Viking River Cruises offers one itinerary on the Douro River – Portugal’s River of Gold. It’s a 10-day cruise tour between Lisbon and Porto. Some guests may want to extend their trips and spend two additional days in Braga, Portugal and Santiago de Compostela, Spain following the river cruise.

Now, let’s take a look at Viking’s Douro River cruise package.

The main lounge aboard Viking Torgil and Viking Hemming is attractively patterned after Viking’s Longship river cruise vessels – but note the richer colours present here. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

The Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary begins with two days in Lisbon followed by an 8-day cruise round trip from Porto.

Viking has four different ships that sail on the Douro River – the Viking Helgrim, Viking Hemming, Viking Osfrid and Viking Torgil. All vessels carry up to 106 passengers and have staterooms that range in size from 150 square feet to 302 square feet.

After arriving in Lisbon on the first day of your trip, you’ll be tranferred to your hotel. There are no scheduled tours or activities for day one, but you’ll have time to explore the city on your own if you choose.

Day two features a half-day guided tour of Historical Lisbon, which includes a walking tour through the Alfama District. You’ll also visit Belém in Lisbon’s southwestern parrish. During this part of the exursion, you’ll  visit the Jerónimos Monastery as well as some other notable buildings that comprise the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon.

Image Courtesy of Viking River Cruises.

On the third day, you’ll depart for Porto, which is about 195 miles north of Lisbon. So you’ll be en route for a few hours. Before reaching Porto, you’ll stop about 75 mile south of Porto for a brief lunch and a brief visit in Coimbra. The University of Coimbra was designated as a UNESCO Site in 2013.

Embarkation for your river cruise takes place in Gaia, across from Porto’s Ribiera. Dinner will be served on board.

In the morning on day four, you’ll take a guided tour of Porto. The Historic Centre of Oporto is another UNESCO Site in Portugal. It received its inscription in 1996.

After the tour, you’ll return to your ship for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll be able to explore more of Porto on your own; or you may choose to take an excursion to Guimarães, which is about 34 miles northeast of Porto.

On day five, you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise along the Douro River. Your ship will depart Porto in the morning traveling eastward to Régua. In the afternoon, you’ll drive from Régua to Vila Real for a guided tour of Mateus Palace. After the excursion, you’ll board the ship in Pinhão for dinner.

In the morning on day six, you’ll take a scenic cruise to Barca d’Alva where you’ll visit the historical village of Castelo Rodrigo. This city is located about 17 miles southe of Barca d’Alva and sits about 2,200 feet above sea level.

Day seven of your trip features a full day excursion to Salamanca where you’ll stroll through Plaza Mayor and pass by other historical and cultural sites. This Spanish city is another designated UNESCO Site you’ll visit. After your tour, you’ll board your ship in Vega de Terrón.

You’ll cruise to Pinhão on day eight in the morning and then depart for Régua later in the day. While docked in Pinhão, you’ll take a scenic drive to Favaios, which is about 25 miles northeast of the port. You’ll enjoy lunch at the Quinta Avessada winery located in the Douro Wine District.

On day nine, you’ll take a drive from Régua to Lamego to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. After your tour, you’ll return to the ship for lunch while it departs for Porto.

Your trip will conclude in Porto on day ten. After breakfast, you’ll disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

The Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary is available from March thru December.

Starting prices are from $2,799 to $4,649 for 2018 packages and $2,799 to $4,699 for 2019 packages.