6 Best River Cruises for 2019

Portugal
July 6, 2019
amawaterways.com

Drink in Portugal’s charming culture aboard 102-passenger AmaDouro, where both the friendly local crew and Portuguese wine and cuisine excel. On this eight-day roundtrip Porto sail, fine wines flow, at lunch, cocktail hour, and dinner. Splash in the sundeck pool, hop on a treadmill, exhale deeply during a hot stone massage. Douro river views, of steeply terraced bankside vineyards and lush green hills, entrance. After dark, eclectic local performers, like soulful Fado musicians, make evenings magical.

Ashore, expect pinch-yourself moments at notable cellars, with private tours and a vinho verde tasting at a centuries-old monastery. And what’s more authentic than sipping Port in Porto, its birthplace? Non-grape inspired excursions, like to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built of golden sandstone, mesmerize. Rates start at $3,799; amawaterways.com.