AmaWaterways wine cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to a variety of itineraries at no additional cost. Join one of these wine cruises with a special wine host and be treated to a menu of exclusive wine and culinary experiences designed to delve deeper into the wonderful flavors and tastes of Europe.
European cities transform into majestic winter wonderlands for the holiday season – and we invite you to experience all their splendor with us. In addition to our variety of daily excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit festive Christmas Markets in select destinations and participate in nostalgic traditions.
Maximize your Christmas experience by embarking at the height of the holiday market season with daily or near-daily visits to Christmas Markets.
Get "just a taste" of the holidays in mid-November or late December with visits to one or two Christmas Markets during your river cruise.
We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. Right outside Amsterdam, this rare experience calls for its visitors to “explore, touch and change” as part of their journey into Floriade – which is set to feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, talk shows, souvenirs and food stalls.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhône with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024.
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through four countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
Join Chef Joanne Weir, award-winning cookbook author, restaurant owner and host of PBS television series “Plates & Places” as she hosts a special 7-night Flavors of Burgundy river cruise.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Danube with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2025
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through five countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Douro with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights.
Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent.
AmaWaterways’ Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Magna on the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna.
Hello! "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!"
Immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Madrid, surrounded by the diverse architecture, flourishing plazas, and bustling streets of the Spanish capital. Walk alongside the locals, referred to as Madrileños, and discover the city’s rich collection of art, beautiful green parks, and an endless supply of bars and cafés.
With the streets always buzzing with life, Madrid is full of energy and excitement. The capital’s rich history and welcoming locals make Madrid a must-see destination. Experience the Spanish way of life in the vibrant capital as part of your 3-night Madrid land package with your Flavors of Portugal & Spain cruise and, beginning in 2026, on your 4-night Madrid & San Sebastián land package with your Taste of Bordeaux cruise.
Stroll Through Vibrant Plazas and Narrow Streets
On both optional land packages that venture to Madrid, you will be treated to a city tour that includes a visit to Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, one of the city’s best-known squares, which housed bullfights, symphonies, tournaments, and executions in the age of the Spanish Inquisition. Today, Plaza Mayor is lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants. Stop into the nearby Mercado de San Miguel, an indoor market brimming with sights and smells. Taste a variety of tapas, delicious Spanish appetizers, such as patatas bravas (a spicy potato dish) and gambas al ajillo (a garlic shrimp Spanish staple). Indulge your senses with a flood of baked goods, cured meats, and fine wines during your included Madrid City Tour.
Around the corner from Plaza Mayor is the Puerta del Sol, a favorite meeting spot for tourists and locals alike. This plaza, perhaps the busiest place in Madrid, is home to festivals, demonstrations, and street performers.
In a tucked-away street, just minutes away from the bustling plaza, is Madrid’s oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botin. If you have the time, go and order “cochinillo por favor” to indulge in the restaurant’s specialty: roast suckling pig!
Nearby, continue your guided excursion with a tour of the largest functioning palace in Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid, which is over 1 million square feet. Adorned with stucco, Spanish marble, mahogany, and beautiful frescos, the palace is a collection of lavish décors.
People Watch in the Paseo del Prado
Located in the southern end of the heart of the city is the Paseo del Prado. A perfect place to take a rest on a sunny day, go for a stroll, or sit and listen to drumming circles, the tree-fringed boulevard is a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you have time, be sure to visit and take in the towering trees, scattering of fountains, and beautiful bordering buildings.
Discover the Art of Madrid
The Paseo del Arte is home to three of Spain’s most renowned art museums, known as the “Golden Triangle of Art.” In your free time, visit the Museo del Prado, which houses masterpieces by Velásquez, Goya, and Bosch. The Thyssen-Bornemisza houses over 1,600 paintings, ranging from the old Italian masters to the more recent artists of the 20th century. The Centro de Arte Reina Sofía holds an equally impressive collection, including Picasso’s famed Guernica.
An Evening of Music and Dance
Madrid is known as the capital of flamenco, a traditional style of passionate music and dance. After a full day of sightseeing, enjoy a lavish meal and live entertainment at the Corral de la Morería, the most known flamenco venue in the world, an evening that is well worth your time. Enjoy the sounds of Spanish guitar and watch the fiery, intricate performances into the evening during our optional Flamenco Show.
Take an Excursion to the Medieval City of Toledo
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the walled city of Toledo was Spain’s capital until the mid-1500s. Offered as part of our 3-night Madrid land package, you will take a short 30-minute trip outside of Madrid to Toledo. This town was once home to a large population of Jewish and Muslim communities before they were exiled from Spain at the turn of the 16th century. Today, religious meeting places such as the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, the Synagogue of El Transito, and the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, remember these populations.
Why Reserve Our Optional Land Package in Madrid
Get extra time to experience this vibrant city before or after your cruise and explore an additional country: Spain!
What’s Included in Your Optional Land Package
Contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve an extended stay in Madrid as part of your Flavors of Portugal & Spain itinerary along the Douro River!
*An additional cost applies to this optional tour.