A Douro River Cruise through the Heart of Portugal
(51 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Ted Blank
Woodbury, MN
Tailor-Made Journeys
You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf.
Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, atten...
You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf.
Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, attention to detail, experience, and insider knowledge.
Are you looking for a travel adviser who possesses the expertise, education, intuition, insider knowledge, and connections to turn your vacation into the trip of a lifetime? I open new doors for discerning travelers like you looking to follow your own path to the world’s extraordinary destinations.
As a specialist in privately guided, tailor-made vacations and luxury cruises, you’ll enjoy highly personalized service and expert recommendations during the planning process. As you travel, you’ll come to appreciate being well looked after from wheels up on departure to wheels down on your return, giving you the freedom and confidence to be your best travel self wherever you go.
Through my extensive worldwide travel experience, an intuitive sense of possibilities, careful attention to detail, and a broad network of carefully vetted supplier partners, you can enjoy vacations that others only dream of to destinations in Europe, Asia, Australia and Oceania, South America, Africa, and beyond.
Please click on the links on this page to email me to schedule a complimentary introductory discovery session where we’ll get better acquainted, discuss your travel dreams, and begin to carefully craft the first of many explorations of this wonderful, fascinating world we share!
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The Douro River (courtesy of AmaWaterways)
When you think of a river cruise through Europe, the Seine, Rhine or Danube probably come to mind first. But a voyage along the Douro River, through Portugal’s celebrated Port wine country, can be a rewarding choice.
On a Portugal cruise you’ll explore one of the continent’s most unspoiled places, sailing past rambling vineyards and farms that cling to the steep sides of the enchanting Douro River Valley. You’ll travel into the heart of the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, getting a close-up look at the area’s history, culture and cuisine.
Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways offers two 7-night itineraries. If you take Enticing Douro, you’ll have the option of spending three nights in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, a beautiful and historic city that stretches across several hills along the Tagus River.
On the Flavors of Spain and Portugal, you can spend three nights in Lisbon pre-cruise and three nights post-cruise in the Spanish capital of Madrid, with its elegant boulevards, manicured parks and royal palace.
Whichever one you pick, your adventure will begin in Porto, on the Douro River in northwest Portugal, where you can choose between taking a guided tour or a guided hike. In addition to Port wine, the city is known for its stately bridges, a medieval district of narrow, cobbled streets and ancient churches and monuments.
Both cruises follow a fairly similar itinerary. I’ll explain any differences between the two, so you can pick the one that works best for you.
Excursions include the 18th-century Mateus Palace, home to period furniture, paintings, silverware, ceramics and intricately carved wooden ceilings. The palace is set amid gardens that are among the loveliest in Portugal. Later that day, you’ll enjoy an authentic port-wine tasting experience.
The city of Lamego is home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites. The shrine has a staircase of nearly 700 tile-decorated steps, which you can climb on a guided hike if you choose. You’ll also sample local specialties, from bread filled with smoked ham to Portuguese sparkling wine.
You’ll soak up the scenery along the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d’Alva to visit Castel Rodrigo, followed by a tasting of regional fare. This small fortified village perched on a hilltop has centuries-old walls, steep, narrow streets and fantastic views. For a more active experience, you can hike up to the village. Both cruises also include a stop at the Quinta de Avessada wine estate for a traditional meal plus entertainment, followed by a visit to a museum that details the history and culture of wine production in the Alto Douro region.
Enticing Douro includes a drive to Salamanca, known as Spain’s “Golden City” for its stunning sandstone buildings.
On the Flavors of Spain and Portugal cruise, it’s part of the Madrid extension. Landmarks include the University of Salamanca, the fourth-oldest in Europe, the intricately decorated House of Shells, the 16th-century New Cathedral, and the Baroque-style main square, Plaza Mayor.
If you decide to spend three nights in Lisbon, your guided tour will include the four-story limestone Belem Tower and late-Gothic Jeronimos Monastery, burial place of many of Portugal’s monarchs and national heroes. You’ll also take a daylong excursion to Serra de Sintra, a picturesque mountain village and a favorite summer residence of the Portuguese royal family for more than 500 years. High up on a rocky peak, you’ll tour Pena Palace, a wonderful fairytale castle.
On a post-cruise tour of Madrid, you’ll see the elaborate royal palace, Puerto del Sol, a bustling square that’s one of the city’s most famous landmarks, and the century-old covered market Mercado de San Miguel. In addition to Salamanca, you’ll visit the walled city of Toledo, Spain’s ancient capital and a treasure trove of well-preserved medieval architecture.
Portugal is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, attracting a record number of visitors. I can help you plan a cruise that will let you see for yourself what so many travelers have already discovered about this fascinating country.