DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
DRRC-27
COST
£4695
DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
DRRC-27
COST
£4695
As we cruise along the Douro River through Portugal and Spain, we will encounter a variety of locations offering rich insights into history and culture, as well as stunning landscapes and a superb winemaking tradition.
Overview
The Douro Valley is a magnificent destination that offers rich insights into history and culture alongside stunning landscapes. We will cruise the Douro River through Portugal and Spain, encountering a variety of towns and dedicating time to their unique historical, architectual and artistic treasures. Sailing on board the Spirit of Chartwell will give us the chance to relax and soak up the majestic scenery of rolling hills and winding vineyards.
Marie-Anne Mancio’s expertise in art history will illuminate the rich cultural legacy of the Douro Valley, exploring the significance of the region for several artists and writers during a series of lectures.
“I am excited to share this journey through the stunning Douro wine region, part of the bigger story of Portugal’s cultural phenomena – such as writers Luis de Camões and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen; artist Paula Rego; Amália Rodrigues, the ‘Queen of Fado’ – and introduce travellers to Spain’s Salamanca, a city renowned for its architecture.”
– Marie-Anne Mancio
Examples of Salamanca’s architectural excellence include the elegant Baroque façade of Plaza Mayor and the peculiar Casa de las Conchas, a Gothic building adorned with over 300 stone scallop shells. Elsewhere, architecture offers us an insight into Portugal's medieval history, such as the rugged castle remains and churches in the small town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. We will also enjoy an excursion to Mateus Palace, with its 16th century winery, ornate manor house and tranquil gardens.
Art is interwoven throughout our visits to local towns, in cathedrals and galleries; whilst an unlikely gem awaits us in Pinhão train station, where a 24-panel series composed of rich azure tiles tells the story of winemaking from harvest to export, reflecting the distinct identity of the Douro Valley.
Tour Director
Marie-Anne Mancio
Marie-Anne Mancio is an art historian, writer, experienced tour leader and Arts Society accredited lecturer. She looks forward to welcoming travellers aboard the Spirit of Chartwell to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the region.
Marie-Anne Mancio, Marie-Anne Mancio, MPhil, DPhil, is an art historian, writer, experienced tour leader and Arts Society accredited lecturer. Marie-Anne originally trained as an artist before gaining a DPhil at the University of Sussex in art and critical theory. She has written and presented courses for Tate and Dulwich Picture Gallery; writes reviews, catalogue essays and historical fiction; and is a frequent traveller across Europe and further afield. She is currently writing a book about Caravaggio.
– ACE customer on a previous tour led by Marie-Anne Mancio
Our Vessel
Used by Their Late Majesties Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, the Spirit of Chartwell is the flagship vessel on the Douro River. This royal river barge, now based in Portugal, offers a spacious and sumptuous design with the finest interior furnishings. The vessel is fully equipped with a restaurant, piano bar, observation deck and 14 comfortable outside-facing cabins, each with private facilities. Professional and highly attentive crew members provide unequalled service during this tranquil passage through the Douro River Valley.
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The Spirit of Chartwell
© Douro Azul
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The Royal Suite
© Douro Azul
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The sun deck
© Douro Azul
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The onboard restaurant and dining area
© Douro Azul
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An example of a standard cabin
© Douro Azul
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Covered sun deck seating
© Bethany Love
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Gatwick 1200 on TAP Portugal, arriving Porto 1425. Coach tour of Porto (including visit to the cathedral and cloisters). Embark Spirit of Chartwell for seven nights. Overnight Porto.
Day 2
Morning lecture: Douro River & the River of Gold followed by excursion to the ancient town of Lamego (cathedral and Sanctuário Nossa Senhora dos Remédios with Baroque staircase). Overnight Régua.
Day 3
Morning walking tour of Pinhão (station and its traditional tiles) followed port tasting on board (subject to final confirmation). Afternoon lecture: The History of Portugal 1 – Naissance and Renaissance. Overnight Pocinho.
Day 4
Sail past rolling hills and terraced vineyards to Barca d’Alva (on the Spanish border). Afternoon excursion to the medieval town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (castle and churches). Lecture: The History of Portugal 2 – Bury the Dead and Heal the Living. Overnight Barca d’Alva.
Day 5
Whole day excursion to Salamanca (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas (Gothic building dating from 1493 with over 300 stone scallop shells), Salamanca University, New Cathedral (16th–18th century). Overnight Barca d’Alva.
Day 6
Morning cruise to Régua and lecture: The History of Portugal 3 – The Salazar Years, the Carnation Revolution and Beyond. Afternoon visit to Mateus Palace with its beautiful gardens, chapel and winery. Evening of traditional Portuguese Fado and Folk music. Overnight Régua.
Day 7
Morning cruise down river to Porto (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit to Palácio da Bolsa (crown jewel of architecture and former stock exchange – subject to confirmation). Overnight Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto.
Day 8
Disembark Spirit of Chartwell for free time or optional visit to Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis (Portugal’s first public art museum). Transfer to Porto airport departing 1805, arriving Gatwick 2025.
Our Route
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This tour requires a good level of fitness and mobility, and participants must meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria. The sundeck and all of the cabins on the boat (aside from the Royal Suite) are accessed by a narrow and steep flight of stairs. The stairs to the cabins are slightly spiralled with a handrail on one side. The decks, steps and handrails can be slippery if wet. There is a safe and secure gangplank for embarking/disembarking which can feel slightly wobbly, but help is available. Several of our visits involve walking over cobbles and steep inclines, and at Castelo Rodrigo the ground can be very slippery when wet. Participants should possess a good level of stamina. Please note that certain visits on this cruise are remote.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £200.
Cost Details
Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge
September 17 - 24, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board with unlimited tea & coffee (whilst on board), wine, beer, soft drinks served with meals, shore excursions & admissions, all gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, supplement for the Royal Suite £525 per person, cabin for single use supplement on request.
Upcoming Departures
Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge
8th May–15th May 2026
with Marie-Anne Mancio
Travel along the Douro River in style aboard the Royal Barge in the company of Marie-Anne Mancio
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Get in Touch
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