Hike in Porto, the Douro Valley (Portugal), and Salamanca (Spain)

8 days
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River Cruise
Embark on a cruise through the heart of authentic Portugal and explore beautiful and unspoilt areas such as the Douro Nature Park and the Portuguese vineyards. Our hiking and walking programs offer you the opportunity to contemplate the natural beauty of these magical places. Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, this cruise is ideal for the nature and...
19%
$3,936
From$3,200
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Walking tours with a qualified mountain guide: Hike to Provesende
    • The Portuguese vineyard
    • The Douro National Park all the way to the Vultures' Cliff
    • Along the coastline in Porto
    • Non-walkers' program: Casa de Mateus and the Douro Museum in Régua
    • Vila Réal and the formal gardens of the Solar de Mateus manor house

What's this trip about?

    Embark on a cruise through the heart of authentic Portugal and explore beautiful and unspoilt areas such as the Douro Nature Park and the Portuguese vineyards. Our hiking and walking programs offer you the opportunity to contemplate the natural beauty of these magical places. Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, this cruise is ideal for the nature and scenic enthusiasts.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityPorto
End CityPorto

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Family Friendly
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Spain
  • Portugal

Attractions

  • Porto

Activities

  • River cruise

Trip includes

    • Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists) - double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom - all excursions and hikes listed in the itinerary - services of a qualified mountain guide - assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - gala dinner - onboard entertainment - Flamenco entertainment - Fado entertainment - traditional folk entertainment - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - all port fees.

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 PORTO

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Presentation of our hiking program. In the evening, depending on the weather, we'll cruise to the mouth of the Douro River.

Day 2 PORTO - REGUA

We'll set out for a guided tour of Porto. The afternoon will be spent sailing towards Regua. Enjoy an evening of dancing or a stroll through the city on your own.

Day 3 REGUA - PINHAO - VEGA DE TERRON

Hikers' Program: Hike to Provesende. You’ll wind your way up through the low brush, green forests, and rolling hills to the one of the oldest villages in Portugal, Provesende. (2.5- to 3-hour hike, 4.3 miles (7 km), 1,050-foot elevation gain (320 m).) Non-hikers' Prog...

Day 4 VEGA DE TERRON - Salamanca - BARCA D'ALVA

Join us on a guided tour of Salamanca, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We'll return on board in the end of the afternoon. Enjoy an evening of Flamenco entertainment.

Day 5 BARCA D'ALVA - SENHORA DA RIBEIRA

Hikers' Program: "Vultures' Cliff" This hike begins in a wild mountainous setting with magnificent panoramic views of the Douro River and Spain. Picnic lunch. (Length 3 hours, 8 km (5 miles) with about 530m (1,740 ft) of elevation gain.)Non-hikers' Program: Excursion ...

Day 6 SENHORA DA RIBEIRA - FERRADOSA - PINHAO - REGUA - BITETOS

Hikers' Program: Hike through the vineyards. Discovery of a real paradise where nature has been protected (picnic lunch). (Length 4 hours, 14 km (8.6 miles) with about 500m descent (1,650 ft.))Non-hikers' Program: "Wines of Porto" excursion with a tasting of Porto wines.We'll cruise to Bitetos, reaching it in the evening. Enjoy an evening of Fado entertainment.

Day 7 BITETOS - PORTO

This morning will be spent sailing to Porto.Hikers' Program: Hike along the banks of the Douro River to its estuary, admiring breathtaking views of the city and the ocean. (Length 2- to 2,5-hour hike, 8 km (5 miles) on flat, level ground)Non-hikers' Program: Excursion to Guimaraes, birthplace of Portugal in the 12th century.Enjoy an evening of traditional folk entertainment.

Day 8 PORTO

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,200
Price per day$400
Last Updated: 4/25/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
21 Apr 2025
29 Apr 2025
$3,200
13 Oct 2025
21 Oct 2025
$2,844

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with CroisiEurope.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

CroisiEurope Reviews & Ratings

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Other CroisiEurope Reviews

j

jcwer

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting.

Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience ab...

h

htrowland

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

Great tours and food! Exceptional customer service

As a female solo traveller, I especially appreciated CroisiEurope's summer special waiving single supplements. I am non-EU national, and very much enjoyed the intern...

B

Bronx resident

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

A memorable four nights on the Seine - Le Havre to Paris

We had never been on a European river cruise before and chose this one for its brevity, just four nights. We were very happy with our choice and heartily recommend C...

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Tour Operator

CroisiEurope

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Since 1976 CroisiEurope has pioneered river cruising on the most beautiful waterways in Europe, and we are Europe’s largest and most experienced river cruise line. When you sail with us, you can relax and know that you will be well taken care of.

We have been privileged to take more than 200,000 passengers to the lands of their dreams, for the times of their lives. Our fleet of 30 ships will take you to your choice of dazzling riverside cities in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Belgium — to the romantic Rhine Valley, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine, the beautiful blue Danube, the Douro Valley, Venice, and more — where you can explore and enjoy local food, wine, history, art and culture. We have a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of almost 1,000 people, whose conviviality, attentiveness and professionalism ensures that your voyage will be comfortable and pleasurable. Our staff and crews speak English, and many of them speak other major European languages as well. So you’ll be in the heart of European culture and charm, but you’ll always be able to find someone who understands you.

All our vessels are fully inspected on a regular basis, and are consistently renovated and upgraded to keep pace with safety standards as well as the needs of our customers. Our entire fleet is certified compliant with VERITAS global standards, a guarantee of safety and quality.

CroisiEurope’s headquarters is situated at the crossroads of Europe, in Strasbourg, France, near the banks of the Rhine. This historic, forward-thinking city is the perfect home us: we’re grounded in the past, and excited about the future. We’re an independent, family-owned business — so even though we’re the biggest and most experienced, we’re still small and friendly. We understand the personal touch. 

Come aboard! We can’t wait to show you the sights of Europe.

River Cruising: The Difference

Imagine gliding past quaint villages, ancient hillside castles and stone forts; past sun-drenched olive groves and vineyards, snow-capped mountains and thundering gorges; under glittering night-lit bridges in exotic cities.  Imagine eating first-class French cuisine while floating on a sparkling river, watching the gorgeous landscape pass by.

Envision your ship docking in the heart of a beautiful, historic European city:  its treasures of art, music, food, culture, and history await your leisurely exploration. 

Our trips offer you the opportunity to intimately experience the culture of a region or a country, and to visit some of Europe’s most dazzling cities and towns — in France, Spain, Italy, Germany or Belgium — in ease and comfort.

Our ship will be your floating hotel:  small enough to moor at a town or city port, but large enough to provide you every amenity.  The capacity of just 100 to 200 passengers allows a warm and convivial atmosphere on board, as well as the opportunity for quiet privacy and independence. The pace of our river cruises is relaxed and tranquil; the scenery is gorgeous and changes moment to moment.

And river cruising is smooth, so there’s no need to worry about seasickness.  Unpack your bags, and relax and enjoy the trip. 

Come sail with CroisiEurope, and discover why river cruising is the new way to travel. 

French Cuisine, European Flair

The heart and soul of CroisiEurope is European and international.

Other cruise lines may offer good food.  With CroisiEurope, you’ll cruise the rivers of Europe aboard your own French restaurant.

We carefully design and plan our cuisine and menus in the exacting tradition of fine French gastronomy.  Each meal on your cruise will give you a delightful experience of French haute cuisine.  Our chefs have worked alongside such Michelin-starred greats as Paul Bocuse and Marc Haeberlin; CroisiEurope’s head chef, Alain Bohn, was recently nominated as a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. This esteemed French association, created 50 years ago, includes only 250 chefs worldwide.

A large number of our crew and staff speak many major European languages, so you may find yourself able to chat in Spanish, Italian, or Hungarian as well as French and English.

Eco-Friendliness

European countries have long been in the forefront of eco-friendly practices, and CroisiEurope is proud to have been a pioneer in this field since well before these practices became standard.  Our commitment to the environment goes far beyond legal requirements. 

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Drinks from our special lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - transfers/travel to and from departure/arrival points - personal expenses - all other services not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
Requirements
Valid national identity card or passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.,
Cancellation policy

Level The hikes that are proposed during our cruises are 2 to 5 hours walks, implying changes in altitude that range between 150 and 850 meters (500 to 2800 ft) depending on the destination. During the hike, you'll get a chance to see and discover some of the natural and cultural areas on your cruise's program. The lengths of time indicated for the hikes in the program are given as rough estimates and do not include time taken for breaks. No athletic training is necessary for these hikes, but you should be in good shape and well-rested to fully enjoy this cruise.  

Equipment needed Backpack You'll need to bring a backpack (max 30 liters / 1,830 cubic inches) to carry the things you'll need for the hike: sweater, raincoat, picnic, bottle of water and sunscreen. So that you'll be comfortable and enjoy your hike, make sure that you choose a good backpack. We recommend a backpack that is well-made and of the appropriate size, with padded straps, and made of strong fabric that is waterproof. You must carry all materials for your hike yourself, as no porter services are provided.  

Shoes Most importantly, you should bring a pair of good-fitting, comfortable shoes. It is best that you use these shoes prior to leaving for your cruise. It is important that you be comfortable in them. Regardless of the level of difficulty of the hike, your shoes should have a good quality, well sewn-on and non-slip sole for wet or uneven terrain. It is best to choose shoes that provide ankle support and that have shock-absorbing soles to prevent injury to ankles, and back and joint problems.  

Clothes You'll be well-prepared for your hike with these essentials: Undergarments / base layers that are appropriate for the planned hike Lightweight, quick-drying pants Warm sweater or fleece jacket Rain poncho or raincoat Hat or cap Thin gloves and a knit cap for the beginning and the end of the season  

Equipment Do not forget to bring: Sunglasses Sunscreen Small personal first-aid kit (refer to the following paragraph) Water bottle Toilet paper Folding knife Telescoping hiking poles if you are used to using them  

First-aid needs Your guide will have a first-aid kit for each hike. Even so, you must bring your own first-aid kit, which differs according to the destination, but will at least include: Plastic strip bandages "2nd Skin” or similar blister treatment bandages Pain reliever If necessary, mosquito repellent Eye drops Anti-diarrhea medication, etc. You should also include any of your personal medication that you require (prescriptions, for example).

 

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

  • All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
  • Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
  • Free Wi-Fi onboard
  • Headsets are included for excursions
  • Official welcome from the captain and crew
  • Onboard activities
  • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
  • All port fees included
Trip ID
croisieurope-ROP_AIPP

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