AMAWaterways luxury wine themed river cruises

Luxury wine cruise, saving £790pp + free flights

Departing 17 November AmaWaterways is offering free flights and a saving of £790pp off their 7 night `Enchanting Rhine’ wine themed luxury river cruise. The sailing, which now costs £1,269pp, includes wine themed shore excursions, wine presentations and tastings on board, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles. 

Paris & Normandy `Rail & Sail’ wine themed cruise, saving £1,130pp + free rail

Avoid airports and let the train take the strain all the way from London to Paris on board EuroStar, to join the luxury river cruiser AmaLegro (above) for a 7 night wine themed sailing along the Seine from Paris into Normandy and back, departing 20 November 2014. The cruise now costs £1,479pp for a balcony cabin, saving £1,130pp, and includes wine themed shore excursions, wine presentations and tastings on board, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles. 

Romantic Danube luxury river cruise, saving £640pp + free flights

Departing 15 November 2014 AmaWaterways is offering a £640pp saving off a 7 night Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest, including free return flights from London, transfers, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles.  The cruise now costs £1,279pp. 

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Grab An Atlantic Alliance Recipe!

Cruise passengers who enjoy the ports of Europe's West Coast who might also like to sample the cuisines of the region will want to know of a new initiative from port group the Atlantic Alliance.

The member ports are currently celebrating this year’s theme ”Food & Wine” and have prepared a culinary journey of discovery around its famous wine-growing areas, outstanding cuisine and typical national specialties.

The Atlantic Alliance is a marketing association of 18 cruise ports and destinations Hamburg to Lisbon, plus British and Irish ports, and they have created a very special personal recipe book, highlighting favourite culinary specialties.

Spread over 50 pages, the port representatives describe their national “must-try” aperitifs, appetisers, main courses and desserts, all adding up to a delicious 'cruise' through the region. For example the German Grünkohl (Kale), which is a traditional Northern German dish, mainly served during the cold months in late autumn and winter, or the Dutch Wentelteefjes (Dutch eggy bread) always go down a treat at breakfast or brunch on the weekend.

Antwerp's Kattina Glasinovich presents Elixir d‘Anvers, a wholesome liqueur, which has been in existence since 1863. It is made from 32 plants and herbs from the four corners of the world that impart a unique taste to the liqueur. British representatives show how to prepare scones with clotted cream and jam, while Michael McCarthy from Cork demonstrates to cook a real Irish stew.

The Normandy ports offer a huge and rich variety of seafood. Cakes as well the “crepe suzette” are definitely worth a try. The most popular dish of Cantabria is the Cocido Montañes, a stew. Dolores Rois from the Port of Vigo explains the myths and mysteries surrounding the ritual of making queimada, the “fire drink” of Galicia. And last but not least, Lisbon’s clams in garlicky broth are unique and were named after Bulhão Pato, a 19th-century Portuguese poet. Although his verses have been largely forgotten, the dish remains popular throughout Lisbon.

The recipe book may inspire for a European festive menu and is downloadable at: http://www.atlanticalliance.eu/app/theme-cruises/1323.

 

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AMA's National Cruise Week Discounts

In keeping with all the fun - and special offers - of National Cruise Week this week (Sept 21-29), AMA Waterways have come up with some tempting offers to sample their luxury river-cruise style either this year or in 2014.

Take your pick from:

Enticing Douro
Sail from the historic city of Porto through the vineyards of the Douro Valley, calling at small towns and visiting port producers along the way. Take an excursion (included) from Bara d'Alva to Salamanca, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Departing March 25, 2014, now from £1,428pp (was £1,662) or April 1, from £1,534pp (was £1,787).

Paris & Normandy
Cruise the Seine for seven nights, calling at Vernon, Caudebex-en-caux (for special excursions to the D-Day beaches), Rouen (for Honfleur), Les Andelys and Conflans, visiting chateaux and beautiful landscapes that inspired great artists such as Monet. Departing November 13 and 20, now from £1,693pp (was £1,974).

Provence
Spend seven nights cruising the Rhône, from Arles to Lyon, tasting the Beaujolais wines, exploring Avignon and Arles and admiring the stunning scenery of vineyards, dramatic gorges and lavender fields. Departing November 20, now from £1,693pp (was £1,974).

Enchanting Rhine
Sail between Amsterdam and Basel through the steep-sided Rhine Gorge, exploring towns and cities including Cologne, Rudesheim, Heidelberg and medieval Strasbourg. Departing April 1, 2014, now from £1,480pp (was £1,724); November 9, from £1,587pp (was £1,849); November 16 (on AmaReina) and November 17 (on AmaCerto), from £1,534pp (was £1,787).

Romantic Danube
Cruise from Vilshofen in Germany to Budapest, calling at Passau, Linz (for Salzburg), Melk, with its magnificent abbey, Vienna, and Bratislava. There's an overnight in Budapest, with a cruise of the Danube after dark to admire the glittering lights festooning all the bridges. Departing November 11 (on AmaPrima) or 12 (on AmaSonata), now from £1,534pp (was £1,787).
 

All prices include the 15% discount; full board on the ship; complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; daily guided tours and excursions; free wi-fi; free use of on board bicycles (excluding the Douro); and port taxes. Travel to and from the ship is extra. The discount applies to the cruise-only price and is based on two adults sharing.

For more details on National Cruise Week, see this link: http://www.discovercruises.co.uk/national-cruise-week.aspxhttp://www.discovercruises.co.uk/national-cruise-week.aspx

For bookings, be sure to see this link for The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Tauck's New Seine Sensations

Highly-rated escorted tour and river-cruise specialists Tauck have two new-for-2014 itineraries on the Seine. in the shape of the "Cruising the Seine Plus Versailles, Paris & London" tour and a fabulous new "Rendezvous On The Seine" option.

The former costs from $6,790 per person (plus airfare) and is a comprehensive two-week journey that begins with an included two-night stay in London at the landmark Savoy, featuring guided sightseeing plus a Tauck-exclusive lecture by Winston Churchill's biographer and grand-daughter Celia Sandys. After travelling via high-speed train beneath the English Channel to Calais, guests will board the MS Swiss Sapphire in Caudubec-en-Caux for a nine-day cruise along the Seine.

Highlights along the river will include an excursion to Normandy's D-Day beaches, an exclusive dinner with music at a private chateau in Rouen, and private tastings of absinthe in the Absinthe Museum in Auvers-sur-Oise and Calvados at Chateau du Breuil, a distiller of the spirit since the 1500s. The journey continues in Paris, where the Swiss Sapphire will dock for three nights to allow guests enjoy an in-depth exploration of the city with included sightseeing. The 14-day itinerary concludes with a two-night stay in Versailles at the Trianon Palace Versailles, a Waldorf Astoria property, highlighted by an exploration of the Chevreuse Valley and a visit to the 12th-century Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay.                    
 
Tauck's second new French itinerary, "Rendezvous on the Seine," (10 days from $4,590 per person, plus airfare) also begins with an included two-night stay in Paris, at the Hotel Pullman close to the Eiffel Tour. A subsequent seven-day cruise on the Seine includes ports-of-call at Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Giverney (where guests will visit the home and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet), Vernon, Les Andelys and Rouen. Highlights include a farm visit and tasting of local farm-to-table specialties in Étretat, a visit to the seaside town of Honfleur, a lecture on the events of D-Day followed by a tour of Normandy's iconic beaches, and guided visits to historic abbeys and chateaux.

For more info, see Tauck's website at http://www.tauck.com/.

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Save With AMA

AMA Waterways, one of Europe's leading luxury river-cruise operators, has three enticing new reduced-price offers for France, Portugal and the Rhine this summer. The details are as follows: 

Portugal’s Enticing Douro, saving £281pp 
The Douro is one of Europe’s most pure and unspoiled rivers, with deep cleft gorges, lush vineyards, and sleepy fishing villages. AMA's 7-night `Enticing Douro’ cruise departs May 14 and offers a round-trip from Porto, making daily calls along the route to picturesque towns, villages and places of interest, enabling guests to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions. The week-long sailing costs from £1,899 per person (was £2,180), including return UK flights, transfers, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily hosted excursions, free use of on-board bicycles and free wi-fi. Departures also on May 21, June 18 and August 6. 

Paris & Normandy, with £392pp saving

AmaWaterways offers this week-long cruise embarking in Paris on May 24 and cruising down the Seine to Normandy. The price of £1,949 per person (was £2,341) includes daily tours and excursions, the opportunity to visit Normandy’s beaches and the picturesque port of Honfleur, as well as return flights and transfers, all meals on board, wine and beer with dinner and lunch, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles and the company will even send guests’ post-cards free of charge! 

Cruise the Rhine, with £332pp saving

Departing on July 12, this week- long sailing between Basel and Amsterdam is now offered from £1,779pp (originally £2,111). The offer includes daily port calls along the way, visiting cities such as Cologne and Heidelberg, cruising through the legendary Black Forest, and past Switzerland’s Alpine scenery. The price includes return flights and transfers, all meals on board, wine and beer with dinner and lunch, free wi-fi and use of onboard bicycles.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river cruising specialists.

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The Romantic Viking Cruise!

This Valentine's Day, Viking River Cruises is offering the perfect trips for anyone who wants to surprise their partner with a romantic river cruise in 2013. The Danube and the Seine are known for their prestigious beauty and illustrious history and, with Viking, the rivers will also offer the perfect route to a memorable Valentine's gift. The Romantic Danube This 8-day journey on board one of Viking’s stylish Longships travels through the heart of Germany, Austria and Hungry on the international waterway of the Danube. Sail between the divided city of Budapest (above) and under the grand Chain Bridge, take a half-day city tour of Vienna, visiting the quaint village of Passau and cruise between the soaring gorges and take in the stunning scenery through the Wachau Valley. The eight-day itinerary costs from £1,245 per person, based on two people sharing. This price includes return economy flights, all meals on board, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, six guided tours (visiting four UNESCO World Heritage Sites), a Hungarian evening show, a classical music performance and all port charges, airport taxes and transfers.

Paris & the Heart of Normandy On this 8-day journey, the Viking Pride sails from the ‘city of love’, Paris, and through breathtaking Normandy visiting the likes of Rouen, Les Andelys, Giverny and Conflans before ending back to picturesque Paris. Itinerary highlights include the Gothic architecture of Rouen, exquisite gardens of Giverny and the historic shoreline of the Normandy beaches. It costs from £1,195 per person, based on two people sharing. This price includes return economy flights, all meals on board, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, six guided tours (visiting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites), French lessons, wine-making demonstrations and tastings, plus all port charges, airport taxes and transfers. For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists.

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AMA's New Seine Cruises

AmaWaterways will introduce Seine cruises for the first time in 2013, commencing in March with two itineraries, a 7-night voyage and a combined 14-night cruise of the Seine and the Rhone.

The standard one-week itinerary aboard the AmaLegro visits the enchanting riverside towns and cities of Vernon, Rouen, Les Andelys and Conflans before arriving in Paris.

Excursions include the village of Giverny, where Monet lived for 43 years, the artists’ haven of Honfleur, a stroll through Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy and an unforgettable excursion to the famous Normandy beaches. 

The week-long cruise costs from £1,654 per person, including all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, complimentary wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

The new 'Jewels of France' cruise combines two itineraries, AMA's seven-night Rhone River cruise and the seven-night Seine voyage, showcasing some of France’s most charming cities. Embarking in Arles, guests will board the AmaDagio to cruise through the legendary wine regions. 

Excursions include wine tastings, exploring Roman ruins at Pont du Gard & Uzes and visits to the Renaissance palace in Grignan. Disembarking in Lyon, passengers travel to Paris aboard the high-speed TGV train to join the 7-night Seine cruise before returning to the capital. The two-week voyage costs from £3,370 per person.

The AmaLegro and AmaDagio feature luxurious cruise accommodations with spacious staterooms, most with French balconies. Other amenities include a massage and beauty salon, complimentary Internet and Infotainment System with music library and Hollywood movies. Special highlights include lectures, themed dinners, cooking demonstrations and onboard music performances. For guests wishing to explore the serene paths along the rivers, there are also bicycles onboard.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Up to £900 off per couple on 2011 River Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways is offering savings of up to £900 per couple on selected European river cruises during 2011.

Those wanting to enjoy the delights of the River Danube can choose from the 11-day ‘Legendary Danube’ or 13-day ‘Blue Danube Discovery,’ both offering £900 off per couple. The shorter itinerary of the 4-day ‘A Taste of the Danube’ has been discounted by £400 per couple on select dates throughout April, May and November. Even further east is the 13-day ‘Blue Danube to the Black Sea’ on March 30 and April 9 departures, saving £900 per couple.

Discounted river cruises in France include the 11-day ‘Burgundy & Provence’ river cruise or the 8-day ‘Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches' with £750 per couple to be saved on both on select April and May departures. Longer itineraries on Europe’s waterways include the 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ and 13-day ‘European Splendour,’ both offering £900 off per couple.

For more information, visit http://www.avaloncruises.co.uk/ or check with the cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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