'Scene,' heard & experienced

Journeys are more fulfilling when they take you to places that make your eyes sparkle and your soul sing. And when the journey starts even before you leave your suite—like in a river cruise with views of vineyards, castles and fairytale houses on riverbanks—the journey becomes a scenic experience, 24/7.

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

A recent river cruise on the Scenic Azure took me to a pristine river that flows off the beaten path—Portugal's Douro River.

Not many have cruised the Douro River—a delightful discovery. There are other beautiful rivers with scenic views like the Danube, the Seine and the Rhine, each with its own breathtaking allure—but the Douro has the charm of a gem still unmined. The Douro is as green as jade, and is embraced by more greens—trees, shrubs, vineyards, orchards. Portugal has only 10.5 million people (roughly the population of Metro Manila)—so you could imagine all the green spaces in the country.