Port Wine & Douro River Cruise
Canary Islands & West Africa Excursions
- £45-55
- 4 hours
- Limited to 160 participants
- Medium
LEIXOES, PORTUGAL
The attraction of Oporto, Portugal’s second largest city, lies in its workday atmosphere.
The city we shall see today dates mainly from the 18th century, when trade was booming and the merchants financed fine houses for themselves. We will have the chance to see some of the city’s finest buildings on our tour today. Oporto has imposing streets and squares. The Avenida do Aliados, an impressive avenue at the heart of the city, stretching from Praça da Liberdade to Praça D. João, proclaims that the city would not have been a poor relation in an 18th century European community, and that agriculture is not the be-all and end-all of northern Portugal.
We shall see the façade of the Church of Clérigos, a Baroque and Rococo building dating from the 18th century. Its tall bell tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be seen from various points in the city. We will also see the Cathedral, a 12th century Romanesque building.
Proceeding to the Ribeira quarter, we then embark on a river cruise, which will allow us to experience a panoramic view of Oporto and its impressive six bridges. At the other bank of the river, the city of Vila Nova de Gaia is where we shall find the wine cellars of the well-known drink – port wine.
Finally, we visit one of the leading port wine cellars, where we can enjoy a special tasting, before returning to the quayside and our awaiting ship.
TOUR NOTES: This tour involves approximately 30 minutes of walking, mostly over flat ground, however there is an approximate 50 metre walk over a cobbled downhill street to reach the riverboat quay. A few steps may be encountered. For reference, the riverboat journey takes approximately 55 minutes. The boat is boarded by gangplank, after which there are approximately two steps to negotiate. The boat is partly covered – passengers will be seated under the covered section. Unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible. Toilet facilities are available onboard.
DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2010 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES
We shall see the façade of the Church of Clérigos, a Baroque and Rococo building dating from the 18th century. Its tall bell tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be seen from various points in the city. We will also see the Cathedral, a 12th century Romanesque building.
Proceeding to the Ribeira quarter, we then embark on a river cruise, which will allow us to experience a panoramic view of Oporto and its impressive six bridges. At the other bank of the river, the city of Vila Nova de Gaia is where we shall find the wine cellars of the well-known drink – port wine.
Finally, we visit one of the leading port wine cellars, where we can enjoy a special tasting, before returning to the quayside and our awaiting ship.
TOUR NOTES: This tour involves approximately 30 minutes of walking, mostly over flat ground, however there is an approximate 50 metre walk over a cobbled downhill street to reach the riverboat quay. A few steps may be encountered. For reference, the riverboat journey takes approximately 55 minutes. The boat is boarded by gangplank, after which there are approximately two steps to negotiate. The boat is partly covered – passengers will be seated under the covered section. Unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible. Toilet facilities are available onboard.
DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2010 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES
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Snack or meal provided
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Refreshments available
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Free time
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Shopping opportunity
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Wheelchair access
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Swimming opportunity
All prices are based on operating costs, tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change without notice.
