The Douro Valley is unquestionably the highlight of a Douro River cruise, but anyone sailing an itinerary on the river is well advised to make time for a visit to Salamanca, Spain, if the opportunity presents itself.
I had that chance on a recent sailing aboard Riviera Travel's new Riviera Rose, which launched this year on the Douro. It was our one day on a Portugal itinerary where we were able to explore a little bit of Spain.
We visited the Golden City, given that nickname due to its sandstone buildings, for an afternoon excursion where we passed seas of sunflowers, walked cobblestone streets and soaked up Spanish history on a guided tour. It's about a 90-minute drive from where we called.
Though I had initially been lured to Salamanca by the promise of tapas and sangria, I found myself enthralled by this small, walkable city, which is perhaps best known as the home of one of the oldest colleges in Europe, the University of Salamanca, founded in the early 13th century.
History lesson
A busker performs in Salamanca’s Old City. Photo Credit: Brinley Hineman
Salamanca's Old City was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site for its historically significant architecture, such as the Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas and the Convento de San Esteban. We visited the city's old and new cathedrals -- the old one was built in the 12th century, while the "new" one was constructed in the 16th -- and were given a crash course in the history of the two structures that sit side by side, making it easy to visit both.
Besides historical sites, the Old City is filled with shops, including places to snag a souvenir or two, cafes to grab a quick bite and bakeries to enjoy a light dessert.
After our guided tour of the sights, we had time to explore the city on our own before lunch. My friend and I headed straight to the nearest restaurant in the Plaza Mayor to grab tinto de verano -- a simple, refreshing cocktail of red wine, citrus soda and ice -- to quench our thirst on the hot summer day. We were killing time until lunch, when we would enjoy tapas and a traditional flamenco show.
After we finished our drinks and it was time to rejoin our group, we headed to the San Esteban Hotel nearby for a lunch put together by Riviera. It included local cheeses and meats, patatas bravas and an array of desserts. We indulged as we watched flamenco dancers as they entertained us with the Spanish music and dance that originated in the Andalusia region of the country.
It was this type of local, authentic experience that Riviera highlighted on its itinerary -- and the type of excursion travelers on other lines can look forward to when cruising on the Douro.
Besides Riviera Travel, brands like Viking, AmaWaterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offer guests a chance to visit Salamanca on their Douro itineraries.
Relaxation on the Douro with Riviera Travel