A Tack & Table Signature Sailing
Tack & Table: Portugal Edition | Douro Valley Harvest
Portugal doesn't shout. It pours.
This is a country of tiled façades and terraced vineyards, of fado drifting from an open doorway in the Alfama and the low light on the Douro that painters have chased for centuries. Vida Portugal begins in Lisbon — three nights to settle in, to wander the miradouros, to taste the pastel de nata that ruins you for every other pastry — before we head north to where the river cuts its dramatic path through wine country.
Aboard the intimate Avalon Alegria, the Douro reveals itself slowly. Quintas cling to hillsides so steep the harvest is still done by hand. We'll break bread with the winemakers, taste ports aged in cellars that predate most countries, and eat like Portuguese grandmothers meant us to.
This is a Tack & Table signature sailing — small, intentional, curated with the depth you've come to expect. Food as a doorway into place. Wine as a story of family. A river journey that ends in Porto with the light turning gold on the Ribeira.
Come with me. Portugal is waiting.
The shape of the journey.
Ship
Avalon Alegria
Cruise Line
Avalon Waterways
Route
Lisbon → Porto (with Douro River sailing)
Pre-Cruise
Lisbon — three nights
Post-Cruise
Porto — Ribeira & port lodges
Hosted By
Chef Marina Tack
Day by Day
Ten nights. Lisbon to the Douro and back again.
Sun, Sep 26
Lisbon, Portugal
Arrive Lisbon. Welcome dinner overlooking the Tagus.
Mon, Sep 27
Lisbon
Alfama walking tour, tile workshop, and an evening of fado.
Tue, Sep 28
Lisbon → Porto
Morning at leisure, then transfer north to embark the Avalon Alegria.
Wed, Sep 29
Porto, Portugal
Old-town Porto, the Livraria Lello, and a first taste of tawny port in a Vila Nova de Gaia lodge.
Thu, Sep 30
Régua & Lamego
Sail into the Douro Valley. Vineyard visit and quinta lunch.
Fri, Oct 1
Pinhão
Heart of port country. Private tasting with a family winemaker.
Sat, Oct 2
Vega de Terrón (Spain)
Border crossing to Salamanca — golden sandstone plazas, Iberian ham, and Ribera del Duero.
Sun, Oct 3
Barca d'Alva → Ferradosa
Slow sailing through the upper Douro. Onboard cooking demonstration.
Mon, Oct 4
Régua → Guimarães
Excursion to the birthplace of Portugal, medieval streets, a chef-led lunch.
Tue, Oct 5
Porto
Return to Porto. Farewell dinner in the Ribeira as the city lights come on.
Wed, Oct 6
Porto → Home
Disembark. Carry the Douro with you.
Inclusions, staterooms & pre/post details.
Stateroom categories, pre- and post-cruise hotel nights, and full inclusions and exclusions are available on request. Marina will walk you through the options personally so the cabin, the add-on nights, and the tables align with how you most want to travel.
Come with me.
This sailing is small and intentional, and space is limited. Claim your spot, or write to me with your questions before you do.
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All prices subject to change until deposits are paid and accepted in full · Independent Agency partnered with Avoya Travel · Fla. Seller of Travel ST36781 · CST #2085569-40