Once you leave Porto, everything changes. In the last decade, Douro River cruises have become increasingly popular. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Can highly recommend Barracouda Tours at the quayside at Gaia, bookable at Tourist offices for a wonderful day cruise, returning to Porto by train. In its Spanish section, the Douro crosses the great Castilian meseta and meanders through five provinces of the autonomous community of Castile and Len: Soria, Burgos, Valladolid, Zamora, and Salamanca, passing through the towns of Soria, Almazn, Aranda de Duero, Tordesillas, and Zamora. The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries. Its Latinized form Durius derives from a hydronymic root *dur-, which is Pre-Indo-European or Pre-Celtic. Try to put yourself in their shoes as much as possible. WWF Portugal (ANP / WWF), the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO), the Mountain Research Center (CIMO) and the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB) presented their reports which portray the various habitats of the Douro basin, identify existing barriers and map the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of hydropower plants. However, we were already in Lisbon before receiving this notice and therefore could not exercise our option to cancel under the terms of our insurance and get our money back. Low bridges, power lines, and other navigational obstacles restrict the height of a vessel. The first two charts have "height (m)" on the left. These peak periods are reflected in green. Analysis of impacts and definition of minimizing measures in a reservoir located in a KBA (Key Biodiversity Area). If things are bad enough (like during the once-in-a-century flooding that occurred along the Danube in 2013), your river cruise might turn into a bus trip as the cruise line attempts to do its best to hit all the major sights and attractions along the way. While we havent been delayed or inconvenienced on the Douro (other than one very wet, damp mid-March sailing), but we have experienced both high and low water events on all stretches of the Danube, the Rhine, the Main, and even the Mekong, which was swollen to an unbelievable height during a cruise a few years back that resulted in messy disembarkations at every port of call. The Douro (UK: /dro, dru/, US: /dru, dro, doru/,[1][2][3][4] Portuguese:[do(w)u]; Spanish: Duero [dweo]; Latin: Durius) is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula. 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. 6700 AL Wageningen Porto is the main hub city in northern Portugal. If there's a problem on one side of the river, guests can transfer to the other ship. 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? The region around Pinho and So Joo da Pesqueira is considered to be the centre of port, with its quintas (or farms/estates) that extend along the steep slopes of the river valleys. 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. That's devastatingly low - at 40 centimeters, commercial shipping becomes unprofitable. New for 2023 - Zurich & the Rhine River Valley 10 days from Nuremberg to Zurich What's also fun is simply wandering around the waterfront and checking out less well-known tasting houses. Adjacent areas produce port (a mildly fortified wine) and other agricultural produce. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of Wetlands International-European Association and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission. Our personal expertise & experience, local partners in our destinations, & access to over 150 small ships are all invaluable to designing your unique journey. This usually involves putting guests up in hotels on the cruise lines dime and arranging for coach transportation and guides that werent originally needed. I believe the choice should be based on weather and the views, considering that I . These changes are frustrating for travellers, many of whom only learn that there is a problem with their river cruise after arriving in Europe, ready to start their holiday. Re: Douro River 17 years ago Save Hi Yes! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. History isnt a good indicator of high or low water. The Douro river ( Duero in spanish) is 475 mi (765 km) long. We left at 8am, breakfasted on board the boat, cruised along the beautiful Douro Valley, passing through amazing locks, and had an excellent 3 course lunch before arriving in Regua at 3pm. To give you an idea of the range of waves to expect at a given time, we consider the. The crew got out the tape measurer and waited it out until the water had slackened enough to allow us to pass unscathed. Our prediction algorithm for water temperature is in development phase. The portuguese name it's "Tainha", no idea about the english name. WOW-- some fun!The grand finale was at the end of the time they asked us to fill out a survey of the tour but then proceeded to tell us how to do it by saying that "they did the best they could under the circumstances" and therefore we should not reflect poorly on their effort. Eventually, the moon will rise again in the northeast (60) at 15:28 h. When the solunar period coincides with sunrise or sunset, we can expect more activity than initially planned. 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. 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 a huge logistical nightmare, and one that is guaranteed to displease some. 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. Report inappropriate content NewJerseyCyclist New Jersey Level Contributor 154 posts 2. Does any one have experience with this river and any suggestions on the best time to go to avoid a problem. Because of this, many river cruise lines dont know until almost the last minute how your sailing will or wont be affected. The Douro fully enters Portuguese territory just after the confluence with the gueda River; once the Douro enters Portugal, major population centres are less frequent along the river. Unseasonably heavy rainfall in April and September a few years ago resulted in itinerary changes and modifications, most of which were conducted by utilizing motorcoaches to complete the journey. We are booked to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Outright cancellation. 7 years ago. 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 Avid Cruiser. Yes, the river levels are a bit low, but I never heard on the news that the Douro river can't be used by boats. 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. 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. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. . There are lots of options for tasting port in Gaia. TIDES4FISHING | HIGH TIDES AND LOW TIDES IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, TIDES4FISHING | TIDAL RANGE IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, TIDES4FISHING | PROGRESSION OF THE TIDAL COEFFICIENT | MARCH 2023, You can change the time format and the default unit for height in the. All images are copyrighted to their respectful owners and we make every effort to credit photographers. The Douro vinhateiro (vine-land) of the Douro Valley in Portugal, long devoted to vineyards, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. So dont stress about the what-ifs; be excited about your amazing journey through the vineyards and history of Portugal. This is the rarest option, exercised when no other alternatives are available. Although in most places we get a value very close to the actual sea water temperature, it may not be accurate in certain areas. Here are a few things you should know about taking any river cruise, not just one operating along the Douro: Chances are good that your Douro river cruise will proceed exactly as expected but there are some things that are good to know about these water-related events, and what to do should one arise. The most important tributaries in this region are the Pisuerga, passing through Valladolid, and the Esla, which passes through Zamora. 2. Alternate titles: Durius River, Ro Duero, Rio Douro. Vessels with a maximum length of 83 metres (272ft) and width of 11.4 metres (37ft) can pass through the five locks. At noon the tidal coefficient increases to 69. 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. 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. Any idea what kind of fish those might be? Use a + to require a term in results and - to exclude terms. In Porto and in Salamanca, where the primary languages are Portuguese and Spanish, respectively, English-speakers can get around well enough. The Douro basin is the largest river basin in the Iberian Peninsula and heavily impacted by dams. 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 Example: We traveled 1 1/2 hours by bus over winding roads to visit a palace where we had a half hour tour and then drove another 1 1/2 hour bus drive back to the boat. The premier times to visit the Douro are in springtime, May and June, and then again during harvest season -- in fall months of September and October. In Portugal, the Douro flows through the districts of Bragana, Guarda, Viseu, Vila Real, Aveiro and Porto. Each company does have input into their own operations, whether it's menus, tours or onboard ambience. How do tides form? While it isnt discussed as often as water levels on the Danube and the Rhine, high and low water levels can affect your river cruise along Portugals Douro River though its admittedly not quite as susceptible to these events as other European waterways. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from Porto . It is rising in the Sierra de Urbin, N central Spain. 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 The Pisuerga River (tributary to the Duero) in Valladolid, The Upper Douro valley where Port wine grapes grow, The typical rabelo boat and Porto historical district in background, The river between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, Douro Internacional near Miranda do Douro, Looking across the river mouth from Foz do Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia (Atlantic Ocean on the right), Typical almond tree, mostly seen along the river in Portugal. But note: It has become so popular that they charge to get in, and if don't want to wait in line for an hour, buy your tickets online and get there early. The waters of Pocinho lake reach 125 metres (410ft) above sea level. 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. Report inappropriate content Diva Porto, Portugal Level Contributor 11 posts 2 reviews 2. Get inspired by Nik & Dusty's world-wide adventures! 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. Got through the first dam and then halted. m stands for meter (water level) Edited: 8 years ago. 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. +31 (0) 318 660 910, E-mail: [emailprotected], Wetlands International-European Association, Mundo J, Douro River, Latin Durius, Spanish Ro Duero, Portuguese Rio Douro, third longest river of the Iberian Peninsula, draining a catchment area of 30,539 square miles (79,096 square km). We plan on taking a Viking cruise on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49035074', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise the Duoro late June and hope the levels will have subsided by then. Data available from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2024 *. Considering Tagging Extra Days onto Your Vacation to Explore Porto, Madrid or Lisbon. The city, home to about 230,000 residents, is also known for its historic Old and New cathedrals (Renaissance and Gothic, respectively), which sit side by side. The length of time the moon will be visible is 14 hours and 32 minutes. (Salamanca was the farthest away, some two hours drive.) Research the Douro Rivers Weather & Dress for the Occasion. Tel. Viking Cruises' website states that "low water levels will affect select river itineraries." Impacted travelers will be contacted by the cruise line. 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. Tel. One of the longest rivers of the Iberian . The good news? As far as Aranda de Duero, Spain, it is narrowly confined by its banks; it then widens across the broad plains of Old Castile. I looked it up; we call them grey mullet (not to be confused with my hair style). The boat crew were professional, helpful & friendly. This was also our last trip with Viking. on Facebook, Wetlands International European Association, In general, this behavior varies for each species and place, so we can not specify an ideal water temperature, however as a general rule we will try to avoid the temperatures abnormally cold in summer and too warm in winter. We are booked to cruise the Duoro late June and hope the levels will have subsided by then. the water level in Douro river is controlled, so between winter and summer time there's no much difference, but of course winter months the level is slightly over the year average. Dating back to the Roman Empire, it's first and foremost a university town since the 12th century. Its historic centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its significant architecture and history. Also hilly as it rises off the river, this area is best known for the port houses that stud its mountainside. Talk with a specialist to plan your next adventure! Corrections? We returned by train after free time in Regua at 4.50pm arriving in Porto at 7pm. While most cruise lines offer a handful of tours showcasing the attractions of Porto and, just across the river, the city of Vila de Gaia, it's a fascinating place to visit. Cruises on this Portuguese and Spanish waterway stretch from Porto on the Atlantic Ocean, all the way east into Spain's Vega de Terron (essentially a docking station where passengers head to the gorgeous golden city of Salamanca). It boasts a fantastic view of Porto across the river, and it has a fabulous bar and restaurant. 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. The studies have increased the level of understanding of the Douro basin ecosystem and will be used to inform decision-makers, especially feeding the current drafting process of the third River Basin Management Plan for the Douro. [6] In Roman times, the river was personified as a god, Durius. A folk-etymological derivation suggests that the name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish for "golden".[7][8]. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is a wide range in average temperatures in the stunning Douro Valley. On a somewhat smaller but no less enchanting scale, the city's Clerigos district is home to one of the world's most famous bookstores. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The drought is mainly on south of Portugal, albeit it hit all country. July, August, and September are the three warmest months, respectively. For the municipality in the Philippines, see, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, "The Esla River Basin: From the Cantabrian Mountain to the Duero", "Spanish-Portuguese Albufeira Convention", "Hydrological response of Mediterranean headwaters to climate oscillations and land-cover changes: The mountains of Duero River basin (Central Spain)", IPTM Instituto Porturio e dos Transportes Martimos, Delegao do Norte e Douro, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Douro&oldid=1142166763, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Portuguese-language text, Articles containing Proto-Celtic-language text, Articles needing more detailed references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:54. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. What's most heartening about a cruise on the Douro is the small surprises. Belgium, P.O. Just because one year was affected by abnormally-heavy rainfall doesnt mean the following one will be identical. Still, be prepared, as the most interesting places to visit are not accessed by simply walking off the gangway. For the rest of the trip, you'll be stopping at places like Bitetos, Regua, Pinhao, Barca d'Alva and Vega de Terron -- small rural villages that you've likely never heard of. Shipowners and Captain, have full authority to make decisions about changes in sailing times and itineraries. At a press conference on July 23 rd, the Douro Vivo Network launched seven studies providing new information on the Douro river basin ecosystem. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [6] The meaning of this element is however unknown. These reaches of the Douro have a microclimate[specify] allowing for cultivation of olives, almonds, and especially grapes, which are important for making port. The fact of the matter remains that the vast majority of Douro river cruises will be completed without a hitch. For 112 kilometres (70mi), the river forms part of the national border line between Spain and Portugal, in a region of narrow canyons. There are five locks positioned along its length that help ships transit to other levels and control the flow of the water downstream, aided by the region's climate that tends to be dry and hot for the summer months. 55 helpful votes 1. Our ship featured a tour to Grahams, a gorgeous facility that included a visit to the winery in addition to a tasting. Since the 1930s the Douro has been harnessed extensively for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Scenic cruising: Because sailing takes place during the day, several mornings and afternoons are spent on the river. It is observed by space radar altimeters that measure the time it takes for radar pulses to reach the ground targets, directly below the spacecraft (nadir position), and return. Things will be normal in June, the dams are at their maximum capacity and may be still discharging a lot of water, but that's going to stop pretty soon, we need as much water as we can get. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. The most frequent wave height will be about half the height of the significant wave. We can sympathize; after all, if we liked coach tours, wed call our site. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from Porto . The Douro has some help, though, in avoiding water level-related snafus. 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. For other uses, see, "Duero" redirects here. We did the six bridges tour. All this while temperatures soared past 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). 580 helpful votes. The average water temperature in Porto (Rio Douro) today is -. 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. If things are bad enough (like during the once-in-a-century flooding that occurred along the Danube in 2013), your river cruise might turn into a bus trip as the cruise line attempts to do its best to hit all the major sights and attractions along the way. Alternatively, you may use, InterContinental Porto - Palacio Das Cardosas, an IHG Hotel. The third chart has it between brackets like: 04.55h heigh tide (4m), 11.24h low tide (0.6m), etc. The latter two are located at the mouth of the Douro at the Atlantic Ocean. Consider this, too: this could have been one of several sailings that the crew has had to deal with so far this season. We additionally point out in the chart the periods of greatest activity during the year with a big blue fish on the period bar + info, Arcozelo | Barra do Douro | Crestuma (Rio Douro) | Labruge | Lavra | Lea da Palmeira | Leixes | Mindelo | Porto (Rio Douro) | Pvoa de Varzim | So Flix da Marinha | Valadares | Vila Ch | Vila do Conde | Vila Nova de Gaia, Barra do Douro (4.1 km) | Vila Nova de Gaia (4.5 km) | Valadares (7 km) | Leixes (8 km) | Arcozelo (11 km) | Lea da Palmeira (11 km) | So Flix da Marinha (12 km) | Crestuma (Rio Douro) (13 km) | Lavra (15 km) | Espinho (15 km) | Labruge (18 km) | Vila Ch (20 km) | Esmoriz (21 km) | Mindelo (22 km) | Vila do Conde (25 km) | Pvoa de Varzim (29 km) | Furadouro (30 km) | Carregal (31 km) | Ovar (33 km) | Puxadouro (34 km), Changes in pressure have a considerable influence on the activity of fish, Rapidly fluctuating either way is indication of good fishing, TIDES4FISHING | WEATHER CONDITIONS IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, 9:33, TIDES4FISHING | WEATHER FORECAST FOR PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, TIDES4FISHING | ULTRAVIOLET INDEX IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, DAILY EVOLUTION OF WATER TEMPERATURE IN PORTO (RIO DOURO). Get to Known Basic Spanish and/or Portuguese or Pack a Phrase Book. Its most plentiful tributary (carrying a larger discharge than the Douro at their meeting) is the right-bank Esla river. Rising in the Sierra de Urbin in Spain, the river crosses the Numantian Plateau in a pronounced bend and flows generally westward for 556 miles (895 km) across Spain and northern Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean . It sounds cheesy, but the best thing you can do should the unexpected arise is to go with the flow. Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys. The solar transit will be at 12:46:12 h. The tidal coefficient today is 64 (average). Porto. The latter includes wine producing areas such as the Ribera del Duero DOP. On this sailing adventure, you'll set off down the Douro River, taking in beautiful scenery and the sights of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia from the water. The old travel adage, forewarned is forearmed, is very appropriate. These events are inconvenient, but it is important to remember that they arent all that likely to happen, and certainly not all the time. Most of the ships that ply the Douro have small swimming pools on their sun decks. And remember: a nice glass of wine is never out of reach on this journey. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The Douro (UK: / d r o, d r u /, US: / d r u, d r o, d o r u /, Portuguese: ; Spanish: Duero; Latin: Durius) is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula.It rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in the Spanish province of Soria, meanders south briefly then flows generally west through the northern part of the Meseta Central in Castile and Len into . We can compare these levels with the maximum high tide recorded in the tide tables for Porto (Rio Douro) which is of 4.2 m and a minimum height of 0.3 m. The following graph shows the progression of the tidal coefficient in the month of March of 2023.These values give us a rough idea of the tidal amplitude in Porto (Rio Douro), forecast in March.