This spring I put together a small group tour to Portugal’s Douro Valley. We began our journey in one of my favorite European cities, Lisbon and made our way north to Porto. I partnered again with Riviera River Cruises. This time on the River Boat, Douro Splendour as this itinerary really fit a slower more intentional experience.
The Douro River is not like other river cruises in Europe. This cruise sails during the day and ports at night. It’s actually quite lovely. Since there are fewer ports but a few more locks, you really get to appreciate the wine country, countryside as you set slow sail on this river. It kind of feels like an old-fashioned water bed with soft rocking on the water. HA!
I hope you will love following along with me as I share this part of the trip that began in Porto. But there’s more to come, so stay tuned.
A Journey begins in Lisbon
We began in Lisbon because it has easier flight connections from the states. So we spent a few days there and I’ll include more in an upcoming blog about touring the city in 2024 and more. This was my third visit to Portugal and I love Lisbon. One visit, and you will understand why it is high on everyone’s must-see list and more recently a place to possibly retire to.
Portugal, a country steeped in rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, offers travelers an unforgettable experience. On this land portion of the journey, we set off to explore Lisbon and Porto first. We indulged in cuisine and immersed ourselves in local traditions, and also enjoyed the incredibly scenic Douro River on a Riviera River Cruises adventure.
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Where we stayed?
After our overseas flight we had everyone settle in and one of my favorite places to stay in Lisbon is Hotel Real Palacio.
This hotel is located in the heart of the city and not too close to all the noise. It is also located in the Moorish quarter. Very close to the train line and a hop into the city. PLUS, this hotel is family owned and you can feel it in their amenities, breakfast and customer service.
If you happen to make a reservation here, tell Marta I said, “Hello” she is the guest relations manager and super helpful.
As we wandered through the cobbled streets of Lisbon, we were captivated by the colorful facades and the soulful sounds of Fado music drifting from local taverns. This unique genre, characterized by its melancholic melodies, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the city.
Belem
No visit to Lisbon would be complete without sampling the famous pastéis de nata. We found ourselves at Pastéis de Belém, savoring the creamy custard tarts fresh from the oven.
The bustling atmosphere and the sweet aroma made it a delightful stop. Belem is always bustling, mostly because people really want to see the Monastery of Jeronimos. The 16th century Gothic architecture along the Tagus River which is a World Heritage Site for UNESCO.
Belem is also known for the Monument to the Discoveries, in 1497 Vasco da Gama embarked on his voyage to India and in 1493 a storm forced Christopher Columbus to anchor here on his way back to Spain after his discovery of the Americas. There are more than thirty statues of people who played were critical in the discoveries.
We explored a ton more but I will include that in another specific blog Our Visit to Lisbon 2024 coming soon.
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Our Journey to Porto
After soaking in the sights and sounds of Lisbon, we met up with my friend Marta from We Hate Tourism Tours. If you read my other blog on Lisbon, you’ll know how much I love these guys. The scenic ride along the coast and through the picturesque countryside was an experience in itself. I was able to schedule a private tour and transfer with them from Lisbon to Porto with stops along the way to Fatima and Coimbra.
These two day trip stops were perfect to break up the journey to Porto and were highlights added to the itinerary that were highly valuable. Fatima or the Sanctuary of Fatima is known to hikers (for the Camino de Santiago Trail) as well as Christians who follow the trek of missionaries throughout early European history.
As we continued our journey, we visited Coimbra, home to a prestigious university. The city’s narrow streets and ancient libraries were a testament to Portugal’s academic heritage.
Coimbra was a new visit for me and this lovely river (Mondego) town was filled with wonder and amazement. Also, I discovered that Coimbra has been known as one of Portugal’s revered cities hosting the Fado male version since the early 14th century. As a matter of fact, walking the streets we discovered there were many opportunities for Fado shows.
Additionally, when we approached the University a few graduates approached us who were fund-raising for their graduation party. Their ask was to photograph us to add to their books for a few € Euros. We happily obliged.
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PORTO
I love PORTO! This was my second visit to the second largest city of Portugal. You can read more about my first tour in 2016 here. It was so fun re-discovering this great city where the Douro Valley begins.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge and the charming Ribeira district, where colorful buildings line the banks of the Douro River. Porto is an alive and vibrant city and typically the BEST city to start in.
TRAVEL TIP: If you are flying from inside of Europe, Porto is typically more affordable and the airport is quite lovely. On the outskirts of town and easy to get in and out of.
The river boat was docked right under the bridge so as we made our way on the Duoro our views of the city and the flickering lights were breathtaking.
Setting Sail on Portugal’s Douro Valley River
Our land adventure turned into a river adventure and took an exciting turn as we boarded the Riviera River Cruises’ Douro Splendour. We were preparing for our scenic cruise through the breathtaking Douro Valley.
With a small group of fellow travelers, we set sail on the tranquil waters, surrounded by terraced vineyards and rolling hills. Each day the itinerary was filled with new discoveries, including stops in charming ports like Pinhão, where we enjoyed wine tastings and learned about the region’s rich viticulture.
I will most certainly create some content, blog, vlog and podcast to compliment this about the cruise, ship, staff and journey on the Duoro with the boat.
Salamanca
One of the most memorable experiences was our day trip to Salamanca, Spain. We explored the stunning historic architecture, including the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest in the world. The vibrant atmosphere and rich history of the city left a lasting impression.
In Salamanca, the river cruise had coordinated a lunch and flamenco dancing as part of our tour package.
We also had enough time in town to visit the Catedral de Salamanca and see a few of the markets in Old Town. Definitely a gorgeous town, would love to spend more time here.
TRAVEL TIP: The bus ride from the boat port in Portugal to Salamanca is a little long. If you need to find a rest room. Visit here the Salamanca Central Market it’s free otherwise, enjoy a coffee here. Remember to ask for the bill when you order if you want to travel quickly. Table service in Europe is at a slower pace, they expect you to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
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Castel Rodrigo
You’ll hop on the bus for this day-trip to visit this medieval castle and town. It is enchanting and perches on a hill. I imagine it looks quite about the same as it did years ago.
Apparently, its history is quite fascinating and went between families, military strongholds between Spain and Portugal. This walled-city is really picturesque and was a a special day trip that was also included in the River Cruise package.
My little group did a bit of shopping and grabbing cork products and had a spot of regional wine, even beer. It is a very popular visit for other tours and I was grateful we arrived earlier.
Cultural Exploration and Culinary Delights
We also made a stop at the Pacheca winery, where we savored exquisite port wines and learned about the winemaking process. Danced to some Portuguese music and had a blast as the sun set on the surrounding vineyards
Pinhão
Our stop in Pinhão was very relaxing visit. Honestly might have been the most lack luster of the stops. We did find out our itinerary had to shift a bit because of the locks.
TRAVEL TIP: The Douro River is a different European River Cruise because of the locks as well. The locks are on a schedule and depends on water supply and can derail the itinerary just a bit. My advice is to be easy going in your adventures. In Pinhão, the views are spectacular, the staff and amenities on the boat out-way any inconvenience.
In Pinhão, we walked the promenade and visited the small old town. Other than that there wasn’t too much to see in this town. You can tell they were trying to increase industry here. However, the scenery in the harbor was astounding and was flanked by vineyards in every direction.
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Lamego
Next, was Lamego another riverport town filled with churches, cathedrals and sanctuaries. Almost immediately, we were greeted by the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Its magnificent Baroque staircase and tilework. Throughout the town we noticed and its architecture, tilework, and compact old town area. Lamego is where Portugal crowned its first king and there was an extensive Moorish influence and castle to visit too.
The Avenida is in the center of town near the cathedral and is easy to visit before heading back to the boat.
Friends
Throughout our travels, I meet and connect with so many people. In 2023, I took a small group along the Danube for a River Cruise. We made lovely friends from England AND we had such a great time we joined each other again this year. Travel friends of a feather!
Savoring Portugal
As our trip drew to a close, we reflected on the beauty of Portugal. The stunning landscapes, the warm hospitality of its people, and the delectable cuisine that tantalized our taste buds. This journey took us through Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley. Not just a vacation, it was an immersion into the heart of Portuguese culture.
You can wander through the streets of Lisbon, savor a glass of port in Porto, or cruise along the Douro River. Any way you choose, Portugal offers an endless array of experiences. Our adventure was a tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors, woven together by the bonds of friendship and shared exploration.
Are you considering a trip to this beautiful country? Prepare to fall in love with its charm, cuisine, and captivating landscapes. Portugal awaits!
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