7 Nights Enticing Douro: Porto roundtrip

Type of Vessel

The 106-passenger AmaVida made her debut on Portugal and Spain's Douro River in 2013. Spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms range in size from 161-215 sq. ft., or indulge even more in one of the suites at 323 sq. ft. Most staterooms have balconies.

Itinerary

<Day 1 | Porto, Portugal - Embarkation: Embark your cruise in Porto. Gather on board tonight and meet your fellow passengers.

Day 2 | Porto, Portugal & Regua, Portugal: Travel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, where you'll go to the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps, beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles, which for the more active adventurer will want to hike. Concluding both tours, you will have the opportunity to sample local traditional specialties, such as B'las de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; Presunto, a type of dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine. You'll then go to the formal Episcopal Palace Museum.

Day 3 | Regua, Portugal & Barca D' Alva, Portugal: Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d'Alva, where you will visit Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries-old walls, steep narrow streets and fantastic views. You can also opt to hike up to the village should you wish a more active exploration. While here, taste some delicious locally grown produce.

Day 4 | Salamanca, Spain & Vega Terron, Spain: Drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a "living museum," and you will have an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages during your escorted tour, which includes the city's elegant university buildings, the New Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells and Plaza Mayor. You can also enjoy a traditional Flamenco show in Salamanca.

Day 5 | Vega de Terron, Spain & Pinhao, Portugal: Be treated to an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you'll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. The warm, spirited hospitality of this family-run Quinta is quite special as you will discover. Several family members play in a band, and while dining, they will entertain you. Quinta de Avessada is also a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region, so you'll have fun discovering all the various stages of wine production as well as doing plenty of tasting. Later in the day, venture to Quinta do Seixo, producers of some of the most traditionally made wine in the Douro region. An expert from the Sandeman Winery will take you on a tasting and private tour of the wine cellars, teaching you about the centuries-old winemaking methods.

Day 6 | Regua, Portugal & Entre Os Rios, Portugal: Cruise to Rugua where you can visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, located in the beautiful Tras-os-Montes region. Inside the house you'll see exhibits of religious images and beautiful furnishings, paintings and a ceiling of intricately carved wood. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal. Later, we wander through the Quinta de Aveleda's beautiful gardens and estate. Known as one of the best wine producing estates in the Vinho Verde region, we will treat you to a wine and cheese pairing here.

Day 7 | Porto, Portugal: The colorful city of Porto blends the best of old and new, which you can discover on an escorted tour of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city's oldest monuments; and the So Bento Railway Station, known for its blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. You'll also enjoy a tasting of Port, Portugal's most renowned contribution to the world of wine at Graham's Winery. Prefer to get more active, you can hike to Graham's Winery, offering magnificent views over the Douro River. Later in the day, take a short journey to a nearby coastal town for the "Tastes of Matosinhos" tour where you'll visit a traditional restaurant serving Pataniscas, a traditional Portuguese cod fish cake, and other typical regional snacks.

Day 8 | Porto, Portugal: Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.

Guest Services

Amenities include personalized service from Cruise Manager during cruise and land programs and complimentary Wi Fi access.

Food and Dining

AmaWaterways was invited to be a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs - a prestigious international culinary society - and with good reason. The expert chefs craft menus that feature exquisite, locally-inspired cuisine as well as traditional Western offerings. This is the only river cruise line that has The Chef's Table, an intimate specialty restaurant where you can watch the chef prepare a lavish dinner right in front of you. Each meal is specially paired with premium local reds and whites from Europe's renowned wine regions, with new selections each night. There's also sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast, menu service during lunch, as well as delicious tapas and snacks in the Main Lounge between meals.

Onboard Activities/Events

Soak up some rays or take a dip in the refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as you pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.
Whether you'd like to dress up for the captain's special dinner or a night out on the town, you can complete your look by getting your hair styled in the salon.
Whether it's traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet or contemporary piano favorites, you will enjoy an eclectic schedule of onboard entertainment every night.

Shore Excursions

Every year, the staff seek out new opportunities for guests to experience local culture in a unique way. These tours are specially designed to give small groups the chance to be even more immersed in a destination.
The beauty of Europe doesn't just lie in its architecture and landmarks - there are also breathtaking things to be seen when you venture out into nature. That's why we've designed special hikes that will take you a bit off the beaten path in some very beautiful destinations. Here are some examples of hiking opportunities.
This is the first river cruise line to carry an entire fleet of complimentary bicycles on board, so you can experience biking alongside enchanting riverside pathways and in city centers. Whether you feel like joining one of the exclusive guided bike tours, or want to go discover on your own, there are many ways for you to explore on two wheels during your cruise.

Staterooms or Cabins

Most of the staterooms on this fleet feature not just one, but two private balconies - a French balcony and a full outside balcony. Together, they provide a unique panoramic view of the beautiful sights along the river and maximize the natural light coming in. With twin balconies, you can enjoy the river however you like.
All staterooms feature in-room temperature control, a deluxe hotel-style bedding, spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads, large wardrobe with a full-length mirror, hairdryer, safety deposit box, telephone, flat screen TV, On Demand system that provides complimentary TV as well as movies and music, mini fridge, complimentary bottled water replenished daily, and a desk and chair.
Suites feature added enhancements, including a larger sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower.

Spa

After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.

Fitness

Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.