Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro with Lisbon

Welcome to Lisbon.

Your day in Lisbon is free to explore at your leisure.

Portuguese Treasures

• Classic: Explore Lisbon, Portugal's capital, with a Local Guide. Do not miss the must-see sights, including Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries.

You might opt to join an optional gastronomic walking tour to learn about the authentic flavors, aromas, and traditions of Portugal.

This evening, you might join an optional excursion including a traditional Portuguese dinner, followed by a live concert of traditional Portuguese Fado music.

A Resplendent Royal Residence

• Classic: Join us on a guided excursion to Sintra, where you will visit the National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, drive to Cabo da Roca and enjoy some free time in the Western most point of continental Europe.

Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

• Classic: Stop in Coimbra for a guided city sightseeing tour. Accompanied by a Local Guide, you'll explore the historical area of the city and learn all about the oldest university in Portugal, and one of the oldest in the world.

Transfer to Porto to board your Avalon Suite Ship®

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 CALDAS DE AREGOS

*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.

Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the quaint riverside town of Pinhão or consider joining an optional excursion to learn about the Douro Valley's “liquid gold” at a traditional olive - oil mill.

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

*On March, April, 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 for an onboard Lecture to learn more about the wines of the region.
• Discovery: Take a visit to 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 visit to Casa de Mateus, iconic symbol of the well-known "Mateus Rosé" wine and enjoy a tasting of locally produced wine.

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

*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 vacation ends with breakfast this morning.