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DOURO RIVER CRUISE - 1 DAY - PORTO-PINHAO-PORTO

DOURO RIVER CRUISE - 1 DAY - PORTO-PINHAO-PORTO

Old Apr 16th, 2014, 10:10 AM
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DOURO RIVER CRUISE - 1 DAY - PORTO-PINHAO-PORTO

In May 2014, would like to do a 1 day Douro River Cruise, PORTO-PINHAO-PORTO, 1 direction boat and the other by train.
Can anybody tell me which is better on the boat, upstream or downstream, and why?
Also can anybody recommend a good company to do it with?
Any other suggestions welcome, thanks
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 10:29 AM
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I'm not much on river cursing, but we've watched them coming upriver a few times and it would seem to me that going upriver would be more interesting option.

You can check the following:
www.rentdouro.com
www.portodouro.com
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Old Apr 19th, 2014, 06:06 AM
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anybody else?
thanks
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Old Apr 21st, 2014, 04:08 AM
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I agree with Robert's attitude about these day cruises. I will also say that the most beautiful stretch of the Douro is from Pinhao to Pocinho, which is only accessible by train. If you will have a car, I'd suggest driving from Porto to Pinhao and then hopping on the train for that 45 minute ride (each way). There is a short stop in Pocinho for the conductor to get a coffee, then back it goes. Driving would also let you stop in Amarante, a town I like very much.

Or a train all the way from Porto to Peso da Regua, where you can change to the little local train to the end of the line at Pocinho.

I know that's not what you asked, but since you're not getting much response on the cruising question, I thought I'd throw out some options.
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Old Apr 27th, 2014, 06:19 AM
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thanks !
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Old May 19th, 2014, 07:42 PM
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Thanks Barry for asking the question as its the same one I have. I'll be in Porto for 3 days and was thinking about doing a one day river cruise. But frankly Ive heard conflicting reports.
Laurie, your suggestion opens another possibility. I will not have a car, would it be possible to take train to Pinhao and then switch to go to Pocinho?
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Old May 19th, 2014, 07:52 PM
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Cruiseluv, you can take the train to Pinhao, but Pocinho is not in the Douro, unless I'm missing something. You will have to return to Porto to catch the train south.
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Old May 22nd, 2014, 04:14 AM
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Hi Cruiseluv
We did this excursion last week.
We took the train from Santo Bento to Regua at about 11am; got onto a cruise that went from Regua to Pinhao (left Regua at 3pm) and got to Pinhao and took the train back to Porto from Pinhao at 6.20 pm
Buy a return ticket from Santo Bento, and then a cruise ticket for 22 euro which gives you a train ticket Pinhao-Regua.
The train both ways was a great way to see the Douro, as was the hour and half cruise.
We were very happy we did this.
If you need any more info about this or Porto, email me at [email protected]
cheers !
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Old May 23rd, 2014, 05:18 PM
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Hi, cruiseluv,

Pocinho is the last train station on the line from Regua. It is on the Douro. There are no roads along the river at that point, so boat or train is the only access. The train ride from Pinhao to Pocinho takes about 45 minutes, and it is by far the prettiest stretch of the Douro between Porto and Pocinho.

Cruiseluv, if you're taking a train from Porto you may well be sick of trains by the time you get to Pinhao, however. But I believe the little train I am talking about starts in Regua, stops in Pinhao and then continues along to Pocinho. I wouldn't take a boat from Porto, if you can get a boat from Regua to Pinhao I'd say that's the next best thing after the train from Pinhao to Pocinho. In any event, it's a beautiful part of the country.
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Old May 23rd, 2014, 05:34 PM
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DouroAzul, upstream.
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Old May 25th, 2014, 05:21 AM
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Thank you so much for the responses. I'll check the train schedules. Yes lreynolds, it might be too much train for one day!
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Old Nov 12th, 2014, 02:49 AM
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Thank you. Just happened to find out about this train trip so have decided to take it from Porto and back and then onto Lisbon - all in the one day. We did 105 days last year - mostly around Europe and UK by train. It was fantastic. Trains left on time and arrived on time... every single time. We are returning next year to do the southern part of Europe in 67 days. Trouble is we start from Australia, so have to do as much as we can. Thank you so much. You have convinced me to do this train trip as well.
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 02:26 PM
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Wow, this sounds great. We've been to Porto twice but haven't been up the river--will do next time!
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