Coastal Portugal, Nazare,Obidos and a 7-night river cruise

If you have ever sailed with one of our river cruise groups, you will already be aware of our fantastic itineraries offered on many rivers across Europe from the Rhine to the Danube in winter. The Douro, in Portugal, has been on our bucket list for the last few years and now we are pleased to offer this new sunshine river cruise to our program.  

The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer.

Departing from Porto, where the river flows into the sea and where the Douro wines (table wines and Port wine), produced on its hillsides, also end up, there are various ways to get to know this cultural landscape, listed as a World Heritage Site: by road, by train or river cruise boat.

Following a route between the viewpoints that offer the best vistas, you need to cross the river from north to south and back again. But along the way you can admire breathtaking landscapes over the river and visit vineyards, towns and villages until you reach Miranda do Douro, the point at which the river enters Portugal.

In comparison to our winter market cruises, this sailing is an opportunity to enjoy the upper deck in the warm summer Northern Portuguese weather.  Evenings can be spent enjoying the scenery on deck. Imagine sailing along with fantastic scenery in view whilst sunbathing on deck! 

Entertainment

A-ROSA provide their own entertainment on this cruise and some special outside dining experiences. 

Colin Elliott our group leader, on this cruise, is no stranger to our river cruise sailings. As this is a summer sailing, we want you to enjoy the warm evenings outside on deck or off-ship, but if he gets the opportunity, he will bring along his guitar and strum out a few tunes.

This sailing is limited to a total of 70 passengers and is part of an international sailing.  There are only 2 single cabins available! – supplement on request.  The ship holds 128 passengers. River cruise ships tend to be much smaller than ocean-going vessels, which means travellers enjoy a more intimate and personalized experience. This also allows for access to smaller ports and waterways that larger ships cannot reach.

PROVISIONAL ITINERARY

23 July 2025

Breakfast at hotel.  Depart hotel at 10am heading northwards towards Porto.  On route stop at Nazare around 13.30.  Here you will have some free time to enjoy some lunch and a wander in this beautiful town.  

Your first stop is the beautiful town of Nazare, a Portuguese town and municipality located in the Oeste region, in the historical province of Estremadura, and in the Leiria District. It is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Silver Coast (Costa de Prata).

The town of Nazaré consists of three neighbourhoods: Praia (along the beach), Sitio (an old village, on a hilltop). Praia and Sitio are linked by the Nazare Funicular, a funicular railway.

Depart Nazare for your onward journey to Porto arriving at the ship around 4pm. Embark, check-in and dinner will be served from around 7pm. Your cruise is all inclusive so drinks will be available throughout the cruise.

24 July 2025

PORTO - DEP 07:00

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!

RÉGUA - ARR 13:00  DEP 14:00

Régua is the largest city on the banks of the Douro in this wine-growing valley. It is such a beautiful place that the Alto Douro region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The town played a fundamental role in the production and marketing of port wine – which was transported away by sailing boat – as early as the 18th century.

PINHÃO - ARR 17:00
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.

25 July 2025 

PINHÃO - DEP 13:00

BARCA D'ALVA - ARR 19:00

Good Evening Barca d'Alva! Explore the hilly landscape of the Parque Natural do Douro. Trains of the Linha do Douro used to stop here daily on their way from Porto to Salamanca - the station is still to be found here today.

26 July 2025

BARCA D’ALVA – DEP 12.00

VEGA DE TERRON - ARR 12:30

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! Depart for Pinhao at 12:30pm following day.

27 July 2025

VEGA DE TERRON – DEP 12:30

PINHÃO - ARR 18:30

Excursion stop. On your Douro cruise you will stop in Pocinho. Today, this small town is the terminus of the "Linha do Douro" railway. The railway station and the railway bridge that crosses the Douro are listed monuments.  surrounded by enchanting vineyards and the quintas that produce the wine. You can visit them from Pinhão and enjoy tours and wine tasting.

28 July 2025

PINHÃO - DEP 07:00

RÉGUA - ARR 09:00 - DEP 15:00

Régua is the largest city on the banks of the Douro in this wine-growing valley. It is such a beautiful place that the Alto Douro region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The town played a fundamental role in the production and marketing of port wine – which was transported away by sailing boat – as early as the 18th century.

LEVERINHO – ARR 19:00
The rustic Leverinho is not far from Porto. From here, you can set off on exciting excursions to the harbour city.

29 July 2025

LEVERINHO – DEP 08:30

PORTO - ARR 10:30

A dream of granite that has become a city - in Porto you will find new, exciting perspectives after every bend. Discover the shining azulejo facades on church walls and town houses, just few of the landmarks of Portugal's second largest city. The old town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pure poetry.

Disembark Alva after breakfast at 9.30am for return to Lisbon. On route you will stop at the beautiful town of Óbidos. It is one of Portugal’s most beautiful destinations and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval villages or walled towns. Everywhere you turn is a postcard view, and that has inevitably made it one of the country’s most visited sites. But tourism hasn’t ruined its authenticity, with around two thousand people still living in its pretty whitewashed houses with gothic doorways, potted plants and bougainvillea, all inside the crenelated walls of an ancient castle. Many of those people still dedicate their lives to the traditional handicrafts and the famous local drink, Ginja de Óbidos, sold on the only real street in town, Rua Direita.

Obidos is famous for its chocolate and at every turn there is a chocolate shop.  You could even try the cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup! One day isn’t enough in this beautiful town, but it will make an excellent afternoon before you travel back to the airport approximately 1.5 hours away.

The homeward flight to Dublin at 10.15pm arriving in Dublin at 01.00am on 30th July 2025. 

Price per person sharing from: (All cabins subject to availability)

Cat A               £1995pp          Deck1             Outside with window

Cat C               £2295pp          Deck 2             Outside with drop down panoramic window

Cat D               £2395pp          Deck 3             Outside with drop down panoramic window

Deposit payment   £200 

2nd payment by 30 April 2024 £100pp                        3rd payment by 31 August £250pp

4th payment by 30 November 2024  £250pp              FINAL BALANCE 15 April 2025

Price includes: -

• Return flights from Dublin
• Taxes
• 20kgs hold luggage pp plus 10kgs of hand luggage
• Return transfers to/from the ship
• Air-conditioned coach
• 1 night in Lisbon with breakfast
• 7 nights onboard A-Rosa Alva ship
• Full board on cruise – breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Premium drinks package included during the cruise
• Entertainment on board provided by A-Rosa
• Services of a Thompson Travel representative throughout

Not included: -

• Items of a personal nature
• Personal travel insurance
• Tips – collected with final balance for coach driver and cruise staff. £35pp.