Up Portugal’s Lazy Douro River on CroisiEurope Cruises

As we get ready for bed in our tiny cabin for the second night of a five-night cruise on Portugal’s Douro River, the Iberian Peninsula, we reflect on the fact that getting there is not always half the fun.

Kathy and Brian had it easy. We did have to switch Houston airports from IAH to HOU at the last minute, but our flight to Dallas was flawless and we spent some time in the American Airlines Flagship Lounge before boarding our 777 for Frankfurt.

We fly to Frankfurt on AA70.

The ride is choppy between Iceland and Ireland but we get a few hours of sleep before landing at 7:30 am.

The Airport Hilton has a room ready for us at 9:00 am. Actually, we find ourselves in a junior suite. We’ve heard that Hilton Lifetime Diamonds are recognized in Europe, and are happy to confirm that in person.

We nap and then visit our favored FRA restaurant, Paulaner, for a hearty German lunch.

We nap again and spend an hour in the Hilton Executive Lounge, and then we sleep some more. It helps to learn that Tom, Ellyn, and Greg overcame deicing delays at Durango and made their connection at Denver on United Airlines.

The following morning we meet up with Tom, Ellyn and Greg in Terminal 1 without any difficulty and spend some time in a Lufthansa Senator Lounge before boarding our LH flight to Porto (Oporto in Portuguese) Portugal.

We had booked a car in advance and Antonio drove us in his large van to our river boat smoothly and efficiently through the hilly streets of Portugal’s second largest city.

We board CroisiEurope’s Gil Eanesand and are escorted to our tiny cabins.

This is a French-owned company and the food so far is excellent.

Canard…

Profiteroles…

The sightseeing along the Douro River is beautiful.

As we awaken Saturday morning after our second of five nights aboard, we’re looking forward to more of the same.