Explore More Magazine Summer 2019

ITINERARY DOURO delights

ITINERARY DOURO delights Discover the charms of this region as you explore stunning landscapes, quaint towns and the history of Portuguese wine PHOTOS: © ISTOCK Above: Porto charms with its vibrant riverbanks, cobbled medieval streets and beautifully tiled churches DAY 1 / PORTO, PORTUGAL Arrive in Porto, a charming city on the steep banks of the Douro in northern Portugal. Head to the dock at Vila Nova de Gaia to board your ship and get settled in. DAY 2 / PORTO, PORTUGAL It is impossible not to fall in love with Porto on your included city tour. Stroll through the medieval centre, admiring its criss-crossed alleys, baroque churches and stately buildings, and become immersed in the romance of the UNESCO-listed riverfront district, Ribeira. DAY 3 / RÉGUA & PINHÃO, PORTUGAL Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising to Régua. After lunch, visit the Vila Real and Mateus Palace, the building that’s depicted on the Mateus Rosé wine label. There will be a chance to explore the formal gardens, too, as well as undertake a cellar tour at a wine estate before re-joining your ship in Pinhão. DAY 4 / BARCA D’ALVA, PORTUGAL Relax and soak up the tranquillity as you cruise along a particularly picturesque stretch of the river. Close to the Spanish border, your ship will call at Barca d’Alva and, from here, you can enjoy an included drive through idyllic countryside to hilltop Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval fortress town. DAY 5 / SALAMANCA, SPAIN UNESCO-listed Salamanca is sure to captivate as you uncover the city’s architectural wonders; there’s the 13th-century Salamanca University replete with sandstone facades, the House of Shells decorated with 400 scallop shells and the 500-year-old New Cathedral, which is a Gothic-baroque masterpiece. DAY 6 / PINHÃO, PORTUGAL Relish the timeless scenery as you sail back to Pinhão and, from here, drive through the picturesque countryside to the village of Favaios. Learn about local breadmaking in one of Portugal’s last traditional bakeries before feasting on a delicious lunch at the Quinta da Avessada winery. DAY 7 / RÉGUA & PORTO, PORTUGAL Return to Régua for a trip to Lamego, where its stunning baroque church, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, has been an important pilgrimage site for centuries. Other sights include its Gothic cathedral and the ruins of a 12th-century castle. The town boasts a special setting, with the Serra do Marão mountains on the horizon. Sail back to Porto for the evening. DAY 8 / PORTO, PORTUGAL After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your return flight back to the UK. The eight-day Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards itinerary, a return trip from Porto, starts from £1,895pp 16 VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK | SUMMER 2019

Discover the Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards Explore Portugal’s true beauty and rich past as you sail the River Douro through an ancient land of terraced hillsides carpeted with vineyards, on this new journey. In these tranquil landscapes, tiny villages cluster around historic churches, monasteries and castles. Baroque palaces and resplendent manor houses transport you to another age. Enjoy time to explore historic Porto. Visit Mateus Palace and its beautiful gardens. Spend a day in the magnificent Spanish city of Salamanca. Explore Lamego, one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites. Eight extraordinary days. Endless discoveries. 2020 Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards Eight-day river cruise from £1,895pp Call now on 020 8780 7900 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to change. From price is per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available on Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards departing on selected dates in 2020. Prices valid until 30 June 2019. Single supplements apply. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us. VC_EM_A4_May2019_Douro_v4.indd 1 29/04/2019 13:33:20