Coastal Portugal, Nazare,Obidos and 7 nights on the Douro

22 July 2025

Depart Dublin around 6.30pm arriving in Lisbon at 9.30pm.  Depending on numbers and where participants are travelling from we will look to organising a coach to Dublin airport if this. We recommend you grab a bite to eat on your travels today.

Transfer to Lisbon hotel for overnight.  

23 July 2025

Breakfast at hotel.  Depart hotel at 10am heading northwards towards Porto.  On route stop at Nazare around 1.30am.  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), Sítio (an old village, on top of a cliff) and Pederneira (another old village, on a hilltop). Praia and Sítio are linked by the Nazaré 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. Colin is leading this group along with a representative of Thompson Travel International but we reserve the right to change the leader if a situation arises where they are unable to travel.

24 July 2025

PORTO - DEP 07:00 AM

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.

RÉGUA - ARR 01:00 PM DEP 02:00 PM

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 05:00 PM

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 01:00 PM

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.

VEGA TERRON - ARR 07:00 PM

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! 

26 July 2025

VEGA TERRON - DEP 12:00 PM

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! BARCA D'ALVA - ARR 12:30 PM

27 July 2025 - BARCA D'ALVA - DEP 12:30 PM

Good morning Barca d'Alva! Start your day in 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.

PINHÃO - ARR 06:30 PM

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.

28 July 2025  - PINHÃO - DEP 07:00 AM

 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.

RÉGUA - ARR 09:00 AM DEP 02:00 PM

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.

29 July 2025

BITETOS - DEP 07:00 AM

CAIS DA LIXA - ARR 08:30 AMDEP 09:00 AM

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.

PORTO - ARR 10:30 AM

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!

30 July 2025 – Disembark 9.30am

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 crenellated 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 liquer 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 20 July 2025. 

Life on Arosa 

• Spacious sun deck with service and relaxed atmosphere
• Recliners and sunshades 
•  Heated outdoor pool and outdoor shower
• Crazy golf
• Panorama lounge with outdoor area 
• Lounge bar and dance floor
• Casual dress code

FullBoardPlus 

• Daily varied buffets with breakfast and lunch buffets and served main courses for dinner incl. appetiser buffet and dessert buffet.  Freshly prepared regional and seasonal specialties
• Mineral water during main meals.
• High-quality drinks included throughout the day
• Free mealtimes and choice of tables in the market restaurant
• BBQ buffet on the sun deck (depending on weather)
• Spacious, comfortable cabins, mainly with drop-down panorama windows
• Elegant design and high-quality materials provide a feel-good atmosphere
• Facilities: safe, air conditioning, TV, fly screen, hair dryer, shower
• WC, sauna towel, woollen blanket, telephone, bathrobe on request
• Outside cabins and suites: 12 m² - 29 m², partly with drop-down panorama window or balcony
• Wide range of beauty and body treatments with high-quality BABOR products
• Professionally trained spa and beauty team
• Sauna
•  Gym with modern cardio equipment: Elliptical trainer, bicycle ergometer and treadmill
• relaxation room

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

Early Booking Deposit by 31 January 2024:  £100pp (From 1 Feb £200pp)

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.