After breakfast we left Quinta Nova and drove down to Pinhão before heading to Porto.
In Pinhão, the hotel had arranged for us to go on a boat trip down the Douro river with Anima Durius. We quickly found the boat we were looking for and the skipper welcomed us on board. We would spend the next hour sailing up and down the Douro river, enjoying the view of the valley and each other.
Anima Durius river cruises
Sounds romantic? It was, but for the true romantics amongst us, Anima Durius offers something even more special: a sunset cruise, on which it’s even possible to dine and sleep on board.
The skipper knows the perfect balance between entertaining his guests and letting them relax. He urged us to go sit in front of the boat to get better views, put on some soft music and drew back behind the steering while. Once in a while, he would share some information about the Douro Valley or one of the port houses and he often made sure that we had everything we needed.
He includes a glass of port in all the tours he does, but it isn’t just any other port he offers. The port on board was produced for the first time 20 years ago, when his father became grandfather for the first time. The port isn’t sold. It’s solely produced for the family… and for guests of Anima Durius.
The family does export their own wine, though, and those interested can include a tour, meal and/or wine tasting at Quinta dos Poços in their sailing trip.
Practical information
Anima Durius offers many different boat trips from Pinhao, from one hour to a whole day. The company offers Douro river cruises from Pinhao for two to nine people, but those who are a bit more adventurous can also rent a sailing boat without skipper. All tours take place on the Douro, Portugal‘s best-known river.
Make sure to bring your swimming gear.
On top of that Anima Durius also offers a river taxi service by speedboat and ski and wakeboard experiences.
For more information and prices check out the website: www.animadurius.pt
Other option: tour with boat trip on the Douro river
Full-day Douro Valley Tour with Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch
This full-day tour to the Douro valley includes hotel pick-up, a free bottle of water per person and free WiFi on board a comfortable vehicle. It'll take you to two wine estates where you'll not only enjoy wine but also olive oil tastings. You'll cruise the Douro river on a traditional Rabelo board and will enjoy a typical Portuguese cuisine lunch.
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We were offered a complimentary tour with Anima Durius. This has in no way affected my opinion on this activity.
jimmy says
nice post i think this is the best way to explore the beautiful valley.
Sofie Couwenbergh says
Thanks Jimmy!
I think you should combine driving through the valley with a boat trip to get two totally different views.