VIVA Cruises

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Porto

   Portugal

   

   Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

2. Day 2

   Porto

   Depart 10:00

   Portugal

   

   Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

3. Day 2

   Leverinho

   Arrive 12:45Depart 13:00

   Portugal

   

   Leverinho is a tranquil Douro River docking point within Gondomar, northern Portugal — a municipality famed as the country's filigree goldsmithing capital. Visitors should not miss tasting *arroz de lampreia* during lamprey season (January–April) and watching master goldsmiths shape intricate filigree jewellery in local ateliers. The best months to cruise the Douro are late spring through early autumn, when the terraced vineyards are lush and river levels are ideal for navigation.

4. Day 2

   Folgosa

   Arrive 20:30

   Portugal

   

   Folgosa is a compelling Mediterranean port in Portugal where centuries of history, vibrant local cuisine, and luminous coastal scenery converge. Visitors should explore the historic quarters on foot and surrender to the local dining culture, where fresh seafood and regional wines provide a masterclass in Mediterranean living. Best visited May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including VIVA Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

5. Day 3

   Folgosa

   Depart 08:00

   Portugal

   

   Folgosa is a compelling Mediterranean port in Portugal where centuries of history, vibrant local cuisine, and luminous coastal scenery converge. Visitors should explore the historic quarters on foot and surrender to the local dining culture, where fresh seafood and regional wines provide a masterclass in Mediterranean living. Best visited May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including VIVA Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

6. Day 3

   Pocinho

   Arrive 13:45Depart 14:15

   Portugal

   

   Pocinho marks the easternmost navigable point of the Douro River — the terminus of the valley where port wine's history began and where the landscape reaches its most elemental and dramatic expression: near-vertical schist slopes terraced into vineyard stairways, the river running silver between them in the early morning light. The restored rabelo boats that once carried casks of wine downriver are now a romanticised memory, but the valley's working quintas welcome visitors for tastings of the upper Douro's increasingly celebrated unfortified wines. The Douro International Natural Park, bordering Spain, protects rare Egyptian vulture colonies on the surrounding plateau. September through October, during harvest, is the unmissable season.

7. Day 3

   Vega de Terron

   Arrive 16:00

   Spain

   

   Vega de Terrón is a tiny Portuguese-border river port where the Douro — navigable here only since the mid-twentieth century — carves its way through the spectacular Arribes del Duero Natural Park, a landscape of granite gorges plunging hundreds of meters to the river below, dotted with ancient villages and rare Black Stork nesting sites. River cruise passengers disembark here to discover an Iberian frontier that centuries of sheer cliff and wild current kept virtually impenetrable, exploring nearby Portuguese wineries producing bold, earthy reds from centenarian schist vineyards. Spring ignites the gorge slopes with wildflowers; autumn suffuses the terraced vines with burnished copper and gold.

8. Day 4

   Vega de Terron

   Depart 18:00

   Spain

   

   Vega de Terrón is a tiny Portuguese-border river port where the Douro — navigable here only since the mid-twentieth century — carves its way through the spectacular Arribes del Duero Natural Park, a landscape of granite gorges plunging hundreds of meters to the river below, dotted with ancient villages and rare Black Stork nesting sites. River cruise passengers disembark here to discover an Iberian frontier that centuries of sheer cliff and wild current kept virtually impenetrable, exploring nearby Portuguese wineries producing bold, earthy reds from centenarian schist vineyards. Spring ignites the gorge slopes with wildflowers; autumn suffuses the terraced vines with burnished copper and gold.

9. Day 4

   Pocinho

   Arrive 19:30

   Portugal

   

   Pocinho marks the easternmost navigable point of the Douro River — the terminus of the valley where port wine's history began and where the landscape reaches its most elemental and dramatic expression: near-vertical schist slopes terraced into vineyard stairways, the river running silver between them in the early morning light. The restored rabelo boats that once carried casks of wine downriver are now a romanticised memory, but the valley's working quintas welcome visitors for tastings of the upper Douro's increasingly celebrated unfortified wines. The Douro International Natural Park, bordering Spain, protects rare Egyptian vulture colonies on the surrounding plateau. September through October, during harvest, is the unmissable season.

10. Day 5

    Pocinho

    Depart 07:00

    Portugal

    

    Pocinho marks the easternmost navigable point of the Douro River — the terminus of the valley where port wine's history began and where the landscape reaches its most elemental and dramatic expression: near-vertical schist slopes terraced into vineyard stairways, the river running silver between them in the early morning light. The restored rabelo boats that once carried casks of wine downriver are now a romanticised memory, but the valley's working quintas welcome visitors for tastings of the upper Douro's increasingly celebrated unfortified wines. The Douro International Natural Park, bordering Spain, protects rare Egyptian vulture colonies on the surrounding plateau. September through October, during harvest, is the unmissable season.

11. Day 5

    Pinhao

    Arrive 12:30

    Portugal

    

    Pinhão sits at the most photographed bend on the Douro River, where impossibly steep terraced vineyards — the schist-stone walls built by hand over centuries — have shaped a valley so beautiful it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and produced port wine for the world since the Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries in 1756. The village railway station, decorated with 24 azulejo tile panels depicting scenes of the grape harvest, is a minor masterpiece of Portuguese folk art that alone justifies a stop. The river cruise between Pinhão and Régua, passing through the heart of the Port wine country, is among the most beautiful journeys in Europe. Visit during the September harvest for an experience of extraordinary sensory richness.

12. Day 6

    Pinhao

    Depart 10:00

    Portugal

    

    Pinhão sits at the most photographed bend on the Douro River, where impossibly steep terraced vineyards — the schist-stone walls built by hand over centuries — have shaped a valley so beautiful it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and produced port wine for the world since the Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries in 1756. The village railway station, decorated with 24 azulejo tile panels depicting scenes of the grape harvest, is a minor masterpiece of Portuguese folk art that alone justifies a stop. The river cruise between Pinhão and Régua, passing through the heart of the Port wine country, is among the most beautiful journeys in Europe. Visit during the September harvest for an experience of extraordinary sensory richness.

13. Day 6

    Regua

    Arrive 12:30

    Portugal

    

    Régua, gateway to Portugal's vertiginous Douro Valley wine country, sits at the point where the river enters its most dramatic gorge — terraced vineyards climbing impossible slopes on every side, their schist walls a testament to generations of viticultural determination. The Wine Museum in Pinhão's art nouveau azulejo station captures the region's soul, while the great quintas — Ramos Pinto, Croft, Niepoort — open their cellars for intimate tastings of vintage port and luminous dry whites. Harvest season in September and October transforms the valley into a festival of colour and ferment.

14. Day 7

    Regua

    Depart 07:00

    Portugal

    

    Régua, gateway to Portugal's vertiginous Douro Valley wine country, sits at the point where the river enters its most dramatic gorge — terraced vineyards climbing impossible slopes on every side, their schist walls a testament to generations of viticultural determination. The Wine Museum in Pinhão's art nouveau azulejo station captures the region's soul, while the great quintas — Ramos Pinto, Croft, Niepoort — open their cellars for intimate tastings of vintage port and luminous dry whites. Harvest season in September and October transforms the valley into a festival of colour and ferment.

15. Day 7

    Leverinho

    Arrive 13:15Depart 13:30

    Portugal

    

    Leverinho is a tranquil Douro River docking point within Gondomar, northern Portugal — a municipality famed as the country's filigree goldsmithing capital. Visitors should not miss tasting *arroz de lampreia* during lamprey season (January–April) and watching master goldsmiths shape intricate filigree jewellery in local ateliers. The best months to cruise the Douro are late spring through early autumn, when the terraced vineyards are lush and river levels are ideal for navigation.

16. Day 7

    Porto

    Arrive 16:00

    Portugal

    

    Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

17. Day 8

    Porto

    Portugal

    

    Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

Cabin Categories

Double Cabin | Diamond Deck

Outside

172 sq ftMax 22BD

17 m² Diamond Deck French balcony VIVA All-Inclusive EQUIPMENT: Two single beds (set apart on request) French balcony Table and two armchairs Beauty products from RITUALS® 32" LED TV Minibar with free water, beer and soft drinks, refilled daily Nespresso® machine Hair dryer Free WLAN access Telephone, safe and air conditioning/heating Bathroom with shower Rain shower Generous storage space in wardrobes and under the bed

TelephoneDoubleLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries Provided+7

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Double Cabin | Emerald Deck

Outside

172 sq ftMax 22BS

16 m² Emerald Deck Window (cannot be opened) VIVA All-Inclusive EQUIPMENT: Two single beds (set apart on request) Window (cannot be opened) Table and two armchairs Beauty products from RITUALS® 32" LED TV Minibar with free water, beer and soft drinks, refilled daily Nespresso® machine Hair dryer Free WLAN access Telephone, safe and air conditioning/heating Bathroom with shower Rain shower Generous storage space in wardrobes and under the bed

TelephoneDoubleLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries Provided+7

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Double Cabin | Ruby Deck

Outside

172 sq ftMax 22BR

17 m² Ruby Deck French balcony VIVA All-Inclusive EQUIPMENT: Two single beds (set apart on request) French balcony Table and two armchairs Beauty products from RITUALS® 32" LED TV Minibar with free water, beer and soft drinks, refilled daily Nespresso® machine Hair dryer Free WLAN access Telephone, safe and air conditioning/heating Bathroom with shower Rain shower Generous storage space in wardrobes and under the bed

TelephoneDoubleLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries Provided+7

View Details ›