Viking River Cruises announces new route along Portugal’s Douro River

Following demand from customers to create a new river cruise holiday along Portugal’s River Douro, Viking River Cruises, the World’s Leading River Cruise line, is thrilled to launch its new itinerary for 2013: River Douro, Portugal’s River of Gold.

 

Named ‘River of Gold’ for its striking quality of light, Portugal’s Douro River winds its way through steeply terraced vineyards, rolling landscapes and pretty towns with colourful castles, baroque mansions and historic monasteries.

Viking guests will visit vibrant Porto, the medieval Spanish city of Salamanca and enjoy a two-night superior first class hotel stay in Lisbon, with excursions within the capital, including a tour of the 15th century Jerónimos Monastery. Along the way, guests can indulge in delicious cuisine including Portuguese specialities and the region’s famous port and tawny wines.

An exciting new itinerary calls for an exciting ship. The Viking Douro was built specifically to sail this scenic river. Spacious and supremely comfortable with panoramic views, large staterooms with French balconies and 360 degree views from the public areas, guests can sit back and relax as they immerse themselves in the glorious scenery.

With visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, all excursions, on board meals and wine with lunch and dinner included in the price, this holiday – like all Viking river cruises – offers remarkable value.

Atlantic Crossing with Seabourn

12 Day Atlantic Odyssey Departs: 21 March 2012

Ship: Seabourn Odyssey

Sailing: Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon
Ports of call: Fort Lauderdale – Florida, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, Funchal – Madeira, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean and Lisbon – Portugal.

Prices: £1,699pp cruise only / £2,499pp fly/cruise

Seabourn is an ultra-luxury cruise line whose small, intimate ships deliver the personal service, attention to detail and relaxed atmosphere normally found only on a private yacht. The ships’ more intimate size means that they can visit ports and docks normally only accessible to smaller vessels, offering guests a chance to experience some of the most exclusive and sophisticated cruises in the world.

Prices are per person based on double occupancy and fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine-dining, open bars and fully stocked mini-bar.    Contact the UK's adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line.     

Tall Ship sailing in the Med

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering two wonderful opportunities to explore the history of the Mediterranean this autumn, combining the romance of a voyage through the Balearic Islands and Andalucia to Morocco with a stay in a beautiful riad in Marrakech. A second option combines a mini-cruise with both Marrakech and two nights in historic Lisbon.
Sailing on the line’s flagship, the five-masted square rigger, Royal Clipper, the first voyage departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on October 15, 2011. After a day exploring the dramatic medieval fortress town of Bonifacio in Corsica, the ship sets a course to Mahon, Menorca, Lord Nelson’s chosen base for the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars. There’s a day in Ibiza, best known for its nightlife but actually rich in history, from its Carthaginian origins to 500 years of Moorish rule. On board, guests can relax on the warm, teak decks, enjoy their favourite cocktail from the Tropical Bar, or help the crew raise thousands of square feet of billowing sails.
Royal Clipper next calls at Motril on southern Spain’s Costa Tropical, an easy hop from Grenada and the magnificent Alhambra’s Palace. Then there’s a day at Safi in Morocco, famous for its pottery, before disembarking in Casablanca for the short flight to Marrakech.
Here, guests will stay for four nights at the tranquil, four star Les Jardins de la Medina, a traditional 19th century riad inside the city’s massive, terracotta ramparts, surrounded by luxuriant gardens and complete with its own gastronomic restaurant, cookery school, hammam and spa, before flying back to London on October 27.
From £2,585 per person, including flights, full board on the cruise, transfers, B&B at the hotel, a bottle of wine and a three-hour private tour of Marrakech.
The second option departs London on October 21, for two nights at Les Jardins de la Medina, before flying to Casablanca on October 23 to join Royal Clipper for a four-night cruise to Lisbon via Tangier, Cadiz (for Seville, the magnificent Andalucian capital) and Portimao on the popular Algarve coast. Guests disembark in Lisbon and spend two nights at the boutique Lisboa Plaza hotel. A complimentary train ticket to the beach resort of Cascais is included, as well as a Lisbon Card, for discounts on entries to the city’s museums and attractions, and free public transport, as well as the Elevador da Gloria funicular, a scenic tram that links Baixa with the Bairro Alto.
From £1,725 per person, including flights from London, full board on the cruise, two nights’ B&B at the Jardins de la Medina and two nights’ B&B at the Lisboa Plaza, as well as a bottle of wine, three-hour private tour of Marrakech, the Lisbon Card and train tickets.
To book visit www.starclippers.co.uk