CroisiEurope River Cruises, The Douro River, the spirit of Portugal, November 1, 2023

Cruising from: Porto, Portugal;

Departure Date: 1 November, 2023;

Cruise Line: CroisiEurope River Cruises;

Cruise Ship: MS Fernao de Magalhaes;

Duration: 8 days;

Ports of Call: Porto, Regua, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca dAlva, Pinhao, Porto, Porto;

Day 0 Porto, Portugal

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europe's most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history, interesting tourist attractions, a buzzing nightlife, and outstanding tourist facilities. There is a lot to see in Porto like gardens or street art & cutting-edge architecture.

Day 1 Regua, Portugal

Peso da Regua, situated on the banks of the River Douro, played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine. Most visitors stop in just long enough to visit the excellent Museu do Douro and get recommendations, maps and directions to nearby wineries. For those who linger, Regua makes a convenient base to visit the port-wine country, cruise the Rio Douro and take a scenic riverside train ride.

Day 2 Vega de Terron, Spain

Vega de Terron is one of the main drop-off points for excursions to the historic city of Salamanca. With Portuguese and Spanish influences, Vega de Terron is a charming settlement dotted on the banks of the fascinating waterway across from the beautiful Douro International Nature Park. It doesn't take long to explore the highlights of Vega de Terron, and with its unspoiled beauty stays simplistic and rural.

Day 3 Salamanca, Spain

Salamanca is a city in western Spain and one of the most important university cities. Salamanca attracts thousands of international students. Salamanca has a unique food culture, molded in large part by the ingredients available in the surrounding landscape, as well as by its numerous cultural influences. Its old town has the UNESCO World Heritage designation, and is home to a magnificent ensemble of monuments, with outstanding examples of different architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque. The grand main attractions of the Salamanca city centre are University of Salamanca, Plaza Mayor, Clerecia Church Towers, Casa de las Conchas, and Gardens of Huerto de Calixto y Melibea.

Day 4 Barca dAlva, Portugal

Barca D'Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro river, is less than 2km from the Spanish border. Region of unique landscapes surrounded by mountains, and with a few cafes, restaurants and shops is an unusual place to visit. Between late February and early March, the village is bathed in white and light pink that comes with the blossoming of the almond trees, thus marking the beginning of spring.

Day 5 Pinhao, Portugal

Pinhao is a small town sitting in a charming bend of the Douro river. This town is surrounded by the hillsides and terraces where one of the world's best wines is made. Besides many wineries, it's worth noting the beautiful train station ornamented with tiles representing images of the vendimia (wine harvest).

Day 6 Porto, Portugal

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europe's most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history, interesting tourist attractions, a buzzing nightlife, and outstanding tourist facilities. There is a lot to see in Porto like gardens or street art & cutting-edge architecture.

Day 7 Porto, Portugal

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europe's most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history, interesting tourist attractions, a buzzing nightlife, and outstanding tourist facilities. There is a lot to see in Porto like gardens or street art & cutting-edge architecture.