Porto. The Douro (UK: / d r o, d r u /, US: / d r u, d r o, d o r u /, Portuguese: ; Spanish: Duero; Latin: Durius) is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula.It rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in the Spanish province of Soria, meanders south briefly then flows generally west through the northern part of the Meseta Central in Castile and Len into . I can't locate any news regarding these issues. 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. The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries. Sheep rearing is also still important. On August 5, authorities reported that water levels on the river have fallen to just 56 centimetres (22 inches) -- so low that cargo ships plying the Rhine are being forced to sail nearly. Large coefficients indicate important high and low tides; major currents and movements usually take place on the sea bed. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Cruises on this Portuguese and Spanish waterway stretch from Porto on the Atlantic Ocean, all the way east into Spain's Vega de Terron (essentially a docking station where passengers head to the gorgeous golden city of Salamanca). the water level in Douro river is controlled, so between winter and summer time there's no much difference, but of course winter months the level is slightly over the year average. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There are five locks positioned along its length that help ships transit to other levels and control the flow of the water downstream, aided by the region's climate that tends to be dry and hot for the summer months. Considering Tagging Extra Days onto Your Vacation to Explore Porto, Madrid or Lisbon. The latter includes wine producing areas such as the Ribera del Duero DOP. The Douro fully enters Portuguese territory just after the confluence with the gueda River; once the Douro enters Portugal, major population centres are less frequent along the river. The academic partners include the universities of Porto, Coimbra, Trs-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Nova University of Lisbon and the Polytechnic Institute of Bragana. What problem?? All this while temperatures soared past 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). Not their fault - blame it on the Spanish up stream! (Tours often leave one dock in the morning and return for lunch at another as the ship moves from place to place.) To mitigate issues, Viking runs sister ships sailing the same itinerary, but in opposite directions. Report inappropriate content. "It's hard to say that [what happened in 2018] had to do with global warming," said AmaWaterways' Schreiner, who has followed river water levels in Europe closely for nearly three decades. 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. Be Prepared for a Ride to Reach Off-ship Douro River Attractions. (Salamanca was the farthest away, some two hours drive.) To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Albert Dauzat linked this river name to a Pre-Celtic hydronymic root *dor- which is well attested in Western Europe: in France Doire, Doron, Douron, etc. Also hilly as it rises off the river, this area is best known for the port houses that stud its mountainside. Fish are cold blooded, which means their metabolism is strongly influenced by the temperature of their surrounding environment. Porto is the main hub city in northern Portugal. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Rising in the Sierra de Urbin in Spain, the river crosses the Numantian Plateau in a pronounced bend and flows generally westward for 556 miles (895 km) across Spain and northern Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean . Unannounced releases of water from upstream Spanish dams occasionally causes navigation issues in these locks. History isnt a good indicator of high or low water. 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. Consider this, too: this could have been one of several sailings that the crew has had to deal with so far this season. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 2. Report inappropriate content NewJerseyCyclist New Jersey Level Contributor 154 posts 2. The good news? For the rest of the trip, you'll be stopping at places like Bitetos, Regua, Pinhao, Barca d'Alva and Vega de Terron -- small rural villages that you've likely never heard of. Its historic centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its significant architecture and history. Pocinho is near the very small city of Foz Ca, which is close to Ca Valley Paleolithic Art site. The inverse is true: just because a sailing is having to operate with adjustments and modifications one week doesnt mean that the following weeks will be the same. What happens if high/low water levels affect my sailing? Still, river cruise industry leaders say they haven't seen a pattern yet that gives them pause. The Dom Luis Bridge, which you can cross by tram, car or on foot on either upper or lower levels, was designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. Although in most places we get a value very close to the actual sea water temperature, it may not be accurate in certain areas. Talk with a specialist to plan your next adventure! Most of the attractions are well off the river, requiring motorcoach transportation that averaged about 45 minutes per place. It flows W across N Spain, then southwest to form part of the Spanish-Portuguese border before flowing W across N Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean at Prto. Bookended by two genuinely intriguing cities -- Spain's Salamanca and Portugal's Porto -- a fair portion of the weeklong itinerary is actually pastoral and laid-back. Fortunately, the, You wont find any Douro valley cruises that travel in. Corrections? Answer 1 of 7: Wondering if any locals can provide insight into the extreme water levels of the Duoro River that are causing river cruises to be cancelled. River cruise lines will typically attempt to keep your itinerary as operational as possible. The reason for this was as there had been so much rain, the dam in Spain was full and head waters had to be released - this making the river unsafe for such trips.Disappointed, but understand the rationale. VERY DISAPPOINTING!SO-- to make a long story short, we paid big dollars to have a river cruise only to get a bus tour and even then did not see the sites advertised in the billing. For the best value pricing, shoulder season months, like March to early May and then again in November, offer the cheapest fares, but weather can be cool and rainy. The major tributaries of the Dourothe Esla, Pisuerga, and Arlanzn, all in Spainflow from the wetter northern zone; the southern tributaries are less important. The Douro river ( Duero in spanish) is 475 mi (765 km) long. Since the 1930s the Douro has been harnessed extensively for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys. Also take note of the Rabelos moored nearby on the Douro. Belgium, P.O. For up to date GENERAL overview of water levels in Europe please visit http://riverinfo.eu/ more, Authentic Douro Wine Tour Including Lunch and River Cruise. Get inspired by Nik & Dusty's world-wide adventures! Does any one have experience with this river and any suggestions on the best time to go to avoid a problem. About 14% of waves will be higher than the significant wave height (about 1 in every 7 waves). Get to Known Basic Spanish and/or Portuguese or Pack a Phrase Book. Analysis of impacts and definition of minimizing measures in a reservoir located in a KBA (Key Biodiversity Area). Massive wildfires swept through the region during the summer of 2017, with columns of smoke choking skies and water bombers roaring overhead in an attempt to control the blaze. What's most heartening about a cruise on the Douro is the small surprises. You'll also likely visit Mateus Palace, known for its gorgeous gardens. Alternate titles: Durius River, Ro Duero, Rio Douro. Most of the ships that ply the Douro have small swimming pools on their sun decks. Example: We traveled 1 1/2 hours by bus over winding roads to visit a palace where we had a half hour tour and then drove another 1 1/2 hour bus drive back to the boat. What's also fun is simply wandering around the waterfront and checking out less well-known tasting houses. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. And remember: a nice glass of wine is never out of reach on this journey. Explore more travel destination possibilities and experience the world first hand. New for 2023 - Zurich & the Rhine River Valley 10 days from Nuremberg to Zurich Dating back to the Roman Empire, it's first and foremost a university town since the 12th century. Re: River water levels. Consequently, even a small change or break will cause fish to move from one location to another. Vessels with a maximum length of 83 metres (272ft) and width of 11.4 metres (37ft) can pass through the five locks. This is the rarest option, exercised when no other alternatives are available. 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. This usually involves putting guests up in hotels on the cruise lines dime and arranging for coach transportation and guides that werent originally needed. In some cases, ships are operated by DouroAzul, a Portugal-based company that owns much of the region's cruising infrastructure, from docking facilities to a fleet of river ships. 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. It has a very high touristic value because it keeps many secrets from the time of the conquest, having a variety of castles and other buildings that form a window directly to the past. Each company does have input into their own operations, whether it's menus, tours or onboard ambience. Tel. Visits to a range of quintas, the Portuguese term for wineries, mostly focus on the region's famed port wines, but the winemakers in the Douro region also produce beautiful reds and whites. Our personal expertise & experience, local partners in our destinations, & access to over 150 small ships are all invaluable to designing your unique journey. 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. Prochilo says that many river cruise boats are specifically built with flatter hulls to deal with low water levels. Things will be normal in June, the dams are at their maximum capacity and may be still discharging a lot of water, but that's going to stop pretty soon, we need as much water as we can get. Whether a river has high or low water levels is something youre unlikely to consider when planning your river cruise. You'll pass must-sees like the Clrigos Church, the wooden rabelo boats which used to carry wine barrels across the river and the Nature Reserve Douro Estuary Site, a protected area with . Booked an all-day cruise up to the wine estates and then back by train - started well, average continental breakfast. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises operate in the margins. The cruise-ship tours, while good overviews of the making of port and the history of the area, are by no means satisfying enough. Call 1.406.541.2677 Start Planning My Trip This region is generally semi-arid plains, with wheat and in some places, especially near Aranda de Duero, with vineyards, in the Ribera del Duero wine region. CIBIO found that the presence of small hydropower plants deeply affect endangered pearl mussel populations. The old travel adage, forewarned is forearmed, is very appropriate. Generally, when high/low water levels hit the Douro, three options are available to cruise lines: One of the less-mentioned issues facing Douro river cruises is fire. 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. While the 2017 season was abnormally large, hot and dry summers create all the necessary conditions for potentially devastating wildfires. This enables operators to use motorcoaches to complete the itinerary as scheduled, while still allowing guests to continue to use their floating accommodations each evening. On Saturday, the water level at the German town of Kaub - a critical juncture - slipped to just 36 centimeters, or 14 inches, according to official figures. [11] The Douro River basin encompasses an area of approximately 97,290 square kilometres.[12]. The Wetlands International-European Association gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission. While we havent been delayed or inconvenienced on the Douro (other than one very wet, damp mid-March sailing), but we have experienced both high and low water events on all stretches of the Danube, the Rhine, the Main, and even the Mekong, which was swollen to an unbelievable height during a cruise a few years back that resulted in messy disembarkations at every port of call. Saving the best for last, the Plaza Major, the heart of Salamanca, is an 18th-century square, completely surrounded by golden limestone buildings and ringed with alfresco cafes. All in all, a Douro River cruise comprises so many small discoveries, small pleasures and such a generous amount of time sailing on a riverboat that you'll be lulled into a relaxing rhythm that's far away from frantic sightseeing and over-scheduled days. The reason for this was as there had been so much rain, the dam in Spain was full and head waters had to be released - this making the river unsafe for such trips. According to Claudio Snchez-Albornoz this was a deliberate act by Alfonso I of Asturias for the defence of his Kingdom, which led the area to be named Repoblacin. Porto. Today Saturday, 4th of March of 2023, the sun rose in Porto (Rio Douro) at 7:04:12 h and sunset will be at 18:28:13 h. In the high tide and low tide chart, we can see that the first high tide was at 1:30 h and the next high tide will be at 13:57 h. The first low tide was at 8:12 h and the next low tide will be at 20:17 h. Today we have 11 hours and 24 minutes of sun. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Porto (Leixoes) (Photo:ESB Professional/Shutterstock), Cruise ship in Port (Photo: joyfull/Shutterstock.com). A river cruise that is possible one week can change on a dime, becoming problematic for the following sailing. Example: +water -Europe Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile. On Saturday, the water level at the German town of Kaub - a critical juncture - slipped to just 36 centimeters, or 14 inches, according to official figures. 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. The Douro vinhateiro (vine-land) of the Douro Valley in Portugal, long devoted to vineyards, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The first two charts have "height (m)" on the left. This usually involves putting guests up in hotels on the cruise lines dime and arranging for coach transportation and guides that werent originally needed. 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. Mid-July through August is another good time for snagging deals; the region can be very hot then. The Douro's last five dams are in Portugal, and allow for navigation: Pocinho, Valeira, Rgua, Carrapatelo, and CrestumaLever dams. The next five downstream are along the Portuguese-Spanish border; the first three are owned and operated by Portugal: (Miranda, Picote and Bemposta Dams), while the next two belong to Spain: (Aldeadvila and Saucelle Dams). and in Italy Dora, etc. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-68897250', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Douro River. 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. This is the rarest option, exercised when no other alternatives are available. The studies have increased the level of understanding of the Douro basin ecosystem and will be used to inform decision-makers, especially feeding the current drafting process of the third River Basin Management Plan for the Douro. Its a huge logistical nightmare, and one that is guaranteed to displease some. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of 35 metres (115ft). Be aware that it can be a lot cooler on the water so take a sweater or something like that with you. In general, this behavior varies for each species and place, so we can not specify an ideal water temperature, however as a general rule we will try to avoid the temperatures abnormally cold in summer and too warm in winter. What types of tides are there and how do they influence sport fishing? Report inappropriate content Diva Porto, Portugal Level Contributor 11 posts 2 reviews 2. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Lines sailing this Portuguese-Spanish waterway include AmaWaterways, APT, A-ROSA, CroisiEurope, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking . 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. It boasts a fantastic view of Porto across the river, and it has a fabulous bar and restaurant. Onone memorable sailing down the Danube, we only found out halfway through our voyage that the passage from Nuremberg to Passau was impossible; wed have to swap-ships (more on that later) to complete our journey.