Douro delights – why a river cruise in Portugal is a must-do

Lisbon or Porto? This is a tricky question when it comes to a visit to Portugal. Both cities boast history, culture, great cuisine and friendly locals.

The good news is that on Viking’s popular 10-day 'Portugal’s River of Gold' journey you can enjoy both cities and also get to sail down the wonderful Douro river.

Your trip begins in Lisbon before you board your ship in Porto where you’ll sail up and down the Douro with a visit to the famous Spanish city of Salamanca.

It’s the perfect itinerary for anyone who wants to enjoy one of the world’s most picturesque rivers and see some amazing cities along the way. I’m travelling with my mum Ena, and we’re keen to see what’s so special about this proud sea-faring nation.

We have opted to stay in Lisbon for two days before the official journey begins and the centrally located hotel is the perfect base to explore the city.

As well as enjoying a fascinating four-hour complimentary tour of Lisbon, we also whizz around on the city’s iconic yellow trams and eat our body weight in custard tarts. What a great start to our trip.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling lived in Portugal for a time and, en route to Porto in a comfortable Viking coach, we visit Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in the world. Its magnificent golden library is lined with books as far as the eye can see, and was a big inspiration for Hogwarts school.

We reach Porto’s riverside by early evening and with our suitcases quickly unpacked in our stylish Veranda Suite, we head to the dining room for a delicious supper with the twinkling lights of the city heralding our arrival.

We are travelling on the compact Viking Helgrim, which plays host to only 106 guests. The ship has been specially designed to sail through the Douro’s narrow locks and what she lacks in size, she makes up for in style and on-board amenities.

Our spacious Veranda Suite is a delight, with modern Scandinavian-style décor, comfy beds, a powerful shower, walk-in closet and a generous balcony, just built for watching the world go by.

While we’re all keen to set sail next day, no one wants to miss the included tour of pretty Porto, so most of us leave the ship and head into town. Departing at 4pm, we wave goodbye to one of Portugal’s most magical cities, excited at what lies ahead on our journey.

Other European rivers may be more famous, but if you’ve explored the Rhine and the Danube, or you prefer to visit lesser-known destinations and enjoy pristine natural views, you’ll love the Douro.

Rising in Spain and flowing southwest through Portugal to join the Atlantic at Porto, this river is surrounded by steep valleys planted with the vines that make the country’s internationally famous wines.

Small towns like Régua and Pinhão line the banks and it’s easy to hop on and off the ship to pay a solo visit to these unspoilt spots.

On this itinerary you can also enjoy a port tasting at the Sandeman Estate, an inland trip to the cute village of Favaios, where you will enjoy a local four-course lunch, and an unmissable trip to the lively Spanish city of Salamanca.

Viking prides itself on its complimentary daily excursions and I can see why this policy is so popular with its guests. Not only are the trips themselves top quality, but the local guides are incredibly knowledgeable, offering amazing insight into the lives of the local people.

The Viking Helgrim is a great attraction in its own right too. On board you’ll find plenty of sunny common areas where you can sit and appreciate the splendour of the Douro, marvel at the river’s deep locks and take a leisurely dip in the swimming pool.

The food onboard is pretty special as well, with a menu that offers classics such as steak, salmon and Caesar salad while tasty local dishes include piri piri chicken and grilled sardines.

Guests are treated to complimentary wines at both lunch and dinner and you’ll be treated to a selection of great table wines from the Douro valley as well as a vast selection of port.

Sailing on the Viking Helgrim is a total pleasure, but don’t just take my word for it. ‘Do we have to get off ?’ says my mum as we disembark. The answer, I’m afraid, sadly, is yes.