We have been wanting to do a Viking river cruise to the Douro Valley for a long time. We had to cancel our trip in 2021 due to COVID. Now Viking is offering good prices for most likely a bad time of year. The trip starts in Lisbon; we drive to Porto, take a tour, then board the ship and sail as far as Pinhao, doing various excursions at towns along the way, before returning to Porto. Trip includes a visit to Salamanca. I'm posting the itinerary only to see if anyone knows what kind of weather to expect (normally) in these locales in this time period. Also, I'd like to rent a car and spend a week or two afterwards to see other places in Portugal. Any suggestions on where to go, and whether I'd likely be dealing with snow or other harsh weather conditions? I'd like to visit Sintra, charming/quaint villages, the coast and nature preserves, and am very interested in food and medieval architecture. Thank you.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1665 posts
You are correct that it’s not the best time of the year. Rain is likely, at least part of the time and it’s cooler with more rain in the north of the country. You don’t need to worry about snow unless you go into the very small mountain range in the north of the country. And even then, likely not that early in the winter.
The daytime temps in winter are usually 50-60’s most days, at least in the Lisbon region. And, rain is almost never a several hour event. November and December can see great sunny days - no way to predict.
I would suggest you read the RS book and take a look at Julie Dawn Fox’s website. Both of these might help you with ideas of where else besides the Douro.
BTW - Salamanca is quite nice.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Wow, what a great website! I've only just begun to skim the surface. Thank you so much! I meant to ask, as well, about the scenery along the Douro in Nov and Dec. I would assume the hillsides are bare and drab? That would be defeating the purpose of the voyage (other than enjoying the port wine). I was very pleasantly surprised on a visit to Napa and Sonoma one November, with the stunning red and gold grape leaves on the vines, so maybe I'd be lucky scenery-wise along the Douro in late Nov? I'm probably just dreaming.
Posted by
Paris
6887 posts
. I would assume the hillsides are bare and drab? That would be defeating the purpose of the voyage (other than enjoying the port wine).
Your intuition is correct, the vineyards will no longer have leaves by late November. I guess the valley is still pretty but I have never been there at that time of the year.