Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro 2024 - 8 Days from Porto to Porto

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Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro 2024

8 Days from Porto to Porto



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 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 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.

Map for Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro 2024 - 8 Days from Porto to Porto
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Dates & Pricing



Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Porto (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Porto-Porto Antigo. Excursion to Braga and Guimarães: Choice of guided sightseeing in Braga and Guimarães, or Romanesque tour
Day 3 Peso da Régua: Choice of guided sightseeing Peso da Régua and Lamego or farm visit with tasting
Day 4 Pocinho: Choice of guided sightseeing in Freixo de Numão or guided sightseeing in Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Day 5 Barca d’Alva. Excursion to Salamanca: Choice of guided sightseeing in Salamanca or guided sightseeing in Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Day 6 Ferradosa-Leverinho. Excursion to Amarante: Guided sightseeing in Amarante
Day 7 Porto: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike tour
Day 8 Porto (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
Notes:
  • 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.

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 PORTO-CITY-VIEW.jpg

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. 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 GUIMARAES.jpg
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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: 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 PESO-DA-REGUA.jpg
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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 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 POCINHO.jpg
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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 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 SALAMANCA.jpg
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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 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 AMARANTE.jpg
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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 PORTO-OLD-TOWN.jpg
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Day 8
PORTO (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. PORTO-DETAIL.jpg

Accommodations

Porto
Hilton Porto Gaia
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

Rua da Serpa Pinto 124 Porto Portugal

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.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

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