THE RIVER OF GOLD | Douro
First , the statistics : it ’ s the third longest river in Iberia , after the Tagus and the Ebro , measuring 897 kilometres , 210 of which are in Portugal . It rises in the Urbión mountains of Soria province at 2000 metres , and flows into the Atlantic between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia . There are 44 bridges , 16 in Portugal , three on the border and 26 in Spain , and five dams in the Portuguese sector , which is the only fully navigable stretch . That ’ s a good thing , because it ’ s the Portuguese Douro that is the most bewitching , memorable and beautiful .
When it comes to exploring the Douro , one company springs to mind : Douro Azul . Think of it as the catalyst , because not a lot floats on the river that they ’ re not involved in . They bow to no-one in enterprise , and they ’ re constantly striving for excellence , a characteristic of tourism in the North . The inspiration behind the company is Mario Ferreira , who learnt his trade in the hotels of London , and the cruise ships of the world .
Founded in 1993 as Ferreira Rayford Turismo Lda ., the company began with one ship , the Vista Douro . It now has 12 , five of which are hotel ships , and two more of these are coming into service in each of 2013 and 2015 . The Douro Spirit ( 2011 ) is the current flagship , and she is chartered to Uniworld River Cruises . She will be replaced by the Queen Isabel , a more classic but still luxurious Old World style vessel in 2013 . It ’ s newest ship will be the Royal Barge , which DouroAzul acquired after the Queen ’ s Diamond Jubilee celebrations . The ‘ Spirit of Chartwell ’ will be in operation from the end of 2013 . Other operators include Saga ( Douro Princess ), Manorhouses . com ( Douro Cruiser ), Page & Moy and Noble Caledonia . Returning to the market in 2013 are Viking River Cruises , with their new ship , the Vilking Douro , and AmaWaterways with the AmaVida . The latter also includes starting at Lisbon or Madrid for a three day visit before your seven day cruise . These ships are being built in the Navalria yard in Aveiro , so will be sister ships to Douro Spirit .
You may also cruise the Douro by the hour and by the day . Operators include Douro Azul themselves , Douro Acima , and Rota do Douro . They operate everything from modern cruise boats to traditional rabelos , the boats originally used to transport the wine barrels to the port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia , though the latter now have engines , too .
So , what ’ s to do ? Apart from the spectacular scenery upriver , the city of Porto itself ( more precisely its mediaeval and historic centre ) has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1996 , five years before the same status was granted to the Douro Wine Region . It ’ s no part of this commentator ’ s brief to tell you what to do or see , but don ’ t miss a cruise under the six bridges , and take in a visit to the wine lodges in Vila Nova de Guia and a tasting .
Upriver , of course , there are vineyards to be visited , ancient sites , monuments and palaces to be admired , the whole património unique to the area . The towns of Régua , Lamego and Vila Nova de Foz Côa are fascinating , and if you get the chance , drive from Sabrosa to Pinhão at harvest time , a unique and moving experience .
You can take wine tours , cheese tours , chocolate tours , a cornucopia of gastronomy . In May / June , there is the unique opportunity to celebrate the cherry festival ( douro cerejas ), and there are food and local festivals throughout the year .
The Douro is the third longest river in Iberia , measuring 897 kilometres . There are 44 bridges , 16 in Portugal , three on the border and 26 in Spain .
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