Flavors of Portugal & Spain with Janet Carson
Join Poe Travel and Janet Carson
for a group tour of Portugal and Spain
aboard AmaVida
April 2021
7 Night Cruise from Porto to Vega de Terrón with Optional Pre-and Post-Land Tours
Set sail along the UNESCO-designated Douro River. Taste new wines from Old World villages and sample the flavors of Portuguese cuisine. Visit Castelo Rodrigo, the “White Village”; enjoy an immersive lunch at Quinta de Avessada in Pinhão; and see Lamego, one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites. Plus, enjoy two nights in Porto, the fascinating “City of Bridges.” Historic places, unspoiled beauty and distinctive wines are yours to be enjoyed as you savor the flavors of Spain and Portugal.
Day 1: LISBON, PORTUGAL.
Arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel.
Day 2: LISBON – PORTO – EMBARKATION.
Check out of your hotel and transfer via a high-speed train to Porto where you’ll board your ship.
Day 3: PORTO.
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 med ieval streets of Porto.
Day 4: PORTO – ENTRE-OS-RIOS.
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 a local quinta to enjoy a traditional “home cooked” meal.
Day 5: RÉGUA.
Venture to the town of Lamego, where you’ll see the “Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies” on a city tour or climb the 686-step “Holy Staircase,” beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles, to the top on a guided hike. Whichever excursion you choose will conclude with a tasting of local specialties such as Bôlas de Lamego, bread filled with smoked ham; Presunto, a type of dry-cured ham; and Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine.
Day 6: RÉGUA – PINHÃO.
Visit Mateus Palace and Gardens, where you can admire the elegant 16th-18th century furnishings and spend some time exploring the palace’s magnificent gardens, which feature perfectly manicured topiary work and an impressive cedar tunnel. Later in the day, cruise along the scenic Douro to Pinhão, where a wine tasting will be waiting for you in a local quinta.
Day 7: PINHÃO.
Embark on a leisurely walk to the charming Pinhão Railway Station, a stunning train station along the Douro Line, one of the most iconic rail journeys in Portugal. The station’s main building is revered for its 25 tile panels, all in shades of blue, that depict scenes from the Douro region. Afterward, 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, indulge in some free time to explore the town on your own .
Day 8: VEGA De TERRÓN, SPAIN.
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.
Day 9: VEGA De TERRÓN –DISEMBARKATION – SALAMANCA – MADRID.
Disembark the ship in Vega De Terrón and board a motorcoach to Madrid. En route to Madrid, you’ll first stop in Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. You will have free time to explore on your own, followed by an escorted city tour that includes the New Cathedral and the uniquely adorned House of Shells. Later in the day, you’ll check into your hotel in Madrid.
Optional Pre-and Post-Land Tours: 3 NIGHTS IN LISBON, A 7-NIGHT DOURO RIVER CRUISE, 3 NIGHTS IN MADRID
Two iconic cities, Lisbon and Madrid, provide the perfect start and end to a grand journey through Portugal and Spain. Cosmopolitan Lisbon offers a treasure trove of Old World architecture and a wealth of stories about its famed explorers; and then there is the seaside town of Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal and a favorite summer residence of the Portuguese royal fa mily for more than 500 years. Set sail in Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges” and gateway to the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with rambling vineyards and charming quintas, which cling to the steep sides of the river. Taste wines from these vineyards and discover the timeless traditions of Portuguese winemaking throughout your journey before visiting some of Spain’s glorious cities: the golden hued city of Salamanca, the ancient walled city of Toledo, and cosmopolitan Madrid, renowned for its world-class museums, stately gardens and lively tapas bars.
Day 1: LISBON, PORTUGAL.
Arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel.
Day 2: LISBON.
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon stretches across several hills along the Tagus River. On your escorted tour, you’ll see Belem Tower, a fortified four -story tower made of limestone, and visit the Late Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the burial place of many Portuguese kings and heroes. You will also taste a typical Portuguese pastry, Pastéis de Belém, before going to Discoveries Monument, built in honor of Portugal’s greatest maritime explorers.
Day 3: LISBON.
Enjoy a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the most picturesque mountain villages in Portugal, a former summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and a source of inspiration for Lord Byron and generations of other artists and poets. Your guided tour includes a visit to the Pena National Palace, a fairy tale castle situated high on a rocky peak, followed by free time to explore on your own.
Day 4: LISBON – PORTO – EMBARKATION.
Day 5 - Day 10: PORTO to VEGA De TERRÓN, SPAIN ABOARD AMAVIDA.
Day 11: VEGA De TERRÓN –DISEMBARKATION – SALAMANCA – MADRID.
Disembark the ship in Vega De Terrón and board a motorcoach to Madrid. En route to Madrid, you’ll first stop in Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. You will have free time to explore on your own, followed by an escorted city tour that includes the New Cathedral and the uniquely adorned House of Shells. Later in the day, you’ll check into your hotel in Madrid.
Day 12: MADRID.
Discover the vibrant capital of Spain on your city tour that takes in all the top sights, including the elaborate Royal Palace, Buen Retiro Park, Puerto del Sol, Mercado de San Miguel and Plaza Mayor.
Day 13: MADRID.
Journey to the walled city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancient capital of Spain. The city is a treasure trove of artistic riches with its winding streets and well-preserved medieval architecture. As part of your escorted tour, you will visit the Cathedral of Toledo as well as the Synagogue Santa María La Blanca in the Jewish Quarter.
Day 14: DEPART MADRID.
Check out of your hotel for your flight home.
PRICING
Pricing is per person based on double occupancy including port charges, pre-paid gratuities and airport transfers. Limited number of cabins held in each category. Single cabins can be booked upon request based on availability. A minimum of 20 cabins must be reserved for the pricing below. Pricing subject to change if the minimum is not met. Purchase of health, baggage, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance is strongly recommended.
Category E, Fixed window, 161 Sq. Ft: $3,815.00 per person
Category D, Fixed window, 161 Sq Ft: $4,065.00 per person
Category B, Balcony, 215 Sq. Ft: $5,095.00 per person
Category A, Balcony, 215 Sq. Ft: $5,385.00 per person
Category S, Suite, 323 Sq. Ft: $6,695.00 per person
Group Air:
Pricing is not available until 330 days prior to return.
Estimated cost of air for coach is $1200 per person.
Estimated cost of air in premium economy is $1700 per person.
Pre and Post Land pricing based on double occupancy:
1 night Pre in Lisbon (MANDATORY): $503.00 per person
2 nights Pre in Lisbon (Optional): $788.00 per person
3 nights Pre in Lisbon (Optional): $856.00 per person
1 night Post in Madrid (MANDATORY): $446 per person
2 nights Post in Madrid (Optional): $731.00 per person
3 nights Post in Madrid (Optional): $856.00 per person
Click here to download the booking form.
Return completed book forms to tgrace@poetravel.com.