Portugal’s Enchanting Douro Valley

DEPARTURE Depart on an overnight flight to Porto, Portugal.

PORTO, PORTUGAL / EMBARK AMASINTRA

Upon your morning arrival in Porto, you will be transferred to the Fundação de Serralves, one of Portugal’s leading cultural institutions. Join an expert guide for a tour of the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves, a striking minimalist museum of contemporary art. The museum was designed by Álvaro Siza, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect. Peruse its collection highlighting art after 1968, including pieces by notable artists like Joan Miró, Cindy Sherman, and Paula Rego. After lunch, you will board AmaSintra and gather for a welcome dinner in the evening.

PORTO / PESO DE RÉGUA

Make sure to be on deck this morning as we cruise under the Maria Pia Bridge, a magnificent iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1877, 12 years before his famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. In the afternoon, take a drive to the family-owned wine estate Quinta da Aveleda, known for its delightful gardens. Sample its Vinho Verde and enjoy a private dinner while overlooking the vineyard. To end the evening, return to AmaSintra and attend a lively onboard performance of Portuguese folk music.

PINHÃO / BARCA D’ALVA / CASTELO RODRIGO

Attend a morning lecture on board as AmaSintra navigates through the valley to Barca d’Alva. This afternoon, discover Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified hilltop village with scenic views of slopes adorned with almond trees and vineyards. Pass through the village’s 16th-century walls and climb the narrow medieval streets. Explore the ruins, which feature the 16th-century Palacio de Cristóvão de Moura; the medieval Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora de Rocamador established by French pilgrim friars; and one of Portugal’s most impressive Manueline-style pillories, dating to 1509. The town also retains a medieval cistern and inscriptions that speak to a once-flourishing Jewish community. Refresh yourself with a tasting of regional wine and delicacies.

BARCA D’ALVA / VEGA DE TERRÓN, SPAIN / SALAMANCA

Cross the Spanish border to Salamanca, a UNESCO listed city of golden sandstone. On a guided tour, admire the elegant buildings of the Universidad de Salamanca, founded in 1218 and the third oldest still-operating university in the world. Linger in the 18th-century Plaza Mayor, a grand achievement in Spanish Baroque architecture and one of Europe’s most beautiful town squares. You may enjoy a leisurely afternoon in town, or opt for a visit to the Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Déco, which features furniture by Homar, Majorelle, and Busquets; jewelry by Masriera and Fabergé; and what is widely regarded as the world’s greatest collection of French porcelain dolls. This museum is housed in Casa Lis, a graceful 1905 mansion with a sweeping, stained-glass façade. Rejoin our vessel in Vega de Terrón for dinner.

VEGA DE TERRÓN / PINHÃO, PORTUGAL / SABROSA / PESO DE RÉGUA

Spend the morning cruising through the picturesque Pinhão Valley, near where the Rio Pinhão meets the Douro. Then transfer to Sabrosa, known as the birthplace of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, for a visit to Quinta do Portal, a family-owned boutique winery with centuries-old vineyards. Learn about their commitment to sustainability, including their unique way of planting and the installation of photovoltaic panels to produce half of the winery’s electricity. You will also tour the modern cellars designed by Álvaro Siza and enjoy a wine tasting.

PESO DE RÉGUA / LAMEGO / ENTRES-OS-RIOS

Amid the Douro Valley’s terraced slopes, Lamego is best known for the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Visit this ornate Baroque church and descend its exuberant, 686-step staircase, which features colorful azulejo tiles and zigzags to the gardens below. Make your way to the Museu de Lamego, housed in a grand, 18th-century episcopal palace, for a private look at its eclectic religious art and 16th-century Flemish tapestries. This afternoon, AmaSintra passes through Barragem do Carrapatelo, a hydroelectric dam with the highest lock in Europe. This evening, stop for drinks at a private estate with majestic views of the valley (pending confirmation). As the sun sets, observe why the Portuguese named the Douro the “river of gold” (d’ouro).

ENTRES-OS-RIOS / PORTO

Return to Porto for a morning tour and private concert at Casa da Música, a landmark of 21st-century architecture designed by Rem Koolhaas. Alternatively, enjoy a walking tour featuring the opulent former stock exchange Palácio da Bolsa; the São Bento Railway Station, filled with murals made up of more than 20,000 azulejo tiles, all designed and painted by artist Jorge Colaço in the 1930s; and the Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, with its curvaceous staircase. Savor lunch aboard AmaSintra, or you may choose to enjoy a traditional meal at leisure in one of the city’s stylish
restaurants. This afternoon, delight in private tours of some of the city’s top art galleries. Alternatively, delight in a vintage Port tasting at a working wine cellar on a hillside above the city. This evening, the captain hosts a festive farewell dinner.

PORTO / DISEMBARK / RETURN

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for flights home.