River cruise checklist: Weather and water levels - Travel Weekly Its historic centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its significant architecture and history. Mid-August is the hottest time of the year, with highs of 85.3F (29.6C) and lows around 59.6F (15.3C) rarely falling below this range. 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. What problem?? Tel. Having been on the Douro in early April during a period of higher-than-average water levels that prevented river cruise vessels from sailing for a short period, one thing passengers repeatedly . Viking had known about this condition for at least two prior weeks but did not notify their customers. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [6] The meaning of this element is however unknown. And remember: a nice glass of wine is never out of reach on this journey. Adjacent areas produce port (a mildly fortified wine) and other agricultural produce. However, we were already in Lisbon before receiving this notice and therefore could not exercise our option to cancel under the terms of our insurance and get our money back. We can sympathize; after all, if we liked coach tours, wed call our site. In the last decade, Douro River cruises have become increasingly popular. Call 1.406.541.2677 Start Planning My Trip Douro_eng. River water levels - Portugal Forum - Tripadvisor Viking Cruises' website states that "low water levels will affect select river itineraries." Impacted travelers will be contacted by the cruise line. . The moon set at 6:00 h at 302 northwest. MLS # 40383059 For those who love being "at sea" on the river, there's plenty of time spent cruising. Talk with a specialist to plan your next adventure! 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. Because of the high levels of humidity, the winter months are frigid, but the rest of the year is pleasant, with a reasonable probability of rain. Get to Known Basic Spanish and/or Portuguese or Pack a Phrase Book. +31 (0) 318 660 910, [emailprotected] Data available from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2024 *. July, August, and September are the three warmest months, respectively. 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. A small tributary of the river has the Ca Valley Paleolithic Art site which is considered important to the archaeological pre-historic patrimony, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No one knew it was a problem until our departure. Passengers booked on upcoming Rhine and Danube river cruises should monitor their email for updates from travel advisors or the cruise lines themselves, and keep an eye on the weather forecasts.. The scenic Douro railway line runs close to the river. Scientists and conservationists highlighted the threats to freshwater biodiversity stemming from hydropower dams and obstacles in the Douro river. on Facebook, Wetlands International European Association, Douro River (Porto) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor The length of time the moon will be visible is 14 hours and 32 minutes. 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. m stands for meter (water level) Edited: 8 years ago. High Water, Low Water: Dealing With Water Levels on a River Cruise The drainage basin was depopulated in the 8th century. 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). Be Prepared for a Ride to Reach Off-ship Douro River Attractions. This article is about the river. 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. For other uses, see, "Duero" redirects here. The Gothic-esque, multi-story Livraria Lello was the inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Explore more travel destination possibilities and experience the world first hand. Speaking of water in the Douro, here is a question I've been meaning to ask someone from Porto . Scientists uncover new information on the Douro river ecosystem And while there are tons of souvenir shops scattered all over the old town selling magnets and such, don't miss A Vida Portuguesa for high-quality, handmade products that are designed and crafted in Portugal. Our personal expertise & experience, local partners in our destinations, & access to over 150 small ships are all invaluable to designing your unique journey. Nowadays port is transported there in tanker trucks. On sounding boards like TripAdvisor, many disgruntled river cruisers wonder publicly why they werent informed prior to their international flights, suggesting that, given the choice, theyd opt to cancel and take a refund or another sailing date. Itineraries vary very little between cruise lines. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Observation Decks & Towers, Churches & Cathedrals, Historic Sites, Civic Centres, Architectural Buildings. 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. Low bridges, power lines, and other navigational obstacles restrict the height of a vessel. 747 reviews. On the Douro, this option is really only open to companies like CroisiEurope and Viking River Cruises that operate more than one vessel in the region. Also aiding Douro river cruises in proceeding as scheduled is the fact that many ports of call are positioned geographically close to one another. 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. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Douro River Cruises: Tips for Sailing Portugal and Spains Magical Waterway, Douro River Cruises Offer Tantalizing Scenery, Gastronomy and Relaxing Sailing, Expect a Long Season of Douro River Cruises, Selecting the Right Douro River Cruise Line for Your, Douro River Cruise Itineraries: Cruises to Suit Every Traveler, Douro River Cruise Destinations: Witness Ancient History and Quaint Quinta, Douro River Cruise Tips: From Weather and Climate to Pre-Planning advice, Drinking on the Douro: What to Sip on Your Portugal River Cruise. In 1998, Portugal and Spain signed the Albufeira Convention, an agreement on the sharing of trans-boundary rivers to include the Douro, Tagus and Guadiana. Unannounced releases of water from upstream Spanish dams occasionally causes navigation issues in these locks. 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. Enclose phrases in quotes. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of 35 metres (115ft). Not their fault - blame it on the Spanish up stream! Porto. The Netherlands Please, use with caution. 2024: Cruise through the dramatic UNESCO-designated Douro River Valley on an extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers. water level made us too high to clear a bridge. Duoro River Water Levels - Porto Forum - Tripadvisor The river mouth is silted, and the artificial port of Leixes (erected in 1892 and further developed in 1916) has grown up to the north of the estuary. 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. Unlike a river cruise that is scheduled to sail between Amsterdam and Budapest, the distances that have to be sailed on a Douro river cruise are minimal. Europe's drought could signal the death of river cruising - 9News It is rising in the Sierra de Urbin, N central Spain. We left at 8am, breakfasted on board the boat, cruised along the beautiful Douro Valley, passing through amazing locks, and had an excellent 3 course lunch before arriving in Regua at 3pm. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Porto is the main hub city in northern Portugal. We additionally point out in the chart the periods of greatest activity during the year with a big blue fish on the period bar + info, Arcozelo | Barra do Douro | Crestuma (Rio Douro) | Labruge | Lavra | Lea da Palmeira | Leixes | Mindelo | Porto (Rio Douro) | Pvoa de Varzim | So Flix da Marinha | Valadares | Vila Ch | Vila do Conde | Vila Nova de Gaia, Barra do Douro (4.1 km) | Vila Nova de Gaia (4.5 km) | Valadares (7 km) | Leixes (8 km) | Arcozelo (11 km) | Lea da Palmeira (11 km) | So Flix da Marinha (12 km) | Crestuma (Rio Douro) (13 km) | Lavra (15 km) | Espinho (15 km) | Labruge (18 km) | Vila Ch (20 km) | Esmoriz (21 km) | Mindelo (22 km) | Vila do Conde (25 km) | Pvoa de Varzim (29 km) | Furadouro (30 km) | Carregal (31 km) | Ovar (33 km) | Puxadouro (34 km), Changes in pressure have a considerable influence on the activity of fish, Rapidly fluctuating either way is indication of good fishing, TIDES4FISHING | WEATHER CONDITIONS IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, 9:33, TIDES4FISHING | WEATHER FORECAST FOR PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, TIDES4FISHING | ULTRAVIOLET INDEX IN PORTO (RIO DOURO) | 4 MARCH 2023, DAILY EVOLUTION OF WATER TEMPERATURE IN PORTO (RIO DOURO). Unlike you, they dont get to leave instead, theyre treated to greeting busloads of unhappy guests week after week. 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]. This is considered important to the archaeological pre-historic patrimony, and it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Header image: View on So Domingos Mountain and Douro river Paulo Cardoso on Unsplash, Share this post: [9], It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula after the Tagus and Ebro. The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries. So pack in layers, and don't forget your bathing suit.