Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro

8 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
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 a...
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of guided sightseeing in Porto or guided sightseeing in Braga and Guimarães
    • Choice of guided sightseeing in Lamego or farm visit with tasting or wine painting class
    • Onboard tile painting workshop; choice of wine tasting in a local quinta or kayak excursion
    • Choice of guided sightseeing in Salamanca or guided sightseeing in Freixo de Espada à Cinta or visit to Castelo Rodrigo
    • Onboard pastry demonstration; choice of guided sightseeing in Amarante or Vinho Verde wine tasting
    • Choice of guided sightseeing or bike tour or wine tasting
    • 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

What's this trip about?

    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 with 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. From Pocinho, 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.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityPORTO, PORTUGAL (EMBARKATION)
End CityPORTO (DISEMBARKATION)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Porto
  • Salamanca

Activities

  • Culture
  • River Cruise

Itinerary

Day 1: PORTO, PORTUGAL (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Portugal. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Porto must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

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

This evening an illumination sailing will show yo...

Day 2: PORTO–PORTO ANTIGO. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARÃES

Portuguese Panoramas

Visit the Adventure Center on board for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Join a guided tour of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue your experience with a ride to the riverside city of Matosinhos and up Av...

Day 3: PESO DA RÉGUA

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 art...

Day 4: POCINHO

Kayaks and Quintas in the Douro Valley

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

DISCOVERY Join a Workshop conducted by a professional painter to discover the process of painting azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile). ACTIVE Discover ...

Day 5: 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 à Cinta village in the Douro International Natural P...

Day 6: FERRADOSA–LEVERINHO. EXCURSION TO AMARANTE

Mountains and Moving Music

This morning enjoy a nice and relaxing 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 Vi...

Day 7: PORTO*

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 acco...

Day 8: PORTO (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,699
Price per day$462
Last Updated: 3/11/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
19 Mar 2025
26 Mar 2025
$3,699
26 Mar 2025
02 Apr 2025
$3,799
02 Apr 2025
09 Apr 2025
$3,899
09 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025
$3,999
16 Apr 2025
23 Apr 2025
$4,199
23 Apr 2025
30 Apr 2025
$4,199
30 Apr 2025
07 May 2025
$4,399
07 May 2025
14 May 2025
$4,499
14 May 2025
21 May 2025
$4,499
21 May 2025
28 May 2025
$4,499

Port charges: $ 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.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,559
Great
145
Average
48
Disappointing
16
Terrible
47
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Other Avalon Waterways Reviews

c

crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

J

James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

J

Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

Written on

Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hilton Porto Gaia

Housed in a former port warehouse, this beautiful property is steeped in history and enjoys a privileged location in the historic center of Vila Nova de Gaia, close to the Gaia Cable Car and Port Wine Cellars, with the Famous Dom Luis bridge just 1 km away. Offering contemporary comfort and sophisticated design, this 194-room hotel has spacious guest rooms equipped with modern amenities such as Free Wi-Fi internet access, air conditioning, a coffee machine, minibar, flat-screen TV and complimentary toiletries in the bathroom. Guests can enjoy a drink at the panoramic bar or dine at the on-site restaurant with outdoor terrace which offers authentic local cuisine with a modern twist. A fitness centre and an indoor pool with sauna are available.

Porto

Portugal

Rua da Serpa Pinto 124

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Optional Activities
[object Object]
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
AVALON-WCC

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