Sponsored by AmaWaterways
Everyone loves a new ship, especially if it is on a sought-after destination like Portugal. Sailing on the Douro River, popularly known as the River of Gold, has become a hot and hip place, and many well-travelled adventure seekers have aspired to cruise. After all, the Douro River is renowned for its breathtaking hills, lush, terraced vineyards, and the golden liquor -port wine – produced in Porto.
It comes as no surprise that AmaWaterways has recently launched its third new elegant ship, AmaSintra to join AmaDouro and AmaVida on the Douro this year. She sails the seven-night journey, Enticing Douro, which will explore the most scenic and culturally rich regions of Portugal and Spain, offering guests the joy of visiting vineyards, tasting delicious wines and immersing themselves in the charming cities of Porto, Regua, and Salamanca.
Onboard the new AmaSintra
The beautifully furnished AmaSintra has 51 spacious staterooms accommodating only 102 guests. They will be well looked after by 38 crew members who are specially trained to take care of every passenger.
Most of the staterooms have balconies. The ship has a stylish Panorama Lounge where guests can gather to share their travel tales over a glass of wine or cocktail. The main restaurant serves some of the most exquisite meals with the freshest ingredients sourced locally by the chefs. There is also a swimming pool on the sun deck, a fitness room and a massage room to ease those aching muscles away.
In the evenings, there’s always some entertainment onboard AmaSintra, whether it is a local folk performance or a piano recital.
With only 100 guests onboard, there is more than sufficient room to enjoy the luxury of space to unwind and make friends with like-minded fellow travellers.
The Enticing Douro Itinerary
This seven-night itinerary starts in Porto where you embark the AmaSintra.
All excursions are included and you have the choice to go on a bike tour, a hike, or a special interest tour. Your first port of call is Regua, a tranquil village offering an authentic slice of Douro River life. You will visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Portugal.
The next day, you will arrive at Vega de Terron and be taken on a tour of Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified village on a hilltop with narrow streets and amazing views. You will also be able to taste some regional fare.
The next day you will drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is also known as a living museum. You will be able to step back in time to the Middle Ages and visit the city’s elegant university buildings, the new Cathedral and the intriguingly decorated House of Shells and the Plaza Mayor.
You will then cruise to Pinhao and be treated to an exclusive lunch at Quinta da Avessada, where you can enjoy a portion of authentic and traditional food. You will be able to gain an in-depth understanding of the different stages of wine production with plenty of tastings. Savour the different flavours of Portugal’s fortified wine and enjoy the sweet nectar of the amazing region.
You will cruise back to Regua and be taken to the picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal. At the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, featuring a staircase of 700 steps, where the more active guests may attempt to climb.
You will also be able to sample some local fare such as bread filled with delicious smoked ham or dry-cured ham, washed down with Portuguese sparkling wine.
In Porto, you will go on an excursion to the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage site and visit the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments. You will also be able to enjoy different port tastings.
Prices for the seven-night cruise onboard AmaSintra start from $5313 per person for departures on 12 December 2025 – a saving of $1125.
Guests can add a three-night Lisbon pre-cruise stay, where you will discover one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. On the Lisbon tour, you will visit Belem Tower, a fortified tower made of limestone and a Gothic Monastery. You will also be able to taste a Portuguese pastry, in honor of Portugal’s greatest maritime explorer.
The next day, you will go on an excursion to Serra de Sintra, a mountain village and a favourite summer residence of the Portuguese royal family for more than 500 years. The village has been an inspiration for many artists and poets, including Lord Byron, who described it as “perhaps, the most delightful village in Europe.”
Prices for the three-night Lisbon pre-cruise package start from $1605 per person.
The Flavours of Portugal and Spain Itinerary
This seven-night journey starts from Porto, the City of Bridges and gateway to the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you cruise onboard AmaVida, you can take in the beauty of rambling vineyards and charming quintas on the river banks. Throughout your journey, you will be able to taste delicious wine from local vineyards and discover the art of Portuguese winemaking. You will be able to explore the country’s pilgrimage sites and marvel at centuries-old monasteries. And there’s always time to taste some local flavours of Portugal and Spain.
On offer is a guided tour of Porto’s historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the main square, you will see the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments. You can join a hike to explore the old harbour quarter and enjoy some tastings of port.
The next day you will enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal at a local quinta.
When you cruise to Regua, you can go on an excursion to the Mateus Palace and Gardens, considered as one of the most stunning in Portugal. Inside the Palace, you will admire some amazing paintings and a ceiling carved in wood.
On your second day in Regua you will be taken on a city tour of Lamego where you will marvel at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and consider whether to climb the 686 Holy Staircase made of white and blue tiles. You will also be able to taste local specialties such as bread filled with smoked ham or dry-cured ham washed down with Portuguese sparkling wine. Delicious.
At Pinhao you can go on a leisurely walk to Pinhao Railway Station to admire the 25-tile panels, in different shades of blue, depicting the scenes from the Douro region. You will then enjoy an authentic and traditional lunch at a family-run quinta and indulge in some wine tasting. You will also learn how Portugal makes its wine at an interactive wine museum.
As you cruise through Pinhao to Barca d’Alvs, you will venture to the White Village because of its almond trees. Join a walking tour of the medieval streets to see houses from the 16th century, and finish the day with tastings of local favourites such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine.
Prices for a seven-night itinerary departing on October 4, 2025 start from $7338 per person.
You can also add a three-night Lisbon pre-cruise and a three-night Madrid post-cruise with prices starting from $3120 per person.
This is your chance to cruise on a brand new ship, AmaSintra on one of the most sought-after rivers of Europe – the Douro. The elegant ship with only 102 guests has spacious suites, most with balconies to take in the amazing scenery Portugal has to offer. And if you book now for 12 December sailing, prices start from $5313 per person – a saving of $1125.
