Why portugals majestic douro valley should be on your. Before we went to the douro river valley in portugal with viking river cruises this is what we knew about the area. River douro synonyms, river douro pronunciation, river douro translation, english dictionary definition of river douro. One of the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions since 1756, the douro valley showcases steep terrace vineyards carved into mountains, granite bluffs, whitewashed quintas estates and 18thcentury wine cellars that draw in visitors from around the world. River douro article about river douro by the free dictionary. It is the thirdlongest river in the iberian peninsula after the tagus and ebro. Douro river cruises douro valley guide roteiro do douro.
The douro demarcated region includes an area of around 250 thousand hectares, though only around 45 thousand are covered with vineyards. Douro international natural park visitportoandnorth. The harvest is one of the oldest wine activities in portugal and certainly one of the most genuine and traditional ones. Viking river cruise awewsome the douro river, northern. Find out the beautiful douro landscapes by going on a boat tour between porto and regua. Most trips are roundtrip from porto, which is a coastal city in western portugal located near the atlantic ocean. En 2018, une saison tres pluvieuse, le probleme etait le mildiou. Oct 09, 2010 the douro river rises in the urbion mountains, in the north of spain, at around 2000 meters of altitude. Vineyards rise to astonishing heights along the deep douro valley, offering spectacular views during excursions. It is the second largest river in portugal with a total length of 895 km.
Douro river cruises toast the beautiful winegrowing region of portugal on a douro river cruise. The construction of the douro line ran between 1873 and 1887. This tour of the douro takes you by train from porto to regua. The ddr spans over 250,000 ha in the douro valley figure 1. Feb 26, 2015 douro, faina fluvial labour on the river douro.
Discover douro valley wine and food on a smallgroup tour from porto that includes a cruise along the douro river. Anthony santo antonio which reflect the importance and wealth of the city, but also the cellars, cold warehouses, the different architectural styles, and at the mouth of the sea, foz do douro and the start of. Sep 03, 2016 another new hotel on the douro scene, this 19thcentury manor house is set high above the river. Visit wine estates and eat a traditional portuguese lunch and pass some of the douro valleys loveliest scenery, from rolling vineyards to scenic overlooks, a great introduction to the wine region, a unesco world heritage site. Create unique memories on an unforgettable boat trip on the douro river or onboard of a historic train. If you face the same struggles in the high season, then i recommend you to visit douro during winter time between december and march. Create unique memories on an unforgettable boat trip on the douro river or.
Enjoy wine tastings and exceptional excursions at every stop. Like our viking longships, you can choose from a variety of stateroom classes, all with sweeping river views. Stellan skarsgard, nicola walker, adeel akhtar, lesley manville, sorcha cusack, eddie marsan. Drive route n108, which is narrow, twisty, a bit steep and fully delightful. The theme for this weeks photo challenge is narrow. Its essentially a resort hotel, and facilities include a luxury spa and a wine library. Find aniki bobo labor on the douro river anikibobo douro, faina fluvial aniki bobo labor on the douro river working on the douro river nonusa format, pal, reg. Board the ms infante don henrique for an 8day discovery cruise along the douro river. Short 1 or 2 hour douro river trip porto forum tripadvisor. Explore the douro holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Cruise in the douro river, visits to museums, wine and typical region products tasting. Itineraries usually start in lisbon, where guests spend one or more nights in the city and visit such landmarks as the stately monastery of san jeronimo and the ornate, waterfront belem tower.
The douro river northern portugal 2020 all you need to. Douro, faina fluvial labour on the river douro pt 1931. A dream made of enchanted valleys, primitive nature, world heritage sites and of w. Excellent itinerary and intend to complete this cruise again starting in lisbon with viking. River douro definition of river douro by the free dictionary. Nevertheless, especially after the 1980s, the need to cover labour shortages and. Locks, dams and the douro river, portugal piglet in.
After a convenient pickup hotel pickup, enjoy experiences that include touring the valley in a comfortable minivan, enjoying a cruise on the douro river, savoring a delicious fourcourse meal and wine pairing, and tasting a variety of reds and whites at a small, familyowned winery. Be surprised by the steep vineyards hidden treasures, where the port wine is made. Crowds imply traffic jams in douro valleys narrow roads, higher prices in hotels, required bookings at hotels, vineyards and boat rides uf, i get tired just by thinking of it. The latter two are located at the mouth of the douro at the atlantic ocean.
The douro line is a railway line connecting porto to barca dalva and accompanying douro river for an extension of 200 kilometers. Previous slide next slide 1 of view all skip ad passing one of the worlds oldest wine regions and four world heritage sites, the douro river holds much appeal for tourists, although it remains. All units have a seating area with a sofa and a tv, and some have a balcony with river view. Douro railway line douro valley guide roteiro do douro.
Here, youll set out with your guide for a hike along the atlantic coastline and along the douro. Take national road 108 to entreosrios, cross the river to the other side and head for peso da regua. With douro azul, a leading company of river cruises on the douro, follow the six bridges aboard a rabelo boat a typical vessel which, a long time ago, was used to carry port wine barrels from douro to gaia admire the old part of the city, with its typical houses and the hustle and bustle of the ribeira locals. Some of the largest deepest locks in europe,excellent scenery and weather. The narrow gauge branch lines in the area such as the corgo line are now all closed the main monuments are the cathedral and mateus palace in vila real, and the remedios and. A sublimely scenic corner of europe, with equally sublime food and wine. Douro is a portuguese wine region centered on the douro river in the trasosmontes e alto douro region.
In the spring of 20, uniworld introduced a newlybuilt ship to the douro river the queen isabel. The douro river cruises depart from the area in front of the apartments and serra do pilar mountain is a 20minute walk. Both quays can be reached on foot from central attractions such as the clerigos tower, porto cathedral, and sao bento train station, while tram line 1, which runs along the river, stops at alfandega and infante near the quays. Custom built for portugals douro river, the intimate, stateoftheart viking hemming and viking torgil feature several stateroom categories and lounges with floortoceiling windows. Download scientific diagram a digital elevation model of the douro demarcated region ddr. Nudging climate adaptation for the wines of portugal. Amawaterways cruise ship had a shallow pool on the roof which was much appreciated. We will guide you throughout this journey through the unique landscapes of the douro but also cities with a rich heritage such as lamego, salamanca or vila real. Mar 28, apr 4, apr 11, apr 18, apr 25, may 2, may 9, may 16, may 23, may 30, jun 6, jun, jun 20, jun 27, jul 4, jul 11, jul 18, jul 25, aug 1, aug 8, aug 15, aug 22, aug 29, sep 5, more. The new 106passenger viking helgrim, is the latest baby longship viking river cruises has added to the douro. Apr 25, 2017 the douro spans a length of 557 miles from source to the atlantic. It is sometimes referred to as the alto douro upper douro, as it is located some distance upstream from porto, sheltered by mountain ranges from coastal influence. Another new hotel on the douro scene, this 19thcentury manor house is set high above the river. These intimate ships were custom built to sail portugals douro river, with stateof the art engineering, deluxe accommodations and streamlined scandinavian interiors.
You can also catch the train from porto to the douro wine region, and then drive to the douro international natural park. Click on a cruise ship itinerary sailing on the douro river below and select a sail date to receive competing cruise quotes. Douro river cruises our portugal cruises uncover one of europes oldest and most renowned wine regions. Feb 18, 2016 this tour of the douro takes you by train from porto to regua. To search all cruise itineraries not just douro river, please visit. Aug 04, 2016 the theme for this weeks photo challenge is narrow. Its total length is 897 kilometres 557 mi, of which only sections of the portuguese extension below the fall line are navigable, by light rivercraft. Although rapidly growing in popularity, douro river.
Inspired by the design of the traditional rabelos that in days gone by transported port wine from the heart of the douro valley to the cellars of porto, our two boats, serra do pilar and casa do infante, are 20 metres long and can transport 28 people across the river in comfort and safety. Our portugal cruises uncover one of europes oldest and most renowned wine regions. Well leave by coach for the mouth of the douro river. Board on the most popular douro cruise between porto and regua and. Sail past steep terraced vineyards and tranquil fishing villages. It is one of the most important winemaking regions in portugal, accounting for. The main rivers are douro river, corgo river, tua river and sabor river.
In portugal, the douro flows through the districts of braganca, guarda, viseu, vila real, aveiro and porto. Its waters have been used for irrigation and hydroelectric power. Douro river cruises in europe viking river cruises. You will pass by vinyards and gardens, too many stone walls to. Then we sailed down the douro, down two locks, and back to porto at dusk. The classification of the alto douro vinhateiro upper douro wine region as world heritage followed several criteria, among which is the fact of being a wine producing region for over 2000 year with a landscape that besides being a nature masterpiece is also the result of the hard work of humankind, that has shaped it to transform it in what. You will also discover the gardens of the crystal palace, the solar do vinho do porto the port wine institute, the hospital of st. How to plan your trip in douro valley portoalities. Cruise the douro river through ancient wine estates, passing barcos rabelos laden with casks en route to porto and lisbon. Douro river taxi porto the quickest way across the river. With douro azul, a leading company of river cruises on the douro, follow the six bridges aboard a rabelo boat a typical vessel which, a long time ago, was used to carry port wine barrels from douro to gaia admire the old part of the city, with its typical houses and the hustle and bustle of the ribeira. Experience porto from one of its most characteristic perspectives. Local busses are 50 feet away and provide access to the center of porto.
Over the past decade, demand for douro river cruises has grown, and uniworlds tennight portugal, spain and douro river itinerary has become one of their bestselling programs. It is the third longest river among those in the iberian peninsula. Six bridges cruise porto europes best destinations. Wine spectator placed two douro reds in its 2014 world top four a port was no.
Portugals douro river flows like liquid gold cnn travel. Longer cruises that go further in the douro stream take at least one morning. This river cruise with amawaterways was the best river cruise we have taken. The most notable structure on the river is the dom luis i bridge in porto at 591 feet long, which is seen spanning both banks of the douro. Douro river, third longest river of the iberian peninsula, draining a catchment area of 30,539 square miles 79,096 square km. Along the route can be admired the beautiful landscapes of the douro, classified by unesco as world heritage site. Most douro river cruises start and finish at porto, portugal and sail up the river of gold towards its source in northcentral spains soria province. An interesting alternative is to follow the course of the river douro from porto to the centre of the douro region. But viking has this insidious way of actually teaching you all kinds of stuff while you think all youre doing is having fun. Embark on a luxurious cruise down the douro river exploring ancient wine regions, terraced hillsides, and sleepy fishing villages of portugal and spain. Feb 20, 2017 previous slide next slide 1 of view all skip ad passing one of the worlds oldest wine regions and four world heritage sites, the douro river holds much appeal for tourists, although it remains.