November 11, 2025 - November 21, 2025
A themed cruise offering guests an immersion in Black culture and history. Specially curated excursions and onboard experiences based on the destination and its Black heritage.
If you love elevated, exclusive luxury travel, then join us in Portugal for the “Soulful Epicurean Experience” with the AmaWaterways river cruiseline.
By the end of this cruise, you will be relaxed, rejuvenated, and recharged from your river cruise with like-minded travelers who enjoy fine wine, delectable cuisine, tours, and the Black heritage of Portugal.
Explore the history of the Black and African diaspora in Lisbon and throughout Portugal along the breathtaking Douro River.
Discover the African heritage and culture in Lisbon. Be treated to exclusive Brazilian and African food tastings as well as authentic Portuguese cuisine and Port during two shoreside dinners at local wine estates known as quintas.
And above all else, revel in the special feeling that comes from cruising alongside like-minded travelers with a shared heritage and experience.
Arriving in Lisbon, you will take a tour of the "City of Seven Hills".
After your 3 day land trip portion concludes, imagine stepping onboard your distinctive award-winning river cruise ship. After the crew greets you, you will be escorted to your elegantly-appointed stateroom, which will be your personal oasis for rejuvenation for the next week.
Become acquainted with your stateroom, then join the other guests in the lounge area to grab a refreshing drink and a quick bite to eat or you can begin exploring the city.
Ah.. the delights of Portugal! Let me tell you more….
Prepare yourself for days of exclusive and unique experiences and over-the-top personalized service.
Explore the cultural history of Lisbon where you will enjoy an Royal Sintra excursion with a Pena Palace visit.
Travel to Porto to enjoy a Tomar Castle visit before embarking on the river cruiseship.
You will go home with new friends and memories that will truly last a lifetime. Then, it's time to enjoy life!
If you have never been on a river cruise, you will be hooked!
It is a relaxing, luxurious way to see numerous cities and become immersed in the culture. Because the ships are small, they are able to dock in the city centers so you can walk off the ship and immediately start exploring.
You will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours on this river cruise. In addition, you will often have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, hikes, and Special Interest Tours.
A large variety of activities will also be available so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Unpack once and enjoy your floating hotel.
Why?
There are so many choices when it comes to river cruise lines, ships and itineraries.
Why would you want to sail on the Soulful Epicurean Experience river cruise? Here are a few reasons:
including a city tour and a Royal Sintra excursion with Pena National Palace visit
Experience fine dining in multiple locations.
While on the ship, you’ll enjoy finely-crafted menus that feature exquisite locally-inspired cuisine.
Each creatively prepared and presented meal is organic/sustainable and fresh from farm to table.
Not only will you enjoy wine tasting and pairing, but you will also have the opportunity to visit Portugal wineries and meet the vintners.
While venturing through Portugal on guided tours, you will meet featured winemakers who will offer tastings of their hand-crafted wines, and you will experience firsthand, up close and personal, how wines are made.
Through specially curated and guided excursions, you’ll learn all about the history and culture of how blacks lived in Portugal.
On the Soulful Epicurean Experience, you will have the opportunity to attend musical events that will enlighten your soul.
More details coming soon as we continue to curate experiences to this very special sailing!
Hotel check-in
Check in to your hotel
Your journey will begin in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lisbon
“City of Seven Hills” tour
Lisbon
Royal Sintra excursion with Pena Palace visit
Transfer to Porto to embark on the cruiseship
Transfer via motorcoach to embark on the Ama Cruiseship
Tomar Castle visit
River Cruise Embarkation
Free evening
Entre-os-Rios
Lunch at a local quinta
Régua and Pinhão
Mateus Palace and Gardens visit
Local quinta wine tasting
Vega Terrón
Salamanca excursion
Barca d’Alva & Pinhão
Castelo Rodrigo tour with tasting of regional fare
Quinta de Avessada dinner
Régua
Lamego tour and Bôlas tasting
⠀⠀OR Holy Staircase hike and Bôlas tasting
Porto
“City of Bridges” tour with Port wine tasting
⠀⠀OR Porto hike with Port wine tasting
Free afternoon
Porto
River Cruise Disembarkation
The AmaSintra is now being built. It will take it's first sailing in 2025. Here are photos of Similar Staterooms (this is a new ship)
You’ll have a distinctive experience aboard this river cruise ship.
Imagine starting your morning with a delicious breakfast. Stroll on the Sun Deck and enjoy early risers’ tea or coffee with your freshly baked pastries. Or, enjoy a full breakfast in the main restaurant.
Save room for a lunch selection of as little or as much as you wish from the tastiest choices.
The day’s culinary highlight is the exquisite dinner. The menus include international classics, dishes that reflect the regions passed, with hand-picked selections from local markets.
Enjoy some time in the lounge, library or the pool. Here, you will have conversations with your fellow travelers. You will be sure to create new friendships before you leave!
The staterooms.....An outside balcony, in most staterooms, allow you to enjoy the ever-changing scenery however you wish.
Enjoy multi-jet shower heads, soothing bath and body products, cozy robes, and hair dryers in the marble bathroom.
Suites feature added enhancements, including a larger sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower.
Also enjoy:
Have a massage. Visit the gift shop, specialty coffee station, heated pool with swim-up bar, fitness center, or the sun-deck walking track.
Her Main Restaurant is a taste of the outdoors, with vines and branches infused in the décor, and expert chefs preparing their signature exquisite cuisine with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
While we serve our clients in many ways, our focus lies in the group and luxury travel market, connecting busy professionals with an experience they won't forget. We particularly enjoy river and small ship cruising. Talk about an experience of irresistible indulgence while only needing to unpack once.
Five years ago, we experienced our first European river cruise. We cruised through 4 countries, including Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Czech Republic. We were hooked!!
In September 2023 we experienced the inaugural Soulful Epicurean river cruise in France. What an awesome Experience!!!
We've partnered with AmaWaterways to share with you this same Soulful Epicurean Experience in November 2025!
Note: Accommodations and schedule are subject to change
Hotel subject to change without notice.
TRIP COSTS:
BOOK NOW!!
Suite - $8,129.00 Per person (double occupancy) (SOLD OUT)
Outside Balcony Stateroom - $6,929.00 Per person (double occupancy)
Window Stateroom - $4,929.00 Per person (double occupancy) (SOLD OUT)
PRICE PER PERSON = 7-night cruise + 3-night Lisbon pre-cruise package**
$400.00 per person ($200.00 is non-refundable) deposit is required when booking your stateroom.
Final Payment due by 8/1/2025
Solo travelers in a double occupancy must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any eligible discounts. Upgrades, airfares, optional land programs, and gratuities are additional. We will assist you with completing your reservation form. Please give us a call when you are ready to book.
Availability is limited and will sell out very quickly.
Other restrictions may apply.
Prior to take off we will have a Bon Voyage get together that will set you on the right track for preparing for your trip!
I have never been out of the country, I wouldn't even know where to start. No worries! We can map it out for you and help you along the way. It is MUCH easier than you think.
I don’t know about traveling with people I don’t know. Oh! This is easy! We will host a pre-trip call so that we can all connect and get comfortable with each other!
Do I have to participate in all of the activities? Of course not! Each activity has been selected and arranged with the larger mission in mind, which is to acquaint you with river cruising and learning all about Portugal. However, you can opt-out of any experience. (Please note however, there will not be any monetary credits made for opting out in scheduled activities). In addition, keep in mind that there will be time for rest and rejuvenation built into the itinerary. But please know, you always have the option of creating your own experience and relaxing in your room.
Can I stay longer? If you are looking to extend your stay on either end of your trip we are happy to offer suggestions and recommendations!
Will I need a passport? Yes you will.
How do I get to Portugal? We will guide you through this process.
AmaWaterways will gladly assist with booking your flights.
Who can I talk to, I have more questions? We are always happy to jump on a call and speak with you! In fact we would LOVE it! Just email hello@tilliejamestravel.com and we will get a call set up right away for you! Or call us at 804.997.9460.
You will return home with new friends and memories that will truly last a lifetime.