8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Porto to Porto 2024(WCC)

Avalon Waterways River Cruise - Porto to Porto

Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro

Starting from $4,009
Ship(s): Avalon Alegria
8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Porto to Porto 2024 - WCC

River Cruise Description

Like a blue ribbon threading through the green Douro Valley, the River Douro carries you through some of Portugal's most legendary landscapes. Meaning "River of Gold," the Douro River lives up to its name by revealing priceless gems along sloping vineyards and sleepy villages where rugged landscapes have been tamed for centuries to produce a bounty of wines and cuisine. Welcome aboard the newest addition to our award-winning fleet of Suite Ships® - the Avalon AlegriaSM to be swept away by Douro's timeless treasures and traditions, family farms and fevered Fado music, and mouth-watering culinary creations in the world's oldest demarcated wine region.

Embark on your Suite Ship® in the city of Porto. Take a guided tour to Braga and Guimarães or explore ancient architecture, including a visit to the Interpretation Centre of the Romanesque. Enjoy a guided tour in the charming towns of Peso da Régua and Lamego, where historical sights are mixed with delicious tastings, or meet the owner of one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley to sample the proud traditions of olive oil and wine. Take a guided tour of Freixo de Numão, where vineyards and granite houses dot the river shores. Consider a fascinating guided tour to Vila Nova de Foz Côa, home of the remarkable Côa Valley Palaeolithic discoveries - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Freixo de Espada ? Cinta, a cozy village with narrow streets, flowered houses, and grand Gothic Manueline windows or choose a full-day experience in Spain with a guided sightseeing excursion to Salamanca. Immerse yourself in an emotionally stirring experience in Portugal's city of Amarante.

Your Douro River cruise returns to Porto to soak in the scenic mysteries of this city's Historical Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These and countless other treasures await you on the River of Gold in Portugal's dazzling Douro Valley.



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Sep 18, 2024Avalon AlegriaWaitlistCall Us!
Sep 25, 2024Avalon Alegria$6,258Call Us!
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Avalon Choice

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
  • Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.

River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 PORTO, PORTUGAL (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Portugal. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Porto must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Your day in Porto is free to explore at your leisure.
This evening an illumination sailing will show you Porto from a different prospective.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO
(D)

Day 2 PORTO-PORTO ANTIGO. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARÃES

Portuguese Panoramas

Visit the Adventure Center on board for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Discovery
Step back in time within the walls of the Interpretation Centre of the Romanesque with a fascinating introduction to its symbolism and architecture. Enjoy an excursion with an exclusive visit to one of the most iconic monasteries of the Romanesque era with entrance to a XIII century church and be enchanted by sounds of Gregorian Chant from the high choir, OR:
Classic
Enter a world of Celtic history and the reign of Cesar Augustus where five roads diverged to form an empire with a full-day guided tour of Braga. Marvel at the magnificent castle and San Miguel church in Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Celebrate your experience with a stop at one of the area’s many wine farms and enjoy a tasting.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO ANTIGO
(B,L,D)

Day 3 PESO DA RÉGUA

Pastoral Pleasures of Portugal
Discovery
Experience life on one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley with a personal tour by the owner of the house, including a wine tasting, OR:
Classic
Take a guided walking tour of the charming town of Régua —with its religious architecture, narrow streets, beautiful tiles, and stained-glass window of Casa do Douro. Continue to Lamego to visit the cathedral, followed by a delicious tasting of bola de Lamego.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy free time in Pinhão to browse the artisanal markets for woven textiles, terra cotta creations, and culinary delights, or consider joining an optional excursion to learn about the Douro Valley’s “liquid gold” at a traditional olive-oil mill.
This afternoon, consider an optional excursion to Casa de Mateus.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PINHÃO
(B,L,D)

Day 4 POCINHO

Written in Stone
Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente region.
Discovery
Discover Vila Nova de Foz Côa at the eastern terminal of the legendary Douro Railway line. Marvel at the amazing archaeological site along the River Côa where a wealth of remarkable prehistoric rock paintings and carvings were discovered as the most significant collection of Palaeolithic figurations known today. OR:
Classic
Join a guided tour of Freixo de Numão, a charming village nestled between the nearby mountains filled with vast vineyards and granite houses. This little suburb is filled with Roman, Medieval, and modern ruins.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BARCA D’ALVA
(B,L,D)

Day 5 BARCA D’ALVA. EXCURSION TO SALAMANCA

The Reign in Spain
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Classic
Join our guide for a guided tour this morning to of one of the most remote villages of the country, Freixo de Espada à Cinta village in the Douro International Natural Park, home to majestic birds of prey, OR:
Classic
Get a taste of Spain with a full-day excursion to Salamanca. This Spanish city will take your breath away with its stunning streets and squares, featuring a feast for the eyes with Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and "Plateresque" architecture. Dive into a delicious dish of the traditional Spanish paella.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN FERRADOSA
(B,L,D)

Day 6 FERRADOSA-LEVERINHO. EXCURSION TO AMARANTE

Painted Tiles & Passionate Tunes
During your morning sailing, a professional painter will guide you through the process of painting an azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile) to take home a piece of Portugal’s tradition. You may alternatively join an onboard pastry demonstration .
Classic
Join a guided sightseeing tour of Amarante – poised against a breathtaking backdrop of the great Serra do Marão mountain and the Tâmega River, which courses through the heart of the city and assortment of houses lining the riverbanks.
Later, feel the passion of Portugal’s soulful and stirring Fado music during a visit with local musicians on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LEVERINHO
(B,L,D)

Day 7 PORTO

Ancient Charm Meets Avant-Garde
Active
Enjoy the wharfs of the Douro River and the coastal magnificence of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, on a bicycle and accompanied by a professional biologist tour guide, OR;
Classic
Join a guided sightseeing tour of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue your experience with a ride to the riverside city of Matosinhos and up Avenida da Boavista to admire some of the modern charms of Porto – from ancient avenues to avant-garde graffiti street art, OR:
This afternoon, you may choose to join in a guided optional excursion such as a scenic canal cruise on the Aveiro (Venice of Portugal) or explore a family-owned factory to witness the Portuguese art of cork and barrel production or a culinary tour experience. Perhaps simply spend time strolling through Porto’s cobblestone lanes, lovely shops, and tempting tapas bars this afternoon before experiencing the energy of Porto’s buzzing nightlife.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO
(B,L,D)

Day 8 PORTO (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
(B)
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