Enticing Douro with AmaWaterways
7 night Douro River cruise with shore excursions in Porto, the “City of Bridges”; Régua, the ‘capital’ of the Douro Valley; and Salamanca; optional 3 nights Lisbon Pre-Cruise
Overview
Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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Departures | May 2025 – December 2026 | ||
Themes | Grand Tours, Bucket List, River Cruises | ||
Activity Level | Easy | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Dive into this incredible journey along the Douro River Valley, punctuated with rolling vineyards and charming native farms that create a breathtaking backdrop to one of Europe's most unspoiled regions and Port country— the world's oldest demarcated wine region. Indulge in authentic culinary experiences and sample world-renowned wines at historic wineries and local quintas (wine estates), from Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine, and Port-wine to vinho do Porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley. Learn about the stages of wine production at the Quinta da Avessada, home to an interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine. Then, cruise roundtrip from Porto, the beautiful "City of Bridges," visit Régua, the 'capital' of the Douro Valley, and marvel at Salamanca, the UNESCO-designated "Golden City." Let your dedicated wine expert guide you as you soak up the genuine beauty of Portugal and Spain and taste your way through this incomparable journey revolving around some of the best local wine and cuisine Europe has to offer.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways in an outside stateroom
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
- Sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
- Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
- Entertainment on board
- Port taxes
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- 3 nights Lisbon Pre-Cruise – please call for details
Why you'll love it
- Spend 7 nights aboard your 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
- Admire the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, considered to be some of the most beautiful in Portugal.
- Savor the flavors of Portugal’s renowned fortified wine, vinho do porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley.
- Step back in time to the Middle Ages and explore Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as a “living museum."
- Cruise to Barca d’Alva and visit Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries-old walls, steep narrow streets, and fantastic views. For a more active exploration, you can opt to hike up to the village!
- Indulge in an exclusive dinner at Quinta da Avessada, a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region, and enjoy an authentic, traditional dining experience complete with entertainment.
- Travel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, and visit the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.
- Discover the colorful city of Porto on a guided tour, including the Cathedral and the São Bento Railway Station.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey to Portugal begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Porto, Portugal
- Arrive in Porto, Portugal
- Embark on your river cruise and set sail
Full Day ItineraryDay 3 Entre-Os-Rios
- Visit Entre-os-Rios village
- Enjoy an authentic Portuguese culinary experience
Full Day ItineraryEntre-os-Rios translates to “between the rivers,” and this small village is, quite appropriately, located at the confluence of the Tâmega and Douro rivers. This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. In the afternoon, indulge in a traditional Portuguese lunch with your fellow travelers in Entre-os-Rios at a local quinta – a country estate – for a truly authentic culinary experience.
Day 4 Régua & Pinhao
- Visit the Mateus Palace & gardens
- Enjoy an authentic Port-wine tasting experience
Full Day ItineraryVisit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens. You’ll see interesting furnishings, paintings, and a ceiling of intricately carved wood inside the house. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal. Later in the day, savor the flavors of Portugal’s renowned fortified wine, vinho do porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley. Then, head to a local quinta for your authentic Port wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region.
Day 5 Vega de Terrón, Salamanca, Spain
- Enjoy a guided tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Full Day ItineraryDrive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Salamanca is known as a “living museum, " built of golden sandstone.” Have an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages during your escorted tour, including the city’s elegant university buildings, the New Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells, and the Plaza Mayor.
Day 6 Barca D'Alva
- Visit the small village of Castelo Rodrigo
- Or, opt to hike to Castelo Rodrigo
- Enjoy an exclusive dinner at Quinta da Avessad with entertainment and a wine tasting
Full Day ItinerarySpend 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 hike up to the town for more active exploration. While here, taste some delicious locally grown produce. Be treated to an exclusive dinner at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience with entertainment. Quinta da Avessada is also a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region. Enjoy discovering all the various stages of wine production and doing plenty of tastings.
Day 7 Régua
- Tour picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal
- Or, climb the 700-step-staircase of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of RemediesBolas tasting
- Savor local traditional specialties including bôlas de Lamego,presunto, and Espumante sparkling wine
Full Day ItineraryTravel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of Portugal's most important pilgrimage sites, where you’ll go to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps, beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles, which the more active adventurer will want to climb on a guided hike. Concluding both tours, you can sample local traditional specialties, such as bôlas de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; presunto, a type of dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine.
Day 8 Porto
- Discover Porto on a guided city tour, including a wine tasting
- Or, embark on a guided hike
- Spend the afternoon exploring on your own
Full Day ItineraryDiscover Porto, the colorful city that blends the best of old and new, on an escorted tour. See the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments, and the São 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 outstanding contribution to the world of wine. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike and enjoy a Port wine tasting. Then, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Porto’s charms on your own.
Day 9 Porto/USA
- Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to Portugal as you board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Cruise Ships
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
- What should I know about Spain? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Portugal? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.