ENRICHED BY THE DOURO
CULTURE, HISTORY AND SAVINGS ON PORTUGAL’S RIVER OF GOLD
MOST of us travel to discover, learn and understand. And, for curious explorers, a river cruise can prove the most comfortable, mind-expanding doorway to new cultures.
It is a pure pleasure to travel with such ease — unpacking just once and relaxing amid an everchanging canvas of breathtaking landscapes, then docking in the centre of small towns and strolling right off to begin your explorations.
This enriching journey brings new insights all the way, as culture and history are brought to life by guest lecturers, regional performances, wine tastings and more, dovetailing with expertly guided excursions in every port.
Take Viking’s Portugal’s River of Gold journey, which leads you on a glorious meander through the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Sail between the Douro’s ancient wine estates, passing barcos rabelos (flat-bottomed boats) laden with casks. It’s a sublimely scenic corner of Europe, with equally sublime food and wine.
What’s more, when you book before December 31, 2022, you can save £750pp, plus enjoy a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package on all Viking’s 2023 Portugal river journeys.
SUN-KISSED VALLEY
THIS carefully curated, ten-day Douro journey is an ideal way to experience the best of Portugal.
Begin with two nights in remarkable Lisbon, a treasure trove of 18th-century architecture, now enjoying a renaissance with trending galleries and restaurants. Then it’s on via Coimbre, birthplace of six Portuguese kings, to lovely Porto, perched at the mouth of the Douro River.
Explore narrow, cobblestone streets lined with romantic buildings, roam the port warehouses, enjoy traditional cuisine or take in a local fado performance.
Meander on to Vila Real and admire the baroque, pinnacled Mateus Palace (the one on the Mateus Rose wine labels).
You’ll pause at a local quinta for tastings before sailing through valleys blanketed with vineyards. Explore hilltop Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval fortress town brimming with 16th-century facades, that time seems to have forgotten.
And on day six, cross the Spanish border to enjoy a fullday’s exploration in the ancient university town of Salamanca, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Returning westwards to sleepy Pinhao, at the epicentre of port wine production, witness traditional village bread-making, before wine-tastings and lunch at rustic Quinta da Avessada.
Sail on through the sun-kissed Douro Valley towards Peso da Regua, calling at Lamego’s baroque sanctuary of Our Lady, with its Moorish-style tilework and grand staircase.
Two overnights in Porto bring ample time to further explore this enchanting city.
Viking’s four intimate river ships on the Douro feature the latest engineering, serene, streamlined Scandinavian interiors and graceful, deluxe staterooms offering sweeping river views.
Relax by the pool on the sundeck, or enjoy alfresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace in the bows, and panoramic views in the lightfilled restaurant, lounge and bar.
Step aboard with Viking for enrichment, renewal and great inclusive value — the perfect way to experience Portugal’s spectacular River of Gold and many of the world’s other great waterways.
Remember, you’ll save £750pp, and benefit from a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package on all 2023 Portugal river journeys if you book before December 31, 2022. Call 020 8780 8715 today or book online at viking.com.