Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along The Douro
8 Days
Tour Description
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 ShipsSM – 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 ShipSM in the city of Porto. 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.
Embark on your Suite ShipSM in the city of Porto. 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.
Priced From:
$ 5980pp *
Start Location: Porto, Portugal
End Location: Porto, Portugal
Major Destinations: Porto ,Peso da Regua,Freixo de Numão,Amarante
Breakfast Meals Included:
7
Lunch Meals Included:
6
Dinner Meals Included:
6
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 you Porto from a different prospective.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO (D)
Day
2
PORTO-PORTO ANTIGO. EXCURSION BRAGA AND GUIMARAES
Portuguese Panoramas
Visit the Adventure Centre 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 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PORTO ANTIGO (B,L,D)
Day
3
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, a 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.
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 afternoon, consider an optional excursion to Casa de Mateus.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PINHAO (B,L,D)
Day
4
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 Palaeolithic figurations known today, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a guided tour of Freixo de Numao, 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)
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 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 paella.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN FERRADOSA (B,L,D)
Day
6
FERRADOSA-LEVERINHO. 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 onboard pastry demonstration.
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 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)
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 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)
Day
8
PORTO (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Dates & prices
Dates
Prices
Status
Departure Date :
2024-11-27
Return Date :
2024-12-04
Single :
9221 NZD
Twin :
6128 NZD
Open
Departure Date :
2024-11-20
Return Date :
2024-11-27
Single :
9221 NZD
Twin :
6128 NZD
Open
Departure Date :
2024-11-13
Return Date :
2024-11-20
Single :
9221 NZD
Twin :
6128 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-11-06
Return Date :
2024-11-13
Single :
9221 NZD
Twin :
6128 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-10-30
Return Date :
2024-11-06
Single :
9680 NZD
Twin :
6424 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-10-23
Return Date :
2024-10-30
Single :
9909 NZD
Twin :
6572 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-10-16
Return Date :
2024-10-23
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-10-09
Return Date :
2024-10-16
Single :
10598 NZD
Twin :
7016 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-10-02
Return Date :
2024-10-09
Single :
10598 NZD
Twin :
7016 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-09-25
Return Date :
2024-10-02
Single :
10827 NZD
Twin :
7164 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-09-18
Return Date :
2024-09-25
Single :
10827 NZD
Twin :
7164 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-09-04
Return Date :
2024-09-11
Single :
10827 NZD
Twin :
7164 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-08-28
Return Date :
2024-09-04
Single :
10598 NZD
Twin :
7016 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-08-14
Return Date :
2024-08-21
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-08-07
Return Date :
2024-08-14
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-07-31
Return Date :
2024-08-07
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-07-24
Return Date :
2024-07-31
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-07-17
Return Date :
2024-07-24
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-07-10
Return Date :
2024-07-17
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-07-03
Return Date :
2024-07-10
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-06-26
Return Date :
2024-07-03
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-06-19
Return Date :
2024-06-26
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-06-12
Return Date :
2024-06-19
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Open
Departure Date :
2024-05-29
Return Date :
2024-06-05
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-05-22
Return Date :
2024-05-29
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-05-15
Return Date :
2024-05-22
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-05-01
Return Date :
2024-05-08
Single :
10368 NZD
Twin :
6868 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-04-24
Return Date :
2024-05-01
Single :
9909 NZD
Twin :
6572 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-04-10
Return Date :
2024-04-17
Single :
9221 NZD
Twin :
6128 NZD
Sold Out
Departure Date :
2024-04-03
Return Date :
2024-04-10
Single :
8992 NZD
Twin :
5980 NZD
Open