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Take part in our excursion to Vila Réal, a town with a great variety of religious buildings and architecture. Learn more about the famed Portuguese wine cultivated along the banks of the Douro River. Discover the best sights and excursions to experience while you explore the Douro Valley. In addition to wine, the Douro Valley is also known for its delicious cuisine, which is characterized by its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Typical dishes include bacalhau (salted cod), caldo verde (a hearty soup made with kale and potatoes), and pastéis de nata (custard tarts). Also, check out our solo cruise tips to make the most of travelling alone and download this free cruise packing checklist to make sure you’re prepared.
Douro River Cruise Itineraries: Cruises to Suit Every Traveler
Plus, several excursions have inbuilt surprises – like local Portuguese delicacies at one museum or a surprise fado performance at another. They use local guides and there’s no queuing to get on and off the ship. Alas, we got little use out of this beautiful area when we sailed due to the freakish bad weather. But the Douro is uusally drenched in sunshine over the summer and then you’ll be glad for the space to stretch out on the sun deck and dip in the pool. Avalon also hold grills on the top deck when the weather is good, which brings a party-like atmosphere.
Avalon Alegria Review: Is a Portugal Douro River Cruise for You?
From the medieval town of Lamego to the picturesque village of Pinhão, the Douro Valley is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Embark on a cruise through the heart of authentic Portugal and explore beautiful and unspoilt areas such as the Douro Nature Park and the Portuguese vineyards. Our hiking and walking programs offer you the opportunity to contemplate the natural beauty of these magical places. Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, this cruise is ideal for the nature and scenic enthusiasts.
Night Delightful DouroDetails
Today, the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding beauty and cultural significance. A cruise along the Douro offers the opportunity to explore this fascinating history and experience the rich culture of the region firsthand. The best way to explore Portugal and Spain is on a Douro River cruise, in the Douro Valley. Incredible scenery and culture is complimented by the comfortable, convenient, and gourmet on-board experience.
In some cases, ships are operated by DouroAzul, a Portugal-based company that owns much of the region's cruising infrastructure, from docking facilities to a fleet of river ships. Each company does have input into their own operations, whether it's menus, tours or onboard ambience. And they have input to a degree into their own ships; AmaWaterways, for instance, has incorporated its popular balcony/picture window suite design. Journey across Portugal on a luxury Douro river cruise, where picturesque landscapes await. Douro River cruises offer a variety of itineraries and options to suit every traveler’s preference. Typically, cruises along the Douro River range from 5 to 8 days, with some longer voyages available for those who want to explore the region more extensively.
What's most heartening about a cruise on the Douro is the small surprises. The tiny town of Pinhao, lying at the heart of Douro's wine country, reminds you of a cross between California's Napa Valley and Italy's Tuscany (only far less touristy). It's simply gorgeous country, whether in the lush vineyard regions closer to Porto or in the wild, craggy landscapes to the east, near the border with Spain. Porto is the port of departure and arrival for our Douro cruises. Which means you’ll have plenty of time to stroll through the splendid old town, take in the view from Portugal’s highest church tower and sample bacalhau, the country’s favourite dried fish. While you are there, don’t miss the opportunity to go on an excursion to Salamanca in Spain.
The Sky Deck
You'll have the chance to explore Lamego, city rich in heritage and tradition, or Guimarães considered the beating heart of Portugal. You will also be amazed by the striking history of the tram museum in Porto or the Quaint Afurada. Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.
Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley ( (Porto to Lisbon,
Launched in 2024, the Avalon Alegria carries only 102 passengers on this 262 foot ship in a combination of 14 Staterooms, 37 Panorama Suites. And third, because, in my experience, an Avalon cruise is an abundantly joyful thing. Well, first of all because Porto itself is one of Portugal’s finest cities, ribero boats bobbing between terracotta banks.
First impressions of Avalon Alegria, a new river ship in Portugal - Travel Weekly
First impressions of Avalon Alegria, a new river ship in Portugal.
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One of the highlights of a Douro River cruise is the opportunity to witness the changing landscapes as you sail along the river. From the rugged beauty of the upper Douro Valley to the gentle slopes of the lower valley, each stretch of the river offers its own unique beauty and charm. The Douro Valley is also home to many charming villages and towns, each with its own unique history and culture.
A sublimely scenic corner of Europe, with equally sublime food and wine. Immerse yourself in the festive and warm atmosphere of Portugal and Spain where you will discover a unique way of life. You will visit Porto, a subtle mixture of modernity and history famous for its wine, or Salamanca and its cathedral, Spain's "golden city".
Look out for dazzling ceramic tiles, futuristic concert halls and a whole lot more in this article on unusual things to do in Porto. A Douro River sailing is rich in destinations to appease almost any traveler's desires. Some of the most popular include Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Pinhão and Salamanca.
During a Douro River cruise, passengers can enjoy guided tours of local wineries, where they can learn about the winemaking process and sample a variety of wines, including port, vinho verde, and Douro DOC wines. Some cruises also offer onboard wine tastings, where passengers can sample a selection of wines from the region. Explore the sunny Iberian Peninsula with world renowned cruise companies and set sail on the Douro river. Take in the charm of small riverside towns in Portugal's Vila Real district, while tasting local wines in the company of friends or family. Discover over 300 medieval castles in Spain's Castile and Leon mountainous region and unwind in Sintra with an unforgettable river cruise. Typically, seven or 10-night trips begin with land tours in Lisbon before passengers are transported by motor coach to their ships.
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Emerald Radiance Cruise: Expert Review ( .
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Visits to a range of quintas, the Portuguese term for wineries, mostly focus on the region's famed port wines, but the winemakers in the Douro region also produce beautiful reds and whites. Journey from Porto, where the origins of Portugal took shape, and along the river to the Douro Valley to discover famed vineyards, towering cliff faces, and stunning wildlife. The Douro River has a rich history dating back centuries, with evidence of human settlement along its banks dating back to the Paleolithic era. The river played a crucial role in the region’s development, serving as a vital trade route for transporting goods like port wine, olive oil, and grains. Many Douro River cruises also include meals onboard, giving passengers the opportunity to sample traditional Portuguese dishes prepared by skilled chefs. Overall, a Douro River cruise offers a feast for the senses, with opportunities to indulge in the region’s culinary delights and savor its world-class wines.
Lisbon is a city of incomparable beauty, rich culture, and profound history. Fall under the spell of its pastel-colored homes, blue water, and yellow, retro streetcars. The Portuguese capital is a city that has crossed history with brilliance, perfect combination of a rich past that gives it its charm and attractive modernity. You will enjoy 3 days in Lisbon before joining the POB_AIPP cruise in the heart of Portugal. As you wind your way along the Douro River, you’ll see steep green slopes with terraced vineyards, historic quintas (estates) and picturesque villages with traditions galore. Renowned worldwide for its stunning terraced vineyards, which produce the world class Port wine, the Douro Valley offers a sensory feast for visitors.
The Douro River winds its way through the heart of one of Europe’s most stunning landscapes, the Douro Valley. This picturesque region is characterized by its terraced vineyards, which rise from the riverbanks in a stunning display of greenery and beauty. The Douro Valley is also home to charming villages, historic towns, and lush forests, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. You will find most of the itinerary highlights on all the lines. Bookended by two genuinely intriguing cities -- Spain's Salamanca and Portugal's Porto -- a fair portion of the weeklong itinerary is actually pastoral and laid-back. While there's plenty to do, one oddity of the Douro experience is that there's no night navigation, so ships must cruise from sunrise to sunset.
Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, has some 2,000 years of history behind it. While it's best known for the production of port wine (wine that's fortified with the addition of brandy), it's also a bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis. Being so close to the ocean gives Porto a bit of a San Francisco feel; it's every bit as hilly, there are plenty of trams, street life is colorful, and occasionally a dense fog rolls in off the Atlantic. Enjoy time at leisure this morning to discover Porto at your own pace. Afterwards, join us for an excursion to Aveiro, a charming medieval town surrounded by salt marshes, beaches and lagoons.
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