Join this all-gay bear group in Madrid for Pride Week (optional) or meet us in Porto to embark in this magnificent journey along the famous Douro river, the cradle of Port wine! Discover the pleasure of slow cruising for 7 days and 7 nights between Portugal and Spain, with 5 optional half-day excursions in each of the river ports, and an optional full-day visit to the stunning Spanish jewel of Salamanca. 

THE SHIP

The MS Infante Don Henrique is one of six CroisiEurope river vessels that sail the Douro. Our ship is chartered exclusively for our gay group and accommodates a maximum of 138 men. It features wide decks, more space per person than bigger ships, and a crew of 25. Sundeck has a swimming pool, sun loungers and armchairs. The panoramic lounge, with a bar and dance floor, is on the middle deck, and the dining room is on the main deck. Other onboard facilities include free wifi, a shop and an elevator.

FOOD

CroisiEurope is proud of its French heritage, and meals onboard are inspired by French cuisine. Three-course lunches and dinners feature many of the country’s classic dishes. Lunches and dinners are set menus, and breakfast is buffet-style.

DRINKS 

Port wine (of course!), spirits, wine by the glass, cocktail of the day, aperitifs, draft beer, hot drinks, soft drinks and water are all included and offered throughout the day and during meals. Premium brands are available at an additional charge. 

PARTIES

White Party, Hot ‘n‘ Sexy Party, Costume Party are just a few examples of our fun themed parties at night. Let’s dance!

THE CABINS

There are 71 cabins, they all have panoramic views and measure 129 sq ft. There are 14 cabins on the Main deck, 19 on the Middle deck, and 38 cabins on the Upper deck. They all have TV, air-conditioning, bathroom with toilet and shower, hairdryer and safe.

• Main deck cabins have panoramic windows.

• Middle deck cabins have a higher panoramic window that can be opened.

• Upper deck cabins feature a french balcony, and you have a choice of front or back (quieter) cabins.

• Aft Upper deck cabins have a big private terrace.

THE EXCURSIONS* 

Optional tour pack, see Itinerary for details of each tour.

• Day 2: Porto Highlights. Morning half-day tour.

• Day 3: Lamego. Morning half-day tour.

• Day 4: Salamanca (Spain). Full-day tour includes lunch..

• Day 5: Port Wine Vineyards. Afternoon half-day tour includes wine tasting.

• Day 6: Guimares. Morning half-day tour.

• Day 7: Aveiro. Morning half-day tour.

                                                                                        *Tour itinerary subject to change.

TOUR OPERATED BY CRUISE4BEARS.

Experience the vibrant energy of Madrid during Gay Pride before our Cruise4Bears river cruise! Celebrate in one of Europe’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities, exploring lively parades, historic sites, and a rich tapestry of culture, food, and unforgettable nightlife for bears! 

The complete Pre-Cruise package includes:

– July 4-5-6:  3 nights of accommodation in a 4-star boutique hotel in the middle of Chueca, the world famous gayborhood in Madrid, with breakfast included.
– July 5-6:  2 guided walking tours in Madrid: “LGBTQ History” and “Madrid Highlights” (July 5 and 6).
– July 7:  Madrid-to-Porto transfer on a luxury coach, with a 3-hour stop in the walled city of Rodrigo that includes a short walking tour and traditional lunch.

If you are not interested in the complete package above, we can also offer you the following alternatives:

1) Hotel only (no tours or transfer to Porto) at our discounted group rate for 1-4 nights - please inquire for pricing.

2) City tours + Transfer to Porto only (no hotel) for 199 euros.

⏳DEADLINE TO BOOK PRE- AND POST-CRUISE: December 20.

Embarkation starts at 5pm.
It’s hard to find a better way to start our long-awaited cruise than sailing across Porto and its 6 bridges to the mouth of the river. What's more, we'll get to watch a magical sunset while enjoying a glass of Port wine, the same wine that was born on the vineyards upstream and transported to the city cellars with the help of traditional wooden ships called “rabelos”, pictured above. An experience not to be missed. 

• Welcome cocktail
• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast

• AM: Porto Highlights Tour (optional):

On this tour we will get to see the essentials of Porto and its old neighborhoods, from the Cathedral to Clérigos Tower, and incredible point views. We will visit São Bento railway station, Santa Catarina, Batalha square, Santa Clara church, top of the Bridge Luis I, Cathedral (Sé), Barredo neighbor- hood, Ribeira quarter. Wander through the cobbled streets, breath-taking viewpoints & charming squares of downtown Porto with our experienced local guide. Tour includes: ground transportation and walking tour with English-speaking local guide. Duration: 4 hours.

• Lunch
• Afternoon cruising
• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast
• AM: Lamego Tour (optional)

Lamego is a charming episcopal and commercial town where you'll get to disco- ver the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary. This 18th century church stands out with its white façade dominating a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style and adorned with azulejos. The first stone was laid on February 14th, 1750 and gave way to the construction of a massive temple overlooking the city and providing a breathtaking view over the misty mountains of the surrounding landscape. Tour includes ground transportation and English-speaking local guide. Duration: 4 hours.
• Lunch

• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast
• Full-day: Salamanca, Spain Tour (optional)

Since 1988, the Old Town of Salamanca has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We'll visit the cathedral, with a mix- ture of styles going from late Gothic to Baro- que, and one of the world's oldest Universities which first opened in 1218. The building has a sumptuous gate adorned with the city's most famous design: a frog atop a skull. Tour includes: 2-hour walk or bike tour (bike +€50), Spanish lunch menu with tapas starter, main, dessert and wine (2 hours); free time (2 hours); ground transportation to/from ship (aprox. 2 hours). Aprox. 10 hours total.
• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast
• Morning cruising
• Lunch
• PM: Port wine vineyards Tour (optional)

Above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers, sits an 18th-century estate, Quinta do Tedo, classed as a Single Quinta, or estate, meaning that its production comes entirely from its own vineyards. These vineyards are further classed “A,” equivalent to grand cru, in a ranking system devised by the authori- ties going from A to F. Less than 3% of all domains in the Douro are classed as either A or B. In addition to fruit and olive orchards, there are 14 hectares (35 acres) of vines growing on the quinta’s terraces. The quinta is located within an ecological preserve, and its vineyards are farmed organically with the aid of a horse and workers, and harvested by hand. Tour includes: ground transportation,  English-speaking local guide and wine tasting. Duration: 4 hours.
• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast

• AM: Guimaraes Tour (optional):

The charming city of Guimarães, declared an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001 and birthplace of Alfonso I, the first king of Portugal. That’s why is consi- dered the cradle of Portugal. We'll walk through the city center, passing by the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira. You'll admire many emblematic temples from the exterior, including the Basilica of São Pedro, the Church of São Francisco and the Church of São Miguel, over 600 years old. Nearby, you'll also see the 10th-century Castle of Guimarães and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. Tour includes: ground transportation and English-speaking local guide. Duration: 4 hours.
• Lunch
• Afternoon cruising
• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast
• AM: Aveiro Tour (optional)

Strolling alongside Art Nouveau façades and Aveiro's idyllic canals, we'll see the traditional moliceiro boats. These small colourful gondolas were historically used for the transport of salt and seaweed. Then we will head to Costa Nova, the most colorful beach town in Portugal, famous for combining its stripped houses and its golden ample beach. Tour includes: ground transportation and walking tour with English-speaking local guide. Duration: 4 hours.
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Theme Party

• Breakfast

• Disembark 9am

• Airport or City Center transfer (optional)

After our Douro River cruise, Lisbon awaits! Walk through some of the most beautiful streets and neighborhoods in Europe, savor the world famous pastéis de nata (custard tarts), and enjoy the local beers (and bears) at Tr3s Bear Bar in the heart of Bairro Alto’s LGBTQ+ scene. The complete package includes:

🚌 July 14:  Porto-to-Lisbon transfer on a luxury coach, with a 4-hour stop at Nazare Beach with funicular ride and lunch included. 

🏨 July 14-15-16: 3 nights of accommodation in a 4-star boutique hotel located on a square in the heart of Lisbon, breakfast included.

🥃 July 14: Welcome drink at Tr3s Bear Bar.

📸 July 15: “Lisbon Highlights” guided walking tour in the morning. Drinks at Tr3s Bear Bar at night.

📸 July 16: “Belem and Jeronimos” private bus and walking tour in the morning, includes a tasting of pasteis de nata. Drinks at Tr3s Bear Bar at night.

👋🏽 July 17: End of the tour.

💶 PACKAGE PRICE FOR 3* NIGHTS: €999 per ROOM (2 people) or €899 for single travelers. Payment: €100 refundable deposit + the balance by March 7. 

*Also available: 1-, 2- and 4-night packages, please inquire.

⏳DEADLINE TO BOOK PRE- AND POST-CRUISE: December 20.