River Cruising Douro River Valley Booming

For the many individuals, couples, families and groups who take a European river cruise each

year, the Douro River Valley is getting a lot of attention. AmaWaterways has added additional

river cruises along the Douro River due to the growing interest in the beautiful scenery and

intriguing history. Their foray into Portugal includes the addition of a 108- passenger cruise ship,

AmaVida, which will provide passengers with the luxurious surroundings and amenities that

they hope will make this the best river cruise available in the area.

Many people enjoy European river cruises because of the opportunity to see a variety of

landscapes and visit a diversity of communities, all while enjoying the luxurious

accommodations provided on the ship. For this reason, many people prefer to book their cruises

with a leading cruise line such as AmaWaterways that assures they will have premium amenities

and exceptional service. The Douro River Valley is gaining attention as a uniquely charming

area that is accented with old-world villages and vineyards, with the addition of cruises offered

in the region reflecting the various needs of those who want to experience the country.

The Douro River is 557 miles long, taking visitors to destinations from Porto to the Upper Douro

Valley. The region is known for its Port wine, with a vast amount of land that is used to raise the

grapes for producing it. One of the river cruises that is now offered through AMA Waterways is

the Port Wine & Flamenco cruise which includes 3 nights in Madrid, a 7-night Douro cruise,

followed by 3 nights in Lisbon. The Douro portion of the cruise starts at the Spanish border

before taking visitors through regions that remain wild and unexplored. The land includes

numerous vineyards, dramatic gorges and terraced hillsides. Along the way is the town of Pinhao

where travelers will have the opportunity to try the famous Port wine themselves. Additional

stops along the way are the Tras-os-Montes and the village of Entre-Os-Rios. The cruise ends in

Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

The second option for a Douro River cruise in 2014 is the Enticing Douro cruise. This cruise

starts with a 3-night stay in the Portugal capital of Lisbon before going on a 7-night cruise

through the Douro River Valley. The cruise portion begins in Porto before continuing to the city

of Lamego. Once passengers enter Spain, they will visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage

Site, along with the gardens of Mateus. The many beautiful scenes, tranquil fishing villages,

breathtaking gorges and other awe-inspiring landscapes are among the reasons that many people

consider a Douro cruise to be the best destination.

There is a great deal of unspoiled, natural beauty to be enjoyed along the way before ending with

a visit to the 24th

Century Alpendurada Monastery where passengers can learn a little more about

the culture and history of the area. A Douro River cruise will also provide passengers with the

opportunity to learn more about the cuisine and music of the region.

For more information visit us at: http://www.amawaterways.com