Avalon Waterways announced that it will make its Douro debut with a new itinerary and Suite Ship, the Avalon Alegria, in 2024.
VIDA PORTUGAL: VINEYARDS & VILLAGES ALONG THE DOURO
Hillside vineyards and historic villages await guests as they sail through Portugal on Avalon’s all-new, eight-day cruise that begins and ends in Porto and is filled with Avalon’s signature, included Classic, Discovery and Active excursion choices.
Featuring everything from ancient Amarante – in the picturesque Minho region, known for its golden church that dates back to 1530 – to the sandstone architecture in Salamanca Spain; rock art to riding bikes from Porto to the sea, this new itinerary promises countless ways to soak up splendor – from medieval castles to cinematic scenery and all the vinho, baked bread, olives and cheese your soul desires.
DAY-BY-DAY SNEAK PEEK
Day 1: Welcome to Porto with an optional food tour, embarkation and overnight in the city.
Day 2: Excursion choices include stepping back in time in Guimarães’ historic city center or cruising along the coast, on bike, from Porto Ribiera to the sea. The ship overnights in Porto Antigo.
Day 3: Today’s choice of excursions includes a visit to one of the Douro Valley’s oldest farms, with food tasting near Peso da Regua and an overnight in Pinhão.
Day 4: Experience a guided tour of Freixo de Numão, a village nestled between the nearby mountains, complete with regional wine-tasting or rock art in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Tonight, Avalon Alegria docks in Barca d’Alva.
Day 5: Choose from classic sightseeing in Freixo de Espada à Cinta or a visit to Salamanca in Spain. Learn to bake traditional Portuguese pastries (“Florinhas”) during a hands-on optional excursion.
Day 6: Paint a typical ‘azuelejos’ tile guided by a professional painter during a relaxing morning sail. Spend the afternoon in Amarante and Fado the evening away. Guests overnight in Porto with plenty of free time to peruse the city.
Day 7: UNESCO the day away exploring Porto – with optional excursions ranging from a canal cruise to celebratory Portuguese traditions – before spending one more night in the city.
Day 8: The cruise comes to an end in Porto.
Living up to its name (which, in Portuguese, means “happiness”), the Avalon Alegria will feature signature Panorama Suites on two full decks. Each Suite provides guests 200-square-feet of living space, Open-Air Balconies and beds facing the views. In addition, the Alegria, will provide guests with a pool on the Sky Deck to bask in the sun and soak-in the beauty of Portugal while sailing from a new, poolside point-of-view.
To find the original article and form, please visit River Cruise Advisor.
