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2024 Season

Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro with 3 Nights in Lisbon


cruise: WCCQ
11 Days from Lisbon to Porto
Explore the dreamy Douro River and discover why its name translates to ‘River of Gold’ as you sail on its gleaming waters through Portugal’s breathtaking panoramic beauty. Marvel at the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, cozy towns, and charming villages while sailing through some of the most spectacular views of Portugal. Before sailing, begin your vacation your way with a three-night stay in beautiful Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Enjoy guided sightseeing to see the city highlights, including Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Join an excursion to magnificent Palacio Nacional de Sintra. Stop in Coimbra for a city sightseeing tour before reaching Porto where you will board your Avalon Suite Ship® to start a delightful river cruise across Portugal!

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 with the opportunity for an optional guided culinary tour to indulge in the city’s world-famous cuisine. 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 à Cinta, a cozy village with narrow streets, flowered houses, and grand Gothic Manueline windows. 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.

cruise

at-a-glance


Day 1 Lisbon: Welcome to Lisbon

Day 2 Lisbon: Guided sightseeing, see Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries

Day 3 Lisbon: Excursion to Palàcio Nacional de Sintra

Day 4 Lisbon-Coimbra-Porto (Embarkation): Guided sightseeing of Coimbra; transfer to Porto; onboard welcome reception

Day 5 Entre Os Rios. Excursion to Braga and Guimarães: Choice of guided sightseeing in Braga and Guimarães, or Romanesque tour

Day 6 Peso da Régua: Choice of guided sightseeing Peso da Régua and Lamego or farm visit with tasting

Day 7 Pocinho: Choice of guided sightseeing in Freixo de Numão or guided sightseeing in Vila Nova de Foz Côa

Day 8 Barca d’Alva. Excursion to Salamanca: Choice of guided sightseeing in Salamanca or guided sightseeing in Freixo de Espada à Cinta

Day 9 Caldas de Aregos. Excursion to Amarante: Onboard tile painting workshop; guided sightseeing in Amarante

Day 10 Porto: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike tour

Day 11 Porto (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

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. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

The “Starting at” or “From” listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on double occupancy and any applicable non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes limited-time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.