Early booking offer for selected 2024 departure dates: save up to £1,000 pp – ends 31 Mar

Highlights

  • Taste your way through the Douro Valley’s beautifully terraced vineyards
  • Compare Porto’s icons with medieval castles and prehistoric archaeology
  • Indulge with included fine dining and open-bar drinks throughout
  • Enjoy expert-led tours, from Spain’s golden heritage to farmhouse lunches
  • Sail in small-ship luxury

There’s no better way of appreciating the terraced beauty of what is one of Europe’s leading wine-producing regions than with a luxury small-ship sailing. After showcasing the headlines of Portugal’s second city, Porto, you’ll weave between world-class vineyard tastings, visits to medieval castles and lunches at historic farmstead villages as you enjoy a fully included menu of expert-led tours. You’ll even dip into Spain to appreciate the centuries-old history of its ‘Golden City’ – Guimarães. Throughout, you’ll be travelling in luxury on a vessel specifically built in 2021 for the Douro River, enjoying wine-paired dining and open-bar drinks between dips in the sun deck’s pool.


Day 1

Arrival & boarding in Porto

Begin in style with complimentary airport lounge access before your flight to Portugal. Here, you’ll be met and brought aboard your luxury river ship. You’ll have some time to settle in to your river-view stateroom and explore your home for the next week, from the sun deck’s pool, the open bar and the fitness centre to the wine cellar, coffee station and spa. Then, it’s time for the first of your included dining, with a dinner of fine, wine-paired local delicacies.

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel

Dinner included

S.S São Gabriel cruising in Porto

S.S São Gabriel cruising in Porto


Day 2

Porto: behind-the-scenes touring

Today, you’ll be exploring Portugal’s second city with the first of your included excursions. Your first option is an expert-led tour of the city, from its 19th-century Stock Exchange Palace and pastel-coloured townhouses to its Baroque churches and medieval alleyway walls. The views from the hilltop cathedral are a special highlight. Your second option is a locals’ walking tour, beginning at the 17th-century Monastery of Serra do Pilar before heading over the city’s iconic double-decked bridge. This will bring you right among Porto’s famed blue tilework, beautiful 20th-century railway station and panoramic cathedral views, before old-town alleyways and a refreshment stop take you back to a special captain’s reception and dinner onboard.

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Old Town, Porto, Portugal

Old Town, Porto, Portugal

Douro River, Porto, Portugal

Douro River, Porto, Portugal


Day 3

Wine tasting & sailing upriver to Entre-os-Rios

With the city’s urbanity fading from view, you’ll be heading up into the Douro Valley itself, swapping Porto’s river-side townhouses for steep-green valley contours. And, with a wine-making tradition dating back to the Romans, you’ll learn all about the region’s ancient oenological practices with a visit to the superb Douro Museum – enjoying a chance to taste some of the fine local offerings, too. Today’s lunch is equally delightful, taken at a local quinta farmhouse.

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Douro Valley, Portugal

Douro Valley, Portugal


Day 4

Continuing inland to Pinhão’s picturesque terraces

With postcard-perfect vineyards terracing pretty hills, this is true Douro wine country. And, today begins with a chance to sample some of its delights, with a special invitation to a prestigious Port wine estate whose tasting room boasts superlative views over the valley. Alternatively, a hike will see you right among the vineyards, ending at a family-owned quinta estate for a tasting. Whichever you choose, this afternoon’s excursion will see you visit the superb Côa Valley Archaeological Park to admire prehistoric carvings, something facilitated by short hikes and a trip in a four-wheel drive.

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Vineyards, Duoro Valley

Vineyards, Duoro Valley

Pinhao, Portugal

Pinhao, Portugal


Day 5

Salamanca: into Spain

Dipping across the border, today you’ll visit the gorgeous university town of Salamanca, termed the ‘Golden City’ for its gorgeous sandstone buildings and gilded churches. Your expert guide will bring you among its 16th and 12th-century cathedrals before plazas lined with Baroque buildings point you on to Spain’s oldest university. Its ornate façade opens onto stunning interiors. It all culminates with a visit to the city’s famous food hall, where you’ll sample chorizos, cheese, olive oil and fine ham before you’ve some time to explore on your own. Wherever your interests lie, your host will be able to make some recommendations, whether that’s the best spots for a tapas lunch or the boutiques of Rua Mayor.

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel


Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Roman bridge of Salamanca, Spain

Roman bridge of Salamanca, Spain

Plaza Mayor of Salamanca, Spain

Plaza Mayor of Salamanca, Spain


Day 6

Barca d’Alva: medieval castle & village

Sweeping back into Portugal, you’ll be welcomed back with a pause at the quaint river port of Barca d’Alva for a trip to the 13th-century Castelo Rodrigo. You’ll be brought through a scenic countryside of almond groves and wild lavender fields to the castle’s village, where you’ll have some time to wander its cobbled streets and explore its historic pillory, Manueline church and market square. However, the highlight is perhaps the fantastic views over the Portuguese countryside from the castle itself, its stern stone walls and ruined palace built high atop Marofa Mountain. You’ll also be invited into a restored teahouse for a drink. And, you’ll get the chance to sample some of the local delicacies, from honey and almonds to olive oil and fine cheeses.

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Barca d'alva, Portugal

Barca d'alva, Portugal


Day 7

Guimarães: birthplace of a nation

Continuing back towards Porto, you’ll dock at the quiet, valley town of Régua to explore Guimarães – a World Heritage jewel that was home to the first king of Portugal. Your expert guide will bring you among the charming little plazas and half-timbered houses of its old town to explore Gothic monuments, churches and monasteries before taking in the grand medieval castle that adorns Portugal’s coat of arms. Instead of Guimarães, there’s also the option of a guided trip to Ribeira, if you’d like to explore Porto further. This medieval maze of alleyways plies the banks of the Douro River, lined with pastel houses and hole-in-the-wall taverns. Whichever you choose, you’ll end the day back onboard with a captain’s farewell reception and dinner. 

Stay: S.S. São Gabriel

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Guimarães Castle, Portugal

Guimarães Castle, Portugal

Campo da Feira, Guimarães

Campo da Feira, Guimarães

Narrow street in Guimarães, Portugal

Narrow street in Guimarães, Portugal


Day 8

Departure

After a last indulgent breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. For those that’d like to take in more of Portugal’s wonders, speak to one of our specialists about adding on a couple of nights in Lisbon to enjoy the Portuguese capital’s iconic sights, gourmet delights and hilltop viewpoints.

Breakfast included


About the itinerary

"This trip beautifully combines the contemporary luxuries of modern-day river cruising with enchanting cultural outings in some of Portugal's most charming and picturesque towns. I find cruising the Duoro Valley the principle way of immersing yourself in the culture and traditions that the region offers, whether you are sampling delicious port wines in the vineyards of gorgeous Pinhão, or walking the well-preserved cobbled streets of Guimarães, the jewel in Portugal's crown."

David Warne

Destination Specialist

Pricing information

Early booking offer for selected 2024 departure dates: save up to £1,000 pp
Offer ends 31 March

Guide price from £3,495 pp incl. flights

2024 sailings from from: £3,495 pp incl. flights — save up to £1,000 pp

Includes:

    1. Complimentary UK departure lounge access
    2. Return scheduled flights from the UK to Porto
    3. Transfers on arrival and departure days
    4. 7-night Douro River cruise in a riverview stateroom
    5. All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients including gala dinner
    6. Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water
    7. 6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
    8. Free internet and wi-fi access
    9. Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
    10. Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour

    Weekly Sunday departures April to November. 

    Price varies by specific departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.

    Enquire