7-Day ~ Portugal and Spain Knitting Cruise (Oct 2019)
Ama Waterways
Flavors of Portugal & Spain
Start Date:
October 29, 2019
End Date:
November 5, 2019
Flavors of Portugal & Spain ~ Itinerary
Day 1 - EMBARKATION - PORTO, PORTUGAL
Arrival Date:
October 29, 2019
Departure Date: October 29, 2019
Embark your luxurious ship in Porto. This evening, meet your fellow passengers.
Day 2 - PORTO
Arrival Date:
October 30, 2019
Departure Date: October 30, 2019
Join a guided tour of Porto’s historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; the main square, ringed with shops and cafes; 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 renowned contribution to the world of wine. For the more active adventure, join a hike in Porto and explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto.
Day 3 - PORTO - ENTRE-OS-RIOS
Arrival Date:
October 31, 2019
Departure Date: October 31, 2019
After free time further exploring the colorful “City of Bridges,” the ship will sail to Entre-Os-Rios, where you’ll go to dinner at the centuries-old Alpendurada Monastery. Savor a pre-dinner glass of Port and the breathtaking view of the river from the terrace of the monastery before having a traditional “home cooked” meal.
Day 4 - RÉGUA
Arrival Date:
November 1, 2019
Departure Date: November 1, 2019
Enjoy an excursion to the Palacio de Mateus, located in the beautiful region of Trás-os-Montes near the city of Vila Real. The interior of the house features various religious images and exquisite furniture, artwork and hand-wooden ceilings. The exterior is equally stunning, with gardens that are among the most beautiful in all of Portugal.
Day 5 - RÉGUA - PINHÃO
Arrival Date:
November 2, 2019
Departure Date: November 2, 2019
Travel to picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, 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 for the more active adventurer will want to hike. Concluding the walking and hiking tours, you will have the opportunity to 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. Afterwards, you’ll go to the formal Episcopal Palace Museum. Later in the day, cruise along the scenic Douro to Pinhão.
Day 6 - PINHÃO
Arrival Date:
November 3, 2019
Departure Date: November 3, 2019
Enjoy an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. The warm, spirited hospitality of this family-run Quinta is quite special as you will discover. Several family members play in a band, and while dining, they will entertain you. Quinta de Avessada is also a fascinating interactive museum commemorating the history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region, so you’ll have fun discovering all the various stages of wine production as well as doing plenty of tasting. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to a wine tasting at the charming Quinta do Seixo.
Day 7 - VEGA TERRÓN, SPAIN
Arrival Date:
November 4, 2019
Departure Date: November 4, 2019
Venture to Castelo Rodrigo, known as the “White Village” because of its almond trees. The site offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and as far away as Spain. Join a walking tour through its medieval streets and see the houses and establishments with 16th-century facades and Manueline style windows. Prefer a more active adventure there, you can hike to the town. At the end of both tours, enjoy a tasting of local favorites, such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine.