REVIEWS


AMADOURO AmaWaterways


LOCATION: AmaDouro was designed and built to cruise the Douro in Portugal. It is offering weekly departures round-trip from Porto between March and October each year that call at Entre-os-Rios, Regua, Pinhao and Barca d’Alva. The line offers excursions to taste the local food, wine and port during lunches and dinners at local quintas (wine estates).


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: AmaDouro is visibly shorter than AmaWaterways’ Rhine vessels (260ft v 443ft) which is necessary to get through the Douro’s locks. In place of the twin inside/outside balconies, most cabins and suites have traditional walk-out verandas. A gold-painted hull, added by Portuguese company Douro Azul, which built and owns the vessel – possibly as a nod to the Douro’s ‘river of gold’ moniker – makes sure it stands out from the crowd.


THE FACTS: AmaDouro is a comfortable home from home, elegantly designed and with touches such as L’Occitane toiletries in the bathrooms, unlimited complimentary bottled water and free Wi-Fi. It accommodates 102 passengers in 51 cabins, including four suites, all equipped ÜÌ y>ÌÃVÀii iÌiÀÌ>iÌ ÃÞÃÌiÃ] ÜV `ÕLi >Ã a computer, and en-suite bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers. The lounge bar is the hub of the ship, where passengers gather for daily talks about the following day’s activities, a complimentary Sip and Sail pre-dinner cocktail


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hour and evening entertainment. The room, decked out in a pretty combination of beige and burgundy furniture accented LÞ yÀ> «ÀÌ VÕÃÃ] «iÃ Ì > >À}i vÀÜ>À` ÕÌ`À viewing area. The vessel has a small massage room and a gym with a treadmill, exercise bike and weights. Exercise classes are offered each day.


CUISINE: Dining is one of the highlights of cruising on the AmaDouro. Dishes are well presented, tasty and mostly


international but a special Portuguese night once per cruise introduces passengers to local favourites such as cabbage soup, cod and Iberian pork. Menus cater for most tastes with > VVi v i>Ì] wÃ] «>ÃÌ> >` Ûi}iÌ>À> ÃÌ }Ìð There’s one main restaurant, but breakfast pastries and a light lunch are alternatively served in the lounge every day.


WOW: A top-deck swimming pool is the perfect place to keep cool while admiring the scenery, which changes between verdant vineyards and craggy cliffs.


BOOK IT: A seven-night Enticing Douro cruise departing November 16 costs from £1,662 per person including flights, transfers, shore excursions, wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner.


AMAWATERWAYS.COM Jane Archer


SEPTEMBER 2019 ASPIRE 115


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