Commencing in the Roman city of Porto, the home of Port wine, Portugal’s once wild river Douro has been tamed by locks into resembling a series of finger lakes, adding greatly to the valley's ambience. Leaving behind the Atlantic influenced greenery of the coast you are soon immersed in a Mediterranean land of olives, vines, and picturesque, medieval hilltop villages.

Our destination is the higher reaches of the valley from where we visit Salamanca - home of one of Europe’s oldest universities, two of its finest cathedrals, Spain’s finest city square and even the Inquisition! You will adore the away-from-it-all experience and visit some of Iberia’s most beautiful medieval towns, monasteries and vineyards, and feel you have been away for months!

• Enjoy a guided tour of Porto and a visit to a famous port producer with plenty of opportunities to taste their fortified wine.
• Follow in the footsteps of St. Francis with a visit to Castelo Rodrigo in the highland ranges near the Spanish border.
• Visit two historic Quintas to learn all about the stages of wine production, from planting to tasting and labelling, enjoying dinner with a selection of their wines at Quinta da Pacheca.
• See historic Salamanca, one of Spain's most beautiful cities, and enjoy a Flamenco show over a typical tapas lunch.
• Discover Lamego with its Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies church, and the gardens of iconic Mateus Palace.

Cruise this route on either of these sister ships, MS Douro Elegance or MS Douro Splendour:

Constructed with the very latest technology and a strong environmental ethic in mind, yet simultaneously retaining a classic, refined elegance reminiscent of cruising from a bygone era, this five-star, fully-air-conditioned river cruiser has been purpose-built to fit the unique size limitations of the Douro’s five locks and features all the facilities you would expect in a top-class hotel and more so your cruise will be as relaxing as possible and your stay on board will be a uniquely memorable one.

Accommodating just 121 guests in the most exquisite of surroundings, the ship’s spectacular design and high specification ensures this vessel feels exceptionally light and airy. The generous ratio of 4:1 guests per crew member ensures a first-class personal service plus the friendly ‘small ship’ feel so beloved of Riviera Travel cruise aficionados, enables the ever attentive crew to revel in taking care of all those little things – leaving you to simply sit back, relax and enjoy every minute of your sensational Portugese river cruise experience.

All the outside facing cabins are finished to an exceptionally high standard with superior quality fittings in the most refined taste. Chic styling is evident throughout from the moment you open your beautifully polished hardwood door and step inside your luxury home for the next 7 nights; polished wooden furniture is complemented by fine fabrics, in warm, relaxing colours, uniquely designed and created for the MS Douro Splendour whilst ‘hotel style’ twin beds with individual bedding which can be moved together or separated accordingly, will ensure a good night’s sleep in the finest crisp linens.

The sparkling marble bathrooms, beautifully designed, all feature shower with fully glazed screen, WC plus fluffy towels and bathroom cosmetics. The living area has two comfortable chairs and a table plus a small desk. All cabins enjoy the benefit of individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone, and tea and coffee making facilities.

The Upper Deck and Main (middle) Deck have full floor to ceiling windows which slide down halfway, whilst Superior and Deluxe Balcony Suites on the Upper Deck feature an outside balcony so you can watch the stunning river scenery drifting past without leaving the comfort of your cabin!

Price per person is based on a solo traveller in their own cabin and includes:

• Return flights from Dublin
• Return airport transfers
• 7 night Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise for Solo Travellers on board a five-star ship
• Free drinks package
• 10 included experiences
• Full board dining
• Complimentary on-board tea & coffee
• Welcome dinner or drinks to get to know your fellow travellers
• Expert Tour Manager that specialises in solo travel, looking after you throughout
• All port charges
• All additional taxes
• Checked luggage
• Free Wi-Fi

Please ask us about:

• Travel Insurance
• Extending your holiday with a European City Break before or after your cruise

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Prices are live and only guaranteed at time of booking.

For more information please call us on 021 493 5806 or 0818 300 205, email cruise@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button, or submit an enquiry through the form below.