We went on the Viking Torguil cruise in April 2016. The scenic Douro railway line runs close to the river. This makes for a relaxing, easygoing vibe onboard, and the scenery is magnificent, including an intriguing series of locks. Wondering if any locals can provide insight into the extreme water levels of the Duoro River that are causing river cruises to be cancelled. 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. If you own rights to any of the images and they are not credited, or you do not wish them to appear on our site, please contact us at [emailprotected]. Large coefficients indicate important high and low tides; major currents and movements usually take place on the sea bed. 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. Outright cancellation. 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. We plan on taking a Viking cruise on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Most of the attractions are well off the river, requiring motorcoach transportation that averaged about 45 minutes per place. The Douro river ( Duero in spanish) is 475 mi (765 km) long. 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. Viking had known about this condition for at least two prior weeks but did not notify their customers. The third chart has it between brackets like: 04.55h heigh tide (4m), 11.24h low tide (0.6m), etc. Mid-July through August is another good time for snagging deals; the region can be very hot then. [9], It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula after the Tagus and Ebro. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. In the more rural stops, however, English isn't necessarily understood away from your group and guide; a phrasebook comes in handy. The moon set at 6:00 h at 302 northwest. 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. Corrections? Alternatively, you may use. 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 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. 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. River cruise lines will typically attempt to keep your itinerary as operational as possible. I looked it up; we call them grey mullet (not to be confused with my hair style). Porto. Salamanca: An absolute highlight of a Douro cruise, Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, is one of the most gorgeous cities in Spain. Save. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. Consequently, even a small change or break will cause fish to move from one location to another. 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. It flows W across N Spain, then southwest to form part of the Spanish-Portuguese border before flowing W across N Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean at Prto. 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. 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. Typically, seven or 10-night trips begin with land tours in Lisbon before passengers are transported by motorcoach to their ships. 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. To improve the knowledge on the impacts of existing dams (including the Portuguese Large Dam Program) and projected new dams, the Douro Vivo Network studied the cumulative impacts of hydropower on ecosystems and livelihoods. We safeguard and restore wetlands for people and nature. To mitigate issues, Viking runs sister ships sailing the same itinerary, but in opposite directions. Private Douro River Sailing Cruise 49 Recommended Day Cruises from $137.68 per adult (price varies by group size) 3-hour Port and Douro Wines Tasting Tour With 10 Tastings 126 Recommended Private and Luxury from $42.21 per adult Porto: Morning City Tour with Six Bridges Cruise and Lunch 5 Bus Tours from $69.27 per adult 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. BUT the BMW is a car and the VW is a car so we actually delivered on our contract. 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. On the other hand, you run the risk of a modified itinerary because your riverboat may not be able to get under a low bridge due to the high water caused by snowmelt and rains. If youre curious about Douro River cruises, heres everything you need to know. The inverse is true: just because a sailing is having to operate with adjustments and modifications one week doesnt mean that the following weeks will be the same. In Porto and in Salamanca, where the primary languages are Portuguese and Spanish, respectively, English-speakers can get around well enough. 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. Its a huge logistical nightmare, and one that is guaranteed to displease some. 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. Not their fault - blame it on the Spanish up stream! It formed a historical barrier to invasions, creating a cultural/linguistic divide. The Douro railway line (Linha do Douro) was completed in 1887; it connects Porto, Rio Tinto, Ermesinde, Valongo, Paredes, Penafiel, Livrao, Marco de Canaveses, Rgua, Tua and Pocinho. Porto: Porto serves as a port of embarkation and/or port debarkation for Douro cruises. 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. Report inappropriate content NewJerseyCyclist New Jersey Level Contributor 154 posts 2. My Bookings. Pinhao: Most of your time docked in Pinhao, part of the gorgeous Vila Real district, will be spent on excursions to places like Quintana do Seixo (part of the mighty Sandemans conglomerate) to taste port and learn how it was made. These events are inconvenient, but it is important to remember that they arent all that likely to happen, and certainly not all the time. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. 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. What happens if high/low water levels affect my sailing? Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, has some 2,000 years of history behind it. (Tours often leave one dock in the morning and return for lunch at another as the ship moves from place to place.) 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 Its Latinized form Durius derives from a hydronymic root *dur-, which is Pre-Indo-European or Pre-Celtic. 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. Updates? Unannounced releases of water from upstream Spanish dams occasionally causes navigation issues in these locks. Data available from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2024 *. In Portugal, the Douro flows through the districts of Bragana, Guarda, Viseu, Vila Real, Aveiro and Porto. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. (One of the five we went through, Carrapatelo -- the largest in Portugal -- represented a drop (or rise) of 115 feet.). Re: Douro River 17 years ago Save Hi Yes! +31 (0) 318 660 910, E-mail: [emailprotected], Wetlands International-European Association, Mundo J, It sounds cheesy, but the best thing you can do should the unexpected arise is to go with the flow. While it's best known for the production of port wine (wine that's fortified with the addition of brandy), it's also a bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis. In some cases, ships are operated by DouroAzul, a Portugal-based company that owns much of the region's cruising infrastructure, from docking facilities to a fleet of river ships. Just because one year was affected by abnormally-heavy rainfall doesnt mean the following one will be identical. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 55 helpful votes 1. 2024: Cruise through the dramatic UNESCO-designated Douro River Valley on an extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers. I can't locate any news regarding these issues. There is very little to do, but a nightcap in the gorgeous hotel -- The Vintage House -- is well worth it. 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. The river has an half dozen dams on its course, the crossing of the dam locks it's another of the highlights (besides the landscape). 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. 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. Casa Lis, an art deco and art nouveau museum, is housed in a palace with stained-glass ceilings and windows and the Puente Romano (Roman Bridge). Consider this, too: this could have been one of several sailings that the crew has had to deal with so far this season. See ourfeatured river cruise sailings >>, Talk with Teresa Skeim who has over 30 years experience for more ideas planning your trip >>. If in difficulty, those with swimming pools on board can empty them. 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). None of these small, fast-flowing rivers is navigable. What problem?? 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. 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). The Douro basin is the largest river basin in the Iberian Peninsula and heavily impacted by dams. Some of the places in which you'll dock are actually nothing much but piers with access to a place to board the motorcoaches. In the last decade, Douro River cruises have become increasingly popular. Vega de Terron is located about 125 miles east of Porto and is the most eastern cruise port on the Douro. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Call 1.406.541.2677 Start Planning My Trip 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 northern Portugal. Wetlands International Europes role in the Network is to help achieve enhanced conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable use of the river Douro through lobby and advocacy at EU level and by facilitating transboundary cooperation in the basin. 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). New for 2023 - Zurich & the Rhine River Valley 10 days from Nuremberg to Zurich water level made us too high to clear a bridge, From Amsterdam To Paris On An Avalon Waterways Active Discovery Cruise, 10 Ways River Cruising May Surprise and Delight You, Scandinavia and Northern Europe Cruise Reviews. Douro_eng. The Water Level is defined as the height, in meters above the geoid, of the reflecting surface of continental water bodies. For up to date GENERAL overview of water levels in Europe please visit http://riverinfo.eu/ Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from Porto . 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. The Douro's last five dams are in Portugal, and allow for navigation: Pocinho, Valeira, Rgua, Carrapatelo, and CrestumaLever dams. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of 35 metres (115ft). 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. At a press conference on July 23rd, the Douro Vivo Network launched seven studies providing new information on the Douro river basin ecosystem. Most trips are roundtrip from Porto, which is a coastal city in western Portugal located near the Atlantic Ocean. 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. Moreover, they shared approaches to restore and protect this natural hotspot. 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 Gothic-esque, multi-story Livraria Lello was the inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Its a huge logistical nightmare, and one that is guaranteed to displease some. [6] In Roman times, the river was personified as a god, Durius. Still, river cruise industry leaders say they haven't seen a pattern yet that gives them pause. This means at this moment you need to be prepared for a wave of, TIDES4FISHING | SWELL FORECAST IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, Remember that you can check the tides at your fishing point from your smartphone with Nautide, the. About 14% of waves will be higher than the significant wave height (about 1 in every 7 waves). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-68898124', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises are schedule this means that the river has "sufficient water" for it the water level in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is normal to expect a wave of twice the height of the significant wave about 3 times in 24 hours. It's also where you'll Se Cathedral, built in the 12th century to serve as fortress as well as church. For the best value pricing, shoulder season months, like March to early May and then again in November, offer the cheapest fares, but weather can be cool and rainy. If there's a problem on one side of the river, guests can transfer to the other ship. Unlike you, they dont get to leave instead, theyre treated to greeting busloads of unhappy guests week after week. [11] The Douro River basin encompasses an area of approximately 97,290 square kilometres.[12]. A folk-etymological derivation suggests that the name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish for "golden".[7][8]. The day ends with a tidal coefficient of 73. The Douro has a long cruise season, typically beginning in late March and running into November, though Viking has sailings into December. Use a + to require a term in results and - to exclude terms.

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