Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise for Solo Travellers
About This Cruise
One of Europe’s best kept secrets, explore the sleepy villages and medieval towns unchanged for centuries, amongst the breath-taking rolling hills and terraced vineyard slopes of the stunning Douro Valley.
Commencing in the Roman city of Porto, the home of Port wine, Portugal’s once wild river Douro has been tamed by locks into resembling a series of finger lakes, adding greatly to the valley's ambience. Leaving behind the Atlantic influenced greenery of the coast you are soon immersed in a Mediterranean land of olives, vines, and picturesque, medieval hilltop villages. Our destination is the higher reaches of the valley from where we visit Salamanca - home of one of Europe’s oldest universities, two of its finest cathedrals, Spain’s finest city square and even the Inquisition! You will adore the away-from-it-all experience and visit some of Iberia’s most beautiful medieval towns, monasteries and vineyards, and feel you have been away for months!
Type
River, Luxury
Ship
MS Douro Splendour
Departure Date
15 November 2027
Cruise Line
Riviera Travel
Duration
7 Nights
Select Your Cabin Type
Call Us at 01 6874149Overview
One of Europe’s best kept secrets, explore the sleepy villages and medieval towns unchanged for centuries, amongst the breath-taking rolling hills and terraced vineyard slopes of the stunning Douro Valley.
Commencing in the Roman city of Porto, the home of Port wine, Portugal’s once wild river Douro has been tamed by locks into resembling a series of finger lakes, adding greatly to the valley's ambience. Leaving behind the Atlantic influenced greenery of the coast you are soon immersed in a Mediterranean land of olives, vines, and picturesque, medieval hilltop villages. Our destination is the higher reaches of the valley from where we visit Salamanca - home of one of Europe’s oldest universities, two of its finest cathedrals, Spain’s finest city square and even the Inquisition! You will adore the away-from-it-all experience and visit some of Iberia’s most beautiful medieval towns, monasteries and vineyards, and feel you have been away for months!
Deluxe Balcony Suites
If you really fancy treating yourself to a little more indulgence by taking your cruise to another level again, the MS Douro Splendour also boasts two Deluxe Balcony Suites on the Upper Deck. These suites are a huge 29 square metres (312 square feet), offering the ultimate in space and comfort during your cruise. Tastefully furnished with the same high quality fittings as the other cabins and suites with tea and coffee making facilities and bathrobes. Most of the additional space is devoted to the living area where you will really notice the difference as you relax in comfort on the sofa or elegant armchair in the most sumptuous of settings.
Plus, a further treat - there is a walk-in wardrobe for that added sense of luxury plus a larger bathroom with twin wash basins.The Deluxe Balcony Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows plus sliding doors extending on to a small private balcony with a table and two chairs. These really are the epitome of river cruise luxury and you will feel thoroughly spoilt!
Features
- Individual climate control
- Floor to ceiling windows with outside balcony
- Twin beds which can be configured as double
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
- Towels, bathrobes and hairdryer
- EU plug sockets
- Table and chairs
- Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
- Safe & mini fridge
- Turn down service
Superior Balcony Suites
For something a little special, you may choose to upgrade to one of the Superior Balcony Suites; there are 6 available on the Upper Deck. These suites measure a substantial 19 square metres (205 square feet) for your additional comfort so you’ll really feel completely relaxed in your stylish surroundings. There is a generous living area with two armchairs and a table, small desk, tea and coffee making facilities and cosy bathrobes.
The Superior Balcony Suites feature the same high quality furnishings and fittings as the standard cabins. They have floor-to-ceiling windows plus sliding doors extending on to a small private balcony with a table and two chairs. Enjoy an aperitif at the table for two here and watch the delightful river-world go by.
Features
- Individual climate control
- Floor to ceiling windows with outside balcony
- Twin beds which can be configured as double
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
- Towels, bathrobes and hairdryer
- EU plug sockets
- Table and chairs
- Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
- Safe & mini fridge
- Turn down service
Standard Cabin - Upper Deck
The Upper Deck and Main (middle) Deck are 14 square metres (151 square feet) and have full floor to ceiling windows which slide down halfway so you can watch the stunning river scenery drifting past without leaving the comfort of your cabin!
Features
- Individual climate control
- Floor to ceiling windows with Juliet style balcony
- Twin beds which can be configured as double
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
- Towels, bathrobes and hairdryer
- EU plug sockets
- Desk & chair
- Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
- Safe & mini fridge
- Turn down service
Standard Cabin - Middle Deck
The Upper Deck and Main (middle) Deck are 14 square metres (151 square feet) and have full floor to ceiling windows which slide down halfway so you can watch the stunning river scenery drifting past without leaving the comfort of your cabin!
Features
- Individual climate control
- Floor to ceiling windows with Juliet style balcony
- Twin beds which can be configured as double
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
- Towels, bathrobes and hairdryer
- EU plug sockets
- Desk & chair
- Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
- Safe & mini fridge
- Turn down service
Stern Standard Cabin - Middle Deck
This Cabin is complete with panoramic windows, a French-style balcony for stunning river views, and a modern ensuite bathroom.
Features
- Individual climate control
- Floor to ceiling windows with French style balcony
- Twin beds which can be configured as double
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
- Towels, bathrobes and hairdryer
- EU plug sockets
- Desk & chair
- Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
- Safe & mini fridge
- Turn down service
Standard Cabin - Lower Deck
The cabins on the MS Douro Splendour are finished to an exceptionally high standard with superior quality fittings in the most refined taste. Chic styling is evident throughout from the moment you open your beautifully polished hardwood door and step inside your luxury home for the next 7 nights; polished wooden furniture is complemented by fine fabrics, in warm, relaxing colours, uniquely designed and created for the MS Douro Splendour whilst ‘hotel style’ twin beds with individual bedding which can be moved together or separated accordingly, will ensure a good night’s sleep in the finest crisp linens.
The sparkling marble bathrooms, beautifully designed, all feature shower with fully glazed screen, WC plus fluffy towels and bathroom cosmetics. All cabins enjoy the benefit of individually controlled air-conditioning, flat screen high-definition satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee making facilities.
Standard cabins on the lower deck are slightly smaller at 12 square metres (129 square feet), have smaller fixed windows and as a unique bonus, Stern Cabins on this deck are available for sole occupancy at no extra cost. Single supplements apply for other cabins and decks, all subject to availability.
Stern Standard Cabin - Lower Deck
Standard cabins on the lower deck are slightly smaller at 12 square metres (129 square feet), have smaller fixed windows and as a unique bonus, Stern Cabins on this deck are available for sole occupancy at a small supplement, subject to availability.
Features
- Individual climate control
- Fixed window
- Twin beds which can be configured as double
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
- Towels, bathrobes and hairdryer
- EU plug sockets
- Desk & chair
- Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
- Safe & mini fridge
- Turn down service
Main Restuarant
Heading down to the Main (middle) Deck you will find the chic restaurant where your comfort is assured in high-backed chairs at impeccably laid tables with pristine linen cloths and fine cutlery. Breakfast is a hot and cold buffet with a fine omelette station so your eggs are just how you like them – an early risers’ breakfast is also available in the lounge. Lunch is another deliciously fine array but if you fancy a simple salad instead then that’s available too or you may opt for a slightly more informal, lighter lunch either in the main lounge or up on the Sun Deck. The culinary highlight of the day though is the superb four-course dinner, served at your table by the most highly trained, attentive yet discreet waiting staff who will attend to your every need without hesitation.
Lounge and Bar
forward you will find the magnificent lounge and bar, the very heart of the ship, styled by a leading Portuguese designer – your holiday starts here! A well-stocked bar with friendly professional staff taking delight in attending to your every wish in sampling local wines or preparing whatever takes your fancy completes the convivial scene.
So just sit back and enjoy the stunning view from the magnificent panoramic windows as the ever-changing river scenery slips effortlessly by. When evening falls, the subdued lighting creates the most gentile ambience so unwind over a digestif or perhaps take a turn on the dance floor to the soothing tones of the resident musician. There really can be few holidays quite as relaxing as this!
Boutique Gift Shop
There is a small boutique stocking a selection of essentials and souvenirs.
The Sun Deck
Accessed by stairs from the Upper Deck, head on up to the magnificent and spacious Sun Deck from where you can enjoy the stunning 360 degree views as they glide past from the comfort of your sun lounger whilst sipping a long refreshing drink or chatting with your fellow companions. You might choose to enjoy a glimpse of the wizardry ‘on the bridge’ as the Captain skilfully negotiates the twisting river with reassuring ease. When the temperature rises you will feel the benefit of the fantastic outdoor swimming pool – a rarity on a river cruiser. For many though, just to lean against the ship’s rail and breathe in the invigorating river breeze whilst casting a relaxed eye over the fascinating scenes of life ashore or the wonderful river wildlife all around you, is what it’s all about; this is surely the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life so let us take you on the cruise of your dreams!
Please note: The Sun Deck is only accessible by stairs.
Reception
Reception area open 24hrs
Gymnasium
For something a little more energetic, you will find a small fitness room on the Lower Deck – ideal for working off the ship’s wonderful cuisine!
Spa
If you feel like a little extra indulgence during your cruise why not book in for a special treatment in the ship’s Spa.
Pool
When the temperature rises you will feel the benefit of the fantastic outdoor swimming pool – a rarity on a river cruiser.