Cruising the Douro, River of Gold with CroisiEurope
July 1-13, 2023
The Douro river offers some of the best scenery of any river cruise in Europe.
Travac Tours is pleased to be offering a special cruise on the Douro and into the heart of Portugal and Spain’s wine country at an incredible price.
Starting at only $5536 ($4699 + taxes of $837) per person based on double occupancy, Travac’s river cruise includes round trip airfare from Canada, 1 night accommodation in Porto with breakfast, an eight day seven night river cruise on the Douro River with refined French cuisine (three meals a day), all your drinks with meals and at the bar (specialty drinks excluded), a gala dinner and evening, a host of onboard activities, a visit to Fatima, three nights’ accommodation in the vibrant city of Lisbon with breakfast daily, and the services a Travac Tours Director.
Early booking is essential to take part in this fabulous adventure!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This afternoon we will depart from Ottawa by chartered coach for Montreal and our overnight flight to Lisbon.
Day 2- Lisbon
Upon our arrival in Lisbon, we will be transferred to our hotel. Check in is not available until mid-afternoon. Your tour director will have a few options to help you discover this fabulous city.
Hotel Fénix Lisboa or similar.
Day 3- Lisbon
This morning you will have the chance to enjoy a tour of Lisbon conducted by a qualified local tour professional. Your afternoon will be at your leisure.
Day 4- Lisbon
Today is a free day. There will be plenty of options and your tour director will be happy to go over them with you.
Day 5- Lisbon to Porto
We will travel North from Lisbon to Porto. Enroute, we will stop in Fatima, a religious pilgrimage site, for a visit and an included lunch. You will board your ship, MS Miguel Torga, in Porto at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, you will be introduced to the crew with a welcome cocktail before dinner. In the evening, we will set out on an excursion by coach (for both excursion packages to see Porto by night.
Day 6- Porto to Regua
Join us for the excursions proposed. In the afternoon, we will cruise through the Douro Valley with its fabulous landscapes. Enjoy an evening of dancing or time at leisure in Regua tonight.
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Porto. Discover one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a historic center that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DISCOVERY: Touring Porto via tram and visiting the tram museum followed by a tasting of some of the local specialties in the old city.
Day 7- Regua - Vega de Terron
For both excursion packages: Vila Réal, a town with a wide variety of religious buildings and architecture.
In the afternoon, the cruise continues to the heart of the most famous vineyards on the Douro. The landscapes that you will encounter are absolutely stunning. Vega de Terron is a popular passageway to the ancient university city of Salamanca. With both Portuguese and Spanish influences, Vega de Terron is a charming settlement dotted on the banks of the fascinating waterway across from beautiful Douro International Nature Park. We will arrive in the evening. Enjoy an evening of Flamenco entertainment.
Day 8- Barca D’Alva - Salamanca
Join us on the excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: Salamanca. This town of dazzling beauty houses some extraordinary Roman, Arabic, and Christian architectural treasures.
DISCOVERY: Salamanca tapas tour.
We will return on board after our tour and enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Day 9- Barca D’Alva- Ferradosa- Pinhao
This morning will be spent cruising. Join us on an excursion (for both package)s: “wines of Porto” followed by a wine-tasting session. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
Day 10- Pinhao - Porto
Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Lamego. This afternoon will be spent cruising. Enjoy an evening of Fado-themed entertainment.
Day 11- Porto
This morning, enjoy time at leisure in Porto. In the afternoon, join us for the excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: Discover Guimaraes.
DISCOVERY: Hiking along the Atlantic coast all the way to Villa Nova de Gaïa, followed by a wine-tasting session.
Enjoy an evening of traditional folk entertainment.
Day 12- Porto
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. We will be transferred to our hotel. Check in is not available until mid-afternoon. Your tour director will have a few options to help you discover this city.
Hotel Fénix Porto or similar.
Day 13
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Montreal via Toronto. On arrival in Montreal, there will be a chartered coach for your return to Ottawa.
Cruise itinerary is subject to change by cruise line.
Hotel Information
Hotel Fenix Lisboa
Hotel Address
Praça Marquês de Pombal 8, 1269-133LIsbon, Portugal
(+351) 213 716 677
Hotel Fenix Porto
Hotel Address
R. de Gonçalo Sampaio 282, 4150-365Porto, Portugal
(+351) 226 071 800