Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca River Cruise - MS Riviera Rose

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Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca River Cruise - MS Riviera Rose

8 Days - River Cruises

See for yourself why the Douro Valley has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status as we sail along its picturesque riverbanks. We'll slip past miles of terraced hills with vineyards which rise in the steep terrace from the shoreline and spot quintas on the hillsides in the distance. Explore this enchanting region with an itinerary that encompasses a mixture of authentic local experiences, sightseeing and plenty of opportunity to taste Portuguese port and wine. Experience the city of Porto, where you can roam the port warehouses and take in the town’s rich cultural heritage. Enjoy free time in the quaint town of Lamego, home of Portugal’s sparkling wine, Raposeira. Visit the walled village of Castelo Rodrigo and the well-manicured gardens of Mateus Gardens. Explore historic Salamanca, a UNESCO Site and one of Iberia’s oldest university towns. This river cruise captures the scenic beauty of the Douro Valley - ideal for wine aficionados, history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.

Holiday Highlights

Explore the magnificent architecture in Porto's Old Town on a guided tour.
Wander through the manicured gardens of Mateus Palace, visit the historic Castelo Rodrigo and see Lamego's Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies church.
Sample Portugal's most famous product, port, at a port wine cellar or join our optional tour of the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães.
Savour the delicious taste of moscatel wines with lunch and a wine-tasting in a traditional Quinta hosted by the Quinta owner.
Tour Salamanca, home to one of Europe's oldest universities, with a guide and enjoy a traditional flamenco show with lunch in the city.

What's Included

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of sole occupancy cabins available, at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day*
Free Superior drinks package
Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
All visits and excursions as mentioned
Return flights
Coach travel as mentioned
Transfers from the airport to and from the port of embarkation
English-speaking expert guides
The services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director
*Please note: lunch not included if choosing the tour to Guimarães.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Porto After arriving in Porto, we'll transfer to our beautifully crafted ship. From the moment you board, the welcoming crew is at your service. Relax and settle into your accommodation before sitting down to our first delicious meal on board.

Day 2

Porto This morning, we'll explore Porto on a coach tour of the city, passing through the terraced streets of the old town and taking in the charming atmosphere. Along the way, we will pause to appreciate the stunning architecture, bell towers, baroque churches, and intricate tiles that are typical of traditional Portugal. We will also come across cosy cafés offering an array of cakes and pastries. Top tip: If you love a sweet treat, look no further than a pastel de nata the traditional Portuguese custard tart – they're delicious but devilishly moreish! Cruise towards Peso da Régua This afternoon, we’ll set sail for Régua, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ship's five-star facilities - enjoy the scenery along the Douro whilst chatting with fellow explorers on the sun deck, take a dip in the refreshing splash pool or head to the bar for a cool drink. Quinta da Pacheca After docking this evening in the charming town of Peso da Régua, we'll visit the 126-acre Quinta da Pacheca, known as the first quinta to bottle wine under the name of its owner, the aristocrat Mariana Pacheco Pereira. Here we'll stop for dinner accompanied by a selection of their wines, while enjoying dramatic views over the Douro. We'll have an opportunity to wander through the estate, which dates back to the 18th century and is one of the most beautiful properties in the region. Included experiences: Tour of Porto & dinner at Quinta da Pacheca.

Day 3

Cruise towards Pocinho Enjoy a lazy morning sailing, relaxing over a leisurely breakfast. While we cruise down the river, you’ll have the opportunity to test out our brand-new facilities or lounge on the sundeck with a book - although we make no promises that you’ll be able to concentrate with views like these. In the past, the Douro river was untamed and difficult to navigate, especially for the flat-bottomed boats that frequently sank in its waters. Today, the river has been controlled with dams and locks that have raised the water level, resulting in a landscape similar to Scotland's lochs and adding to the beauty of the valley - which we'll have time to appreciate as we sail this morning. Castelo Rodrigo This afternoon we visit the historic 12th-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, tucked away in the picturesque highland ranges bordering Spain. The village is home to a well-preserved Gothic castle, a rare example of Leonese-style architecture. It's said that Saint Francis stayed here as the church was a resting place on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. From Castelo Rodrigo, enjoy unobstructed views of the Spanish border and beyond - you can also see the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar. Included experience: A visit to Castelo Rodrigo.

Day 4

Salamanca Today we head across the border and visit historic Salamanca, one of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey, regarded by many Spaniards as their nation’s most beautiful city. Located in western Spain, Salamanca combines history, culture and vibrant energy. This morning, we'll embark on a guided tour of the city and visit Salamanca's two cathedrals. The old cathedral, built in the 12th century, is a beautiful example of Gothic and Baroque architecture featuring a stunning fresco of the Final Judgement in the Apse. The new cathedral shares a wall with the old one. It was built in the 16th century in a matching Gothic style to keep harmony with the old cathedral. Here you can enjoy the elaborately carved choir before continuing our guided tour of the city. Over a local lunch, we'll be seduced by the fiery passion and energy of a traditional flamenco show before time at leisure to explore Salamanca on your own. Visit the city's famous Plaza Mayor where many love affairs began. It was common from the mid-14th to the mid-20th century for men and women to walk in opposite directions around the gardens at the centre of the square to set up dates. If you're still looking for your one true love, you’re (unfortunately) out of luck as this tradition has faded out over time but the Plaza Mayor is still a must-see with a grand square with intricate facades and bustling cafés - a great place to stop and relax before we head back to the ship. Included experiences: Walking tour of Salamanca & lunch with Flamenco show.

Day 5

Cruise towards Pinhão Spend the morning relaxing onboard as cruise down the winding Douro river through its majestic valleys. The rugged terrain and dramatic cliffs create a striking backdrop for a relaxing morning enjoying breakfast and unwinding on the sundeck. Quinta da Avessada For lunch, we'll visit Quinta da Avessada - an estate renowned for its exquisite moscatel wines, where a traditionally cooked lunch awaits. We'll follow the quinta owner on a guided tour as he entertains us with stories about the area's history and wine-making traditions. Stepping into the heart of the production process, we'll explore the vineyards, witness the meticulous cultivation of the muscat grapes that become moscatel wine and learn about the unique characteristics of the terroir and the viticultural practices that make this wine so exceptional - and, of course, we'll taste the local wines with the rustic lunch. Pinhão This evening, we'll enjoy free time in the picturesque town of Pinhão, which sits on a bend of the Douro, encircled by a terraced hillside. Here, some of the world's best port and table wines are produced. Wander through the town of white buildings and terracotta-coloured roofs and visit the delightful train station decorated with azulejos - Portuguese hand-painted tiles - celebrating Pinhão history with images of the grape harvest. Included experiences: Tour to Quinta da Avessada with lunch & visit to Pinhão.

Day 6

Lamego After breakfast, we'll take a short drive to the historic city of Lamego. It's known for its church, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, which is situated at the top of a beautifully tiled baroque staircase. If you’re up for a challenge, it’s worth climbing the 686 steps to the top of the staircase for stunning views of the city - don't worry, you can stop to admire the fountains, mosaics and hedges along the way. Other highlights of this delightful town include an ancient Moorish castle, a Gothic cathedral and elegant 18th-century villas. Head to the Avenida - the town's grand boulevard - for tea in one of the open-air cafés and to test your bargaining skills at the market stalls. Mateus Palace Gardens After lunch onboard, we visit the landscaped gardens of Mateus Palace. Wine aficionados will recognise the palace from the label of Mateus Rosé, whose logo depicts the impressive facade. The owner of Mateus Palace was offered a few pennies commission for every bottle sold. However, he turned it down in favour of a one-off lump sum. This was a major mistake as the brand became one of the most successful wines, exported to over 100 countries and it continues to be Portugal's number one-selling wine. Despite this financial misstep, the well-preserved Mateus Palace is still one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Here, there'll be time to explore the gardens surrounding the palace, decorated with boxwood hedges, statues and a fragrant cypress tunnel and view the magnificent structure from all angles. Tonight, after dinner, enjoy a Portuguese folklore show on board. Included experiences: Visits to Lamego and Mateus Palace Gardens & traditional Portuguese folk music show.

Day 7

Vila Nova de Gaia Spend this morning enjoying the five-star facilities onboard, heading up to the sun deck to enjoy a coffee whilst chatting with newly-made friends as our ship makes its way back to Porto. This afternoon, you can choose to return to Vila Nova de Gaia, on the riverbank opposite Porto, for a port tasting or join the tour to Guimarães, known for its foundational role in Portuguese history. Port cellar visit Porto is synonymous with delicious port wine - all the famous port producers are here, including Cálem, Sandeman and Ferreira - and it wouldn't be a tour of Porto without a visit to one of them in Vila Nova de Gaia. It's said that port was invented, almost by accident, when a pair of English brothers fortified Portuguese wine with grape brandy before taking it back to England in the late 1600s. We'll learn more about its fascinating history and production on our visits and, of course, you'll get the chance to sample various port styles at the end of our visit. Guimarães Alternatively, explore Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal. The city is believed to be the hometown of Portugal's first King who was born in the Romanesque castle which overlooks the city from its hilltop. On our tour, we'll visit the Paço dos Duques de Bragança. Once the home of the first Duke of Braganza, the palace has been beautifully restored, and the preserved architectural treasures housed here tell the tale of this historic city. Here, there’ll be chance to find lunch in one of the city’s many cosy cafes. Don’t be surprised if you hear the locals ask for café com cheirinho. Coffee with a splash of wine, fruit, or pomace brandy is practically a requirement for a lazy afternoon in the city. This evening, we'll enjoy a Chef's dinner during your last night on board, expertly served by our restaurant staff under the supervision of the maître d’. Included experience: Port-tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia or a guided tour of Guimarães.

Day 8

Return home All good things must come to an end, and our Portuguese adventure is (unfortunately) no exception. After breakfast, you’ll catch a transfer to the airport for your flight home with memories and souvenirs to remind you of this fascinating region.

Cruise the Douro river on the brand-new, beautifully crafted MS Riviera Rose, a luxurious 80-metre-long boutique hotel. It’s the perfect place to unwind between onshore adventures.

MS Riviera Rose is a beautifully crafted ship with cabins and amenities spread over four decks. This brand-new, state-of-the-art ship has been built in collaboration with our long-standing shipping partners to provide a first-class service to each and every guest. Whether you are relaxing on the Sun Deck, enjoying a drink with your fellow travellers in the bar or curling up for a good night's sleep in your spacious and well-furnished cabin, everything has been meticulously designed for your comfort.

Our restaurant offers a relaxed fine dining experience with informal seating for easy conversation with brilliant, like-minded explorers. In the Sky Lounge enjoy a more intimate dining experience and al fresco dining options.

The spacious cabins are spread over 3 decks, with individually controlled air-conditioning, a contemporary bathroom with a rain shower and double or twin beds.

Designed with the very latest technology and our strong environmental values in mind, MS Riviera Rose is on track to qualify for the Gold Standard as part of the Green Award programme.

Restaurant:

Early riser breakfast in lounge (continental)

Main Restaurant – open for breakfast buffet, lunch and a la carte dinner

Riverview kitchen - open for lunch and dinner

NEW Speciality restaurant open for dinner

Deck Plan

Holiday provided by

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