Spread the love

Australians can cruise Portugal’s Douro River – one of Europe’s best-kept secrets – and sail past vine-covered hillsides and medieval villages lost in time as part of a fly, cruise and tour package released by Riviera Travel in partnership with with small ship specialist, Cruise Traveller.

The 17-night ‘Perfect Portugal’ package is aimed at the first-time visitor to the country, combining an eight-night small group ‘Discover Portugal’ overland tour with the seven-night, round-trip river cruise which begins and ends at Porto – Portugal’s second largest city – and journeys along the beautiful, vineyard-lined Douro river right up to the Spanish border. Guests will cruise aboard Riviera Travel’s Douro Elegance, a luxury, 12-guest river ship.

Also included in the package are flights from five Australian cities, accommodation at Lisbon and Porto and a free onboard drinks package.

Departing Australia on May 27, 2019, the itinerary begins in Lisbon with a full day tour. From there, guests will journey over eight days to some of Portugal’s most famous sites, staying at boutique, local-style accommodation along the way. Highlights of the land tour include a Portuguese cookery lesson, a visit to a traditional cheesemaker, historic houses, cathedrals, palaces and synagogues and the majestic Joanina Library – an 18th century monument built by the King as part of a university.

Guests will then board the river ship, Douro Elegance, in Porto and cruise for seven nights east through the dramatic river valley, with its rustic wineries, quaint villages and rugged cliffs. Highlights of the river cruise include visits to vineyards and port cellars, dinner at a typical Portuguese farmhouse, a flamenco show, a full-day excursion to the historic Spanish city of Salamanca, a tour of the walled medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo and the 18th century, baroque Mateus Palace and its extensive gardens.

Relaxing time cruising on the river during the day is also a highlight, with the Douro Elegance offering a restaurant, bar and lounge, pool, spa, gym and tea and coffee-making facilities in every cabin. After disembarking in Porto, guests fly back to Australia.

Including return flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth, the eight-night land tour with 12 meals, two nights’ accommodation in Lisbon and Porto, and the seven-night cruise with all onboard meals and shore excursions, the 17-night ‘Portugal Perfection’ package is available from $11,295 per person, twin-share. A bonus onboard cruise drinks package including drinks with lunch and dinner is available, courtesy of Cruise Traveller, for booking made before November 30, 2018.

To view and book the package, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/PortugalPerfection or call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777.

Offering inclusive, five-star cruises at fares up to 50 per cent lower than river companies more established in Australia, Riviera Travel recently launched in Australia with a dedicated website and brochure – both in Australian dollars.  In 2019, Riviera’s 12 luxury river ships will offer more than 327 cruises across 14 different itineraries in Europe, making it the biggest river cruise operator in the UK.  For general information on Riviera Travel’s river cruises, visit www.rivieratravel.com.au