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Cruise Information

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 in the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Embark on your Portugal river cruise in the city of Porto as we set sail to share the proud traditions of winemaking, agriculture, architecture, artistry, and adventure. From the sweet life of farming legacies to the smooth sounds of passionate Fado music, Portugal comes to life in its artistry, architecture, and always welcoming locals who share the scenic mysteries and treasured moments awaiting you on this dazzling Douro River cruise vacation in Portugal.
 

A Journey That Changes with the Seasons.
Each season along the Douro brings its own character – from sun-warmed summer days to the quieter beauty of spring and fall. Depending on when you sail, you can take part in a cozy harvest experience with grape picking and stunning views of grape laden vineyards. As the seasons change, so do the colors of the terraced hillsides, the rhythm of riverside life, and the feel of Portugal’s celebrated wine country. Sail this iconic river when it speaks most to you, with every season offering a distinct point-of-view.
 

What’s included:
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Panoramic windows throughout the ship
Elegant, contemporary design & decor
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Sky Deck with pool, shade awnings and premium lounges
Covered Observation Lounge
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Elevator
Non-smoking interior and staterooms
Fitness Center
Avalon Adventure Center
Your place for active gear and activities through your Avalon Adventure HostSM, including:
Active shore excursions, both included and optional
Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal
Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
Daily breakfast buffet with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and daily a la carte specials
Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and rotating chef’s features including carving & pasta stations. Alternatively, you may dine al fresco at our Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather and itinerary permitting) or enjoy a light lunch in the Panorama Lounge.
Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Avalon FlexDining® flexible dining times with menu & venue options 
Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan, low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, high energy and allergy-free selections
Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
Included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day
Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
 

Pricing per person based on double occupancy and March 24, 2027 date:
Deluxe Stateroom-  $4,401.00 per person
Panorama Suite-  $6,600.00 per person
 

Available dates for 2027: March 24th and 31st, April 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, May 5th and 19th, June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, July 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, August 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th, September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, November 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th, December 1st and 8th
 

Rates are cruise only and per person based on double occupancy. Airfare, insurance, and transfers are at an additional cost. Travel insurance is highly recommended, ask your travel agent for details. 
 

Passports are required and must be valid for six months after return date. Check CIBT.com for Visa Requirements
MEMBERSHIP CREDITS CANNOT BE USED FOR THIS VACATION
Itineraries are subject to change; port sequence, scheduled time, and/or day.  For the most updated cruise information, please visit www.avalonwaterways.com.
Travel specials are subject to availability and rates are subject to change.  Global Connections is not responsible for publishing/printing errors.
 

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, see Porto from a unique perspective on a scenic sailing.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
 

DAY 2- PORTO - PORTO ANTIGO. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARAES
Portuguese Panoramas
Classic Excursion: 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: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.
 

DAY 3- PESO DA REGUA
Pastoral Pleasures of Portugal
Discovery Excursion: 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: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 Excursion: TTake 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.
 

DAY 4- POCINHO
Kayaks and Quintas in the Douro Valley
Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente region.
Discovery Excursion: Join a Workshop conducted by a professional painter to discover the process of painting azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile).OR: 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. OR: 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.
 

DAY 5- BARCA D'ALVA. EXCURSION TO SALAMANCA
The Reign in Spain
Classic Excursion: 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: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: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.
 

DAY 6- FERRADOSA - LEVERINHO
Mountains and Moving Music
This morning, enjoy a leisurely sailing through the Douro River.
Classic Excursion: 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.
Discovery Excursion: Enjoy an onboard pastry demonstration. OR: Join us for an onboard Lecture to learn more about the wines of the region. OR: 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.
This evening, enjoy an onboard live entertainment.
 

DAY 7- PORTO
Ancient Charm Meets Avant-Garde
Discovery Excursion: 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 Excursion: 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.
 

DAY 8- PORTO (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Ship Information

Ship: Alegria

The Avalon Alegria delights river cruisers with exceptional experiences and the elegant yet relaxed luxury you've come to expect from Avalon Waterways. As the newest addition to our fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Alegria certainly lives up to its name, meaning happiness, which flows from stem to stern on this 262-foot ship. Choose from 14 deluxe staterooms or 37 Panorama Suites® with a spacious capacity of just 102 passengers. Choose from two full decks of award-winning Panorama Suites, featuring wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform your living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, with Avalon's signature window-facing "Beds with a View." Onboard amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi access, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, an Adventure Center with complimentary active gear, and an Avalon Adventure Host to assist with active excursions and on board fitness classes and activities. Enjoy exceptional onboard cuisine, including Avalon Fresh® menu options, premium coffee and spirits, and versatile FlexDining venues, including the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room. Make yourself at home in the Club lounge with a variety of coffees, teas, cold beverages, and pastries while settling in with your pick of books, cards, and board games.


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