Taste wines along the beautiful Douro River

Visit characterful towns, sample delicious port wines and take part in a traditional grape harvest festival on this enchanting cruise along the Douro

Glide along the glittering Douro on this delightful river cruise and explore a region of Portugal best known for its excellent wines. Gaze out onto beautiful landscapes and sweeping vineyards as you travel between pretty riverside towns where famous vintages have been produced for generations.

Portugal's second city of Porto is your gateway to this trip; full of charm and atmosphere, the historic old town (a UNESCO world heritage site) is made up of colourful little houses and narrow alleyways. Marvel at the traditional tiled facades of the buildings and enjoy views of the river from one of the city's many viewpoints.

Your journey around the Alto Douro, the name of this wine-producing valley region which also holds UNESCO status, begins with a stop at Régua, a town that has produced port wine since the 18th Century. You'll continue on to the little town of Pinhão, surrounded by vineyards and quintas - local wine producers. You'll visit a quinta here and experience the traditional grape harvest, including picking and crushing the grapes underfoot in traditional granite troughs.

The trip continues with a port wine tasting at Vega Terron in Spain, and a visit to Barca d'Alva in the Parque Natural do Douro. Here you can also choose to go on an excursion to Spain (not included) to visit the historic university town of Salamanca. The Linha do Douro railway, which dates from the late 1800s, runs through the region and on a stop-off at Pocinho you'll see the railway terminus and railway bridge, both listed monuments.

You'll then return along the Douro, back through the towns of Pinhão and Régua, and finish with a final full day to enjoy the sights and charming atmosphere of Porto.

Your home for the duration of the trip is the ship A-ROSA ALVA. This comfortable ship has just 63 cabins, a casual dress code, heated pool and panoramic lounge with a bar.

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Reasons to book

The magic of the Douro

Dotted with picturesque riverside towns, the Douro is home to some of southern Europe’s most gorgeous scenery

Local wine tasting

Stroll among the vines and taste a selection of the region’s famous port wines at the Quinta da Roeda estate, near Pinhão

Charming riverside towns

Beautiful Régua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, charming Pinhão and characterful Pocinho are highlights of your trip

Harvest festival

Enjoy a unique experience by taking part in the grape harvest at Quinta Avessada, where you’ll help pick the grapes and crush them by foot

Cruise in comfort

The A-ROSA ALVA is your home from home, a boutique ship specifically designed to travel along the Douro

Enchanting Porto

Portugal’s enchanting second city beckons; get lost in its maze of alleyways and admire the local architecture and river views

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Tour brochure

Price includes

Return flights from the UK to Porto
Transfers between Porto airport and the ship, the A-ROSA ALVA
River cruise with choice of preferred cabin (subject to availability and supplement applies for upgrades)
All onboard meals
High-quality drinks throughout the day (some exclusions apply**)
A tour, dinner and tasting at Quinta Avessada plus an onboard cooking demonstration
Free use of on-board facilities such as sauna and fitness centre, swimming pool and sun deck
15% discount on treatments in the on-board spa
English and German speaking cruise guide
Free Wi-Fi on board

Availability

From

Wed, Wed, Oct 18, 2023

To

Wed, Wed, Oct 25, 2023

Duration

8 Days

Price per person

£1,999*

* From price is per person,based on two people sharing a cabin, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit 30%. **The grape harvest activity is subject to harvest timings and an alternative activity will be provided if the harvest is not possible. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Price includes super early booking discount of £100pp, expires 30 November 2022. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).

Call now to book 02039934304

Quote ref: GHK TST DOURO WINE

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Itinerary

Day
1

Arrive in Porto

Porto, Portugal

You'll fly from London Heathrow to Porto, where you'll be met and transferred by coach to the ship.

Meals - Dinner
Day
2

Porto – Régua – Pinhão

Pinhão, Portugal

You'll set sail for the Alto Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wine growing valley where local wines are produced. First stop is Régua, the largest city in the valley and central to the production of port in the region. Next is the little town of Pinhão in a particularly picturesque part of the valley, surrounded by vineyards and quintas that produce the wine.

You'll have the unique experience of taking part in a traditional grape harvest. You'll learn about the harvesting process at the Adega Cooperativa de Favaios and visit Quinta da Avessada to pick grapes and even help to crush them underfoot in traditional granite troughs. You'll also experience traditional Portuguese hospitality including a delicious menu of regional specialities and of course the local wines.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3

Pinhão - Vega Terron

Vega de Terron, Spain, Portugal

You'll spend the morning in enchanting Pinhão and visit another quinta, Quinta da Roeda, for a port wine tasting. In the afternoon you'll reach the Spanish town of Vega Terron, where the Douro and Agueda rivers meet.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
4

Vega Terron – Barca d’Alva

Barca d’Alva, Portugal

There's an opportunity to take an excursion to the historic university town of Salamanca in the morning (not included). At lunchtime you'll sail on the Barca D'Alva in the beautiful Parque Natural do Douro. Trains on the Linha do Douro line used to stop here and you can still see the station today.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
5

Barca d’Alva – Pocinho – Pinhão

Pocinho, Portugal

Visit Pocinho, the terminus of the Linha Douro line which dates from the late 1800s. The railway station and bridge across the Douro are listed monuments. In the afternoon you'll return to Pinhão.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
6

Pinhão – Régua– Porto

Regua, Portugal

You'll spend the morning back in Régua and arrive in Porto in the late afternoon.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
7

Porto

Porto, Portugal

You have a free day to explore Porto, Portugal's second city. Explore the narrow streets of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and admire the patchwork of houses, many carved from granite and decorated with exquisite azulejo tiles. Climb to one of the viewpoints around the town to enjoy wonderful views of the Douro.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
8

Depart from Porto

Porto, Portugal

Take your transfer to the airport and catch your return flight.

Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

A-ROSA ALVA

Cruise ship

Comfortable ship with spacious cabins, great facilities and an inviting sun deck

The A-ROSA ALVA is your home from home as you cruise along the Douro. Most of the spacious cabins have panoramic windows so you can enjoy the sensational river views, and all have ensuite bathrooms with a shower and toilet, as well as air conditioning, TV, telephone, hairdryer and a safe.

Enjoy delicious meals onboard at the breakfast and lunch time buffets, and at dinner time where main courses are served alongside appetiser and dessert buffets. High-quality drinks are served throughout the day.

There's a sun deck with recliners and sunshades as well as a heated outdoor pool and crazy golf. A lounge area, bar and dance floor are great for relaxing into the evening.

The onboard spa provides the perfect place to treat yourself. Choose from the range of beauty and body treatments on offer from the professionally trained spa and beauty team. There's also a sauna and gym with cardio equipment, as well as a relaxation room.

Brought to you by

TS Tours

This tour is operated solely by TS Tours

TS Tours Ltd is the UK's leading specialist in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded.

For general information, click here.

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Availability

From

Wed, Wed, Oct 18, 2023

To

Wed, Wed, Oct 25, 2023

Duration

8 Days

Price per person

£1,999*

* From price is per person,based on two people sharing a cabin, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit 30%. **The grape harvest activity is subject to harvest timings and an alternative activity will be provided if the harvest is not possible. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Price includes super early booking discount of £100pp, expires 30 November 2022. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).

Call now to book 02039934304

Quote ref: GHK TST DOURO WINE