Flavors of Spain and Portugal at Christmastime with AmaWaterways

Dec 9 - 21, 2026

There is something quietly magical about celebrating Christmas along the Iberian Peninsula, where the holidays are woven into the fabric of daily life. This 8-day river cruise aboard AmaWaterways' AmaVida takes us from the UNESCO-listed waterfront of Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the Douro River from Porto, all the way to the Spanish border town of Vega Terrón, sailing through some of the most storied wine country in the world.

River cruising is a lovely, slow way to travel, with opportunities to connect with your group, your fellow passengers, and locals in the towns and villages we visit There is nothing lovelier in my experience than watching the river go by, or than sitting at a cafe you just discovered listening to the life of the village happen all around you.

Portugal and Spain in December means Christmas markets, centuries-old cathedrals aglow with lights, and tables set with roasted chestnuts, bacalhau, jamón ibérico, and bottles of port that have aged right alongside the vines we'll cruise past. Food is not a backdrop on this trip. It is the whole point.

AmaVida is a smaller ship by design, which means we go where larger vessels can't, and we travel as a group rather than a crowd. Excursions, meals, and evenings on deck all happen at a human pace.

With AmaWaterways, ALL of your excursions are included (and there are multiple choices and activity levels available in each port) as well as all of your meals on board.

Important: there is special pricing available for this adventure for passengers booked and deposited by July 31:

*$1000/savings per person (discount reflected in cabin pricing)

*Deposit amount reduced to $250/person, from $400/person.

*$125/person on board credit.

*Airplus rates-Ama books your airfare- starting at $599/roundtrip per person economy.

In addition, the next 8 passengers to book get an additional 5% off.

Itinerary

Wed, Dec 9
1. Optional 3 night land pre-tour in Lisbon
Thu, Dec 10
Sat, Dec 12: Porto, Portugal
1. Flavors of Portugal & Spain (Taste of Christmas)
2. Porto – Embarkation
3. Cruise options by Cabin type, prices are for two sharing a cabin
  Suite, balcony, 323 square feet, for two
  Category A Stateroom, balcony, 215 square feet, for two
  Category B Stateroom, 215 square feet, for two
  Category D Stateroom, panoramic window, 161 square feet, for two
  Category E Stateroom, panoramic window, 161 square feet, for two
Sun, Dec 13: Porto, Portugal
1. Porto
Mon, Dec 14: Entre-os-Rios, Portugal
1. Entre-os-Rios
Tue, Dec 15: Régua, Portugal
1. Régua
Wed, Dec 16: Régua, Portugal
1. Régua – Pinhão
2. Pinhão
Thu, Dec 17: Pinhão, Portugal
1. Pinhão
Fri, Dec 18: Pinhão, Portugal
1. Pinhão – Barca d'Alva
2. Barca d’Alva
Sat, Dec 19: Vega de Terron, Portugal, Portugal
1. Vega de Terrón – Disembarkation
2. Optional 3 night post-cruise land packages
  3 nights in Madrid at the Paseo del Prado
  3 nights in Madrid at the Mandarin Oriental
  3 night Madrid, hotel not yet determined

Full Itinerary

Itinerary summary and sample excursions
Cruise From: Porto to Vega de Terrón
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. Visit Castelo Rodrigo, the “White Village”; enjoy an immersive lunch at a quinta in Pinhão; see Lamego, one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites; and marvel at a centuries-old Portuguese monastery. Historic places, unspoiled beauty and distinctive wines are yours to be enjoyed as you savor the flavors of Spain and Portugal.

Specific holiday markets cannot be guaranteed during your river cruise. For details on open dates, please visit each city’s tourism office website.
COUNTRIES: Portugal, Spain
RIVERS: Douro
Flavors of Portugal & Spain (Taste of Christmas)At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Expand All
Day 1
Porto
EMBARKATION
Porto Illuminations cruise
Day 2
Porto
“City of Bridges” tour
OR Porto hike
Port Wine Tasting
Day 3
Entre-os-Rios
Lunch at local quinta
Day 4
Régua
Mateus Palace & Gardens Excursion
Day 5
Régua
Lamego city tour and Bôlas tasting
OR Holy Staircase hike and Bôlas tasting
Pinhão
Local quinta wine tasting
Day 6
Pinhão
Pinhão train station hike
Quinta de Roêda lunch
Day 7
Pinhão
Scenic cruising
Barca d’Alva
Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare
OR Castelo Rodrigo hike with tasting of regional fare
Day 8
Vega de Terrón
DISEMBARKATION
Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.
Our Ship, the AmaVIda
The AmaVida is one of AmaWaterways smaller ships, with only 106 passengers. This means a more intimate experience (and I can guarantee many of the crew will quickly learn your drink order and favorite table).
There are lovely public spaces on board to meet new people, celebrate with your group, or have some quiet time.
There is a sun deck, a fitness room, and a spa.
Dining
All meals onboard AmaWaterways are included in your cruise fare, as well as beer and wine at dinner and lunch and a daily Sip'n'Sail cocktail hour with a complimentary specialty cocktail and mocktail each day and beer and wine. The food is excellent.
At breakfast, you have the choice of a lovely buffet as well as a made-to-order menu (or both!).
Lunch is table service in the main dining room, and an Italian menu at the Chef's table (no reservations required!). There are also casual options, like burgers, available in the lounge if you'd like to sit upstairs and watch everything go by from that viewpoint.
Dinner is table service, with most of your meals in the main dining room. No reservations are necessary and for all meals, you can join at any time during meal service.
Once per voyage, you can reserve a meal at the Chef's Table, which is a wonderful experience with a show kitchen and just a few other tables. This is also included in your fare!
At lunch and dinner, you will have a choice of multiple wines selected from local wineries near your ports-and, if you love something from a previous day, they are happy to pour that as well.
Cabin Options-pricing is for two people
Suite, $14,196
Category A Balcony, $11,196
Category B Balcony, $10,596
Category D Panoramic Window, $6986
Category E Panoramic Window, $6198