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Portugal's Douro Full Ship Celebration River Cruise Bike Tour

Portugal's Douro Full Ship Celebration River Cruise Bike Tour

Magical Salamanca to Timeless Porto

From $5,298 - $8,899 pp dbl. occ. | 8 days / 7 nights

(+$2,500 to $2,600 for sgl. occ.)

Set sail on an exclusive Backroads celebration of epic proportions. Cruise west on the Douro River into Portugal's legendary wine region. Ride through sunlit terraced vineyards and pueblos that seem lost in time. Then join your fellow active travelers onboard for a brilliant sunset and decadent meal. It's said that it matters not where you are but who you're with. Come celebrate with us!

Highlights

Revel in the splendor of the Douro Valley by bike and luxurious river ship on this exclusive Backroads charter
Cycle across the illustrious Douro wine region's undulating countryside of terraced vineyards and old-world villages
Discover Portugal's rich history and culture, from wistful Fado music to World Heritage sites and landscapes
Taste luscious port in its birthplace and raise a glass to an extraordinary biking journey with friends, old and new

Portugal & Spain

Start Salamanca, Spain / End Porto or Lisbon, Portugal

Itinerary

Day 1 Journey through the Spanish countryside from the World Heritage site of Salamanca to quaint Lumbrales | Ride through the Spanish highlands past pastures and sleepy villages on wonderfully tranquil roads | With views of Portugal unfolding before you, descend into the Douro Valley and arrive at our ship.

Day 2 Pedal amid a patchwork of pastures, almond orchards and olive groves | Cycle to a fortified hilltop village for epic vistas into Portugal and Spain | In Pinhão, an unforgettable onshore dinner of traditional Portuguese specialties awaits.

Days 3-4 Bike along the river and the lovely terraced vineyards of the Alto Douro, a World Heritage region with a 2,000-year-old wine-making history | Visit the Douro Museum to learn how integral port wine production is to the area | Explore Lamego, home of one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal.

Days 5-6 A glorious ride offers perfect vantage points overlooking the river—you might even spot our ship as it passes below you | Bike and cruise the final stretch of the Douro into Porto, renowned for its namesake wine | This alluring World Heritage city will charm you with its splendid architecture, winding alleyways and ever-changing views.

Days 7-8 Spin along the Atlantic Ocean and get a feel for local life in the Vila Nova da Gaia neighborhood | Back at our ship, take in the beautiful vistas of Porto.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please review the grid below:

Number of Days Prior to Trip Start	Cancellation Fees (per person)	Departure Dates

For information on our trip transfers see here.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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C Classic Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2019 June

8+ 6/18–6/25

2020 June

8+ 6/16–6/23

2020 September

8+ 9/22–9/29

View Scheduled Dates

The sky’s the limit! Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

2020
Jun
Sep

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
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Prices

From $5,298 - $8,899 pp dbl. occ.
8 days / 7 nights

(+$2,500 to $2,600 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

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Premiere Ship

AmaWaterways

AmaVida (7 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 2-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Portugal

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Ship

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

AmaWaterways

AmaVida (7 nights)

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, expansive outdoor decks, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. (pool)

View the deck plans. See Dates & Prices for specific ship, stateroom category availability and embarkation/disembarkation details.

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1			23	1100			44	1700
2			25*	1100	33	2800
3			30*	1700			47	2900
4			20	1500			40	3700
5					27	2700	42	4300
6	Porto Guided Walking Tour (2 Hours)
7	17	600					53	1200
8	Disembarkation in Porto, transfer to Lisbon

Note:

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Cannondale Pro Carbon Upgrade ($400 rental fee) – Available 7/1/19

We’re excited to announce that beginning July 1, 2019, we’ll offer the new and much-anticipated Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD pro carbon upgrade on Biking Trips in Europe, United States and Canada. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package, the Synapse is built for experienced cyclists, men and women alike, who are looking for a high-performance bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. The Synapse will be offered in a complete range of sizes; detailed bike specifications will be announced in February 2019.

Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
Off-the-beaten path exploration
Access to all ship amenities
Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
Exclusive biking routes with multiple options at varied paces
Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
Dedicated support vans
Custom Titanium bike
Easy-to-use route directions so you're free to explore independently
Private walking tours with expert guides
Access to all ship activities and excursions
Wine included with all onboard meals
Off-ship lunches and dinners in genuine settings
Private tastings to partake in the region's best
Exceptional dining experiences
Private cocktail/wine receptions

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Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

About the Ship

The AmaWaterways ship is your floating luxury hotel, letting you visit new cities or countries without having to pack up your bags! This 102-passenger ship is custom-designed with a variety of inviting common spaces so you'll have plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. All dinners are prepared by the ship's classically trained chefs and are served on board in the ship's dining rooms.

Group Size

Backroads has booked the entire ship for this special sailing. This trip is a unique celebration of cycling and it’s a much different Backroads experience with up to 94 guests (compared to an average of 16 guests on a typical Backroads trip). We anticipate couples, solo travelers, multigenerational adult families and perhaps some small groups traveling together. You can look forward to a very social atmosphere with active travelers who share a common interest in seeing the world in the most interesting way possible. You'll also be supported by a team of 18 Backroads leaders—eight on board and 10 land-based—plus 11 vans ready when you need them.

Backroads Cruising Life

If you’re new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don’t mind a set schedule of port departure times, you’ll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.

Meals

On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches, picnics and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

Itinerary Flexibility: Going with the Flow

Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways' captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow.

Activity Options

Each day you'll have your own exclusive Backroads Trip Leaders, shuttles and fantastic biking routes, in addition to the AmaWaterways staff and activities. This trip is designed to be flexible, so if you prefer to take a day off from riding, you’re always welcome to shift gears and relax on the ship, explore on your own or check in with your Backroads leaders regarding one of the many AmaWaterways shore excursions.

Double-Docking

Some port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a perfectly normal part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may occasionally experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but rest assured that as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.

Stateroom Categories

In contrast to our usual land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast so book as early as possible if this is important to you.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Portugal

We Reinvented the River Cruise

Backroads pioneered the active river trip, partnering with AmaWaterways, the leader in river cruising, to create a new kind of travel experience featuring biking and walking explorations from an elegant floating hotel. Read more about this ideal way to discover the heart of a region.

The Best Leaders in Portugal

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Portugal, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our Portugal trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

A Variety of Routes Each Day

In Portugal you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.

We Know Where We're Going

Tom Hale has been keeping Backroads on track, with one eye on the horizon, since 1979. His passion for active travel, and for ensuring the highest-quality travel experience, is evident in every detail we add to make a guest's trip unforgettable—and the fact he's right there in the office, making it happen. To hear Tom describe his vision, watch our video.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Guest Photo Gallery

Videos

The Backroads Experience

Why Biking Trips?

Our Expert Leaders

Featured Blog Story

A Romance with Port Wine

On my first visit to Portugal and the mesmerizing city of Porto, I got my first true peek behind the curtain into the fascinating realm of port wine.

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Portugal's Douro Full Ship Celebration River Cruise Bike Tour