With Annemarie Morse, International Wine Judge, as your Study Tour leader, immerse yourself in the enchanting Douro Valley. From Portugal's enthralling art and architecture to the river valley's landscape of winegrowing terraces, sculpted over centuries, you will delight in this tour! Explore charming villages and learn the world of wine on this exclusive CAU Study Tour by riverboat.

For full tour details, terms, and more, download the brochure. Cruise pricing varies by cabin. For rates, see page 5.

Annemarie Morse co-teaches "Cultivating the Epicurean Palate," a popular wine and food pairing course at CAU Summer, the annual on-campus program. With a Master’s degree in Enology (winemaking) from Cornell, she brings deep expertise to the world of wine education, evaluation, and writing. An International Wine Judge and a member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers, Annemarie is widely recognized for her ability to translate the complexities of wine and food into engaging and accessible experiences. Annemarie has a deep appreciation for the cultural connections between food, wine, and place. Whether guiding tastings, leading tours, or writing about her experiences, she is driven by a passion for exploration and a desire to inspire others to cultivate their own epicurean palate.

CAU Study Tours are extraordinary opportunities to meet travelers as curious as you are. Cornell alumni, families, and friends will join you to learn and travel, and you'll be joined by additional travelers from peer institutions.

With spacious staterooms offering breathtaking views of Port Country, exquisite onboard cuisine, and top-tier amenities, the exceptional AmaSintra will debut in Portugal in 2025. This luxury river vessel features 50 elegantly appointed staterooms and suites. The ship’s Panoramic Lounge is a stylish and inviting space to enjoy a glass of the region's famous Port wine or a cocktail along with nightly entertainment.

From thriving Porto to the golden-hued city of Salamanca, Spain, and the medieval villages in between, you'll savor exclusive wine tastings at renowned quintas and engage with local traditions, from folk music performances to centuries-old winemaking techniques. In Lamego, for example, admire the ornate Baroque Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, descending its 686-step staircase adorned with colorful azulejo tiles that zigzag down to lovely gardens.

Step inside the walled medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo, joining expert guides behind the scenes of this hilltop fortress, and sample regional wines and delicacies within its ancient stone walls. Behold the hillsides adorned with almond trees and vineyards from this fortified hilltop village.

Aboard AmaSintra, purpose-built for Douro River cruising and newly launching in 2025, enjoy the sun-deck swimming pool and fitness room, or perhaps make an appointment for a massage. In the evenings, sit down to lively onboard performances with Portuguese musicians in the panoramic lounge.

From above the Douro Valley, you'll see why the Portuguese, so enchanted with its appearance, named the Douro the "river of gold" (d'ouro). Sample the vinho verde at Quinta da Aveleda, the boutique wines of Quinta do Portal, and allow your Study Tour leader, Annemarie Morse, to share her knowledge about everything from enology (winemaking) to the cultural experiences of wines.

Depart on an overnight flight to Porto, Portugal.

(Meals aloft.)

Upon your morning arrival in Porto, you will transfer to Fundação de Serralves, one of Portugal’s leading cultural institutions. Join an expert guide for a tour of the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves, a striking minimalist museum of contemporary art. The museum was designed by Álvaro Siza, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect. Peruse its collection highlighting art after 1968, including pieces by notable artists like Joan Miró, Cindy Sherman, and Paula Rego. After lunch, you will board AmaSintra and gather for a welcome dinner in the evening.

(Meals included: Lunch, Dinner)

Head to the sun deck this morning as we cruise under the Maria Pia Bridge, a magnificent iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1877, 12 years before his famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. In the afternoon, take a drive to the family-owned wine estate Quinta da Aveleda, known for its delightful gardens. Sample its Vinho Verde and enjoy a private dinner while overlooking the vineyard. To end the evening, return to AmaSintra and attend a lively onboard performance of Portuguese folk music.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Attend a morning lecture on board as AmaSintra navigates through the valley to Barca d’Alva. This afternoon, discover Castelo Rodrigo, a fortified hilltop village with scenic views of slopes adorned with almond trees and vineyards. Pass through the village’s 16th-century walls and climb the narrow
medieval streets. Explore the ruins, which feature the 16th-century Palacio de Cristóvão de Moura; the medieval Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora de Rocamador established by French pilgrim friars; and one of Portugal’s most impressive Manueline-style pillories, dating to 1509. The town also retains a medieval cistern and inscriptions that speak to a once-flourishing Jewish community. Refresh yourself with a tasting of regional wine and delicacies.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Cross the Spanish border to Salamanca, a UNESCO-listed city of golden sandstone. On a guided tour, admire the elegant buildings of the Universidad de Salamanca, founded in 1218 and the third oldest still-operating university in the world. Linger in the 18th-century Plaza Mayor, a grand achievement in Spanish Baroque architecture and one of Europe’s most beautiful town squares. You may enjoy a leisurely afternoon in town, or opt for a visit to the Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Déco. This museum is housed in Casa Lis, a graceful 1905 mansion with a sweeping, stained-glass façade. Rejoin our vessel in Vega de Terrón for dinner.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Spend the morning cruising through the picturesque Pinhão Valley, near where the Rio Pinhão meets the Douro. Then transfer to Sabrosa, known as the birthplace of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, for a visit to Quinta do Portal, a family-owned boutique winery with centuries-old vineyards. Learn about their commitment to sustainability, including their unique way of planting and the installation of photovoltaic panels to produce half of the winery’s electricity. You will also tour the modern cellars designed by Álvaro Siza and enjoy a wine tasting.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Amid the Douro Valley’s terraced slopes, Lamego is best known for the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Visit this ornate Baroque church and descend its exuberant, 686-step staircase, which features colorful azulejo tiles and zigzags to the gardens below. Make your way to the Museu de Lamego, housed in a grand, 18th-century episcopal palace, for a private look at its eclectic religious art and 16th-century Flemish tapestries. This afternoon, AmaSintra passes through Barragem do Carrapatelo, a hydroelectric dam with the highest lock in Europe.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Return to Porto for a morning tour and private concert at Casa da Música, a landmark of 21st-century architecture designed by Rem Koolhaas. Alternatively, enjoy a walking tour featuring the opulent former stock exchange Palácio da Bolsa; the São Bento Railway Station, filled with murals made up of more than 20,000 azulejo tiles, all designed and painted by artist Jorge Colaço in the 1930s; and the Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, with its curvaceous staircase. Savor lunch aboard AmaSintra, or you may choose to enjoy a traditional meal at leisure in one of the city’s stylish restaurants. Before the evening's farewell dinner, enjoy art gallery tours or a vintage Port tasting.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for flights home. As you wait for your flight, reminisce on your Douro River journey and start planning your next adventure.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

October 8 – 16, 2026
Aboard the 50-cabin AmaSintra

To reserve your space, contact CAU partner Arrangements Abroad
Phone: 800-221-1944 | Email: trips@arrangementsabroad.com

Download the brochure

January 8 – 17, 2027
CAU Study Tour featuring Michell Chresfield, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies
Aboard the 52-cabin National Geographic Endeavour II
In partnership with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

When you travel with Cornell's Adult University, you save yourself the hassle of planning, and benefit from unique itineraries in hard-to-reach parts of the world with our award-winning partners. Our partners are deeply invested in providing high quality experiences for alumni, family, and friends. On CAU Study Tours like this one, your travel and learning are enhanced with Cornell faculty who travel alongside you.

We are committed to ensuring that CAU and Cornell Alumni Travel tours provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone. You can find the expectations that are applicable to all attendees of Cornell University alumni events, both on and off campus, by visiting this link.