Discover Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley during the day, and then settling into your room on a river cruise ship every night. Explore the Douro Valley in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage region, by e-bike and boat over eight days. You'll catch a detailed glimpse of Portugal's vibrant culture and storied history as you explore the valley. The Portuguese people and others claim it is the most beautiful wine region in the world. Schist walls support the climbing, gravity-defying vineyards constructed over the centuries, each stone laid by hand, creating an astonishing and unique landscape. The Douro meanders through a dramatic landscape on its way to the Atlantic. It flows through deep gorges and passes steeply terraced slopes that bear witness to its 2,000-year-old wine culture. The mild climate allows vines to thrive and olive and almond trees. Trip highlights: Explore the Douro Valley by day, and spend your nights on a luxurious cruise ship with bedrooms unveiling magical shoreline views! Go wine tasting in one of the most magical wine regions in the world, where crumbling history and natural beauty create picturesque vineyards. Explore Porto, a gorgeous, vibrant city replete with a history harking to ancient Roman times and colorful houses stacked along the hillside. Shake out your legs and go deeper into the Douro Valley via e-bike on days 2-7 of this guided tour. Day 1: Arrival in Porto, where your ship awaits, moored on the banks of the Douro. Enjoy the picturesque view of the colorful, stacked houses climbing the steep slopes. Before dinner, a local city guide will show you Porto. Overnight Location Alva A-ROSA River Cruise Ship in Porto. Included Meals Dinner. Day 2: Before breakfast, the ship leaves Porto and sails upriver. Around noon you will reach Peso da Régua, the main town in the "Alto Douro " and the oldest protected wine-growing region in the world. After lunch on board, you will be transferred a few kilometers into the hilly hinterland, from where the first bike tour starts. The route down to the Douro is mainly downhill after a rolling start. Once back on the riverbank, you will board a traditional Rabelo boat. Next, you moor in Pinhão, a small wine-growing town and the geographical center of the port wine region. Overnight Location Alva A-ROSA River Cruise Ship in Pinhão. Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Day 3: Before the ship sets sail again during lunch and heads east, you will enjoy a morning bike tour north of the river valley. In the mountainous hinterland of the river, you cross the ark to the tiny hamlet of Sabrosa, the birthplace of Magellan. Then, through vineyards, you return to the ship along the river loops of the Rio Pinhão, which flows into the Douro River. When the weather is nice in the afternoon, you can enjoy the river landscape on the sundeck as the ship approaches the Spanish border. Barca d'Alva is the last place before the Spanish border. Overnight Location Alva A-ROSA River Cruise Ship. Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Day 4: Today your ship is anchored in the Spanish-Portuguese border region, and you can enjoy a long distance in this lovely, remote region and visit two historic fortress towns. After breakfast, your guide will transfer you south to Almeida (44 km). Returning to the Douro, you cycle through lonely valleys and small farming communities. Lying impressively on a hill, you can already see another fortress on your route, Castello Rodrigo. On the last kilometers of cycling, you cycle downhill parallel to the Spanish-Portuguese border, formed by the Águeda river. Overnight Location Alva A-ROSA River Cruise Ship in Barca d'Alva. Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Day 5: During breakfast, the ship leaves the Spanish-Portuguese border and heads westward downstream. Shortly before noon, disembarking in Pocinho, you will be transferred to the heart of the Alta Douro wine region (approx. 42 km by minibus/taxi). You bike to Pinhão through the hinterland south of the Douro, mostly on two-lane roads. The train station here is a must-see. Overnight in Pinhão. Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Day 6: In the morning, you will leave Pinhão, and the ship will return to Régua after breakfast. You will be driven with our minibus from here to the famous pilgrimage site Lamego south of the Douro Valley (18 km). From here, you start cycling through the old town of Lamego and back to the river bank on a beautiful panoramic route to Peso da Régua, where the ship awaits. During lunch, the ship continues its journey to Porto. Finally, the ship lies overnight in the small river port of Bitetos. Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Day 7: By bus transfer (45 minutes), you arrive at the endless sandy beaches of Furadouro on the Atlantic by bus (43 km). After a coffee break on the beautiful seaside resort beach, your bike route leads through pine forests and dune landscapes, always parallel to the sea, back to Porto, and to the pier in Vila Nova de Gaia (southern Douroufer). The route leads along the sea. In the evening, your guide will walk with you to a renowned port wine cellar in the Vila Nova de Gaia district. Overnight in Porto. Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Day 8: After enjoying the lavish breakfast buffet, you are offered a free transfer to the airport. The bus transfer takes place once in the morning at approximately 9:00 a.m. The distance is 20 km, and it takes 25 minutes. Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included. Drinks on the cruise ship are included too, with the exception of champagne, bottled wine, and exclusive rarities. Accommodations: Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Porto are not included but can be added as a supplement. Transportation During the Tour: Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including a transfer to the airport on Day 8. Also Included: English-speaking guide, Excursions mentioned in the itinerary, Entrance fees where applicable, E-bike rental, Visit to a port wine bodega with tasting. Not Included: Flights to and from Porto, Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned, Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired, Helmet, Bike insurance. Optional Extras: Additional nights before or after the tour, Transfer from Porto Airport to the cruise ship on the arrival day, Single occupancy upgrades, Optional activities or excursions, Room upgrades. Accommodation for Douro River E-Bike Cruise: This tour is based on a cruise ship! The boat offers modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have cozy beds, TVs, and windows unveiling the surroundings. Non-Standard Cancellation: 123 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 30% of the total trip cost. Between 63 and 122 days prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 45% of the total trip cost. Between 34 and 62 days prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 70% of the total trip cost. 33 days or less: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost. Frequently asked questions: How hard is the Guided Douro River E-Bike and Boat Tour? We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will spend time e-biking, but the excursions fall in the easy to moderate level of difficulty. Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal? Check with your local country about visa requirements. Are meals included on the Guided Douro River E-Bike and Boat Tour? 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included. Do I need insurance? Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover biking. How do I get to Porto to start this tour? Fly into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), some also refer to it as Porto Airport. Is the Guided Douro River E-Bike and Boat Tour in English? Yes, the tour is in English. Where does the Guided Douro River E-Bike and Boat Tour end? The tour ends in Porto, Portugal. Can I rent a bike? Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Can I bring my own bike? Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour. Do I need special vaccines to travel to Portugal? Check with your family doctor. Are there any travel restrictions for Portugal? Why book Douro River E-Bike Cruise with 10 Adventures? Small Group Adventures, Packed with Inclusions, World Class Support.
Hotel
A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.
