Duoro River Lisbon to Porto July 2019

[Got2Cruise]

Hi everyone! When researching for our Duoro River cruise I found a lack of postings and even formal CC reviews. I decided to post a day to day photo journal based on our experiences on our Uniworld tour. 

 

I hope to give all who read a general idea of what to expect on the Duoro tour. Spoiler Alert: We had a fantastic time, Lisbon and Duoro River Valley is amazing, the Portuguese staff are all wonderful people. 

 

We cruised on Uniworld, I imagine any brand you use will give you the same basic experience. 

[Gravity Railroad]

Looking forward to it!

[Got2Cruise]

Day 1 Welcome to Lisbon. The Uniworld rep was there to meet us and we were driven to the Hotel Corinthia. The hotel was gorgeous. If I were DIY I would choose a boutique hotel in old town but of course that wouldn’t work with tour groups 

 

We were greeted in the lobby by the Uniworld Rep Pilar Garrido. Pilar was the most amazing tour guide. She has been working for Uniworld since they started on the Duoro, ten years. Pilar provided us with a detailed map of nearby restaurants and points of interest. 

 

Since we traveled over night we decided to visit the nearby Gulbenkian museum. The museum has a wonderful collection, including world masters such as Rembrandt  and is well worth a visit, but it’s on a small scale so not overwhelming. After, we had a late lunch as our main meal of the day. 

[Got2Cruise]

Day 2 Lisbon City Tour. Pilar provided each guest with a little drawstring pouch and safety pin to pin your cash into your pocket. She had one guest last season pick pocketed and never wants that to happen again. I thought that was a wonderful personalized touch. Not everyone is a seasoned traveler and I’m sure it was very helpful. Also, it should be noted there were 100 guests on our sailing, 66 guests chose the Lisbon extension. 

 

First part of city tour was to Belém area of Lisbon. A stop at a cafe for a famous custard tart was also included. 

Edited July 15, 2019 by Got2Cruise

[Got2Cruise]

Part 2 of the Lisbon City tour was a Panoramic coach tour of the Old Town with Pilar pointing out the sights and areas we might want to visit on our own. We had the choice of returning to the hotel or being dropped off and then getting picked up at designated times by a shuttle. You also had the choice of returning later from the hotel by shuttle. 

 

We stayed in town with a small agenda. First priority another authentic Portuguese lunch with Sangria, LoL priorities, finding some Ginja, a sour cherry liqueur made in Lisbon and served in a dark chocolate cup, and go to the Iron Elevator but instead of the elevator, walking up to the view. Well, it must have been the combination if jet lag and sangria because despite Pilar showing us three times how to get there plus me using my google maps we never found the iron elevator. We could have kept trying but the jet lag took over and we decided to call it a day at 3:45 and catch the shuttle back to the hotel. 

[terry&mike]

Thank you! Looking forward to this.

[jpalbny]

Jet lag is a killer! Still, you did a good amount for your first few days there. We have sleepwalked through so many places after a red-eye flight to Europe.

 

I wasn't familiar with the term "iron elevator" but do you mean the Santa Justa elevator? We managed to find that last time. It's quite a cool structure. We rode to the top and had coffee there with a nice view.

 

I'm really enjoying this, as it's a taste of our planned November trip. We'll be DIYing it to many of these places so I can't wait for more previews! Hope you got enough rest - it sounds busy so far.

[Got2Cruise]

Yes the Santa Justa elevator. Pilar told us not to waste your time or money. lol. Just walk up. 

[Got2Cruise]

Day 3- “Sintra & Cascais”. We went with the optional tour for extra fee. Both places are well worth your time. In retrospect for my husband and me, we should looked for a private vendor who brought you to Pena Park, because this where I really wanted to visit. Our tour visited Sintra Palace and Queluz Palace. They were worthwhile to visit, but are the same type of palaces we already visited in Europe. The little town around Sintra Palace is very lovely. It is possible to follow a hiking path up to the Moor Castle from there.

 

After Sintra we traveled to Cascais where we had two hours free time for lunch and enjoying this beautiful beach town. We are beach people. We never met a beach we didn’t like, and visiting various beaches wherever we travel is something we enjoy doing. We had a quick bite in a cafe overlooking the sea, and hubby had a swim in the ocean. Folks 

 

Finally, on the scenic drive back to the hotel, we stopped at Cabo da Roca for a photo op. It is the westernmost point of Europe. If you swim directly across you’ll reach somewhere in New York. 

 

Another possible independent day trip would be to visit the shrine in Fátima.

 

Images from Sintra:

 

 

[Got2Cruise]

Images from Cascais:

 

[need2travel1]

Hey Fellow Long Islanders,

 

Loving your review so far, really looking forward to the rest!  Sounds like you're having a great time already & you haven't even started the cruise portion yet! 

 

We leave next Wed for Castles on the Rhine w/ Uniworld & thought we had decided on Bordeaux w/ them for next year but just a few posts into your review & I'm already thinking Portugal...….:))

 

 

[Got2Cruise]

1 hour ago, need2travel1 said:

Hey Fellow Long Islanders,

 

Loving your review so far, really looking forward to the rest!  Sounds like you're having a great time already & you haven't even started the cruise portion yet! 

 

We leave next Wed for Castles on the Rhine w/ Uniworld & thought we had decided on Bordeaux w/ them for next year but just a few posts into your review & I'm already thinking Portugal...….:))

 

 

Hi. I’m back already. Posting as I do the wash and bills and all fun stuff. lol. It was our first Uniworld Cruise and we were pleased. Next year Uniworld putting brand new ship on Duoro. Only 80 pax and 10 cabins are suites. 

[Got2Cruise]

Just a little info about dining in Lisbon. Almost every restaurant serves traditional Portuguese food. If you think you will be able to order chicken at every restaurant it is not the case. One thing to know is that everything is served a la carte, even the bread. That’s how they do it. If you love seafood, you’re in luck. My favorite dish was the seafood rice  If you wish more Americanized food try the hotel restaurant. 

 

Seafood Rice. Absolutely delicious!

 

 

 

[Got2Cruise]

Day 4 Transfer to Ship by motorcoach. (All coaches used entire trip were brand new Mercedes coaches). We will spend time in Coimbra before arriving at the ship in Porto around 4:00 pm. 

 

In Coimbra, we will visit the 13th Century university including the library. I wish I could show you photos of the library, but no photos allowed. It is similar to the library at Melk Abby on the Danube. Think of the library in Harry Potter. Did you know that JK Rowling lived in Portugal? Look at the student wearing the robe! The centuries old traditions of the university are fascinating to learn about. 

 

 

 

 

 

[jpalbny]

Thanks for the Coimbra shots!

 

We will spend a day there. We're parking in Tomar for 2 nights on our way from Lisbon to Porto, so we'll do that as a day trip. So looking forward to it! Loving your report!

[laverendrye]

Yes, JK Rowling lived in Porto for a few years, and was a faithful customer of the Livrario Lello. You can visit this beautiful bookstore with its intricate double spiral staircase, but most times it a bit of a zoo with all the visitors. They now charge a fee, which can be applied to any book purchase, but I suspect that most of the visitors don't buy anything.

 

BTW, my first Douro cruise was with Uniworld back in 2012 and I remember Pilar Garrido in Lisbon as the Uniworld rep--she was indeed an excellent and enthusiastic guide.  

[Got2Cruise]

We made it to Porto! Well, technically across the Duoro at Cais de Gaia. What an amazing view! We had to wait a few minutes to check in because 66/100 pax all arrived simultaneously. No prob, we waited in lounge and free massages offered. We waited perhaps 20 minutes. Check in is all hands on deck, and here is where we met two of our favorite staff who took excellent care of us all week. Ana Loureiro, restaurant manager, and Carlos our favorite waiter. It was Carlos who showed us to our room. 

 

Then it was off to the cable car to soak in the view of gorgeous Porto. The cable car is literally a few yards from the ship. 

 

Here are some snaps from the cable car and then top of the bridge. It was around 5;00 pm. BTW notice that the ships are triple rafted. We were the middle ship. 

Edited July 16, 2019 by Got2Cruise

[Got2Cruise]

Day 5. We had the choice between the Porto city tour, which was a coach tour, or “Do As The Locals Do” which was a walking tour. We chose the walking tour. 

 

The tour started by coach to drive us up the the bridge so we can walk across. It wasn’t fast paced and we learned much interesting information. The highlight for us was a ride on the cable car through sections of the city. The walking tour provided us the opportunity to see the amazing tile work on the churches and in the train station. Also, you’ll notice one of the bridge’s ironwork reminds you of the Eiffel Tower. That is because it was designed by Eiffel. 

 

Beautiful Porto:

 

 

 

Edited July 16, 2019 by Got2Cruise

[Got2Cruise]

 A few more photos. Porto at night taken the night before:

[Got2Cruise]

Upthread there was mention of Harry Potter and JK Rowling. Laverendrye was kind enough to describe the book store. The line was very long, it snaked down the block. Our guide told us a way to beat the system. Fast Pass! It’s 5 Euros to get in, but for 7 Euros you can pass through the ticket office and right into the store! Worth it if you really want to get inside. Some Harry Potter in Porto:

 

[Got2Cruise]

As you may know, no traveling on the Duoro is allowed at night, therefore traveling from port to port is done during the day. Quite frankly, I didn’t know what to expect. The scenery is amazing and the top deck is beautiful. We were never bored. 

 

First sailaway, taken from our Aquarium Class cabin window. I know some can’t imagine staying down there, but we love it. 

[acwmom]

You are making me want to book this cruise! Loving the review.

 

Robin

[djh1959]

This is a fantastic review with wonderful photos.

 

We are planning a trip to Spain, Lisbon and Porto later next year, not a river cruise, just a regular trip.  Your photos have made it even more exciting to plan!

 

You mentioned restaurants not having chicken available but lots of seafood.  I don't eat shell fish but I love all other fish.  I would imagine that there is plenty of fish, is that right?

[Got2Cruise]

2 hours ago, djh1959 said:

This is a fantastic review with wonderful photos.

 

We are planning a trip to Spain, Lisbon and Porto later next year, not a river cruise, just a regular trip.  Your photos have made it even more exciting to plan!

 

You mentioned restaurants not having chicken available but lots of seafood.  I don't eat shell fish but I love all other fish.  I would imagine that there is plenty of fish, is that right?

All restaurants have cod fish for sure. The Portuguese are crazy for cod fish. Of course there will be grilled sardines on every menu. Sea bass I saw very frequently also. 

 

Some restaurants do serve chicken. They call it chicken pico pico. It’s grilled chicken and then you add the pico which is a hot sauce to your taste. All restaurants serve pork loin which I had and was delicious. Everything is prepared very simply, salt olive oil, a little garlic sometimes. Pilar said she didn’t recommend the beef because all beef is imported so the quality is not consistent. 

[Got2Cruise]

Day 6- We awoke early so we had enough time to eat breakfast and be on sundeck when we go through the lock at Carrapatelo Dam (Deepest lock in Europe, 115ft/35mt. Going through these deep locks were a highlight of the trip. (Our photos of going thru the dams did not come out too well but if you go to Instagram a gal on our cruise posted awesome photos)

 

A little more scenic sailing. You can see the train tracks and the tunnel in the bedrock. Now off to the Duoro Museum (literally across the road) for a very interesting and informative lecture “Magical Duoro Valley”

 

After lunch more scenic cruising including the Baguste Dam. Many pax including us decided to put on our swimsuits and lounge by the pool and sip cocktails. Yes there is bar service. lol. 

 

At 5:45 we’re all heading off to the Wine Estate Quinta Da Avessada for a traditional Portuguese dinner.