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. Its historic centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its significant architecture and history. What's also fun is simply wandering around the waterfront and checking out less well-known tasting houses. The third chart has it between brackets like: 04.55h heigh tide (4m), 11.24h low tide (0.6m), etc. What problem?? Rue de l'Industrie 10, 1000 Brussels, Any idea what kind of fish those might be? Within Spain, it flows through the middle of the autonomous community of Castile and Len, with the basin spanning through the northern half of the Meseta Central. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-68898309', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');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. See ourfeatured river cruise sailings >>, Talk with Teresa Skeim who has over 30 years experience for more ideas planning your trip >>. Fish want to stay comfortable. (She was teaching English in Porto and spent a lot of time there.) I believe the choice should be based on weather and the views, considering that I . Horapark 9, 6700 AL Wageningen 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. Whether a river has high or low water levels is something youre unlikely to consider when planning your river cruise. Once you leave Porto, everything changes. New for 2023 - Zurich & the Rhine River Valley 10 days from Nuremberg to Zurich That's devastatingly low - at 40. 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. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. We safeguard and restore wetlands for people and nature. But bear in mind that this tidal amplitude may be greatly affected by the weather and you should also consult the weather forecast in Porto, the wind in Porto and the surf forecast in Porto before you go fishing. 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. 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. 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. At noon the tidal coefficient increases to 69. 7 years ago. ft. home is a 2 bed, 1.0 bath property. Scientists and conservationists highlighted the threats to freshwater biodiversity stemming from hydropower dams and obstacles in the Douro river. The boat crew were professional, helpful & friendly. Our ship featured a tour to Grahams, a gorgeous facility that included a visit to the winery in addition to a tasting. Does any one have experience with this river and any suggestions on the best time to go to avoid a problem. 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. The drainage basin borders those of Mio to the north, Ebro to the east, and Tajo to the south.[10][11]. MLS # 40383059 And remember: a nice glass of wine is never out of reach on this journey. Large coefficients indicate important high and low tides; major currents and movements usually take place on the sea bed. These studies (some in Portuguese, some in English) and presentations (in Portuguese) can be found on the Douro Vivo Network website: The Douro Vivo Network is led by GEOTA in partnership with International Union for Conservation of Nature Center for Mediterranean Cooperation, Wetlands International Europe, WWF Portugal, and the Inducar Network. 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. The motorcoaches are new, clean and comfortable (with bathrooms onboard, if necessary). 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. Shipowners and Captain, have full authority to make decisions about changes in sailing times and itineraries. The latter includes wine producing areas such as the Ribera del Duero DOP. The Douro basin is the largest river basin in the Iberian Peninsula and heavily impacted by dams. Enclose phrases in quotes. Booked an all-day cruise up to the wine estates and then back by train - started well, average continental breakfast. 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. Nothing in the information given us by Viking indicated that all river traffic on the Douro in April is "ify" at best. I can't locate any news regarding these issues. Report inappropriate content Diva Porto, Portugal Level Contributor 11 posts 2 reviews 2. "It's hard to say that [what happened in 2018] had to do with global warming," said AmaWaterways' Schreiner, who has followed river water levels in Europe closely for nearly three decades. Thus, river cruise ships have a very narrow margin in which to operate; a sweet spot where the water isnt so low that the hull touches bottom, and not so high that bridges and overhead obstructions become impassable. We returned by train after free time in Regua at 4.50pm arriving in Porto at 7pm. This enables operators to use motorcoaches to complete the itinerary as scheduled, while still allowing guests to continue to use their floating accommodations each evening. VERY DISAPPOINTING!SO-- to make a long story short, we paid big dollars to have a river cruise only to get a bus tour and even then did not see the sites advertised in the billing. 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 at Foz do Douro. 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. Moreover, the new information will be used to change public perception of the impacts of hydropower on river ecosystems and to create a movement to support river protection and restoration. The good news is the scenery is just gorgeous and varies throughout the region, so there's a lot to look at. Cruises on the Douro River may not have quite the same pull as other European rivers, but its beautiful scenery of sloping wine terraces give it the edge. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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). A river cruise that is possible one week can change on a dime, becoming problematic for the following sailing. 55 helpful votes 1. 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 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. July, August, and September are the three warmest months, respectively. Mid-July through August is another good time for snagging deals; the region can be very hot then. This usually involves putting guests up in hotels on the cruise lines dime and arranging for coach transportation and guides that werent originally needed. BUT the BMW is a car and the VW is a car so we actually delivered on our contract. All in all, a Douro River cruise comprises so many small discoveries, small pleasures and such a generous amount of time sailing on a riverboat that you'll be lulled into a relaxing rhythm that's far away from frantic sightseeing and over-scheduled days. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. Alternatively, you may use, InterContinental Porto - Palacio Das Cardosas, an IHG Hotel. 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? You will find most of the itinerary highlights on all the lines. Tel. Observation Decks & Towers, Churches & Cathedrals, Historic Sites, Civic Centres, Architectural Buildings. The length of time the moon will be visible is 14 hours and 32 minutes. Remember, look for the comfort zones and you will find the fish. Typically, seven or 10-night trips begin with land tours in Lisbon before passengers are transported by motorcoach to their ships. 3. All images are copyrighted to their respectful owners and we make every effort to credit photographers. In these isolated areas, in which the Aldeadvila Dam impounds the river, there are protected areas: the International Douro Natural Park (on the Portuguese side) and the Arribes del Duero Natural Park (on the Zamoran margin). 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. 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! Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The old travel adage, forewarned is forearmed, is very appropriate. Lines sailing this Portuguese-Spanish waterway include AmaWaterways, APT, A-ROSA, CroisiEurope, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises and Emerald Waterways. Pocinho is near the very small city of Foz Ca, which is close to Ca Valley Paleolithic Art site. Press any day in the tide table to load all the information. You can have confidence in our experts' dedication to traveler safety, comfort, & providing a seamless trip. 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. So dont stress about the what-ifs; be excited about your amazing journey through the vineyards and history of Portugal. water level made us too high to clear a bridge. [9], It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula after the Tagus and Ebro. So pack in layers, and don't forget your bathing suit. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. on Twitter The most important tributaries in this region are the Pisuerga, passing through Valladolid, and the Esla, which passes through Zamora. We are booked to cruise the Duoro late June and hope the levels will have subsided by then. Decommissioning of dams and re-naturalization of river sections can improve the situation not only for pearl mussels but also for migratory fish populations. 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). Example: +water -Europe 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. Moreover, they shared approaches to restore and protect this natural hotspot. Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, has some 2,000 years of history behind it. 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. There's enough water! You'll also likely visit Mateus Palace, known for its gorgeous gardens. 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 Plan Far, Far Ahead, Porto (Leixoes) (Photo:ESB Professional/Shutterstock), Cruise ship in Port (Photo: joyfull/Shutterstock.com). Helping you make informed cruise decisions.