Off to Portugal later this year

Travel & Holidays Travel & Holidays: Chat / Discussions
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Yes already booked . Itinery

We’re contacting you to advise you of some changes to the order of the itinerary for your upcoming Saga

river cruise. These changes have been made based on feedback from previous guests and cruise directors,

to enhance your experience and improve the operation of the cruise. You will continue to enjoy all promoted

highlights with the exception of Quinta do Seixo wine tasting, which has now been replaced with Favaios.

Please see details of your new itinerary below:

Day 1 - Oporto - Vila Novo de Gaia: Fly to Oporto on the north bank of the Douro and embark your ship the

Spirit of the Douro at Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank.

Day 2 - Oporto - Vila Novo de Gaia to Regua: Spend the morning cruising, arriving in Régua. This afternoon

travel by coach to Lamego for a city tour of one of the most attractive cities in Portugal. You will then rejoin

your ship in Regua for overnight stay.

Day 3 - Regua to Pinhao: Depart Regua early this morning and sail to Pinhao. This afternoon, join an included

excursion to Favaios . Nestled in the Douro Valley, Favaios, located along the plateau of Serra do Vilarelho

became known for its wine production at the beginning of the 20th century, namely the Moscatel de Favaios.

Enjoy a visit to Favaios Winery where you will enjoy a guided tour of the cellar and tasting. After, you will visit

one of the local bakery’s before re-boarding your coach and heading to Quinta da Avessada. This evening

you you’ll visit a local Quinta for dinner, with wine and entertainment included. The ship remains moored in

Pinhão overnight.

Day 4 – Pinhao to Vega Terron: Depart Pinhao early this morning and sail to Vega Terron. This afternoon,

join an included excursion to the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo

Rodrigo, a small medieval village with a scenic hilltop location. The ship remains moored in Vega Terron overnight.

Day 5 - Vega Terron to Pocinho: Today join an included excursion across the border to the city of Salamanca

in Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey here usually takes about two hours. This evening you

will cruise on to Pocinho for an overnight stay

Day 6 – Pocinho to Regua to Bitetos: This morning you will cruise to Régua. This afternoon travel by coach

to visit the Mateus Palace and its gardens. Rejoin your ship, and continue your cruise to Bitetos, where you’ll

arrive later this evening.

Day 7 – Bitetos to Oporto - Vila Novo de Gaia: Sail back to Oporto this morning. Discover the history of Portugal’s second-largest city on an included tour. Remain moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.

Day 8 – Disembarkation: Disembark your ship after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

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Sounds lovely … I don’t suppose you can fit me in your luggage?

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I’m staying put.

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About 10 years or so ago Oporto to Salamanca cruise … Fabuloso best river cruise yeah my favourite. There’s so much to see on the river banks
We went at the of end of September …July and August can be very hot.

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Update holiday to Portugal booked and paid for now. Don’t even have to drive to Gatwick as holiday company include transport to and from. Really looking forward to the holiday as COVID previously stopped travel plans

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Just received an email from the company we are going with that we are havikng a free
cabin upgrade . Origimally all we could afford was the cheapest on the river boat at water level on the lowesr deck
Now we shall be on a higher deck with a french balcony . yippee one less set of stairs to climb

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Cruise ships are not my preference. I do been on naval vessels on the North Sea and the North Pacific. Not the easiest routes.

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our river cruise and what to expect each day

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Huge different on a cruise ship Besoeker to a naval vessel, you can’t even start to compare. Don’t wish to be rude but you don’t have a clue about a cruise ship

I was talking to him and he said he learnt to play the organ in church

I can just imagine a naval ships captains wife doing this! I don’t think so

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I’m Indeed you are incorrect. I’ve been there and done that.

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you didn’t say that before, only mentioned naval vessels

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All types. One was floating vessels in Malaysia.

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Looking fioward to following along vicariously with what promises to be some interesting scenery and excursions!

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will be visiting here as well

its called " tuning up" ready for the holiday in Portugal. Decided to get some practise in first. :shushing_face: :wink:

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I love this. I get my family all revved up with travel videos, maps, cuisine, and general good conversation about our travel plans, but I never thought about test driving the wine and spirits before the trip.

Do you have your excursions figured out?

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yes all included in the holiday even a car from home to airport and back

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Surfermom the difference between Americans and us English.

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:icon_lol:

This really needs to be its own thread, realspeed.

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English humour at its best with now offence ment.

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No offense taken. I understand your humor was well-meant.

:grin: :us: