Overview
Embark on your Suite Ship® in the city of Porto. Take a guided tour to Braga and Guimarães or start exploring the city joining a guided sightseeing. Enjoy a guided tour in the charming town of Lamego or meet the owner of one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley to sample the proud traditions of olive oil and wine. Enjoy a wine tasting in a local quinta or join a kayak adventure on the Douro River. Visit Freixo de Espada à 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.
Discover the process of painting an azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile) following the guide of a professional painter. Immerse yourself in an emotionally stirring experience in Portugal’s city of Amarante or taste the unique Vinho Verde. 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.
Itinerary
Welcome to Portugal. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Porto must arrive by 3:30pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm. Your day in Porto is free to explore at your leisure. This evening an illumination sailing will show you Porto from a different perspective.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO
Portuguese Panoramas
- 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:
- 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*
Later, feel the passion of Portugal's soulful and stirring Fado music during a visit with local musicians on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO ANTIGO
NOTE: On March, second half of September, October & November departures this excursion will be offered on day 7 and replaced by bike tour or Porto wine tasting .
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:
- Discovery: Join a wine painting class with the guidance of a resident artist for a unique and new experience to portray an image linked to the culture of wine through an innovative process, OR:
- Classic: Take a guided walking tour of the charming town of Lamego. Enjoy a taste of the local bola de Lamego with sparkling wine and stroll past iconic landmarks like the majestic Lamego Cathedral.
Enjoy a short sailing to Pinhão. 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 or to visit Casa de Mateus.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PINHÃO
Kayaks and Quintas in the Douro Valley.
Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente region.
- Discovery: Join a Workshop conducted by a professional painter to discover the process of painting azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile)
- Active: Discover the Douro River by kayak on a guided adventure through Portugal's stunning valley. Enjoy breathtaking views and unforgettable moments* ,OR:
- Discovery: Experience the charm of the Douro region with a visit to a historic vineyard estate. Enjoy a tasting of exquisite red, white, and port wines while soaking in stunning views and uncovering the rich heritage of this renowned winemaking region.
- Discovery: Join us for an onboard workshop to learn Portuguese language and culture. Discover essential words, charming stories, and clever tricks that bring this centuries-old language to life in an interactive and memorable way.
This evening, enjoy an onboard Flamenco show with local artists.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BARCA D'ALVA
NOTE: On March, second half of September, October & November a bike tour will be offered to replace this excursion.
The Reign in Spain
- 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: Enjoy a guided tour to the historical village of Castelo Rodrigo, which, from the top of a hill, dominates the plateau that stretches from Spain in the east to the deep valley of the Douro in the north. Stroll through its medieval streets and discover the small details that give it colour, such as the Hebrew inscriptions and crosses carved on the doorposts and voussoirs, 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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN FERRADOSA
Mountains and Moving Music.
This morning, enjoy a leisurely sailing through the Douro River.
- Discovery: Enjoy an onboard pastry demonstration.
- Discovery: Join us to visit a wine - producing property, and taste the freshness and lightness of iconic Vinho Verde wine, considered one of the world's unique white wines, OR:
- 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.
This evening, enjoy an onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LEVERINHO
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 guided bike tour, OR;
- Discovery: Enjoy a guided visit to one of the many Port wine cellars, where a guide will accompany you through the cellar's facilities, explaining where the grapes are harvested and how the wines are made. At the end of your explorations, taste some of the wines, 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.
This afternoon, you may choose to join in a guided optional excursion such as a visit to 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
NOTE: On March, second half of September, October & November the Porto sightseeing excursion, the bike tour and the Porto wine tasting will be offered on day 2. The full-day excursion to Braga and Guimarães originally planned for day 2 will be offered on this day. As an alternative, enjoy a sailing morning and free time in the afternoon in Porto.
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Life On Board
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Explore Portugal's dazzling Douro River on Avalon's newest addition to thier award-winning fleet of Suite Ships® - the Avalon Alegria. Read more
Having the only Open-Air Balconies in the industry, experience river cruising with a view like no other in one of Avalon's Panorama Suites. Read more
Avalon features all the right inclusions which heighten your relaxing river cruise experience. Read more
Avalon Alegria's attentive and helpful staff will take care of you every step of your river cruise journey, making you feeling right at home. Read more
Choose whichever included excursions intrest you the most with Avalon Choice and make your cruise your own. Read more
Enjoy familiar favourites and delicious cuisines made from the freshest local ingredients throughout your cruise. Read more
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