Portugal’s Enchanting Douro Valley: Round-Trip Aboard AmaDouro

Depart on an overnight flight to Porto, Portugal.

PORTO, PORTUGAL / EMBARK AMADOURO

Upon arriving in the morning, you will be transferred to the Fundação de Serralves, a cultural institution that features 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. After lunch, you will board AmaDouro and gather for a welcome dinner in the evening.

PORTO / PESO DE RÉGUA

This morning, make sure to be on deck as we cruise under a magnificent iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. 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 AmaDouro and attend a lively onboard performance of Portuguese folk music.

PINHÃO / BARCA D’ALVA

Attend a morning lecture on board as AmaDouro 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. 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 city’s 18th-century Plaza Mayor, a grand achievement in Spanish Baroque architecture and one of the most beautiful town squares in Spain. You may enjoy a leisurely afternoon in town, or opt for a visit to the Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Déco. 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 / 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 strikingly modern cellars, which were designed by Álvaro Siza, and enjoy a wine tasting experience.

PESO DE RÉGUA / LAMEGO / ENTRES-OS-RIOS

Nestled 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 staircase, which 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, AmaDouro 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 most beautiful bookstores in the world. Savor lunch aboard AmaDouro, 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.