Douro River Rowing tours

Are you getting ready for the 2020 touring season? Would you like to know about the relation of Porto and Harry Potter?

Rowing in Europe is specialized in Tour rowing on European waters.  Today they post about a tour in Portugal. They describe a wonderful possibility of rowing vacation in Portugal: Portugal’s most magnificent river –the Douro river.

The Douro River Rowing Tour

The river and the Douro Vinhateiro (wine growing-area) of the Douro Valley in Portugal has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Traditionally, the wine was taken downriver in flat-bottom boats called rabelos, to be stored in barrels in cellars just across the river from Porto. Dams with locks (we will meet 3 of them) were built along the river, allowing river traffic.

The area of the Douro has a microclimate allowing the cultivation of olives, almonds, and especially wine grapes. The region where we row, around Pinhão is considered to be the centre of Port wine. Believe us: There are also fantastic red and white wines to taste. Join us: Rowing vacation in Portugal. Shop registration

Regua, Rowing in Portugal, Credit Minolta

Kick off in Porto

The Douro river rowing tour is a great adventure. We will start in Porto: Most of you know J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter, a series of fantasy novels. But are you familiar with the fact that she got a lot of her ideas from the Porto and Douro area? Just look at some of the University and Students uniforms: They just look like the Hogwarts. Or visit the Wood Craft store “Escovaria de Belmonte”, a company which produces luxury brushes and gave the ideas for the riding brooms.

Among Potterheads, the most recognizable landmark is easily the Livraria Lello & Irmão, a beautiful Art Nouveau bookshop in the heart of the city that first opened in 1881. Believed to have inspired Flourish and Blotts, where Hogwarts students purchase their school books, it also stands out due to the elaborately designed grand staircase, similar to the staircases in the school (except for the fact that it doesn’t move). More: see here:

The Douro River Rowing Tour: The trip

Our trip starts in Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, which can be easily reached by air (Easyjet, Ryan Air, TAP, Delta, AUS) from almost all European Airports and selected Airports in the USA/CAN, GER/SUI/UK/FR and AUS/NZ.

After a train transfer to the boats, we will row 4,5 days with daily stretches of 22-30 km and arrive in Porto after a total of 120 km. A safety boat will join us, esp.when entering the locks.

Wine tasting and local dinners

For those who are interested, we offer 2-3 wine tasting possibilities (Port – Red Wine – Vinho Verde) and get acquainted with the Portuguese wine culture. Dinners are at local restaurants.

This trip should be on your bucket list. Rowing in Europe has performed this trip many times. Taylor, one of the organizers told us, that “we have had very many persons rowing on this river in the previous month. Not one single complaint”. They offer 3* (basic), 4* (good), 5* (superior)  touring packages and individual group service.

The avg. tour includes:

4 or 5 Nights in 3* and 4* Hotel

• 4,5 rowing days
• Local tour support, languages ENG/POR/GER/FRE
• Boat rental / Lunches
• Welcome and Farewell
• Double room accommodations

Prices:

Starting at: 1.250€*

4* Douro Tour: August 2022, starting : 1550€ *

3* Douro Tour:  Mai Tour:  starts at 1.350€*

Not included:

Safety boat/train transfer, extra nights, (* Price based on 15 participants)

Are you interested in this tour? Register in our shop or contact/ register here: Application-Forms-16

Disclaimer: This is a guests post. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opionon, policy or position of any Rowperfect staff.