MS Vasco de Gama, 5 Night Porto and the Douro Valley ex Oporto (Porto), Portugal Return

Cruise in the heart of Portugal and the Douro Valley. You'll have the chance to explore Lamego, city rich in heritage and tradition, or Guimarães considered the beating heart of Portugal. You will also be amazed by the striking history of the tram museum in Porto or the wine cellars along Vila Nova de Gaia.

Day 1
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. In the evening, join us on an optional excursion by coach for both packages: Tour of Porto "by night".

Day 2
This morning will be spent cruising. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Lamego. Enjoy an evening of dancing.

Day 3
Take part in our optional excursion for both packages: The Douro Museum and the Quinta do Tedo. We'll spend the afternoon cruising. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.

Day 4
We'll spend the morning cruising. This afternoon, join us on the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided tour of Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe, whose historic center was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.DISCOVERY: Touring Porto via tram and visiting the tram museum. We'll board one of the city's trams and partake in this urban-tourism experience all the way to the mouth of the Douro. We'll finish up our excursion with a tasting of some of the local specialties.The evening is free to do as you please.

Day 5
Enjoy time at leisure this morning to discover Porto at your own pace. This afternoon, join us for the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Tour of Guimarães.DISCOVERY: Hiking to Vila Nova de Gaïa and tasting of some of the local wines*.Tonight's our gala evening and dinner followed by traditional folk entertainment.

Day 6
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9.00 a.m. End of our services.

Named after the famous Portuguese navigator who discovered the route to India, MS Vasco da Gama sails on the Douro. Passengers can admire the unique landscapes, sculpted by nature and shaped by man, along an enchanted valley where the famous port wine is produced. Completely renovated in 2014, this intimate-sized ship measues 75 meters long and 11.40 meters wide. It can accommodate 142 passengers in 71 cabins spread over three decks. The size of each cabin is between 11 m2 and 12.50 m2, offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The majority of cabins are located on the upper deck and have large panoramic windows. Those on the middle and main decks have large windows. The decoration is stylish and its atmosphere, both elegant and friendly, and in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Located on the main deck, the restaurant offers a delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. The lounge / bar with dance floor, located on the middle deck, welcomes passengers during evening entertainment. A swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, with a large shaded area, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes.

CroisiEurope has a fleet of Prestige category boats with cabins, which ply the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Spacious and light, they offer a welcoming and refined setting. Accommodation capacity varies from 100 to 180 passengers depending on the boat's design. At the cutting edge of technology, their facilities offer comfort and safety.

Carefully maintained and partially renovated each year, the CroisiEurope fleet is largely made up of recently built vessels, less than five years old, all with Veritas certification. The leading European river tour operator, our company owes its international reputation to its seriousness, its dynamism, its sense of innovation and its recognised value for money of long standing.

Vessels are rated four-star and food is superb – as you’d expect on a French-owned cruise line, staffed by French chefs and with top French and German wines aboard. One cruise of the Rhone and Saone Rivers in France concentrates on gastronomy and traditional French cusine, visiting Collonges Abbey, renowned for its great French chef, Paul Bocuse.

CroisiEurope is a family-owned and operated firm, with brothers and sisters running different aspects of the company and keeping a close eye on all operations to ensure excellence.

River cruising offers much free fun. Wake in the morning and observe the passing riverside scenery through your cabin window – perhaps from your bed. Gaze upon village churches or a patchwork of fields sparkling in the morning sun.

CroisiEurope’s network traverses a phenomenal number of European rivers and waterways. They range from the Guadalquivir and Guadiana (flowing through Spain and Portugal respectively); the Douro in Portugal, the Po and Venice Lagoon in Italy; the Rhone in Provence, plus the Seine from Paris to the Normandy Coast. And there’s more: the Moselle, the Neckar, the Saar, the Oder, the Havel, the Baltic Sea, the Camarge, the Rhine, the Main and the mighty Danube; the Tisza and the Black Sea; the Belgian and Dutch waterways. Everything from tulip time in Holland to Christmas Markets in Germany.

Drinks included with on board meals: mineral water, house wine, beer, fruit juice, and tea or coffee.