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FLAVORS OF PORTUGAL & SPAIN TOUR & RIVER CRUISE
Tuesday, August 10 – Saturday, August 22, 2026
DAY 1: MONDAY, AUGUST 10
ARRIVE IN MADRID
Upon arrival at the Madrid International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL VINCCI SOHO or similar (2 nights)
DAY 2: TUESDAY, AUGUST 11
MADRID SIGHTSEEING / WELCOME DINNER
Spain’s capital since 1561, Madrid of today is a strikingly modern city. This morning walk through the Barrio de Las Letras, a special residence for the great writers from the Golden Age of Spanish Literature (1520-1700 AD). The highlight of our day is a visit to The Prado, one of the world’s great museums housing masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, Titian, Botticelli and Rubens. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight enjoy a special welcome dinner at El Rincon de Esteban, a traditional restaurant near our hotel. (B,D)
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 — SOLAR ECLIPSE
MADRID / VALLADOLID / LA AGUILERA
Today depart Madrid for Valladolid. After check-in we drive to the village of La Aguilera (latitude and longitude: 42.964236, -4.0468728) to enjoy the total solar eclipse at the Spanish winery Dominio de Cair, with tasting of their stunning wines and a dinner with regional cuisine. After the eclipse viewing, return to your hotel in Valladolid. (B,D)
OVERNIGHT: AC HOTEL PALACIO DE SANTA ANA, VALLADOLID or similar (2 nights)
DAY 4: THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
VALLADOLID / LA MORENA WINE CELLAR DINNER
Today is at leisure to explore the lovely Spanish city of Valladolid. Late this afternoon depart for Cigales, to enjoy an authentic dinner with music and singing at the ancient La Morena wine cellar. (B,D)
DAY 5: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
VALLADOLID TO SALAMANCA
Depart for Salamanca this morning. En route we stop for a tasting and lunch at Teso La Monja, a renowned Toro winery producing full-bodied red wines from an ancient vineyard. The wines of Teso La Monja are among the very best vintages from Spain. After lunch depart for Salamanca, a one hour drive. This evening is at leisure to explore this marvelous Spanish city. (B,L)
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL EUROSTARS LAS CLARAS or similar (1 night)
DAY 6: SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
SALAMANCA / VEGA DE TERRÓN / EMBARKATION
This morning’s guided walking tour explores Salamanca University, Cathedral, Plaza Mayor and the Mercado Central. Enjoy some free time prior to boarding your coach in the early afternoon to Vega de Terrón to board our ship AmaVida. Check-in and get comfortable. At 6pm the Captain’s Welcome Reception and safety briefing takes place in the Main Lounge, followed by dinner. (B,D)
DAY 7: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
BARCA D’ALVA – PINHÃO / CASTELO RODRIGO
Venture to Castelo Rodrigo, known as the “White Village” because of its almond trees. The site offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. Join a walking tour through its medieval streets and see the houses and establishments with 16th-century façade and Manueline-style windows. If you prefer a more active adventure there, you can hike up to the town. At the end of both tours, enjoy a tasting of local favorites, such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine. Later in the day, cruise along the scenic Douro to Pinhão. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: MONDAY, AUGUST 17
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, a wine tasting will be waiting for you in a local quinta. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
RÉGUA
Discover the Baroque magic of Mateus Palace and gardens. Later in the day, you have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). For active adventurers, you can hike up the famed Lamego Steps, also known as the Holy Staircase. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
REGUA / ENTRE-OS-RIOS
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Douro from Régua to Entre-Os-Rios. This will be followed by a traditional “home-cooked” meal at a local quinta. (B,L,D)
DAY 11: THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
ENTRE-OS-RIOS / PORTO
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising on your way to Porto. The second largest city in Portugal, this coastal destination is home to iconic historic landmarks, impressive cuisine, and, of course – Port wine. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine and sample its rich flavors. (B,L,D)
DAY 12: FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
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. For the more active adventure, join a hike in Porto and explore the old harbor quarter, passing through the medieval streets of Porto. When the sun sets, enjoy the illuminated landscapes of Porto on a scenic cruise aboard your ship. (B,L,D)
DAY 13: SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
PORTO / DISEMBARKATION
Your journey comes to an end in Porto as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
PLEASE NOTE:
A reasonable degree of mobility is required for all passengers on this program. Most of the guided tours provided on your cruise are walking tours. Many historic villages in Europe are located on hilltops, where it is necessary to walk up and down hilly, cobblestone streets that may have narrow passageways. Ships docked in port are often rafted side-by-side to another river ship. Passengers are then required to ascend and descend flights of 12 or more stairs to walk up to observation deck, down to gang planks to enter or exit the rafted ships. To participate in tours and get on and off the ship, travelers must be able to walk unaccompanied.
Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push etc. The ship’s crew and other cruise guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized pre or post cruise land programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove, or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.