|
Algarve & Douro Cruises
Discover the Algarve coast and Guadiana River
A seven night cruise aboard the MS Algarve Cruiser
The Ship:
|
Capacity: |
Length: |
Width: |
Speed: |
Engine: |
|
65 double cabins |
78.111 m |
11.40 m |
12 knots |
2 x 300 hp |
 The Algarve Cruiser was launched in 2006 as a sister ship to the Douro Queen and has been built to a very high standard to cruise the Algarve coast and the Guadiana River on the border between Portugal and Spain. This new ship has four decks and 65 double cabins with superb accommodation for 130  people. The 300 square metre sun deck has a pool and two Jacuzzis with a bar and sunbathing area. On the Veranda Deck, all the 38 cabins have floor to ceiling windows opening onto a private veranda while on the Main Deck, the 27 cabins all have large panoramic windows. All the cabins face  outwards and have individually controlled air conditioning and heating, TV and private bathrooms with showers. The beds are hotel style and can be twins or queen size doubles. The restaurant is located on the lower deck and there is also a bar, lift and handicapped facilities.
The Itinerary:
 Day 1: Arrival and check in at Portimao. Welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Sleep overnight at Portimao
Day 2: Optional morning tour to Portimao and a visit to Monchique for a wine tasting. Sail to Vilamoura at 15:00 Dinner on board with local entertainment
Day 3: Optional morning tour to Faro returning for lunch on board. Sail to Vila Real de Santo Antonio along the Algarve coast arriving at 19:00. Dinner on board
 Day 4: Sail to Alcoutim along the scenic River Guadiana. After lunch on board, there is an optional tour to the World Heritage town and castle of Mertola. Evening cocktail party and dinner at Alcoutim Castle (May, June and July, weather permitting)
Day 5: Sail to Ayamonte, Spain and take the optional full day tour of Seville with lunch. Dinner on board with a traditional Flamenco show
 Day 6: Sail at 09:00, stopping at Ria Formosa for lunch and arriving at Vilamoura at 15.00. In the evening there is a dinner and show at Vilamoura Casino
Day 7: Sail to Portimao arriving at 14:00. In the afternoon there is an optional tour to Lagos. Farewell cocktail party and dinner in the evening
Day 8: Checkout after breakfast
There are interesting optional tours available on five of the days
Portimao and Monchique: Day 2
Portimao is the second most important Algarvean town settled, in turn, by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Moors, it is rich in history. The economy is based on fishing and tourism and it has a  wealth of small streets and shops to explore. Monchique is very different from the rest of the Algarve, high up in the hills, the landscape is green with views from the top across the whole of the Algarve. Famous for the quality of the water from its springs and first explored by the Romans who called it Mons Cicus, Caldas de Monchique has 6 fountains supplying 500,000 litres of water every 24 hours at a temperature of 32.5°C. The water was renowned for the treatment of various aches, pains and skin diseases. Caldas de Monchique has beautiful buildings and the square is a delight to sit in and eat or have a drink.
Faro: Day 3
Well known for its airport, Faro is the largest city in the Algarve and one of the largest in Portugal. Faro is very much a blend of the old and the new: there is a new town centre with modern shops and offices but the city walls date from the Middle Ages. Interesting places to see are the Marina, the pedestrian area of Santo Antonio Street, the Bank of Portugal dating from 1926, the City Hall and Town Gate, the Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace.
Mertola: Day 4
Tucked between the Oeiras and Gaudiana rivers is the historic town of Mertola, its' history  demonstrated by not only a Roman manse and North African castle but also a Moorish Mosque, converted to a Catholic Church by the Christians. The village was also a centre for copper mining in the 19th Century and the remains of the Sao Domingos mine are close by. Mertola is hilly with irregular cobblestones so comfortable walking shoes are recommended as you walk round Largo Vasco da Gama, the fruit market, the Old Mosque the Parish Church (the only one of this type in Portugal) and the statue of Ibn Quasi, who was the governor in 1141.
Seville: Day 5
Seville's history can be traced back to the 7th century BC: four centuries later it came under Roman rule and Scipio and Caesar both had camps there. The Moors dominated in the 11th and 12th centuries and heavily influenced Seville's architecture and food. After the expulsion of the Moors in the 15th century, Seville's commercial importance grew until now it is a major Spanish city, as well as an UNESCO World Heritage City.
The Tour:
Bus sightseeing tour to the Expo 1992 area - Isla de la Cartuja, Guadalquivir River, La Maestranza Bullring, the Golden Tower, Los Remedios Quarters, San Telmo Palace, Maria Luisa Park and the Ibero-American Fair from 1929, the old tobacco factory, Murillo Gardens and there is also a 20 minute stop in the famous Spanish Square. There is a walking tour to the old Santa Cruz Quarter and free time for shopping or a visit to the Cathedral or the Alcazar. Lunch is included.
Lagos: Day 7
 Lagos is one of the most important historical towns of the Algarve and dates back to at least 111 BC, when it was known as Lacobriga. It is well known for its beautiful Marina, busy fishing port and attractive town centre. Lagos harbour was Prince Henry the Navigator's principal maritime base and it was the starting point for many of the voyages of exploration along the West African coast, which made Portugal a  major Maritime power. Other places well worth a visit when you are in Lagos, are the building that housed the first slave market in Europe, now an art gallery and the church of Saint Anthony, which is considered to be one of best examples of a baroque church in Portugal. Many of the city walls survived the earthquake of 1755 that destroyed much of the city and they can be seen behind the fortress of Ponta da Bandeira, built in the 17th century to defend Lagos from pirates and corsairs.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE LAUNCH OF ALGARVE CRUISES
Price per person aboard the fabulous Algarve Cruiser
26 May only !
Cruise price £365
Suplement. single £185
Suplement. upper deck £110
Tour package £120
1 child until 12 yrs old free when sharing cabin with two adults. | 
