dinners are included with the extension.
Extension only: Pestana Vintage, Porto: a small, 5-star hotel excellently situated on the Douro river bank in a series of historic houses.
Ship: MS Estrela: a first-rate, 60-cabin river cruiser, launched in 2024. The multinational crew is dedicated to the highest standards of service.
All cabins have windows to the outside and are equipped with the facilities one would expect of a first-class hotel such as adjustable air conditioning, television, telephone, safe and hairdryer. Bathrooms have showers only.
Those on the upper two decks are the largest and most desirable with floor-to-ceiling windows which open and better views. Cabins on the lower deck have smaller windows which do not open. There are no single cabins as such but we are allocating some for single occupancy.
Public areas are generous with an air-conditioned dining room and lounge which opens onto a terrace. The sundeck has ample seating with a shaded area, an additional bar and a swimming pool. There is a lift to all floors except the sun deck.
A good level of fitness is necessary for the visits to small towns where coaches can not access the centre and steps, cobbled streets and hills are standard.
For the extension: Visits in Porto are on foot and uphill (via some flights of steps and steep, cobbled terrain). A good level of fitness is necessary.
A maximum of 104 participants.
For the extension: Between 10 and 22 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website and Travel Health Pro to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Testimonials
“Gerald Luckhurst was a fantastic lecturer. Great depth of knowledge, wonderful communication skills, a delightful sense of humour.
”
“Having Martin as lecturer with such intimate knowledge of the region, with so many historic and current connections to the area, was a treat.
”
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