It's simply gorgeous country, whether in the lush vineyard regions closer to Porto or in the wild, craggy landscapes to the east, near the border with Spain. I looked it up; we call them grey mullet (not to be confused with my hair style). The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries. Report inappropriate content Diva Porto, Portugal Level Contributor 11 posts 2 reviews 2. Talk with a specialist to plan your next adventure! 55 helpful votes 1. It was like purchasing a BMW and then when they car company dilivered the car it was a VW-- and then they say it is not our fault, the BMW you ordered was not available. The reason for this was as there had been so much rain, the dam in Spain was full and head waters had to be released - this making the river unsafe for such trips.Disappointed, but understand the rationale. To mitigate issues, Viking runs sister ships sailing the same itinerary, but in opposite directions. Very enjoyable cruise to see and the Douro Valley, where wine and port are made. Scientists uncover new information on the Douro river ecosystem, Small hydropower plants as a threat to the endangered pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera, Reviving Douro Basin Identification of Biodiversity Hotspots, Georeferencing and characterization of the Douro River Basin obstacles, Contra barragens, pelos santurios do Douro: o SOS dos investigadores, Investigadores e ambientalistas defendem que no se faam novas barragens, Associaes ambientalistas no querem mais barragens no Douro, Assessment of terrestrial protected areas for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity (CIBIO). The wine was taken downriver in flat-bottom boats called rabelos, to be stored in barrels in cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. Major Spanish riverside towns include Soria, Almazn, Aranda de Duero, Tordesillas, Zamora and major Portuguese towns include Miranda do Douro, Foz Ca, Peso da Rgua, Lamego, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of 35 metres (115ft). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Solstice vs. Millennium Class on Celebrity Cruises, Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Shore Excursions, Countries That Require Visas for a Cruise, The World's Best Beaches to Visit on a Cruise, The Pros and Cons of a Port-Intensive Cruise, Mystery Cruises: What They Are and What to Expect, 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Line Private Island, 48 Hours in Brisbane Before or After a Cruise, How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? TIDES4FISHING | WATER TEMPERATURE IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, It is normal for waves to vary in height from one to the next. Floods upriver meant that it was too dangerous to proceed so our day trip became a coach trip back to Porto after lunch on board. On Saturday, the water level at the German town of Kaub - a critical juncture - slipped to just 36 centimeters, or 14 inches, according to official figures. We are fully committed to low impact travel that not only preserves but gives back to the amazing places we visit. Report inappropriate content NewJerseyCyclist New Jersey Level Contributor 154 posts 2. We safeguard and restore wetlands for people and nature. As far as Aranda de Duero, Spain, it is narrowly confined by its banks; it then widens across the broad plains of Old Castile. Unlike you, they dont get to leave instead, theyre treated to greeting busloads of unhappy guests week after week. (and has been for the last 20 years) We arrived in Lisbon and then received an Email notice from Viking that they were experiencing river problems and were sorry. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Porto (Leixoes) (Photo:ESB Professional/Shutterstock), Cruise ship in Port (Photo: joyfull/Shutterstock.com). The city of Porto and the Douro River Sherry boats on the Douro River, Porto Portrait of Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and Cruising the Douro River Aboard the 132-guest Amalia Rodriguez 12 days from $5,490 Delve into the Age of Discovery on our exciting river and land journey to Portugal. . Some of the places in which you'll dock are actually nothing much but piers with access to a place to board the motorcoaches. On the Douro, this option is really only open to companies like CroisiEurope and Viking River Cruises that operate more than one vessel in the region. Its a bit like experiencing a flight delay at the airport: you can fly dozens of times successfully, but the one that was horrifically delayed or cancelled is the one that sticks out in most peoples minds. This article is about the river. Typically, seven or 10-night trips begin with land tours in Lisbon before passengers are transported by motorcoach to their ships. Although in most places we get a value very close to the actual sea water temperature, it may not be accurate in certain areas. While the 2017 season was abnormally large, hot and dry summers create all the necessary conditions for potentially devastating wildfires. Some cruises spend overnights there, giving you time to explore the waterfront. Except for Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia at the river mouth, the only population centres of any note are Foz do Tua, Pinho and Peso da Rgua. Decommissioning of dams and re-naturalization of river sections can improve the situation not only for pearl mussels but also for migratory fish populations. We did the six bridges tour. On another instance, on a Christmas Markets river cruise through Germany, thewater level made us too high to clear a bridgeblocking our path by mere inches. The next five downstream are along the Portuguese-Spanish border; the first three are owned and operated by Portugal: (Miranda, Picote and Bemposta Dams), while the next two belong to Spain: (Aldeadvila and Saucelle Dams). We went on the Viking Torguil cruise in April 2016. According to Claudio Snchez-Albornoz this was a deliberate act by Alfonso I of Asturias for the defence of his Kingdom, which led the area to be named Repoblacin. The seven-night cruise itself travels between the delightful UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto (where you'll likely spend a couple of nights) and either the last little village in Portugal, Barca de Alva; or, just over the Spanish border, another tiny village called Vega de Terron; both are the jumping-off point for the two-hour bus ride to {#widget:image|decorators:article_image|image:3568|title:Vega de Terron (Salamanca) (Photo:canadastock/Shutterstock)|description:Vega de Terron (Salamanca) (Photo:canadastock/Shutterstock)#}. Save. You can have confidence in our experts' dedication to traveler safety, comfort, & providing a seamless trip. I believe the choice should be based on weather and the views, considering that I suggest: May to July - warm weather not too much and the landscapes are colorful. The cable car station is also on this side of the river -- if you don't fancy or can't manage the walk up to the top of town this is a lovely and reasonably priced (nine euros return) option, which affords fantastic views -- and even a free glass of port! Viking Cruises' website states that "low water levels will affect select river itineraries." Impacted travelers will be contacted by the cruise line. Call 1.406.541.2677 Start Planning My Trip The waves you will find on the shore can be slightly affected by the orientation of the coastline and the seabed of the beaches, although in most cases they are usually equivalent. The portuguese name it's "Tainha", no idea about the english name. If the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Wondering if any locals can provide insight into the extreme water levels of the Duoro River that are causing river cruises to be cancelled. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Note: this root is not linked by the linguists to the Proto-Celtic word *dubros 'water' which explains the river and place names Douvres in France, Dover in England and the Celtic common words: Old Irish dobur > Irish dobhar 'water', Welsh d(f)r (the /f/ being a trace of a former /b/), Cornish dur, Breton dour, the loss of /b/ being typical of Brythonic. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Douro-River. While most of the cruise lines do offer pre- and post-cruise trips to better-known cities like Lisbon and Madrid, consider spending a few extra days there. The scenic Douro railway line runs close to the river. This usually involves putting guests up in hotels on the cruise lines dime and arranging for coach transportation and guides that werent originally needed. It sounds cheesy, but the best thing you can do should the unexpected arise is to go with the flow. Mid-July through August is another good time for snagging deals; the region can be very hot then. Enclose phrases in quotes. Generally, when high/low water levels hit the Douro, three options are available to cruise lines: One of the less-mentioned issues facing Douro river cruises is fire. We can sympathize; after all, if we liked coach tours, wed call our site. Omissions? Nothing in the information given us by Viking indicated that all river traffic on the Douro in April is "ify" at best. This usually involves putting guests up in hotels on the cruise lines dime and arranging for coach transportation and guides that werent originally needed. One of the benefits of a mostly rural itinerary is that you're not cruising through industrial regions. While there's plenty to do, one oddity of the Douro experience is that there's no night navigation, so ships must cruise from sunrise to sunset. 2024: Cruise through the dramatic UNESCO-designated Douro River Valley on an extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers. Its historic centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its significant architecture and history. Does anybody buy into that theory?This was our fifth time with Viking, the others were very pleasant. The first two charts have "height (m)" on the left. It's also where you'll Se Cathedral, built in the 12th century to serve as fortress as well as church. In Portugal, between Peso da Rgua and Porto (Oporto), the river has considerable barge traffic, taking the wine from the port-wine area to Vila Nova de Gaia; from Pedorido to Porto there is some coal traffic. Considered one of the most untamed rivers of Europe, the, The grape harvest season is the best time to visit the Douro Valley when the region is at its most beautiful. The boat crew were professional, helpful & friendly. Got through the first dam and then halted. Considering Tagging Extra Days onto Your Vacation to Explore Porto, Madrid or Lisbon. Saving the best for last, the Plaza Major, the heart of Salamanca, is an 18th-century square, completely surrounded by golden limestone buildings and ringed with alfresco cafes. Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys. The waters of Pocinho lake reach 125 metres (410ft) above sea level. The most populous cities along the Douro River are Valladolid and Zamora in Spain, and Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal. Beyond Zamora the river narrows again, and when it reaches the border with Portugal (which it follows for 70 miles [113 km]), it plunges about 1,250 feet (380 m) within 30 miles (50 km) in a series of gorges and rapids. When I last visited, in October 2012, there were many fish visible from the quay along the Ribera. Be sure to take a jacketthe journey can get cool if you're on the deck of the boat & the train has air-con on all the time. Tel. The ancient city, one of the most historic in Europe, dates back to the Roman Empire and also has influences from periods such as Gothic and Baroque, tucked within Romanesque city walls. The Dom Luis Bridge, which you can cross by tram, car or on foot on either upper or lower levels, was designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. The tiny town of Pinhao, lying at the heart of Douro's wine country, reminds you of a cross between California's Napa Valley and Italy's Tuscany (only far less touristy). Douro River Douro River 7,503 Reviews #6 of 369 things to do in Porto Nature & Parks, Bodies of Water Porto, Portugal Save Authentic Douro Wine Tour Including Lunch and River Cruise 1,150 Book in advance from C$172.81 per adult Check availability View full product details keith47 Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom 600 254 None of these small, fast-flowing rivers is navigable. Continue the affected itinerary by having guests swap ships typically, being bussed from one town to the next, where you will embark a sister-ship or similar vessel to continue the rest of your journey. Prochilo says that many river cruise boats are specifically built with flatter hulls to deal with low water levels. All images are copyrighted to their respectful owners and we make every effort to credit photographers. "My feeling is this was a unique year. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from Porto . Pocinho is near the very small city of Foz Ca, which is close to Ca Valley Paleolithic Art site. Corrections? The Douro river ( Duero in spanish) is 475 mi (765 km) long. 2. You'll also likely visit Mateus Palace, known for its gorgeous gardens. These reaches of the Douro have a microclimate[specify] allowing for cultivation of olives, almonds, and especially grapes, which are important for making port. Most of the ships that ply the Douro have small swimming pools on their sun decks. We came to Porto (having made our own flight and hotel arrangements in September) with the specific of doing a day cruise to Pinhao and the train back. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. on Facebook, Wetlands International European Association, Lines sailing this Portuguese-Spanish waterway include AmaWaterways, APT, A-ROSA, CroisiEurope, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises and Emerald Waterways. The Water Level is defined as the height, in meters above the geoid, of the reflecting surface of continental water bodies. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. One of the longest rivers of the Iberian . Other major houses include Taylor's, Ferreira, Sandeman and Calem. Adjacent areas produce port (a mildly fortified wine) and other agricultural produce. About 14% of waves will be higher than the significant wave height (about 1 in every 7 waves). Onone memorable sailing down the Danube, we only found out halfway through our voyage that the passage from Nuremberg to Passau was impossible; wed have to swap-ships (more on that later) to complete our journey. Answer 1 of 7: Wondering if any locals can provide insight into the extreme water levels of the Duoro River that are causing river cruises to be cancelled. Albert Dauzat linked this river name to a Pre-Celtic hydronymic root *dor- which is well attested in Western Europe: in France Doire, Doron, Douron, etc. No one knew it was a problem until our departure. Best Time for Douro River Cruise: Weather, Seasons, Temperature & Water Levels Best Time to Take a Douro River Cruise (Portugal & Spain) Portugal All Trips Cruises Land Tours River Cruises Ships Deals Info Talk with an expert Build your ideal Portugal trip. Vila Nova de Gaia: This city lies across the Douro from Porto, and it's where ships dock. Fifteen dams have been built on the Douro to regulate the water flow, generate hydroelectric power, and allow navigation through locks. The length of time the moon will be visible is 14 hours and 32 minutes. Douro River cruises are from Porto, Portugal to Vega de Terron, Spain. A tiring but excellent dayhighly recommended. The Douro Vivo Network is a multidisciplinary partnership of Portuguese and international academics, legal experts and conservationists with the aim to promote the protection of free-flowing and clean rivers, with a special focus on the Douro river. Getting angry, yelling at staff or threatening the cruise line rarely fails to accomplish much, as the issue is almost entire out of their control. Private Douro River Sailing Cruise 49 Recommended Day Cruises from C$187.45 per adult (price varies by group size) 3-hour Port and Douro Wines Tasting Tour With 10 Tastings 126 Recommended Private and Luxury from C$57.47 per adult Porto: Morning City Tour with Six Bridges Cruise and Lunch 5 Bus Tours from C$94.31 per adult Booked an all-day cruise up to the wine estates and then back by train - started well, average continental breakfast. 747 reviews. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-68897250', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Douro River. Tributaries here are small, merging into the Douro along the canyons; the most important are Ca, Tua, Sabor, Corgo, Tavora, Paiva, Tmega, and Sousa. How do tides form? Visits to a range of quintas, the Portuguese term for wineries, mostly focus on the region's famed port wines, but the winemakers in the Douro region also produce beautiful reds and whites. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Try to put yourself in their shoes as much as possible. Continue the affected itinerary by having guests swap ships typically, being bussed from one town to the next, where you will embark a sister-ship or similar vessel to continue the rest of your journey. The average water temperature in Porto (Rio Douro) today is -. Updates? water level made us too high to clear a bridge. The reason for this was as there had been so much rain, the dam in Spain was full and head waters had to be released - this making the river unsafe for such trips. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises operate in the margins. The good news is the scenery is just gorgeous and varies throughout the region, so there's a lot to look at. Consequently, even a small change or break will cause fish to move from one location to another. Whether a river has high or low water levels is something youre unlikely to consider when planning your river cruise. In almost all cases, water levels are so fickle that they can change by the hour. However (after booking the trip with our helpful receptionist) we were called the night before to be told the trip would not be happening. Its total length is 897 kilometres (557mi),[10] of which only sections of the Portuguese section, being below a fall/rapids line, are naturally navigable, by modest rivercraft. So pack in layers, and don't forget your bathing suit. On Saturday, the water level at the German town of Kaub - a critical juncture - slipped to just 36 centimeters, or 14 inches, according to official figures. The Avid Cruiser. It has a very high touristic value because it keeps many secrets from the time of the conquest, having a variety of castles and other buildings that form a window directly to the past. July, August, and September are the three warmest months, respectively. Still, be prepared, as the most interesting places to visit are not accessed by simply walking off the gangway.