River Cruise Itinerary

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 Sintra. 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 or 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.

1. Day 1
   LISBON, PORTUGAL

   Sun, Sep 29, 2024

   Welcome to Lisbon. Your day in Lisbon is free to explore at your leisure.LISBON-TRAM.jpg
2. Day 2
   LISBON

   Mon, Sep 30, 2024

   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. (B)LISBON-FADO.jpg
3. Day 3
   LISBON. EXCURSION TO SINTRA AND VISIT OF PALÁCIO NACIONAL

   Tue, Oct 01, 2024

   A Resplendent Royal Residence CLASSIC This afternoon, 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. In the morning you might join an optional excursion to learn how to bake the most well-known Portuguese tart, known as Pastel de Nata.(B)LISBON-SINTRA.jpg
4. Day 4
   LISBON–COIMBRA–PORTO (EMBARKATION)

   Wed, Oct 02, 2024

   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)COIMBRA.jpg
5. Day 5
   PORTO-PORTO ANTIGO. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARÃES

   Thu, Oct 03, 2024

   Portuguese Panoramas Visit the Adventure Center on board 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 an 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 Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Celebrate your experience with a stop at one of the area’s many wine farms and enjoy a tasting. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO ANTIGO (B,L,D)GUIMARAES.jpg
6. Day 6
   PESO DA RÉGUA

   Fri, Oct 04, 2024

   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: CLASSIC Take a guided walking tour of the charming town of Régua —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. 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. This afternoon, consider an optional excursion to Casa de Mateus. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PINHÃO(B,L,D)PESO-DA-REGUA.jpg
7. Day 7
   POCINHO

   Sat, Oct 05, 2024

   Written in Stone Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente region. DISCOVERY Discover Vila Nova de Foz Côa at the eastern terminal of the legendary Douro Railway line. Marvel at the amazing archaeological site along the River Côa where a wealth of remarkable prehistoric rock paintings and carvings were discovered as the most significant collection of Palaeolithic figurations known today. OR: CLASSIC Join a guided tour of Freixo de Numão, a charming village nestled between the nearby mountains filled with vast vineyards and granite houses. This little suburb is filled with Roman, Medieval, and modern ruins. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BARCA D’ALVA(B,L,D)POCINHO.jpg
8. Day 8
   BARCA D’ALVA. EXCURSION TO SALAMANCA

   Sun, Oct 06, 2024

   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 à 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 paella. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN FERRADOSA(B,L,D)SALAMANCA.jpg
9. Day 9
   FERRADOSA-LEVERINHO. EXCURSION TO AMARANTE

   Mon, Oct 07, 2024

   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 onboard pastry demonstration. 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. Later, feel the passion of Portugal’s soulful and stirring Fado music during a visit with local musicians on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LEVERINHO(B,L,D)AMARANTE.jpg
10. Day 10
    PORTO

    Tue, Oct 08, 2024

    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 bicycle and accompanied by a professional biologist tour guide, 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, OR: 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 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(B,L,D)PORTO-OLD-TOWN.jpg
11. Day 11
    PORTO (DISEMBARKATION)

    Wed, Oct 09, 2024

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)PORTO-DETAIL.jpg

Inclusions

• In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
• Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Port charges:
$210

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Ship Information

Cabins

Life on Board

Questions & Answers