Spain and Portugal comprise the Iberian Peninsula. Five major rivers run west to the Atlantic Ocean through Spain including the largest river Guadlalquivir. The others are the Douro, the Tajo, the Guadiana and the Mino. Portugal's major river, the Tagus, divides it in half. Both countries experience extreme weather that ranges from hot and dry summers to rainy and cool winters, excluding the subtropical Spanish Mediterranean coast.
An eight-day, "Charms of Andalusia" cruise begins in Seville and drifts past the Donano Park, designated by UNESCO as a "natural biosphere reserve." It arrives at Cadiz which, on day three, you may tour and see the Rock of Gibraltar before night-cruising to Alcoutim and Vila Real in Portugal. Optional tours of Faro, an ancient port of Roman trade, are available. On days five and six, you may visit the 2,800 year old city of El Puerto de Santa Maria or take the optional tour of Jarez where wines and flamenco dancing prevail. After another optional tour of Cordoba, with its famed columned-cathedral, the cruise heads back to Seville. It offers meals and entertainment on board during sailing times.
Euro River Cruises
365 Route 304 Suite 206
Nanuet, NY 10954:
800-526-8539
eurorivercruises.com
According to cruisingholdays.co.uk, Spain's Douro river is one of "Europe's most untouched and beautiful rivers." Cruising past quaint towns, gorges and beautiful scenery, the six-day Kingdom of the Golden River cruise begins at Porto where a day-two tour of the wineries and vineyards is available. It continues on toward Tavora for an optional tour. On days four and five it visits Salamanca with its examples of ancient Christian, Arabic and Roman architecture. On the return trip, the cruise stops at Vila Real for a stroll in the "Solar de Mateus" gardens.
Blue Water Holidays
Bridge House, Brook Street
Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23, 1PP
011-44-756-706-500
cruisingholidays.co.uk
Cruise past ancient castles, historic villages and lush countryside through Portugal and Spain for 12 days with Grand River Tours. The cruise package includes a tour of Portugal's capital, Lisbon, the the Mateus Palace and Gardens, Porto, Castelo Rodrigo and a full-day tour of Salamanca topped off with an authentic Spanish lunch and flamenco show. In Cambrio, the birthplace of six kings of Portugal, the cruise visits the home of one of Europe's oldest universities and the site of the 12th century "Biblioteca Joanina."
Grand River Tours
6000 Meadows Road, Suite 520
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
800-552-5545
grandeuropeantours.com
