Enjoy a relaxing 8-day cruise through the Douro River Valley. With its dramatic gorges, lush vineyards, and tranquil fishing villages this region is one of the most charming areas in Europe. The MS Amavida takes you on a spectacular expedition that introduces you to the history of this location. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, the burial place of many Portuguese kings and heroes. Admire the incredible town of Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). Indulge in an exclusive wine tasting and lunch at Quinta da Roeda, a famous estate that is home to one of the Douro Valley’s finest vineyards.
Highlights
Sample Porto's traditional specialties such as Presunto and Espumante
Visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gorgeous gardens
Enjoy a unique picnic on a terraced vineyard at Quinta da Pacheca
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
This afternoon, have an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, 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. Other attractions include a Gothic cathedral, a museum, and charming cafés. Alternatively, 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. Late this afternoon, visit a Wine Museum in Régua, where the ship overnights.
Spend some leisurely time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d’Alva, and there visit Castelo Rodrigo. Tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries-old walls, steep narrow streets, and fantastic views. Stop to admire the Chafariz dos Pretos, a truly unique fountain decorated with black faces, and taste some delicious locally grown produce. Later, enjoy a Flamenco show onboard.
Drive to Salamanca today for a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a “living museum,” an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages. During your guided tour, see the city’s elegant university buildings, the twin-towered Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells, as well as Plaza Mayor, considered the most magnificent main square in Spain.
Today the expedition team has something special planned. You can indulge in an exclusive wine tasting and lunch at Quinta da Roeda, a famous estate that is home to one of the Douro Valley’s finest vineyards.
This morning, cruise to Régua for a morning excursion to the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, located in the beautiful Trás-os-Montes region near the city of Vila Real. Inside the house 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. Alternatively, you may either wish to visit Quinta da Pacheca where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Douro River and picnic in a terraced vineyard, or enjoy a port wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo. Return to the ship for lunch while the ship cruises to Entre-os-Rios, arriving this evening. Tonight, enjoy a traditional home-cooked Portuguese meal off ship at Casa de Vila Verde.
Your ship arrives in Porto, the capital of northern Portugal, early this morning. Your guided tour of the historical quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes a number of iconic sites: the Porto Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest and most impressive monuments, the bustling main square, and the Sao Bento Railway Station, renowned for its magnificent blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. More active guests may wish to instead take part in a guided hiking tour of Porto where they explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto, and cross the Dom Luis Bridge by foot. Also enjoy a tasting of port wine, which derives its name from this very city. A third option is a walk along the Atlantic coast and Porto’s seaside promenade, with a stop at a local café for Portuguese coffee. This afternoon, take a short journey to the nearby coastal town of Matosinhos, visit a traditional restaurant for a cooking demonstration of Pataniscas, a traditional Portuguese cod fish cake, and other typical regional snacks. The ship moors overnight in Porto.
Day 8: Porto | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category E
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category D
Douro Deck Panoramic Window, 161 sq. ft.
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Category B
Lisbon Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Category A
Porto Deck Balcony, 215 sq. ft.
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Suite
Porto Deck Balcony, 323 sq. ft.
Notes
Single Supplement for Cruises: 50% of twin price; Suites 100% of twin price.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
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