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Joan Sails With AmaWaterways in Portugal

Joan and her husband are just home from sailing with Amawaterways on the Douro River in Portugal.

That’s her in the orange top with her husband Will right behind her.

Joan, her husband Will, and six of their friends are toasting a glass of port wine at a winery in Portugal.

And for those of you who might not yet know Joan, she is our Sr. Travel Coordinator.

Joan was kind enough to put a few words together, sharing her experience traveling with AmaWaterways during Covid.  Here are her comments:

Traveling During Covid

My husband, Will, and I just got back from our AMAWaterways Douro river cruise. Wow, it was great to get away! We lazily wound our way along the Douro through stacked vineyards and tall canyons with sheer rock. Lisbon and Porto are gems with great food and wine.

We traveled with three other long-time friends and their husbands, and I can’t think of a better time to travel with friends. Having spent the last year-and-a-half shut inside our homes and only staring at people through a computer screen, it was a perfect way to reconnect and get back out traveling.

We created our own “bubble group” that let us travel and socialize more freely. One friend described it as a “week-long dinner party.” Don’t get me wrong, Will is fabulous company, but traveling with a group made it that much more fun. Here is a selfie of us enjoying a beautiful vineyard experience

Getting to our destination was most of the battle, and various group members were touch and go until 24 hours before with hurricane remnants, COVID tests, and delayed flights.

Here are some observations and tips for traveling now:

• Our departure was stressful, but we found smaller crowds and outstanding service both on the ship and during our pre-Lisbon visit once we arrived. People were beyond happy to see us.
• Be prepared to be flexible-itineraries change, and schedules are sometimes unpredictable. Relax and have another adult beverage.
• IMPORTANT: The airline you are flying with is the key to all the testing and COVID protocol you will need. They won’t let you on the plane if you don’t have what is required for destination and transit. Log on to their website early to see what you need.
• Get a COVID PCR test even if your destination does not require it. It might change at any moment.
• Carry a copy of your vaccination card and test results with you at all times–restaurants and hotels in Lisbon asked to see a copy for entry.
• We felt completely safe and secure on the ship and in the cities with COVID protocols.
• Hang out on the top deck where you can stay outside and talk to other people while socially distancing.
• And finally, find some friends to enjoy the ride.

It wasn’t a flawless vacation, but it sure was great!

Thanks for sharing your experience, Joan.  You’ve offered some great advice.

If you would like to look at the AmaWaterways itinerary that Joan, her husband, and friends enjoyed on the Douro, please CLICK HERE.

For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.

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