Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley

10 nights from £4,599pp departing Sunday 20th Aug 2023

Following the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain, you’ll cruise past steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages and acres of ripe vineyards. Enjoy private tastings of Port and explore Porto’s historic Ribeira district, home to iconic rabelo boats, cutting-edge cuisine and a thriving art scene. Wind your way through the dramatic landscapes of the UNESCO-designated Douro Valley, heading ashore to visit charming quintas and meet the winemakers who operate them. In Salamanca, Spain, you’ll see the city’s famous university. Return to Portugal with a visit to the fortified village ...

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	20th20	AugAug	202323	Porto, Portugal, embark on the S.S. São Gabriel
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. Arrive in Porto, the port city at the mouth of the Douro.
	21st21	AugAug	202323	Porto, Portugal
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. Portugal’s second city (after Lisbon), Porto gave its name to the nation’s most famous export, Port wine, and to the nation itself. Today, choose to explore Portugal on foot or by panoramic drive.
	22nd22	AugAug	202323	Régua, Portugal
Today is all about wine, which has been cultivated in the Douro River Valley since ancient Roman times. Get a crash course on the history of Port during your visit to the Douro Museum.
	23rd23	AugAug	202323	Pocinho, Portugal
Go medieval today at Castelo Rodrigo, both the name of a hilltop castle as well as the village that surrounds it. The view from the top is incredible and the village is a charming place to ramble, relax and replenish. Alternatively, lace up your hiking boots and unleash your inner Indiana Jones with an up-close gander at some prehistoric carvings at an archaeological park.
	24th24	AugAug	202323	Salamanca, Spain
Today, you can visit the historic university town of Salamanca—the “Golden City”—famous for its sand-colored buildings and abundance of churches. Feel the centuries fall away as your ship winds its way through the pristine, dramatic UNESCO-protected landscapes of the Douro River Valley.
	25th25	AugAug	202323	Barca d’Alva, Portugal
Head ashore for a choice of excursions, including a tasting at a prestigious Port wine estate or a vineyard hike with a wine tasting at a local quinta.
	26th26	AugAug	202323	Porto, Portugal
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. Explore Guimarães, the town where Portugal was born. Its well-preserved architecture and stylish young residents make it a pleasure to visit.
	27th27	AugAug	202323	Lisbon, Portugal, disembark the S.S. São Gabriel
Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades. Disembark the ship and board a motorcoach, heading south through Portugal’s picturesque countryside to Lisbon where you will check in to your hotel.
	27th27	AugAug	202323	3 nights accommodation following your cruise, staying in Lisbon
	30th30	AugAug	202323	Check out of accommodation

S.S. São Gabriel

Launch Year

2020

Capacity

Cabins

Accessible

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Your Holiday Is Safe With Us

Our Fusion packages are all ABTA & ATOL protected ensuring that your booking is safe with us

Fusion TV

Check out our latest cruise deals, news and information from the cruise world. We will bring you up to date with all of the latest exclusive offers we have available, all the news from onboard the cruise ships and much much more!

Offer

Book by

Fusion Special

Book by

Holiday Summary

	Return flights including luggage allowance
	Overseas Transfers
	7 nights cruising on the Douro
	3 nights in a hotel following your cruise
	Return airport transfers
	All alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages included
	Gratuities Included
	Choice of shore excursions in every port
	Exclusive special events
	Speciality restaurants included
	Bikes for passenger use
	In-room mini bar
	Free Wi-Fi included
	Room Service (category dependant)
	Self-service laundry
	Butler Service (category dependant)
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*

Oceanview staterooms from		£4,599pp
CLASSIC	Classic	£4,599pp

Balcony staterooms from		£6,099pp
FRNCH	French Balcony	£6,099pp

Oceanview staterooms from		£4,599pp
CLASSIC	Classic	£4,599pp

Balcony staterooms from		£6,099pp
FRNCH	French Balcony	£6,099pp

	Oceanview	Balcony	Suite
	(All prices are £GBP per person)
Sun 30th Jul 202330 Jul 23	2,799	4,299	7,199
Sun 30th Jul 202330 Jul 23	2,799	4,299	7,199
Sun 6th Aug 202306 Aug 23		5,699	6,399
Sun 6th Aug 202306 Aug 23		5,699	6,399
Sun 13th Aug 202313 Aug 23	4,999	6,499
Sun 13th Aug 202313 Aug 23	4,999	6,499
Sun 27th Aug 202327 Aug 23	4,999
Sun 27th Aug 202327 Aug 23	4,999
Sun 3rd Sep 202303 Sep 23	5,699		7,899
Sun 3rd Sep 202303 Sep 23	5,699		7,899
Sun 10th Sep 202310 Sep 23	Please call for availability
Sun 17th Sep 202317 Sep 23	5,699
Sun 17th Sep 202317 Sep 23	5,699
Sun 24th Sep 202324 Sep 23		7,199
Sun 24th Sep 202324 Sep 23		7,199
Sun 1st Oct 202301 Oct 23	5,699
Sun 1st Oct 202301 Oct 23	5,699
Sun 8th Oct 202308 Oct 23	5,999	7,199
Sun 8th Oct 202308 Oct 23	5,999	7,199
Sun 15th Oct 202315 Oct 23	5,699
Sun 15th Oct 202315 Oct 23	5,699
Sun 22nd Oct 202322 Oct 23	5,999	7,199	8,299
Sun 22nd Oct 202322 Oct 23	5,999	7,199	8,299
Sun 29th Oct 202329 Oct 23	4,199		6,799
Sun 29th Oct 202329 Oct 23	4,199		6,799
Sun 12th Nov 202312 Nov 23	3,799		5,999
Sun 12th Nov 202312 Nov 23	3,799		5,999
Sun 19th Nov 202319 Nov 23	3,799	5,299	5,999
Sun 19th Nov 202319 Nov 23	3,799	5,299	5,999
Sun 31st Mar 202431 Mar 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 7th Apr 202407 Apr 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 14th Apr 202414 Apr 24	Please call for availability
Sun 21st Apr 202421 Apr 24	Please call for availability
Sun 28th Apr 202428 Apr 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 5th May 202405 May 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 12th May 202412 May 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 19th May 202419 May 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 26th May 202426 May 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 2nd Jun 202402 Jun 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 9th Jun 202409 Jun 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 16th Jun 202416 Jun 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 23rd Jun 202423 Jun 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 30th Jun 202430 Jun 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 7th Jul 202407 Jul 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 14th Jul 202414 Jul 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 21st Jul 202421 Jul 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 28th Jul 202428 Jul 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 4th Aug 202404 Aug 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 11th Aug 202411 Aug 24		6,839	7,649
Sun 18th Aug 202418 Aug 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 25th Aug 202425 Aug 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 1st Sep 202401 Sep 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 8th Sep 202408 Sep 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 15th Sep 202415 Sep 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 22nd Sep 202422 Sep 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 29th Sep 202429 Sep 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 6th Oct 202406 Oct 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 13th Oct 202413 Oct 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 20th Oct 202420 Oct 24	5,309	7,559	8,369
Sun 27th Oct 202427 Oct 24	5,039	7,199	8,009
Sun 3rd Nov 202403 Nov 24	5,039	7,199	8,009
Sun 10th Nov 202410 Nov 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 17th Nov 202417 Nov 24	4,679	6,839	7,649
Sun 24th Nov 202424 Nov 24	4,679	6,839	7,649