Marie
Welcome to you, I cannot comment on the river douro tour as I have not been on this.
Have you had a look at the two video links on here from Lovelylesley and mysel Cindy it might give you an idea of what is what.
I have done 8 JY tours and have enjoyed them all for very different reasons.
I can only imagine how you ladies feel about travelling with out your husbands and I always think how brave you all are. Can I just say that JY is a very safe way for a lady to travel, you are head counted daily !! and there is always someone to keep an eye on you with out treating you like a child.
If there is anything I can help with just ask. I hope that you can muster up that last bit of courage and BOOK a tour with JY, Have fun
Cindy