Douro Culinary Highlights

Lively, commercial Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Also called Porto for short, the word easily brings to mind the city's most famous product - port wine. Oporto's strategic location on the north bank of the Douro River has accounted for the town's importance since ancient times. The Romans built a fort here where their trading route crossed the Douro, and the Moors brought their own culture to the area. Oporto profited from provisioning crusaders en route to the Holy Land and enjoyed the riches from Portuguese maritime discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries. Later, port wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade and the end of gold and gem shipments from Brazil. In the 19th century, the city went through a period of new prosperity with the rise of industries. In its wake followed the building of workers' quarters and opulent residences. Since the declaration of Oporto as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city aims to build up a cultural reference that will provide it with a new image, based on deep historical roots. Among the attractions that make Oporto such an interesting place are its graceful bridges spanning the Douro River, a picturesque riverfront quarter and, most notable, its world-famous port wine lodges. Although Oporto is a bustling centre and home to many different businesses, the source of its greatest fame is the rich, sweet fortified red wine we know as port.

The departure point for your Douro cruise is Porto. A mesmerising city carved in granite: in Porto you’ll find new, exciting perspectives at every turn. The gleaming azulejo tiles adorning church walls and townhouse facades are one of the typical sights of Portugal’s second-largest city. The old town – a UNESCO World Heritage Sight – is pure poetry. Let the Douro welcome you with open arms, while you soak up the ship’s atmosphere on the sun deck and enjoy your first hours in Portugal. Welcome aboard!

Lively, commercial Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Also called Porto for short, the word easily brings to mind the city's most famous product - port wine. Oporto's strategic location on the north bank of the Douro River has accounted for the town's importance since ancient times. The Romans built a fort here where their trading route crossed the Douro, and the Moors brought their own culture to the area. Oporto profited from provisioning crusaders en route to the Holy Land and enjoyed the riches from Portuguese maritime discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries. Later, port wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade and the end of gold and gem shipments from Brazil. In the 19th century, the city went through a period of new prosperity with the rise of industries. In its wake followed the building of workers' quarters and opulent residences. Since the declaration of Oporto as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city aims to build up a cultural reference that will provide it with a new image, based on deep historical roots. Among the attractions that make Oporto such an interesting place are its graceful bridges spanning the Douro River, a picturesque riverfront quarter and, most notable, its world-famous port wine lodges. Although Oporto is a bustling centre and home to many different businesses, the source of its greatest fame is the rich, sweet fortified red wine we know as port.

The departure point for your Douro cruise is Porto. A mesmerising city carved in granite: in Porto you’ll find new, exciting perspectives at every turn. The gleaming azulejo tiles adorning church walls and townhouse facades are one of the typical sights of Portugal’s second-largest city. The old town – a UNESCO World Heritage Sight – is pure poetry. Let the Douro welcome you with open arms, while you soak up the ship’s atmosphere on the sun deck and enjoy your first hours in Portugal. Welcome aboard!

The little town of Pinhão is located in the famous port wine region, in the area where the Douro and its surrounding landscape are at their most picturesque. It is surrounded by enchanting vineyards and the quintas that produce the wine. You can visit them from Pinhão and enjoy tours and wine tasting.

From Barca d’Alva, the ship will head for nearby Spain – to Salamanca. This provincial capital, situated at about 800 metres on the banks of the Rio Tormes, is in a league of its own. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the most beautiful central squares and one of the oldest universities in Spain (13th century). The latter gives it a lively student scene.

In Vega Terrón, the Agueda joins the Douro. Both rivers form the natural border between Portugal and Spain. From here, you can take a trip to the Spanish city of Salamanca. With its new cathedral, old town and famous university, the city has a very special flair. Don't miss Salamanca's UNESCO World Heritage Site! 

The little town of Pinhão is located in the famous port wine region, in the area where the Douro and its surrounding landscape are at their most picturesque. It is surrounded by enchanting vineyards and the quintas that produce the wine. You can visit them from Pinhão and enjoy tours and wine tasting.

The rustic Leverinho is not far from Porto. From here, you can set off on exciting excursions to the harbour city.

Lively, commercial Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Also called Porto for short, the word easily brings to mind the city's most famous product - port wine. Oporto's strategic location on the north bank of the Douro River has accounted for the town's importance since ancient times. The Romans built a fort here where their trading route crossed the Douro, and the Moors brought their own culture to the area. Oporto profited from provisioning crusaders en route to the Holy Land and enjoyed the riches from Portuguese maritime discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries. Later, port wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade and the end of gold and gem shipments from Brazil. In the 19th century, the city went through a period of new prosperity with the rise of industries. In its wake followed the building of workers' quarters and opulent residences. Since the declaration of Oporto as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city aims to build up a cultural reference that will provide it with a new image, based on deep historical roots. Among the attractions that make Oporto such an interesting place are its graceful bridges spanning the Douro River, a picturesque riverfront quarter and, most notable, its world-famous port wine lodges. Although Oporto is a bustling centre and home to many different businesses, the source of its greatest fame is the rich, sweet fortified red wine we know as port.

The departure point for your Douro cruise is Porto. A mesmerising city carved in granite: in Porto you’ll find new, exciting perspectives at every turn. The gleaming azulejo tiles adorning church walls and townhouse facades are one of the typical sights of Portugal’s second-largest city. The old town – a UNESCO World Heritage Sight – is pure poetry. Let the Douro welcome you with open arms, while you soak up the ship’s atmosphere on the sun deck and enjoy your first hours in Portugal. Welcome aboard!