7 Nights Flavors of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Vega Terron and reverse

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 luxurious ship in Porto. This evening, meet your fellow passengers.

Day 2 | Porto, Portugal: The colorful city of Porto blends the best of old and new, which you can discover on a escorted tour of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city's oldest monuments; and the Sao 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.

Day 3 | Guimaraes, Portugal: Visit Guimaraes, one of the most historic towns in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The birthplace of Portugal's first king, Guimaraes claims to be "the cradle of the nation" and boasts a historic center that is one of the most attractive and best preserved in all of Portugal. Later, you'll savor a pre-dinner glass of port wine and the breathtaking view of the river from the terrace of the centuries-old Alpendurada Monastery. This is followed by a traditional "home cooked" meal.

Day 4 | Entre-Os-Rios, Portugal & Regua, Portugal: Today, enjoy an excursion to the Palacio de Mateus, located in the beautiful region of Tras-os-Montes near the city of Vila Real. The interior of the house features various religious images and exquisite furniture, artwork and hand-wooden ceilings. The exterior is equally stunning, with gardens that are among the most beautiful in all of Portugal.

Day 5 | Regua, Portugal & Pinhao, 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 the walking and hiking tours, you will have the opportunity to sample local traditional specialties, such as Bolas de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; Presunto, a type of dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine. Afterwards, you'll go to the formal Episcopal Palace Museum.

Day 6 | Pinhao, Portugal: Visit Quinta de Avessada and enjoy lunch here. Later in the day, go on an exclusive private tour of Quinta do Seixo's wine cellars, learning about the Douro Valley's centuries-old winemaking methods before sampling some of the wines.

Day 7 | Vega Terron, Spain: Venture to Castelo Rodrigo, known as the "White Village" because of its almond trees. The site offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and as far away as Spain. Join a walking tour through its medieval streets and see the houses and establishments with 16th-century facades and Manueline style windows. Prefer a more active adventure there, you can hike to the town. At the end of both tours, enjoy a tasting of local favorites, such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine.

Day 8 | Vega Terron, Portugal - Disembarkation: Disembark your cruise in Vega Terrón.

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.