- Standard cabin from £4,345pp
- Includes a free silver spirits drinks package
- Flights & Overseas Ground Transfers
- Onboard Meals + Wine & Beer with Lunch & Dinner
- An Included Excursion in Almost Every Port of Call
- Onboard Wi-Fi
- Gratuities & More
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Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards
Viking Helgrim
13th Apr 27
7 Nights
1
Porto, Portugal
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Porto holds a place of great traditional importance. The town lends its name to the port wine produced in the region and throughout the nation. Located along a rocky embankment, the city boasts picturesque neighborhoods, fashionable restaurants and lively markets. Like Lisbon, Porto has a rich past; its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow cobblestone streets brimming with romantic buildings spanning the centuries and a Romanesque cathedral. At the riverside, small barcos rabelos, boats once used to transport casks of wine, paint a charming scene.
2
Régua, Portugal
The peaceful town of Peso da Régua, commonly known as Régua, overlooks the Douro River with the Serra do Marão mountains as a stunning backdrop. In 1756, the Marquês de Pombal proclaimed this city as the center of his newly demarcated wine region, and it has remained so since. As such, the town is steeped in the wine-making culture. This is particularly true at Casa do Douro, the headquarters of the Port Wine Institute. Its beautiful stained glass windows are a tribute in light and glass to the rich history of port wine and its cultural significance to the region.
Historic Palace with Reflective Pond
Pinhão, Portugal
The sleepy town of Pinhão is situated between the Douro and Pinhão Rivers, in the epicenter of the valley’s port wine-making region. The climate and growing conditions here are perfect for port grapes and the surrounding landscape, festooned with vineyards, creates a serene experience. The biggest names in port have quintas, or wine estates, nearby. During the annual grape harvest in autumn, the village comes to life, attracting workers and wine enthusiasts from across the whole of Europe.
3
Barca d’Alva, Portugal
Journey through the Douro River valley into the history of fine Portuguese wine. Surrounded by terraced hills, spot some of the area’s quintas, or wine estates, clinging to the slopes, nestled snugly among their vines. In this beautiful and largely unspoiled region, olive and almond groves share the river’s banks with vineyards. And it is hard to ignore the fact that this journey follows in the wake of traditional barcos rabelos that once transported wine downriver to the waiting casks in Vila Nova de Gaia. Barca d’Alva is the last Portuguese town on the Douro River; this quaint river port is just a few hundred yards from the Spanish border. Cherry, almond and olive groves line the nearby banks, pointing the way to this unassuming frontier village. Its quayside sparkles in the Iberian sun, and it is the ideal port from which to truly appreciate the beauty of the Douro Valley. In either direction, terraced vineyards climb riverbanks and steep hills spill into river gorges. Simple cafés provide an authentic ambience and a bridge across the river leads to a picturesque photo opportunity of the village.
4
Salamanca, Spain
Founded by a Celtic tribe before the rise of the Roman Empire, Salamanca was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its beautifully preserved buildings. It is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1134, and its main square, bustling with students, is often called the most beautiful in Spain. The beauty of this richly historic city, besides the enormous Romanesque cathedral whose profile dominates the town, is the grace with which Salamanca retains a traditional Spanish village feel. It is a living museum that takes visitors back to the Middle Ages.
5
Pinhão, Portugal
Pinhão is surrounded by picture-postcard terraced hillsides that are synonymous with the Douro River Valley. Its slow pace and quiet atmosphere belie the fact that it produces world-renowned port wines; some of the most recognizable names in port production operate wine estates near here. One of the “station towns” along the Douro River, Pinhão boasts a relaxing and scenic promenade along the river, perfect for strolling and drinking in the beauty of vineyard-clad hills. The village’s railway station is decorated with 24 spectacular scenes depicted in azulejos, Portugal’s distinctive blue-and-white tiles.
Scenic bridge over river in rural village
Régua, Portugal
With its historic place as the western boundary of the demarcated wine region of Portugal, Régua boasts a rich wine-making heritage. Riverside manor houses are occupied by winegrowers; some have draped their terraces with giant lettering so they can be easily identified from the water by passing ships. The country’s famous port was created when 16th-century British merchants added brandy to the local wine to prevent it from souring. Over the centuries, the process of maturing and blending has been perfected, resulting in appealing tawnies, rubies and other varieties.
6
Régua, Portugal
In Portuguese cuisine, pork plays a central role, appearing in paio, a pork loin sausage, and chouriço, a spicy sausage often flavored with paprika or wine. These cured meats are nicely complemented by the smooth and creamy cheeses of the region. Among main dishes, the addictive pastéis de bacalhau (small cod cakes) are enjoyed hot or cold. And Portugal’s famed soup, caldo verde, gets its deep green color from a variant of kale. At meal’s end or just as a treat, the city’s pastelarias are well worth a visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Decorative ceramic plates with lemons
Scenic Sailing: Douro River
Journey through the Douro River valley into the history of fine Portuguese wine. Surrounded by terraced hills, spot some of the area’s quintas, or wine estates, clinging to the slopes, nestled snugly among their vines. In this beautiful and largely unspoiled region, olive and almond groves share the river’s banks with vineyards. And it is hard to ignore the fact that this journey follows in the wake of traditional barcos rabelos that once transported wine downriver to the waiting casks in Vila Nova de Gaia.
7
Porto, Portugal
The magnificent 19th-century Luís I Bridge, designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel and opened in 1886, spans the Douro River to link Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. Known locally as “Gaia,” the city is central to Porto’s role as a major producer of port. Here, amid ceramic, glass and soap factories, cellars of 58 companies fortify the prized wine. Visiting Gaia offers insight into how Douro River valley wines are transformed into some of the most sought-after ports in the world, and provides panoramic views of Porto, as many of the cellars are located on the banks of the river.
8
Porto, Portugal
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
Why Book
Viking Helgrim
Overview
When tensions were high between King Harald I of Norway and King Athelstan of Wessex, the great Norse sailors Helgrim and Osfrid delivered on behalf of Harald the gift of a ship to Athelstan. The vessel is said to have had purple sails and gilded shields along the gunwale. The gesture is seen as the start of a long and productive relationship between the two nations.
Food & Drink
It’s been said that the best way to know a culture is through its food and wine. Both engage your senses and provide a window into the traditions and essence of a land. Viking's trained chefs are passionate about food and committed to providing a complete culinary experience. The ships’ dining areas are hospitable and inviting; the service is friendly, attentive and personalised. Menu selections include regional dishes and contemporary cuisine to offer a variety of flavours designed to suit any palate.You have choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not just in food selection, but also in where and how you enjoy them. Greet the morning with a croissant and cappuccino on deck, or begin your day with a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Have a casual lunch or dinner al fresco, or join friends in the restaurant. Open seating allows you to mingle with the same guests every evening or meet someone new each day.
Entertainment
As with your stateroom, the public areas are designed to make the most of the splendid views. Whether from the sun deck, the Panorama Lounge or the restaurant, a river cruise provides uninterrupted sightseeing, from the time the morning mist rises from the water to when the setting sun announces the end to another remarkable day.
Health & Fitness
On board, an abundance of space welcomes you...
Kids & Teens
Due to the nature of Viking cruises, they do not maintain specific facilities or services for children aboard cruise vessels. In the circumstances you and all members of your party must be aged 18 or over on or before the day you are scheduled to embark on the cruise vessel.
Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions apply. Offer is only valid on new bookings made between 1 October – 31 October 2026. Offer is valid on 2027-2029 river, ocean or expedition journeys. This off er cannot be used in conjunction with any other off er. All off ers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn at any time. *Restrictions apply to Silver Spirits Beverage Package. Please ask for details. Silver Spirits Beverage Package will be added automatically for bookings made online. Silver Spirits Beverage Package offer is not valid on Viking’s Nile journeys. Silver Spirits Beverage Package is only valid whilst on board and not applicable on any land arrangements.Advertised offers are based on 2 adults sharing the lowest category stateroom/cabin/suite unless otherwise stated. Single supplements may apply. Offers are subject to availability and can change without any prior notice and may go up or down in price. Cruise Line campaign(s) and saving messages are strictly controlled by the Cruise Line(s) and are subject to change or be withdrawn without notice. Flight inclusive packages, where promoted, are based on the cheapest UK departure airport so please ask for further details. Advertised hotels, if any, are suggested however are changeable at a possible additional cost. All prices and port itineraries are correct at the time of print but are subject to change by the Cruise Line(s) without prior notice. Some ports of call may be tendered whereas vessels drop anchor a short distance away and use small boats to reach the shore. Full board to all-inclusive inclusions vary by the Cruise Line(s) and restrictions may apply. Some onboard facilities and items may incur a charge. Select destinations may require travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to be completed prior to travelling. Hays Travel LTD accepts no responsibility or compensation for any incomplete forms or declined entries from the respective country or countries that the individual(s) are visiting. Prices correct at time of publication. E&OE.
Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards
FROM £4,345PP
Viking Helgrim
13th Apr 27
7 Nights
From
£4,345PP
