The Douro River

 Scenery is the attraction on the Douro River, which twists and turns through steep, slopes of vineyards  and rocky cliffs. The Douro flows from Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, to the Spanish border. Port, the fortified wine which is named after the city of Porto is prevalent and so there will be lots of tastings en route.

The Journey: The Douro flows from north central Spain to the southwest and into northern Portugal, ending in the Atlantic at Porto, Portugal.
Riverboat cruises sail from Porto to Vega de Terron, on the border with Spain, a distance of 210km, and you pass through five locks as you go. Your cruise will either start or end with a tour of Porto, an elegant city built on steep hills that is most famous for its port wine lodges. Along the river , you will stop at Regua, in the heart of port wine country, for excursions to Lamego, where the main attraction is the 18th-century Nossa Senhora dos Remedios pilgrimage church, which is located at the top of a 686-step baroque staircase.
Other stops include  Pinhao, a favourite spot for port wine tastings, and Vega de Terron for a full-day excursion to the city of Salamanca in Spain. Vega is in Spain; when you rejoin the vessel after a day away, it will have turned around and be moored at Barca d’Alva, on the Portuguese side of the river, for a  following day excursion to small Castelo de Rodrigo.
You can also add a couple of nights in Lisbon at the start or end of the cruise

Must Do:  Salamanca is  known as the Golden City due to its yellow sandstone buildings. It is also the home of one of the oldest universities in the world. Walk around the local market and try some of the local hams and dried sausage as well as the oranges. Visit the cathedrals and churches, and try a variety of tapas and beer on one of the largest squares in Spain.
Pinhao is a charming little town  which comes to life in the autumn for the grape harvest. Visit  the railway station which is  decorated with the blue-and-white tiles (azulejos) that are famous in Portugal. Then stop for a glass of port or local wine on a terrace near the dock, with views over the river.