Avalon Luxury Vineyards & Villages – Douro Portugal – July 2026
THREE DATES 2026 LUXURY SUMMER VINEYARDS & VILLAGES ALONG THE DOURO 
THIS ONE IS AMAZING VALUE FROM £1849 !
7 NIGHTS ABOARD AVALON ALEGRIA – NO SOLO SUPPLEMENT
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DEPARTS 15 JULY 2026
DEPARTS 22 JULY 2026
DEPARTS 29 JULY 2026
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Direct London flights available with supplement from London
GATWICK BIRMINGHAM, EDINBURGH FLIGHTS INCLUDED
GLASGOW, NEWCASTLE, BRISTOL, MANCHESTER PLUS £90
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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 start exploring the city joining a guided sightseeing. Enjoy a guided tour in the charming town of Lamego or meet the owner of one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley to sample the proud traditions of olive oil and wine. Enjoy a wine tasting in a local quinta or join a kayak adventure on the Douro River. 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. Discover the process of painting an azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile) following the guide of a professional painter.
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 Ship® in the city of Porto. Take a guided tour to Braga and Guimarães or start exploring the city joining a guided sightseeing. Enjoy a guided tour in the charming town of Lamego or meet the owner of one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley to sample the proud traditions of olive oil and wine. Enjoy a wine tasting in a local quinta or join a kayak adventure on the Douro River. 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. Discover the process of painting an azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile) following the guide of a professional painter.
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.
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ITINERARY
Fly Gatwick to Porto
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 a scenic sailing will show you Porto from a different perspective. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
DAY 2 – PORTO – PORTO ANTIGO
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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:
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Classic Excursion
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*.
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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
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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:
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Discovery Excursion
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:
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Classic Excursion
Take 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.
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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
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Kayaks and Quintas in the Douro Valley
Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente region.
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Discovery Excursion
Join a Workshop conducted by a professional painter to discover the process of painting azulejos (traditional Portuguese tile).
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Active Excursion
Discover the Douro River by kayak on a guided adventure through Portugal’s stunning valley. Enjoy breathtaking views and unforgettable moments*, OR:
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Discovery Excursion
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.
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Discovery Excursion
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.
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This evening, enjoy an onboard Flamenco show with local artists.
DAY 5 – BARCA D’ALVA
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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:
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Classic Excursion
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.
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This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
DAY 6 – FERRADOSA – LEVERINHO
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Mountains and Moving Music
This morning, enjoy a leisurely sailing through the Douro River.
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Discovery Excursion
Enjoy an onboard pastry demonstration.
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Discovery Excursion
Join us to visit a wine-producing property, and taste the freshness and lightness of iconic Vinho Verde wine, considered one of the world’s unique white wines, OR:
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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.
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This evening, enjoy an onboard live entertainment.
DAY 7 – PORTO
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Active Excursion
Enjoy the wharfs of the Douro River and the coastal magnificence of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, on a guided bike tour, OR;
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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:
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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.
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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.
Fly Porto to Gatwick
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15 JULY 2026
RIVER VIEW – £sold
PANORAMA SUITE WITH FRENCH BALCONY – £2599
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22 JULY 2026
RIVER VIEW – £1849 limited
PANORAMA SUITE WITH FRENCH BALCONY – £2499
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29 JULY 2026
RIVER VIEW – £1849 limited
PANORAMA SUITE WITH FRENCH BALCONY – £2599
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WHATS INCLUDED?
Why pay extra for the experiences you came for? With Avalon, the best parts of cruising aren’t upsold – they’re already yours. That’s the Avalon difference. From the glass of wine in your hand to the Wi-Fi on your phone, from the sunrise yoga class to the storybook castle on your afternoon e-bike ride and onboard gratuties already paid – it’s all built in. No surprises. With us, the best memories aren’t add-ons, they’re included.
FREE SPIRITED SIPS
Wine, beer, and soft drinks are always included at lunch and dinner. Plus, enjoy complimentary Happy Hour every night (except the first) with wine, beer, and specialty cocktails – even zero-proof options designed by award-winning mixologist Martin Hudák. And when you want something cosy or indulgent, the Club Lounge is open 24/7 with complimentary specialty teas and coffees.
FREE STYLE DINING
No fixed seating. No forced schedules. With FlexDining® you choose when, where, and how you eat. Elegant four-course dinners in glass-walled dining rooms. Breezy Sky Deck barbecues or al fresco lunches and dinners. Petite plates in the Panorama Bistro. Breakfast in bed with river views. Afternoon teatime with pastries. Sweet treats and savoury bites—always available in the Club Lounge. All included.
FREE TO EXPLORE
Avalon Choice® Excursions offers you an average of 22 included excursions to experience the world – from castle hikes and chocolate workshops, city tours to kayaking trips. Plus bikes and e-bikes are free to use when you want to wander on your own.
FREE TO MOVE
Wellness is also included with Avalon. From yoga to stretching classes led by Adventure Hosts, to enhanced fitness centers with new equipment, to bikes and e-bikes ready for every port – Avalon makes it easy to keep your body and spirit in motion.
FREE CONNECTION
Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi via Starlink, free infotainment systems in every stateroom with 50+ free movies, and the AvalonGO app to keep you informed and on course before and during your cruise.
FREE TO DREAM
Every room is exterior facing and comes with a view, plus Comfort CollectionSM beds, Egyptian cotton linens, marble bathrooms, and L’Occitane® products. Most guests enjoy a Panorama SuiteSM with a wall-to-wall Open-Air Balcony® and beds that face the passing landscapes. Would you like your coffee with one complimentary castle or two?
FREE TO PLAY (AND STAY UP LATE)
Daylight isn’t the end of the adventure. With Avalon After DarkSM, your evenings sparkle with live music, trivia, dance parties, and themed events. Add in al fresco dinners on the Sky Deck, late-night cocktails, and overnight stays in legendary cities – or free movies in the comfort of your Panorama Suites and you’ll find the nights shine as brightly as the days.
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AVALON ALEGRIA
Explore Portugal’s dazzling Douro River on Avalon’s newest addition to our award-winning fleet of Suite Ships®. 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 Starlink Wi-Fi access, 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. Relax and watch the world go by in our Observation Lounge for the perfect vantage point to peruse Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley and vineyards. Stretch out on the Sky Deck with a plunge pool, premium lounge chairs, and shade system to relax while sailing through Portugal’s most spectacular views!
