Does the idea of your own private kosher river cruise just for your family and friends sound like the ultimate vacation? Kosher River Cruises is pleased to present the famous, luxurious “Spirit of Chartwell” on the magnificent Douro River. Explore the wonders of Portugal & Spain on your very own private ship. Our all-inclusive program includes delicious Glatt kosher cuisine prepared by Master Kosher Chef Malcolm Green, 5-days of touring exploring the wonders of the Douro and its fascinating Jewish history and heritage, and your Kosher River Cruise staff to take care of every details of the once-in-a-life-time holiday!

Our Ship: The Spirit of Chartwell defines luxury Douro River barge cruising and sets the standard for service and quality. Very recently designed and refurbished for, and used by, Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Spirit of Chartwell offers select travelers a cruise experience worthy of its Royal Heritage.

The finest interior furnishings, the impressive amount of space, and the high number of staff members per guest, create an elegant, club-like atmosphere for experienced travelers; an environment where every need is predicted and promptly attended to during the calm passage through the majestic Douro River Valley.

Culinary Pleasures: Step aboard a Kosher River Cruise vessel and taste everything that the individual countries and regions can offer when put in the hands of our accomplished, Master Kosher Chef Malcolm Green. Our kitchen team combines its love of cooking with our goal of pleasing you and presents carefully composed modern kosher menus and local specialties. All food is Glatt Kosher under strict supervision.
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Kashrut: All meat products are Shechita Bet Yosef, all diary is Cholov Yisroel, and all bread and cake is Pas Yisroel.

Pesach: Now for family and friends (of up to 24 people) you can charter your own all-inclusive very special Pesach on the river Douro with master kosher chef Malcolm Green & Team. This includes your very own private boat, guided touring of the region during Chol Hamoed and beautifully prepared and presented Pesach meals.

Chef Malcolm’s Pesach Culinary Specialties: Balsamic glazed Rack of Lamb, Roast stuffed breast of veal, steak Diane, seared breast of duckling, baked stuffed Cornish hen, and “T-bone” steaks to just name a few. For milk meals red snapper livornese, tirado de mahi mahi, oven roasted sea bass with lime and ginger sauce. Plus traditional Pesach dishes featuring exceptional mouth-watering desserts of Creme brûlée, Sacher torte, Lemon meringue pie, Chocolate roulade, white chocolate cheese cake, tiramisu, creme caramel and so much more!

Our all-inclusive program provides delicious Glatt Kosher cuisine, on-board synagogue with daily minyanim (depending on final numbers), local tours throughout your cruise that allow you to explore the area’s history and Jewish heritage, and KRC staff and service to take care of every detail.

The Journey: Once a great, conquering seafaring nation, Portugal has a history and culture as proud and as intrepid as any in Europe. Today, large tracts of it remain unchanged, almost like a land out of time, where beautiful traditions survive the ravages of progress.

From rolling vineyards to grand historic structures, magic waterscapes to endlessly engaging vistas, Portugal’s lazy charm tends to seep into your consciousness slowly, seducing you without you realizing it. However, by the time you’ve fully explored its wondrous valleys and friendly village communities, you’ll find yourself thoroughly and hopelessly in love.

The Douro is one of the major rivers flowing through the Iberian Peninsula. This sun-kissed waterway starts its journey in northern-central Spain before passing through mainland Portugal to its final outlet in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Porto.

An important maritime port and commercial town, Porto was one of the cities where Jews settled in Portugal. The history of the Jewish community of the capital of the northern region is inseparable from the history of the Hebrew presence in Portugal. In the Douro region there are also villages, cities and small towns where important Jewish communities once lived. Join Kosher River Cruise’s as we discover a heritage filled cruise with memories recalling a community that settled in this country between the 5th and 15th centuries.

The Sephardic Jews contributed in different ways to the Portuguese culture during that period, and Porto and The Douro were not indifferent to such an influence, especially because Lamego was one of the two major existing Jewish communities between the rivers Douro and Tejo.

Protected by the monarchy, the Jews – philosophers, humanists, scientists and merchants – were decisive in several important moments of Portuguese history, namely for their financial and scientific contributions during the Discoveries.

The Jews worshipped in secret even after the Portuguese kings ordered their deportation from the country, following the events in Spain in 1496. While it is true that some Jews converted to Catholicism, becoming New-Christians and that many left the country, many others stayed and kept their faith in secret. From those days, symbolic features and engravings can still be seen in the old Jewish quarters throughout this region. From Mezuzot carved on buildings’ stone doorframes to the names of streets indicating the existence of a Jewish community, join Kosher River Cruises for a luxury cruise filled with history and heritage on one of Europe’s most stunning scenic rivers.