2023 PORTUGAL RIVER CRUISING SCENIC FREECHOICE
Aveiro, Portugal
Whether your interests lie in seeing great works of art and architecture, tasting regional specialties, visiting historic sites or learning about local culture and traditions, you’ll always find a Scenic Freechoice activity to enjoy. And of course, they’re all included.
Each guest is different, so we appreciate that you may want to move at your own pace. Perhaps you’ll want to follow a busy day with one at a more relaxed tempo or simply relax throughout. We’ve divided our extensive list of Scenic Freechoice activities into active, moderate and relaxed pace so you can choose those which best suit your requirements and interests. Active For those keen to explore further afield or take part in more energetic excursions.
Moderate A comfortable walking pace at which you can easily discover a beautiful city or marketplace.
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
ENTRE-OS-RIOS
PINHÃO
EXCURSION TO GUIMARÃES
4.5 hours
Guimarães was the seat of the first King of Portugal and is dominated by the impressive Ducal Palace, which dates back to medieval times. Explore the city with your local guide and learn the cities fascinating history as well as some of the local folklore. QUINTA AVELEDA
2.5 hours
Explore the fairy-tale like property of Quinta Aveleda, a renowned sparkling wine producer set on an estate boasting incredible gardens. The highlight of this tour is the enchanting gardens, perfectly manicured. This truly is a slice of paradise. PAIVA WALKWAYS
Relaxed A slower pace allowing you to enjoy a show or perhaps take part in a class.
QUINTA HIKING THROUGH THE VINEYARDS
1.5 hours
Visit a local estate on a hike through their breathtaking vineyards and enjoy the stunning views across the Douro River. Learn about their production before tasting some of their acclaimed products. QUINTA WINE TASTING
1.5 hours
Visit a local estate for a tasting of their famous export. Take in the magnificent landscape and the stunning views across the Douro River as you discover the secrets of the vineyard.
3 hours
The Paiva Walkways are a beautiful wooden path zig-zagging down rocky hillsides along the left bank of Paiva River at Arouca Geopark, a UNESCO Geological site. The walkway is 8.7km long, including the longest suspended pedestrian bridge in the world at approximately 521 metres in length.
KAYAKING ON THE PINHÃO RIVER
3.5 hours
Enjoy a guided kayaking tour on Pinhão River. See the beautiful town from an alternative perspective. Savour the peaceful, stunning vineyard landscape, and the refreshing and calm waters.
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
POCINHO
REGUA
CÔA VALLEY MUSEUM
3.5 hours
Visit the award-winning Côa Valley Museum overlooking the slopes and valleys of the Côa Valley and enjoy a pre-historic workshop, an interactive way to discover the significant history of this region.
TASTES OF THE CÔA VALLEY
PORTUGAL PORTO 4 hours
Discover the historic treasures of Porto, including a visit to Palacio da Bolsa, a neoclassical style building which started construction in 1842 and took over 65 years to complete.
Tour the elegant town of Lamego, with its many fine Baroque structures. Your tour will culminate at the stunning Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, standing gracefully overlooking the town. The front of the cathedral is lined by a zigzagged stair case decorated in traditional blue and white tiled mosaics leading down to the town centre.
MATEUS PALACE
4 hours
Tour Porto on an active walking tour finishing with a cable car ride across the city. The cable car travels 600m with a max elevation of 63 metres giving you perfect views of Porto’s narrow lanes and zigzagging staircases across the city. EXCURSION TO AVEIRO WITH A CRUISE
4 hours
Step outside of Porto and join an excursion to Aveiro for a guided tour including a cruise on the waterways that meander through this historic and colourful city. CORK FACTORY
2 hours
Visit a designer cork factory and discover the many uses for one of Portugal’s key exports. TASTING IN VILA NOVA DE GAIA
2.5 hours
Enjoy a guided visit of Mateus Palace, the historic icon depicted on the labels of Portugal’s famous Mateus rose wine. Following your tour of the palace stroll the magnificent gardens of this splendid estate, see the beautiful landscaped gardens dotted with impressive statues and stunning reflective ponds.
PORTUGAL VEGA DE TERRON
FULL DAY EXCURSION TO SALAMANCA ACTIVE TOUR OF PORTO INCLUDING CABLE CAR
3.5 hours
3.5 hours
Join the Tastes of the Côa Valley excursion and visit Casa Painova for a sweet almond workshop and a tasting of their almond, olive and fruit products.
GUIDED TOUR OF PORTO
EXCURSION TO LAMEGO
9 hours
Transfer via coach to Salamanca (approx. 2 hours) where your local guide takes you on a enthralling tour of this beautiful city. Visit the old cathedral as well as the markets where you will get to taste a selection of local produce. You will then have free time for lunch and exploration at your leisure. Each guests choosing this SFC will receive 20 euros from the Cruise Director to be used for a lunch under their own arrangements instead of a group lunch. This will allow guests the flexibility to choose their dining style and venue. FREIXO DE ESPADA A CINTA
5 hours
Visit the Portuguese village of Freixo de Espada a Cinta. This charming village has a long history of silk production and it is one of the last places in Portugal that Silk is still produced entirely by hand. Enjoy a guided tour including the Silk Museum before being invited to a local home for a home hosted lunch.
2 hours
Visit Vila Nova de Gaia, the historic district set on the banks of the Douro River, for a tasting of the regions famed drop in one of the most famous cellars in Porto.
Refer to specific itinerary pages for included Scenic Freechoice activities. Certain Scenic Freechoice options may require pre selection prior to travel. Certain Scenic Freechoice activities may have minimum and maximum numbers. Applicable to 2023 Portugal River Cruising itineraries and subject to change.