The Douro Valley is a region of stunning natural beauty, a serene landscape of hillside vineyards lining the winding river banks of the River Douro. From its meager beginnings in the hills north of Madrid, the River Douro makes its way through Northern Portugal, descending almost 400 feet in a meandering flourish to the ocean and the endlessly fascinating city of Oporto.

Where once vessels laden with barrels of port drifted downstream to Oporto, we will cruise along this lovely river aboard the charming MS Douro Prince. Port Wine production is the main industry, the low altitude of the river banks perfect for cultivating the sweet grapes unique to Portugal’s national drink, and the grapevines cascade across the contours of the Douro’s many imposing riverside mountains. Our navigation of the Douro will take us from Oporto, on a wonderfully scenic path, past sleepy villages and a tranquil countryside of almond and citrus trees as far as Vega de Terron in Spain. From here there will be the chance to visit Spain’s ancient seat of learning, Salamanca. Along the way we shall visit the world renowned Port wine region, restored palaces, places of pilgrimage and cultural centres. Small towns and settlements perched on the sloping hillsides of the region have retained an aura of medieval simplicity, its many tiny communities, largely agricultural, clustering round historic churches, monasteries and castles.