The Douro river valley is one of Portugal’s most gorgeous regions, a place to be savored. Whether you explore it on an Untour from your comfortable home base in Porto, or opt to see it on a Ventures river cruise, you should not miss it! Here are some of the memorable things you can see and experience in the region.
Porto is an atmospheric old city of startling beauty and old world charm. Its crooked streets are chock-a-block with welcoming shops and restaurants, and its hills climb to gorgeous churches and monuments and soaring panoramic views. It is a great place to stay for a week or more on an Untour, and is a stop on all Douro cruises.
The Enticing Douro cruise visits Barca d’Alva in Portugal. Guests can join a guided hike up to Castelo Rodrigo and explore the historic hilltop village of steep narrow streets and fantastic views.
The Douro river valley is the center of port wine production, and guests (on a Douro cruise or a northern Portugal Untour) will see the hillside vineyards and taste the local wines. AmaWaterways’ cruise includes a wine tasting at Sandeman Winery, one of the biggest producers and exporters of the wine.
The sunny Douro Valley is lush and green, offering gorgeous views, especially in the bloom of late spring.
Pinhão is another center of wine making in the Douro river valley and a great place to go tasting. Guided excursions on the Enticing Douro cruise take guests into the cantinas of important winemakers for an enlightening guided tasting.
Ama Vida in one of AmaWaterways’ well outfitted river cruise ships. It plies the waters of the Douro, calling on ports in Spain and Portugal. (All of the beautiful photos in this blog post are courtesy of Ama Waterways.)
Portugal and the Douro Valley region belong on any worldly bucket list. UnTours offers high-service river cruises that guide you through some of the region’s most beautiful and popular ports of call.
We also offer a Porto Untour for those who refer to settle into Porto, sink into the local life of town, and explore the region at their own pace.
Great options! Whichever way you choose to do it, you must see Porto and the Douro!