The Douro Explorer

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To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA

Save up to £600 per couple on 2025-26 A-ROSA River Cruises until Friday, 15 August.

Board the sleek A-ROSA ALVA for a voyage that begins and ends in friendly, authentic Porto. After a first night here, sail east to delightful wine-producing Pinhão, where you will sample port wines and enjoy an included tour and dinner in the stunning setting of a local vineyard. Next will be Barca D’Alva, gateway to the great Spanish city of Salamanca, which you'll visit on an included excursion! Turning back downstream, you’ll head to Vega de Terrón. After a second night in pretty Pinhão, a final call is made at Régua, where vineyards have lined the river and covered the hillsides for over 2000 years. Return to Porto with its old town clinging haphazardly to granite bluffs, the colourful, rambling UNESCO-listed riverside Ribeira district, and, across the river, wine-producing Vila Nova de Gaia. With plenty of time to enjoy the ship’s spacious top-deck, passing sun-kissed days and evenings under the stars, as well as opportunities to step ashore or explore some wonderful places on optional shore excursions, this is river cruising at its most glorious.

Holiday Highlights

Discover the riverside havens, Pinhão and Barca d’Alva
Enjoy a full-day tour to Salamanca
Visit Porto and sample port wine, the city's famous tipple
Enjoy a scenic sailing through the enchanting Douro Valley
Cross into Spain and visit charming Vega de Terrón
Explore Régua's pretty historic centre
Enjoy a traditional Portuguese evening of dinner, music and wine in a local vineyard

What's Included

Seven nights' Premium All-Inclusive cruise accommodation
Return travel from the UK to Porto (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Included coach transfers to the ship (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Portuguese evening at a local vineyard with traditional music, aperitif, a short vineyard tour and meal with wine.
Free Wi-Fi on board
On-board activities and entertainment
Buffet dining with live cooking stations
Flexible mealtimes
A FREE unlimited Premium All-Inclusive drinks package including water, soft drinks, speciality teas and coffees, beer, wine, spirits and cocktails throughout the day and evening
Occasional regional treats and specialities to complement your destination that day
Afternoon tea with freshly prepared cakes and pastries
The services of a Cruise Director and experienced English-speaking crew

Itinerary

Day 1

Embark A-ROSA ALVA - Fly, or make your own way, to Porto, and board A-ROSA ALVA, your home-from-home for your cruise on the Golden River, at the quayside. As the ship does not sail until the morning, you'll have the chance to step ashore after you've settled in to your cabin, and before or after you’ve enjoyed your first buffet dinner on board.

Day 2

Cruise to Pinhão - This morning, A-ROSA ALVA slips away to begin your journey up-river, passing through the gorges beyond the city and out into the countryside. This morning you’ll cruise past the dams at Crestuma/Lever and Carrapatelo, make a short call at Régua for those joining shore excursions, and meander on through ever more beautiful scenery to tiny, picture-book Pinhão, which stands on the Douro's north bank surrounded by vineyard-covered hills. This evening enjoy a traditional Portuguese evening at a local vineyard. You'll be welcomed with traditional music and an aperitif, and a short vineyard tour followed by a traditional Portuguese meal with wine.

Day 3

Cruise to Barca d'Alva - This morning, you will be treated to another included off-ship experience - the opportunity to enjoy port wine tasting at one of the finest Douro Valley estates, Quinta da Roeda. In the afternoon A-ROSA ALVA will continue her cruise towards the Spanish border, where the Douro becomes the Spanish Duero, and you spend the night in Barca d'Alva, on the border of Spain.

Day 4

Cruise to Vega de Terrón - This morning brings an opportunity to enjoy an included excursion to Salamanca, said to be the most beautiful city in Spain, to see its Baroque sandstone buildings and two sumptuous cathedrals. Later, re-join the A-ROSA ALVA in the sleepy port of Vega de Terrón. If it’s a clear night, don’t miss the opportunity to stargaze from the top deck this evening, taking advantage of the famously unpolluted skies.

Day 5

Cruise back to Pinhão - Slipping away from Vega de Terron at breakfast time, you’ll cruise back downstream to arrive once more in idyllic Pinhão by early evening. Don’t miss the the town's lovely railway station and its exquisite tiles depicting the grape harvest, as you spend another night beneath Pinhão's rolling hills.

Day 6

From Régua to Leverinho - We return to Regua this morning, and this time you'll have ample time to get a feel for the city. Take a walk to the popular viewing platforms São Leonardo da Galafura and São Salvador do Mundo and enjoy the panoramic views of the river landscape. Why not join an excursion to the Mateus Palace and Gardens. You might just recognise it from somewhere - the rosé wine label of the same name! This afternoon, enjoy scenic sailing along the Douro before arriving in Leverinho. This evening, you'll be fully immersed in authentic Portuguese culture with time at leisure to explore the town's waterfront and neighbouring Lixa.

Day 7

Return to Porto - Good morning, Porto! Porto has many links to the UK, most particularly the production of port wine. Visit a wine cellar and appreciate this famous tipple – it’s a must here! The atmospheric centre, the Ribeira, is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It’s a glorious maze of crumbling rainbow-coloured buildings presiding over winding cobbled streets. Discover the shining azulejo facades on church walls and town houses. Optional tours of Porto and Guimaraes are available if you’d like to explore with an expert.

Day 8

Disembark in Porto - Bid "Adeus" to your ship and her crew, as you begin your journey home.

A-ROSA Alva

Each of A-ROSA's elegant river cruise vessels has been built specifically for the river upon which it sails, offering spacious, contemporary public areas, light, bright cabins and a casual-yet-stylish cruising experience.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Relax on a comfy sun lounger, admiring the views of vineyard-clad hills and enchanting riverside towns and villages, or enjoy a drink from the bar with friends. Each river cruiser has either a whirlpool or plunge pool, perfect for keeping cool on those warmer days.
Cabins
Contemporary, chic and stylish, all A-ROSA cabins have the following: Safe Air conditioning TV Hairdryer Bathroom with shower and toilet Sauna towel Wool blanket Telephone Bathrobe For cabin specific information, see below.
Cabin SDeck 1 2-bed outside cabin 12 m^2
Cabin ADeck 1 2-bed outside cabin 12 m^2
Cabin CDeck 2 2-bed outside cabin 14.5 m^2 Panorama window
Cabin DDeck 3 2-bed outside cabin 14.5 m^2 Panorama window

A-ROSA ALVA

Facilities

Relax on a comfy sun lounger, admiring the views of castles, vineyard-clad hills and enchanting riverside towns and villages (perhaps with a drink from the bar), or enjoy a game of shuffleboard or giant chess with friends. Each river cruiser has either a whirlpool or plunge pool, perfect for keeping cool on those warmer days. On fine days you'll also find A-ROSA chefs on the top deck, barbecuing so you can enjoy a lunch with a view.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Optional shore excursions

Optional excursions are available on all cruises. If the number of bookings needed to operate any excursion is not reached, the excursion may be cancelled.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory, but from experience we know that many passengers like to leave gratuities for the crew. At the end of the cruise you will find a tip box for the entire crew at the reception and the suggested amount is five Euros per guest per day. Of course, you are free to tip individual crew members at any time, should you wish.

Disabled guests and guests in need of assistance

All ships have stairs, are not equipped with lifts, and may not be suitable for passengers with restricted mobility. Wheelchairs cannot be used on board.

Dress code

The dress code on board and ashore is comfortable and casual; we recommend that you bring sturdy footwear for excursions. For the restaurant we recommend smart casual dress. Please remember to bring warmer clothes for evenings out on deck.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is provided free of charge in accordance with A-ROSA's conditions of use. You can request a login and password from reception. Internet reception is limited and will vary from location to location.

Luggage

Where possible, we recommend non-rigid suitcases as these are easier to store within your cabin.

Pool

A heated pool can be found on the sun deck of the following ships: A-ROSA DONNA, FLORA, SILVA and STELLA.

Whirlpool

A heated Whirlpool can be found on the following ships: A-ROSA AQUA, and VIVA.

Air-conditioning

All A-ROSA vessels are air-conditioned throughout, with individual climate control in each cabin.

Drinking water

The water on board is potable and bottled water is provided in your cabin.

Itinerary changes

On rare occasions, the Captain may need to alter the Cruise Itinerary. If this happens, the Cruise Manager will keep passengers informed.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Cabin facilities

In your cabin you will find a safe installed in the wardrobe, a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers, insect screens and pool towels. The power supply in your cabin is 220 V/50 Hz. All sockets are European two-pin, meaning you will need to bring an adapter.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) - EES is the new electronic entry/exit system for European countries which will replace the physical stamping of your passport. The expected date for its introduction is 10 November 2024. From this date, it means that when you go through passport control on arrival, you will need to produce your passport for checking as you do now, but also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded. For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian) border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the ABTA website here.European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.

About A-ROSA

A-ROSA is a German based river cruise company. You’ll find a European vibe on board, with a mix of international guests and crew along with a welcoming atmosphere. While many guests are German-speaking, English is widely spoken on board, all announcements will be done in both German and English, you’ll have everything you need to feel right at home. It’s a great way to explore Europe with a bit of local flavour.

Terms and conditions

Offers valid on new 2025-26 A-ROSA river cruise bookings made from 9:00am 10th April 2025 to 15th August 2025 inclusive, and cannot be retrospectively applied to bookings already confirmed. All offers are subject availability and may be withdrawn without notice at any time. Discount amounts are already included in advertised fares, these may vary on selected departures, are not combinable with any other offers and apply to full-paying passengers only. These offers do not apply to any other Newmarket Holidays products. Cruises are provided by A-ROSA river cruises. A-ROSA river cruises reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any cruise at short notice. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316.

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