Enchanting Douro: Round-Trip Porto Aboard Amadouro October 14 – 22, 2022
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Proposed Program Information Enchanting Douro: Round-Trip Porto Aboard AmaDouro October 14 – 22, 2022 Peso da Régua Porto Atlantic Salamanca Ocean Douro River Barca d’Alva Vega de Terrón PORTUGAL SPAIN AmaDouro in Porto Savor enchanting vineyards, verdant landscapes, and tremendous cultural history on a river voyage through Portugal’s Douro Valley, the birthplace of Port wine. As you embark on a round-trip journey from magical Porto, travel aboard the luxury riverboat AmaDouro, stepping ashore to explore timeless villages, tour remarkable collections at awe-inspiring museums, and sample world-renowned varieties. Indulge in the region's richly flavorful cuisine during private meals at Mafra vineyards, including a family-owned wine estate with centuries-old vines and strikingly modern cellars designed by a Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect. Cross the border to Spain for an exciting excursion to ancient Salamanca, UNESCO- listed for its extraordinary array of Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance, and Baroque monuments. Conclude with a full-day immersion in Porto's architectural diversity and stunningLisbon gardens. Before the program, an optional prelude in Lisbon and nearby Sintra, with its extravagant palaces and fortresses atop lush hills, is offered. HIGHLIGHTS • Spend seven nights soaking up the beauty of the Douro Valley cruising aboard the elegantly appointed AmaDouro, a luxury river vessel launched in 2019 • Explore beautifully designed museums on special tours, including Museu de Lamego, with its graceful displays of religious art and 16th-century Flemish tapestries, and Salamanca's delightful Museo Art Nouveau y Art Déco, housed in Casa Lis, an urban mansion with a stained glass façade • Admire the groundbreaking creations of Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza, with a tour of his minimalist Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves, housing an exceptional collection of contemporary works, and an exploration of mesmerizing wine cellars he designed at a centuries-old vineyard • Behold the 19th-century Palácio da Bolsa, a Neoclassical former stock exchange in Porto's UNESCO-listed historic center, featuring the lavish, gilded-in-gold Salão Árabe, whose grandeur was modeled after the iconic Alhambra • Marvel at the grandiose staircase and stained glass skylight of Porto’s 1906 Livraria Lello bookstore, whose early 20th- century, Art Nouveau interiors reportedly inspired the Harry Potter novels • Discover the 3rd-century-B.C., UNESCO-listed city of Salamanca, Spain, home to the third-oldest still-active university in the world and the show-stopping public square Plaza Mayor, a grand achievement of Spanish Baroque architecture • Experience a private performance at Porto's spectacular, "shoebox-shaped" concert hall Casa da Música, a landmark of 21st century architecture designed by Rem Koolhaas • Sample a variety of local vintages in exquisite, exclusive settings, including a tasting of Vinho Verde during a visit to a private estate with amazing gardens Proprietary & Confidential For Discussion Only - Do Not Copy © 2020 Arrangements Abroad Inc. Douro River Valley ITINERARY An optional prelude in Lisbon & Sintra is offered from Tuesday, October 18 BARCA D’ALVA / TBA. VEGA DE TERRÓN, SPAIN / SALAMANCA Cross the Spanish border to spend a day in the UNESCO- Friday, October 14 DEPARTURE listed ancient university town of Salamanca, city of golden Depart on overnight flights to Porto, Portugal. sandstone. On a guided tour, admire the elegant buildings of the Universidad de Salamanca, the third-oldest still- Saturday, October 15 PORTO, PORTUGAL / operating university in the world, and Plaza Mayor, one of EMBARK AMADOURO the most beautiful squares in Spain. Enjoy a leisurely Arrive in the morning and transfer to Fundação de Serralves, afternoon or opt for a visit to the Museo Art Nouveau y Art a cultural institution whose strikingly minimalist museum of Déco, housed in Casa Lis, a graceful 1905 mansion with a contemporary art, the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de sweeping, stained-glass façade. Rejoin our vessel in Vega Serralves, was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect de Terrón, Spain, for dinner. B,L,D Álvaro Siza, a Porto native. Following lunch in Serralves’ idyllic gardens, embark the awaiting AmaDouro. Gather Wednesday, October 19 VEGA DE TERRÓN / tonight for our welcome dinner. L,D PINHÃO, PORTUGAL Spend the morning in Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified hilltop Sunday, October 16 PORTO / PESO DE RÉGUA village overlooking slopes studded with almond trees Be on deck this morning as we cruise below a magnificent and vineyards. Pass through its 16th-century walls, climb iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. In the afternoon, the narrow, medieval streets, and refresh with a tasting drive to Quinta da Aveleda, a family-owned wine estate of regional wine and delicacies. A special private dinner with delightful gardens. Sample its Vinho Verde, and is arranged this evening in Sabrosa at Quinta do Portal, enjoy a private dinner overlooking the vineyard. This a family-owned boutique winery with centuries-old evening, attend a lively onboard performance of vineyards. Tour its strikingly modern cellars, also designed Portuguese folk music. B,L,D by Álvaro Siza. B,L,D Monday, October 17 PESO DE RÉGUA / Thursday, October 20 PINHÃO / PESO DE RÉGUA / BARCA D’ALVA BITETOS Call at Peso de Régua for a morning visit to the Museu do Nestled amid the Douro Valley’s terraced slopes, Lamego is Douro, a museum housing exhibitions on the cultural and best known for its Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos wine-making heritage of the region. Attend an onboard Remédios, an ornate Baroque church with views of the lecture this afternoon as AmaDouro wends her way through town. Descend the church’s exuberant staircase, which the valley to Barca d’Alva. B,L,D Proprietary & Confidential For Discussion Only - Do Not Copy © 2020 Arrangements Abroad Inc. zigzags to the gardens below. At the Museu de Lamego, Rua de Miguel Bombarda. This afternoon, roam the admire eclectic religious art and 16th-century Flemish enchanting 19th-century gardens at the Jardins do Palácio tapestries, housed in a grand, 18th-century Episcopal de Cristal, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Porto and palace. This afternoon, AmaDouro passes through the Douro River. Then, delight in a vintage Port tasting at Barragem do Carrapatelo, the country’s first hydroelectric W&j Graham’s 1890 Lodge, a working wine cellar on a dam and the highest lock in Europe. Dine tonight in the hillside above the city. This evening, the captain hosts a Convento de Alpendurada, an 11th-century Benedictine festive farewell dinner. B,L,D monastery with majestic views of the valley below. As the sun sets, observe why the Portuguese named the Douro Saturday, October 22 PORTO / DISEMBARK / the “river of gold” (d’ouro). B,L,D RETURN Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for Friday, October 21 BITETOS / PORTO flights home. B Return to Porto for a morning tour and private concert at Please note: This is the property of Arrangements Abroad Casa da Música, a landmark of 21st-century architecture and may not be duplicated or distributed without written designed by Rem Koolhaas. Alternatively, enjoy a walking permission. All prices are estimated based on preliminary tour featuring the opulent former stock exchange Palácio da quotes provided by hotel and service providers, prevailing fuel Bolsa and the 1906 Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful prices, airfares and currency exchange rates in effect as of the date of this proposal and are subject to change. bookstores in the world. Lunch is aboard, or you may Reservations are subject to the Terms & Conditions of choose to have lunch at leisure amid the art galleries lining Arrangements Abroad. Photos clockwise from top left: Serralves, Porto, photo by Vanessa Fermino; Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Lamego, photo by Trudy Lamers; Quinta da Aveleda; Gustav Eiffel bridge, Porto, photo by João Camacho; Salamanca, photo by José Luis Vega. Proprietary & Confidential For Discussion Only - Do Not Copy © 2020 Arrangements Abroad Inc. AMADOURO Launched in April 2019, this luxury river vessel features 51 spacious and elegantly appointed staterooms and suites. Staterooms include entertainment-On-Demand, featuring free high-speed Internet access, unlimited Wi-Fi, movies, music and English-language TV stations; climate-controlled air conditioning; and an in-room safe. AmaDouro’s Panoramic Lounge is a stylish and inviting space to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail along with our nightly entertainment. The ship also features a massage room, fitness room, sun-deck swimming pool and a gift shop, as well as the culinary delights of the Main Restaurant, where guests are able to sample the region’s famous Port wine. AmaDouro restaurant (top) and Porto Deck Suite with balcony (above) Double Single Decks Cabins Rates Rates Douro Deck 109-114 $6,999 $9,999 Douro Deck 102-108 $7,999 $11,599 Porto Deck 317-320 $9,999 $14,999 Lisbon Deck 201-216, 218 $10,999 $16,999 Porto Deck 305-316 $11,999 Inquire Porto Deck 301-304 $14,999 Inquire Rates Include Seven nights cabin accommodations aboard AmaDouro; meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); bottled water, soft drinks, juices, and coffee/tea with all meals; house wine at welcome and farewell dinners; airport/pier/airport group transfers for all participants on suggested flights; escorted sightseeing, transportation and entrance fees for all included visits; enrichment program of lectures and talks; gratuities to local guides and drivers; customary shipboard gratuities; taxes, service, and porterage charges; Personal protective materials, including masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, and gloves. Not Included in Rates International airfare; passport/visa fees; meals not specified; alcoholic beverages other than noted in inclusions; personal items and expenses (e.g. laundry services); airport transfers other than for those on suggested flights; excess baggage; trip insurance; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.