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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 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.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Portugal
Board your Suite Ship® in Porto. Ensure flights arrive by 3:30 pm and be on board by 5:00 pm.
Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Porto.
Enjoy dinner onboard and an evening illumination sail on the river.
(D)
Day 2
Porto Antigo | Braga & Guimarães
Visit the Adventure Center and choose your excursion.
Classic: Guided tour of Porto & Matosinhos (street art, architecture).
Classic alternative: Full-day tour to Braga and Guimarães (medieval castle, Church of San Miguel).
Return for evening Fado music performance onboard.
(B, L, D)
Day 3
Peso da Régua / Pinhão
Sail to Pinhão.
Discovery: Tour one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley with wine tasting.
Classic: Walking tour of Lamego (cathedral, local delights).
Optional visit to Casa de Mateus.
(B, L, D)
Day 4
Pocinho
Today’s choices:
Active: Kayak along the Douro
Discovery: Wine tasting in a local quinta
Discovery: Azulejos painting workshop
Evening features Flamenco show onboard.
(B, L, D)
Day 5
Barca D’Alva | Excursion to Salamanca
Classic: Visit Freixo de Espada à Cinta or Castelo Rodrigo.
Classic alternative: Full-day guided excursion to Salamanca, Spain.
Evening onboard entertainment.
(B, L, D)
Day 6
Ferradosa → Leverinho | Amarante
Morning sailing through rural Douro.
Discovery: Onboard tile-painting demonstration (azulejos).
Discovery: Visit and wine tasting at a Vinho Verde property.
Classic: Guided tour of Amarante (town and river views).
Evening entertainment onboard.
(B, L, D)
Day 7
Porto
Active: Bike tour through Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
Discovery: Visit a Port wine cellar with tasting.
Classic: Guided sightseeing of Porto plus Matosinhos and Avenida da Boavista.
Afternoon optional activities: canal cruise in Aveiro, cork/barrel factory visit, or culinary tour.
Evening at leisure in Porto.
(B, L, D)
Day 8
Porto
Cruise ends after breakfast. Disembark from the ship.
(B)
- All meals aboard the Avalon Suite Ship® including regional wines, beer & soft drinks
- Guided excursions (Classic & Discovery) in towns like Lamego, Amarante, Salamanca, etc.
- WiFi onboard
- Port charges, taxes & fees
Bonus & Highlights:
- Wine tastings at local quintas & olive oil farm visits
- Cultural immersion: Fado & Flamenco performances, tile-painting workshops
- Active options: kayaking, biking, hillside walks
- Travel Insurance – your North Travel consultant can provide you with a quote. Get a quote now.
- Tourism visa or transit visa if required
- Upgrades to Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class available and to be quote at the time of booking.
- Itinerary deviations (e.g. extensions or specific airline requests). This will be quoted by a North Travel consultant at the time of booking.
- Professional service fee's (if any)
Advertised prices are not guaranteed until confirmed at booking. Prices are dynamic and may be affected by foreign exchange, airline, cruise, tour and supplier changes beyond North Travel’s control.
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On some itineraries and tours you may be required to have comprehensive travel insurance by the travel supplier. One of our consultants can guide you on this.
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