Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages along the Douro with Lisbon

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enquire now 11 Days From NZD $6,577 pp twinshare
 Cruise
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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, cosy towns, and charming villages while sailing through some of the most spectacular views of Portugal. Before sailing, begin your holiday 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! br/>
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 Alegria 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 vine-yards 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 cosy 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 Portu-gal’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.

Please note: Itinerary is based on 2023, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2023.

ITINERARY 

  • DAY 1:   LISBON, PORTUGAL
    Welcome to Lisbon. Your day in Lisbon is free to explore at your leisure.
  • DAY 2:   LISBON. EXCURSION TO PALACIO DE MAFRA
    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. This evening you might join an optional excursion including a traditional Portuguese dinner, followed by a live concert of traditional Portuguese Fado music. (B)
  • DAY 3:   LISBON. EXCURSION TO PALACIO DE MAFRA
    A Resplendent Royal Residence CLASSIC Visit the magnificent National Palace of Mafra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex, which includes the Royal Palace, basilica, and convent, is the most important monument to Baroque architecture in Portugal. You might opt to join an optional gastronomic walking tour to learn about the authentic flavours, aromas, and traditions of Portugal. (B)
  • DAY 4:   LISBON-COIMBRA-PORTO (EMBARKATION)
    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 (B,D)
  • DAY 5:   ENTRE OS RIOS. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARAES
    ENTRE OS RIOS. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARAES Portuguese Panoramas Visit the Adventure Centre onboard for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. DISCOVERY Step back in time within the walls of the Interpretation Centre of the Romanesque with a fascinating introduction to its symbolism and architecture. Enjoy a full day excursion with an exclusive visit to one of the most iconic monasteries of the Romanesque era with entrance to a XIII century church and be enchanted by sounds of Gregorian Chant from the high choir, 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 Guimaraes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Celebrate your experience with a stop at one of the area’s many wine farms and enjoy a tasting. Sample green wine and famous pastries with stops en route to Regua. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO ANTIGO (B,L,D)
  • DAY 6:   PESO DA REGUA
    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 an olive oil and wine tasting, OR: CLASSIC Take a guided walking tour of the charming town of Regua — with its religious architecture, narrow streets, beautiful tiles, and stained-glass window of Casa do Douro. Continue to Lamego to visit the cathedral, followed by a delicious tasting of bola de Lamego and sparkling wine in a local pastry shop. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy free time in Pinhao 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. This evening, consider an optional excursion to enjoy an authentic Portuguese dinner hosted by the local farmers. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PINHAO (B,L,D)
  • DAY 7:   POCINHO
    Written in Stone Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente region. DISCOVERY Discover Vila Nova de Foz Coa at the eastern terminal of the legendary Douro Railway line. Marvel at the amazing archaeological site along the River Coa where a wealth of remarkable prehistoric rock paintings and carvings were discovered as the most significant collection of open-air Paleolithic figurations known today. Before returning to ship, enjoy a tasting of the unique wine of the region, OR: CLASSIC Join a guided tour of Freixo de Numao, a charming village nestled between the nearby mountains. Visit a local farm for a delightful wine tasting where sustainable farming practices have recovered some of the region’s 100 original grape varieties. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BARCA D’ALVA (B,L,D)
  • DAY 8:   BARCA D’ALVA. EXCURSION TO SALAMANCA
    The Reign in Spain Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Join our guide for a guided tour this morning to of one of the most remote villages of the country, Freixo de Espada a Cinta village in the Douro International Natural Park, home to majestic birds of prey, 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. Dive into a delicious dish of the traditional Spanish delicacy, toston asado (traditional roast suckling pig). In the afternoon you might wish to join our optional excursion to enjoy a do-it-yourself workshop to learn how to bake traditional Florinhas (Portuguese pastries). OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN POCINHO (B,L,D)
  • DAY 9:   CALDAS DE AREGOS. EXCURSION TO AMARANTE
    Painted Tiles & Passionate Tunes During your morning sailing, a professional painter will guide you through the process of painting an azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile) to take home a piece of Portugal’s tradition. You may alternatively join an optional excursion to 18th-century Casa de Mateus – birthplace of Mateus Rose wine and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. CLASSIC Join a guided sightseeing tour of Amarante – poised against a breathtaking backdrop of the great Serra do Marao mountain and the Tamega River, which courses through the heart of the city and assortment of houses lining the river banks. Later, feel the passion of Portugal’s soulful and stirring Fado music during a visit with local musicians on board. Enjoy a scenic sailing to Porto for a free evening to explore the city. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO (B,L,D)
  • DAY 10:   PORTO
    Ancient Charm Meets Avant-Garde 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: ACTIVE Take a scenic bike ride to pedal through picturesque surroundings from Porto to the Atlantic Coast. This afternoon, you may choose to join in a guided optional excursion such as a scenic canal cruise on the Aveiro (Venice of Portugal) or explore a family-owned factory to witness the Portuguese art of cork and barrel production. Perhaps simply spend time strolling through Porto’s cobblestone lanes, lovely shops, and tempting tapas bars this afternoon before experience the energy of Porto’s buzzing nightlife. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO (B,L,D)
  • DAY 11:   PORTO (DISEMBARKATION)
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUSIONS 

Meals
Breakfast: 10 Lunch: 6 Dinner: 7
Transport
State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
Accommodation
Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
HighLights
  • Porto
  • Peso da Regua
  • Palacio Nacional de Mafra
  • Freixo de Numão
  • Coimbra
  • Belem Tower

Images courtesy of Avalon Waterways and Globus Family of Brands 

AVW – WCCQ

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