Why I Love Being a Tour Manager
17/03/2025 · By Tim Hall
Hear from Tim Hall about his life as a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and his expert tips on packing and arriving for the Eurostar at London St Pancras.
Read morePorto is a vibrant hub of culture, history and irresistible cuisine. Built on a set of hills, cobblestone lanes zig zag through different neighbourhoods where houses are painted in rich tones of saffron, burnished orange and burgundy. Portugal's second largest city has been a commercial port since Roman times. Set along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, the city's Historic Centre, including the famous iron bridge of Luiz I and the Monastery of Serra do Pilar, has UNESCO World Heritage status. The city's ornate 14th-century Church of St Francis is an elaborate example of Gothic style, while the Porto Cathedral features a blend of architectural styles and sits atop the city, overlooking the Douro River.
There's no better place in the world to taste the velvety fortified port wine than in one of Porto's historic port wine cellars, or to witness the best examples of Portugal's dazzling blue and white tiles (azulejos). The city's popular riverside district of Ribeira brims with cafés, waterfront restaurants and wine bars. In the summer months along the Esplanade, you can also catch a free concert of music ranging from folk, pop, and blues to jazz.
To explore Porto, wander its atmospheric narrow cobblestone streets, or climb aboard one of the city's heritage streetcars, mustard-coloured trams, from the riverside up towards the historic city or west towards the lighthouse.
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Porto's Palácio da Bolsa is a breathtaking neoclassical monument, once the Stock Exchange and now a World Heritage site. Inside are some amazing interiors, which you can view on Lisbon & The Douro Valley Cruise, including a magnificent staircase and lavishly decorated Arab Room.
On the Exclusive Golden Douro River Cruise you can experience a superb port wine tasting, along with beautiful views over Porto and the Douro, and a delicious dinner in the atmospheric setting of one of Porto's historic wine cellars.
Porto is celebrated for its sunsets, and you can view Porto from the water at the golden hour, during a sunset cruise at the start of the tour Exclusive Golden Douro River Cruise watching as the setting sun casts a warm glow across the bridges and spires of the city's skyline.
The striking blue-and-white ceramic tiles seen in Porto have Moorish roots, and often depict flowers, animals or historic scenes. On our 5-Star cruise, Discover the Douro you can visit an azulejo workshop and discover more about the age-old artform.
Setting sail from Porto, enjoy a fantastic 7-night cruise along the golden Douro. After a convenient flight to our floating hotel, drift through golden valleys alongside enchanting towns and past regal wine estates. Our cruise reveals the timeless beauty of this serene river, stopping at wonderful ports along the way. Tracing the winding course...
Soak up the rich history, laid-back culture and beautiful landscapes in Portugal. Discover the vibrant city of Lisbon, with its stunning viewpoints, old castle and fabulous squares. Experience the awe-inspiring palaces of Sintra, explore the colourful harbour city of Porto and travel by rail into the terraced vineyards of the breathtaking Douro...
Flowing from Northern Spain to the Atlantic Ocean, the Douro river carves our route through a rolling landscape of vineyards and idyllic locations. On this Iberian holiday, explore the Douro Valley by rail, travelling from Spain's 'Golden City' of Salamanca and through Portugal's beautiful countryside. Experience the region's iconic wine and...
Travel to sensational Lisbon and explore Sintra's palaces on a Portuguese voyage of discovery, before embarking on a fantastic 7-night cruise along the golden Douro. Drifting through golden valleys alongside enchanting towns and past regal wine estates, our cruise reveals the timeless beauty of this serene river, stopping at wonderful ports along...
Combining superb excursions and awe-inspiring views from a custom-built ship, this brand-new tour delivers a fascinating insight into Portuguese culture on guided tours, onboard events and port tastings. Leaving Porto after a spellbinding sunset cruise, the MS Estrela sails into Portugal's golden Douro Valley. Visits to Lamego Cathedral, Castelo...
Fly to Lisbon to uncover the sights of the capital on a guided tour including a trip on a heritage tram. After visiting Sintra's colourful palaces, journey to Porto to board a brand-new ship for a cruise along the golden Douro. Superb excursions to Lamego Cathedral, Castelo Rodrigo, Salamanca and Mateus Palace are enhanced by dinner at a...