Douro River Escape from Porto for 3 Nights

It is a 3-night, 4-day escape running Friday to Monday. You board in Vila Nova de Gaia on Friday, cruise upstream on Saturday to Regua and Pinhao, return via Regua and Porto's Ribeira on Sunday, and disembark on Monday morning. It is designed as a long weekend on the river rather than a full week.

Embarkation and disembarkation are at the quay in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the south bank of the Douro directly opposite Porto and its Ribeira district. On the final morning the ship leaves Entre-os-Rios at 7:00 AM, arrives at the Gaia pier around 9:00 AM, and disembarkation is at 10:00 AM after breakfast on board.

The Spirit of Chartwell is a hotel ship with a distinctive history: it was redesigned to carry Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee river procession on the Thames. Today it sails the Douro with cabins finished in fine woodwork and the atmosphere of a private floating club rather than a large commercial cruise ship.

Just 30 guests, and that is the defining feature of this cruise. Embarkation is quick and personal, service is individual, and excursions move as one small group rather than in coaches. If you prefer an intimate ship to a large river vessel, this is the main reason to choose this itinerary.

Two categories are offered: the Standard Twin Cabin and the Royal Suite. Both are finished in fine woodwork in keeping with the ship's character. The Royal Suite is the premium option and numbers are very limited on a 30-guest ship. The exact fare for each category and departure is shown on this page.

The ship sails from Vila Nova de Gaia upstream into the Douro Valley to Regua and Pinhao on Saturday, then returns on Sunday with a guided tour of Lamego and time at Porto's Ribeira, before overnighting at Entre-os-Rios and cruising back to Gaia on Monday morning.

On Saturday morning, as the terraced slate hillsides of the valley come into view, the ship's chef gives a Culinary Delight demonstration: the preparation of a traditional Portuguese dish, with commentary on the local ingredients and techniques behind it, followed by a tasting ahead of lunch. Show cooking with renowned chefs is included in the fare.

On Sunday you disembark at Regua for a guided tour of Lamego, one of the most historically significant towns in northern Portugal. Its landmark is the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, a baroque church on a hill reached by a monumental staircase decorated with blue and white azulejo tiles. The visit ends with a tasting of local products.

Included are all meals on board, Wi-Fi and video on demand, the activities and entertainment programme, show cooking with renowned chefs, and the tours and guided visits set out in the programme, along with meals taken off the ship where the programme specifies them.

Private tours, selected drinks from the bar, shop purchases, transfers to and from the ship, and anything else not listed as included are not covered. International flights, travel insurance and personal expenses are also your own. A travel specialist can confirm the full cost in writing before you book.

No. Transfers to and from the ship are not included, so plan your own arrival at the Vila Nova de Gaia quay. Porto airport is a straightforward taxi ride from Gaia, and many guests arrive a night early and stay in Porto or Gaia. We can arrange a private transfer on request as an add-on.

The ship leaves Entre-os-Rios at 7:00 AM on Monday, arrives at the Gaia pier at about 9:00 AM and disembarkation takes place at 10:00 AM after breakfast on board. Allow time to reach Porto airport afterwards, and book any onward flight for early afternoon or later to be comfortable.

The lead-in fare is from about 740 euros per person sharing for the three nights, including meals on board, the entertainment programme and the guided visits in the programme. Fares vary by cabin category and departure date, so the exact fare for each date is shown on this page.

Yes, a cabin for sole use is available at a supplement over the sharing fare. With only 30 guests on board, single cabins are strictly limited and are usually the first to go. Ask a travel specialist to check availability and confirm the single rate for your preferred date before you commit.

A deposit of 25 percent confirms your cabin, and the balance falls due 65 days before departure. Bookings made inside 65 days are payable in full at the time of booking. You receive written confirmation with the exact amounts and the due date once the cabin is held in your name.

Children are accepted and priced by age at departure, with a band for ages 0 to 5 and a band for ages 5 to 12; from 12 the adult fare applies. The ship is small and the atmosphere is quiet and adult in character, so talk to a travel specialist about whether the programme suits your family before booking.

Yes. Wi-Fi is included throughout the ship, as is video on demand in the cabins. Coverage along the Douro Valley can vary in the deeper gorges, which is normal on this river, so plan on light browsing and messaging rather than uninterrupted video calls while under way.

Vila Nova de Gaia sits on the southern bank of the Douro directly opposite Porto, linked to it by the Dom Luis I Bridge and known for the historic cellars along its waterfront. Boarding there puts you a short walk across the river from Porto's Ribeira district, so an extra night before or after the cruise is easy to use.

The dates currently on sale are listed in the departures section of this page, with the fare shown for each cabin category. With only 30 guests per sailing, a departure can close quickly, so check the live list on this page rather than assuming a date is still open.

Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610 or message https://wa.me/17864080610, and a travel specialist or our AI assistant will help. The departures shown on this page are bookable directly, and we will confirm your cabin category, the exact fare and what it covers in writing before any payment is taken.