Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge | May 2026

Fitness & Practicalities

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.

Tour specific fitness information

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 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. Participants should possess a good level of stamina. Please note that certain visits on this cruise are remote.

Minimum fitness requirements

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.

Our Vessel

Used by Her Late Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, the Spirit of Chartwell is the flagship vessel on the River Douro. 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, plus a master suite. Professional and highly attentive crew members provide unequalled service during this calm passage through the Douro River Valley.

Click to read more about the Spirit of Chartwell

Day 1          

Depart London Gatwick 1200 on TAP Portugal, arriving Porto 1425. Coach tour of Oporto (including visit to the cathedral and cloisters). Embark Spirit of Chartwell for seven nights. Overnight Oporto.

Day 2

Cruise up the river to Quinta de Roeda (tour and tasting at winery). Lecture: Douro River & the Region River of Gold followed by traditional Portuguese Fado and folk music (subject to confirmation). Overnight Régua.

Day 3          

Visit to Mateus Palace (beautiful gardens, chapel and winery). Cruise to the riverside town of Pinhão for a walking tour (24-panel series of tiles telling the story of winemaking). Lecture: The History of Portugal 1: Naissance and Renaissance.

Day 4         

Sail past rolling hills and terraced vineyards to Barca d’Alva (on the Spanish border). Afternoon excursion to the medieval 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 Lamego (Cathedral and Sanctuary). Lecture: The History of Portugal 3: Salazar Vomiting the Homeland. Overnight Porto Antigo.

Day 7

Morning cruise down river to Oporto (UNESCO World Heritage site): private visit to the historical Factory House of the British Association and tour and tasting at Taylor’s Port Lodge. Overnight Oporto.

Day 8         

Disembark Spirit of Chartwell. Some free time in Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia with optional visit to Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis. Depart Porto 1755, arriving Gatwick 2010.