Douro River Cruise

Travel from the historic plazas of Madrid to the riverside splendor of medieval Porto with alumni and friends from November 6 – 15, 2025. Spend 7 nights aboard the deluxe AmaVida, cruising the Douro River, as it carves through northern Portugal, creating beautiful landscapes of sloping vineyards, farms and villages.

Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites along the way. Begin with an exploration of the ancient town of Salamanca — nicknamed Spain’s “Golden City,” and boasting one of the oldest universities in the world. As you pass through the the Alto Douro Wine Region, experience its perfect microclimate, where wine has been produced for 2,000 years. Including its world-renowned port wine. And conclude in the city center of Porto — including 12th-century ramparts erected on Roman foundations.

On this voyage, experience cultural and historic highlights; savor tastings of delicious locally produced food and wine; hear traditional music and marvel at unforgettable views. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today.

 

 

Dates and Rates:

Trip Dates: November 6 – 15, 2025

Rates: from $4,044 –  $10,244 per person based upon double occupancy

Traveling Solo? Single accommodations are available in category B for an additional $1,000, with limited availability. Single rates for all other categories are at 200% of the cabin fare, plus taxes. Early Booking Savings still apply. (Cabin fare is the standard rate less taxes.)

Port taxes in the amount of $249 per person are included in the above prices. Deck plans available upon request.

Deposit: $1,000 per person (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions)

Trip Type: River Cruise

Trip Status: Confirmed & Open for Reservations. Request a reservation today!

 

Program Itinerary:

Day 1, Thursday November 6 | Depart Home City
Depart for Madrid, Spain. Please check your bags from your gateway city to your arrival city. Your claim checks should have the following airport code: MAD.

Day 2, Friday November 7 | Madrid, Spain
Arrive at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain. Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Company representative.Transfer to the deluxe, historic Wellington Hotel & Spa, located in the elegant Salamanca neighborhood of Madrid.

Free Time: Settle in and spend the afternoon at your leisure. Explore Madrid, and make your own plans for lunch and dinner. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk stands ready with dining and sightseeing recommendations.

Day 3, Saturday November 8 | Madrid/Salamanca/Barca d’Alva, Portugal/Embark River Boat | B, L, R, D
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Take a scenic drive to Salamanca this
morning. See charming villages, olive groves and farms on your way to this beautiful city.

Salamanca. What began as a prehistoric community evolved into an ancient Roman settlement and university town (the world-famous university was founded in 1218). Salamanca is now known as a nucleus of education, culture and art; the city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Called Spain’s “Golden City,” Salamanca is filled with historic buildings in a mix of architectural styles, many of which are made of gold-colored sandstone. Enjoy a traditional Spanish lunch at a local restaurant, then embark on a City Tour.

Transfer to Barca d’Alva, where you will embark the deluxe Ama Vida. Settle in and acquaint yourself with the river boat; there will be a welcome briefing and safety drill.

Welcome Reception on the Ship: This evening, join your fellow passengers for a Welcome Reception and Dinner on the ship.

Day 4, Sunday November 9 | Barca d’Alva | B, L, D
Savor a delectable breakfast this morning—and every morning on board—before disembarking for the day’s excursions.

Castelo Rodrigo. Drive by coach to Castelo Rodrigo, a tiny, fortified village encircled by walls built in 1296. Join a walking tour through its medieval streets and learn about the town’s captivating history. From the castle itself, enjoy spectacular views of the valley and the red-roofed stone houses of the village. Enjoy a tasting of local favorites, such as almonds, cheese, bread and wine.

Free Time: Return to the ship and tuck in to a delicious lunch on board.

Scenic Cruising Along the Douro. The river boat travels from Barca d’Alva to Pinhão this afternoon. Spend time on deck watching the beautiful green and gold hills, terraced vineyards, hamlets and tiny villages glide past.

This evening—and every evening on board—enjoy a fabulous multi-course dinner, with generous servings of local wines, beer or soft drinks.

Day 5, Monday November 10 | Pinhão | B, L, D
Pinhão Railway Station Walk. This morning, stroll to the charming Pinhão Railway Station, famous for its lovely azulejos—distinctive blue-and-white, hand-painted tiles. The azulejos depict scenes of local significance—quintas (vineyards), winemakers, folk culture and stunning river and valley landscapes. This train station serves the Douro Line, one of the most iconic rail journeys in Portugal.

Lunch at Quinta da Avessada: Enjoy an authentic, delectable dining experience complete with entertainment at this family-run quinta. As you dine, delight in the sounds of traditional Portuguese music. Quinta da Avessada houses a museum showcasing the fascinating history and culture of wine in the Alto Douro region—complete with tastings!
Wine Tasting. This afternoon, indulge in another wine tasting at a local quinta. Return to the ship for dinner on board.

Day 6, Tuesday November 11 | Regua | B, L, D
Enjoy breakfast this morning as the ship departs Pinhão and sails to Regua.

Mateus Palace and Gardens. Explore Mateus Palace and Gardens, declared a national monument in 1911, on a guided tour. The palace, built in the early 1700s, epitomizes Italian Baroque architectural style. Its façade is well known, as it is pictured on the Mateus rosé wine label. The palace is brimming with antiques and artwork; note the entrance salon’s spectacular wooden ceiling featuring family coats of arms. The gardens boast formal beds, topiaries, statues and camelias; the captivating Cedar Tunnel is an aromatic and memorable highlight.

Free Time: Return to the ship and settle in for a delicious lunch on board.

Lamego. Visit this ancient and picturesque town, which produces wines, fruit and smoked meats. Stroll the cobblestoned streets and the town’s wide boulevard, lined with cafes and market stalls. Lamego is home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). This church was built in 1761 on the spectacular hilltop site of a previous small chapel dedicated to St. Stephen. The church is accessed by a stunning Baroque double staircase of 686 steps and nine terraces, decorated with statues, azulejos and urns. And the views at the top are spectacular! Decide whether you’d like to reach the pinnacle by motorcoach or by climbing the famous staircase—either option is available! (You may be asked to choose your option once aboard ship.)

Local Food Tasting. End the day with a tasting of local specialties such as Bolas de Lamego (bread filled with smoked ham), Presunto (a type of dry-cured ham) and Espumante (a Portuguese sparkling wine).

Return to the ship for dinner on board.

Day 7, Wednesday November 12 | Entre-Os-Rios | B, L, D
Enjoy breakfast this morning as the ship departs Regua and sails to Entre-Os-Rios. Spend the morning on deck watching the beautiful scenery gliding by, or enjoying the ship’s amenities. In the late morning, disembark in Entre-Os-Rios.

Lunch at a Local Quinta. Enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch at a local winery.

Free Time: Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring the town, which is ideally located between two rivers. Take in the rolling landscapes and beautiful views; meander the cobbled streets, admiring historic churches and architecture. The ancient town boasts a Roman bridge, dating to the first century A.D.

Return to the ship for dinner on board.

Day 8, Thursday November 13 | Porto | B, L, D
Enjoy breakfast this morning as the ship departs Entre-Os-Rios and sails to Porto. Spend the morning on deck soaking up the beautiful scenery, or enjoying the ship’s amenities. Savor a delicious lunch on board before disembarking in Porto for today’s excursions.

Porto Historic District Walking Tour. Join a guided tour of Porto’s historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the Porto Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest monuments—constructed in the 12th century but renovated and rebuilt many times over the centuries. Pass through Liberty Square, the town’s main plaza, ringed with shops and cafés, and connecting the historic and more modern parts of the city. Don’t miss the São Bento Railway Station, which has been called one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. (In case you were wondering, São Bento translates to St. Benedict, and was named for the Benedictine monastery that formerly occupied the site.) Admire the incredible azujelos, depicting scenes from Portuguese history—there are some 22,000 in São Bento!

Port Tasting. This afternoon, indulge in a final Douro Valley wine tasting….this time you’ll have a choice of how you’ll arrive.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. Please select your excursion choice on the separate Traveler’s Choice Reservations Form.
• Drive to Winery.
You’ll enjoy a tasting of port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine.
• Hike to Local Winery.
For a more active adventure, join a hike through Porto’s medieval streets, exploring the old harbor quarter. Afterwards, indulge in a port wine tasting.

Return to the ship for dinner on board.

Day 9, Friday November 14 | Porto | B, L, R, D
Free Time: Enjoy some free time today to stroll the cobbled lanes of Porto’s UNESCO-designated Ribeira (Riverside) district, with its narrow streets winding past shops and cafés. Stop in at the 14th- century Church of São Francisco, a former convent church built in the Gothic style. Marvel at the grand 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, built to impress potential investors. Is shopping more your thing? There are plenty of shops and markets to search for that perfect souvenir.

Farewell Reception on the Ship: Join your fellow passengers for a Farewell Reception and Dinner on the ship, where you’ll raise a glass to your Douro River journey!

Day 10, Saturday November 15 | Porto/Disembark/Return to Home City | B
Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Porto International Airport for your return flight home.

Activity Level: Moderate:

• Walking tours are at least 1.5 hours and require walking and standing on cobblestones, uneven paths and pavement, and hills. Some excursions may require climbing stairs, which may not have railings, and crossing rail tracks.
• Disembarking the ship requires walking on narrow, and sometimes steep, gangplanks.
• Getting on and off coaches requires climbing or descending 3-6 steep steps.

 

Not included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed in the “terms and conditions” at https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms/ ; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed as included; and all other services not specifically mentioned.