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 Mafra. 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.
TRAVEL DATE | PRICE | TYPE |
---|---|---|
March 31, 2024 | from $5,885 CAD | Per Person |
DAY | DATE | PLACE |
---|---|---|
1 | Sun Mar 31 | Lisbon, Portugal |
2 | Mon Apr 1 | Lisbon, Portugal |
3 | Tue Apr 2 | Lisbon, Portugal |
4 | Wed Apr 3 | Lisbon-Coimbra-Porto (Embarkation) |
5 | Thu Apr 4 | Entre Os Rios. Excursion to Braga and Guimarães |
6 | Fri Apr 5 | Peso da Régua |
7 | Sat Apr 6 | Pocinho |
8 | Sun Apr 7 | Barca d’Alva. Excursion to Salamanca |
9 | Mon Apr 8 | Caldas de Aregos. Excursion to Amarante |
10 | Tue Apr 9 | Porto |
11 | Wed Apr 10 | Porto (Disembarkation) |
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 Palacio Nacional de Mafra
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
The Avalon Alegria delights river cruisers with exceptional experiences and the elegant yet relaxed luxury you’ve come to expect from Avalon Waterways. As the newest addition to our fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Alegria certainly lives up to its name, meaning happiness, which flows from stem to stern on this 262-foot ship. Choose from 14 deluxe staterooms or 37 Panorama Suites® with a spacious capacity of just 102 passengers. Choose from two full decks of award-winning Panorama Suites, featuring wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform your living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, with Avalon’s signature window-facing “Beds with a View.” Onboard amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi access, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, an Adventure Center with complimentary active gear, and an Avalon Adventure Host to assist with active excursions and on board fitness classes and activities. Enjoy exceptional onboard cuisine, including Avalon Fresh® menu options, premium coffee and spirits, and versatile FlexDining venues, including the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room. Make yourself at home in the Club lounge with a variety of coffees, teas, cold beverages, and pastries while settling in with your pick of books, cards, and board games. Relax and watch the world go by in our Observation Lounge for the perfect vantage point to peruse Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley and vineyards. Stretch out on the Sky Deck with a swimming pool, premium lounge chairs, and shade system to relax while sailing through Portugal’s most spectacular views!!
We would love to help you plan and book your next travel escape! We appreciate you taking the time to reach out and will be in touch as soon as possible.