b'PORTOIain Russell-Jarvie:Portugal\'s DouroHaving lived in Portugal for manyWhat are the Douro\'s highlights? Also, the ability to visit multiple regions years, Iain first enjoyed a DouroThey are numerous! The start and without unpacking is appealing, as is river cruise in 2012 and has builtend point of the cruises is Porto, athe variety of shore excursions with up an impressive knowledge ofhistoric and fascinating city. The iconiclocal guides, such as Vila Real, Mateus Portugal. Since becoming a GRJbridges and port wine cellars of GaiaPalace and Salamanca.Cruise Director in 2023, he hasare must-sees. Pinho is a beautiful been focused on creating the besttown with an azulejo-tiled train station. What are your most memorable experience for customers as theymoments as a Cruise Director?sail this picturesque river. What do people love about a cruiseWhen you see customers you have along the Douro? travelled with beforenot on aPeople love the ever-changing scenery,cruiseand they have come oncruising past vineyards and viewingyour recommendation and requested countryside from their cabin or deck. to be with you.Lucy Ralph:French riversLucy is in her fourth year as a CruiseSailing along the Seine and seeing Director. Having worked for manythe colours change with the light, you years as a GRJ Tour Manager, shecan understand why painters such as saw it as a wonderful opportunityMonet chose to live and paint here. to share her love of Europe\'s rivers. Are there any interesting facts What do you love about the role? about the places on your cruises?I love hearing comments like: "This wasThe carrelets on the Garonne are my first river cruise, and it wont be myfishing huts built on stilts. The last with GRJ. We are booking our nextfishermen drop their nets into the cruise as soon as we get home!" river and haul them back up using a pulley system. Some of the carrelets What are the highlights of are extremely popular restaurants. France\'s rivers?The scenery is an ever-changing feastThe Seine estuary has nearly 10,000 throughout the seasons. One momenthectares of wetlands made up of you are in the heart of the city andmeadows, reed beds and mudflatsthen you are gliding past vineyards. all attracting amazing wildlife.SEINE RIVER75BEHIND THE JOURNEY 75'