Douro Escorted River Cruises

From its source in the rocky hills of Duruelo de la Sierra in northern Spain, to the glistening ocean in the port city of Porto, Portugal, the peaceful Douro River meanders a total of 557 miles through a beautiful rolling landscape of verdant vistas, deep gorges and pretty villages. On an incredible journey through the undulating Spanish countryside and Portugal's Douro Valley, the river offers a wealth of ever-changing scenery, gastronomic delights and superb traditional towns, all bursting with delightful Spanish and Portuguese charm.

Route

Beginning in Soria, in the Castille and Léon region of Northern Span, the Douro gently flows through the rocky Spanish landscapes on a spectacular route, passing through a number of traditional Spanish towns and villages as it drifts towards the Spanish-Portuguese border and the remarkable Douro Valley.

Surrounded by the rolling hills, resplendent orchards and glorious tiered vineyards that this country is famed for, the Douro winds its way east towards the coastal city of Porto, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlights

The Douro Valley region of Portugal is undoubtedly one of the finest sections of the route. A collection of beautiful wine estates, olive groves and traditional farmhouses frame the azure splendour of the Douro river, coming together to create what is arguably one of the continent's most scenic valleys. The fertile soil here, combined with the microclimate surrounding the Douro means that the area is ideally suited for the cultivation of olives, almonds, chestnuts and grapes, the latter of which are used to produce Port wine - the Douro Valley's most famous export.

At the end of the Douro river lies the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto. Once the very edge of the known world, this classic Portuguese city is a vibrant mix of labyrinthine narrow streets, elegant Baroque architecture and cheerful, family run restaurants. And, as the city from which port is shipped across the world, there is simply no better place to enjoy a tipple. While port is ubiquitous across the country, looking out over the sparkling waters of the Douro river in lively Porto provides the perfect backdrop to sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of the eponymous wine.