2025 Heart of Portugal Douro River Cruise

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• Highlights 
• Itinerary 
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• Our Ship: AmaSintra
• Your Hosts 
  
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• November 18 to 28, 2025
  
• Hosted by Paula & Travis Stewart
• 7 night Douro River cruise plus 3 night pre-tour in Lisbon

Highlights of your itinerary: 

• Visit Lisbon and Porto on a 7-night roundtrip river cruise
  
• Experience the wines of the Douro Valley
• Enjoy 3 nights in Lisbon

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Day 1 - November 17

Depart Canada on an overnight flight to Europe. 

Day 2 - November 18

Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to your hotel. Transfers are included if arriving on the same flights as the Stewart Travel Group Hosts, Travis and Paula, otherwise you will make your own way to the hotel.

• Overnight: Intercontinental Lisbon or similar (5*)
• Included meals: None

Day 3 - November 19

One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon, stretches across several hills along the Tagus River. On your escorted tour, you’ll see Belém Tower, a fortified 4-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.

• Overnight: Intercontinental Lisbon or similar (5*)
• Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - November 20

Enjoy a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal and a favorite summer residence of the Portuguese royal family for more than 500 years. Long an inspiration for artists and poets, Lord Byron once called it “perhaps the most delightful village in Europe.” High up on a rocky peak, you will tour Pena Palace, a wonderful fairytale castle dating back to Portugal’s Romantic period.

• Overnight: Intercontinental Lisbon or similar (5*)
• Included meals: Breakfast 

Day 5 - November 21

Embark the AmaSintra

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer by motorcoach to Tomar and take in the Castle and Convent of the Order of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a brilliant work of 12th- to 16th-century architecture. Continue on to Porto and board our beautiful ship - the brand new AmaSintra - for our Douro river cruise.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast at hotel, Light lunch & Dinner on board

Day 6 - November 22

Entre-os-Rios translates to “between the rivers,” and this small village is, quite appropriately, located at the confluence of the Tâmega and Douro rivers. This tranquil village offers an authentic slice of Douro River life. In the afternoon, indulge in a traditional Portuguese lunch with your fellow travelers in Entre-os-Rios at a local quinta – a country estate – for a truly authentic culinary experience.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - November 23

Régua to Pinhão

Visit the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens. Inside the house, you’ll see interesting furnishings, paintings and a ceiling of intricately carved wood. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal. Later in the day, savor the flavors of Portugal’s renowned fortified wine, vinho do porto, made exclusively in the Douro Valley. Head to a local quinta for your authentic Port-wine tasting experience and enjoy the sweet nectar of this fascinating region.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - November 24

Vega de Terrón, Spain to Salamanca

Drive to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a “living museum,” and you will have an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages during your escorted tour, which includes the city’s elegant university buildings, the New Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells and Plaza Mayor.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - November 25

Barca d'Alva

Spend time soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Barca d’Alva, where you will visit Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with centuries-old walls, steep narrow streets and fantastic views. You can also opt to hike up to the village should you wish a more active exploration. While here, taste some delicious locally grown produce. Be treated to an exclusive dinner at Quinta da Avessada, where you’ll enjoy an authentic and traditional dining experience complete with entertainment. Quinta da 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.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - November 26

Régua

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 the more active adventurer will want to climb on a guided hike. Concluding both 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.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - November 27

Porto

The colorful city of Porto blends the best of old and new, which you can discover on an escorted tour of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments; 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. If you prefer to get more active, you can go on a guided hike and then enjoy a Port wine tasting. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore all of Porto’s charms on your own.

• Overnight: AmaSintra
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - November 28

Disembarkation

Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home.

• Included meals: Breakfast

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Technical Details

• Passengers: 102 (Maximum) 
• Staff: 38
• Length: 260 feet
• Width: 37 feet
• Staterooms: 51
  

• Panoramic Lounge with bar, piano and dance floor
• Fitness room and Sun Deck pool
• Complimentary high-quality Wi-Fi
• Massage services*
• Breakfast and lunch featuring regional cuisine; multi-course dinners made with fresh local ingredients
• Hand-selected wine, beer and soft drinks with meals— plus a Sip & Sail cocktail hour
• Afternoon tea; 24-hour coffee station
• Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and
• Gala Dinner

*Additional costs apply

Stateroom Accommodations

• All outside accommodations, most with balconies
• Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
• Marble bathrooms, multi-jet showers, soothing bath products, terry bathrobes, slippers and hair dryer
  
• Spacious suites (323 sq. ft.) with substantial sitting area, shower and double sinks
• Generous closet and storage space with in-room safe
• Entertainment On-Demand with high-speed Internet, movies, music and English-language TV
• Individually controlled air conditioning
• Bottled water replenished daily

Deck Plan

Paula and Travis Stewart have been hosting river cruises in Europe and Asia since 2010. As hosts, they have travelled to numerous destinations around the world. 

They are excited to sail a new river in 2025, and cannot wait to have you join them on the brand new AmaSintra on the Douro River in Portugal. 

As co-owners of Stewart Travel Group, based in Charlottetown, PEI, they are well-known as leaders in Canada’s retail travel industry. They pride themselves on customer service and on creating exceptional experiences for their clients. 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Port charges of $305 CAD per person are in addition to the prices above. 
  
• Price includes pre-paid gratuities of $215 CAD per person for the cruise portion of the trip.
• Host flights will be booked by January 2025 and shared with those booked on this trip. 

• Deposit of $750 CAD per person due upon booking.
  
• Final payment due to Stewart Travel Group no later than May 21, 2025.
• All payments are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

What’s Included

• Arrival transfers (Lisbon airport to hotel) if on the same flights as the Stewart Travel Group Hosts
• Departure transfers (Porto to Lisbon airport) if on the same flights as the Stewart Travel Group Hosts
• Services of an accredited Cruise Manager for the cruise and a Tour Director for the land portion
• 10 nights accommodation in 5* hotel and on-board AmaSintra
• Meals as described in the program
• All cruise excursions as listed in the program
• Accompaniment of Stewart Travel Group Hosts, Paula & Travis Stewart

What’s Not Included

• Port charges of $305 CAD per person (charged in addition to price listed)
  
• International flights
• Arrival transfers if not on the same flights as the Stewart Travel Group Hosts
• Departure transfers if not on the same flights the Stewart Travel Group Hosts
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Gratuities for the land portion of the tour
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature and any other services not mentioned above

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss / damage / delay, flight / travel accident, and emergency medical coverage is available and is highly recommended for all travelers. 

We recommend the Premium Protection Plan offered by Manulife at the link below or, for those living in PEI, Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick, through your Trusted Travel Advisor at Stewart Travel Group.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The travel insurance policies offered by Stewart Travel Group must be purchased within 72 hours of booking your trip. Doing so will ensure you reap the full benefits offered (e.g. the Premium Protection Plan - our recommended plan - is not available after 72 hours; the “cancel for any reason” benefit on other policies is not available after 72 hours).
  
  
• If you decline to purchase travel insurance coverage that includes benefits for trip cancellation / interruption / delay, emergency medical, baggage loss / damage / delay, or flight and travel accidents that you will waive any liability against your Trusted Travel Advisor (travel agent or travel consultant) and Stewart Travel Group for any costs you incur as a result of your choice not to purchase travel insurance coverage or your selection of the principal sum and/or sums insured of the insurance that you have purchased.

Terms and Conditions

Please review Stewart Travel Group's standard terms and conditions prior to booking.

NOTE: Stewart Travel Group is currently holding all of the space on this river cruise. Any space not sold by October 31, 2024 may be released for public sale by AmaWaterways to fill the vessel.