Churchill's Grand-Daughter Highlights New Tauck Talks!

Guests on several Tauck itineraries visiting London this year and in 2014 will learn about Sir Winston Churchill, regarded by many as the most influential figure in British history, from a source intimately familiar with his life – his granddaughter Celia Sandys. An internationally acclaimed author and speaker, Sandys is a noted biographer who has published five books and hosted television specials chronicling Churchill’s life. 

Tauck CEO Dan Mahar explained: "Sir Winston is one of the most fascinating figures of the twentieth century. Not only did he lead England through its ‘darkest hour’ as prime minister, but he was also a Nobel Prize-winning author, an escaped war prisoner, a House of Commons member for 60 years, and a landscape painter of considerable talent."

The daughter of Churchill’s eldest child, Diana, and Cabinet Minister Duncan Sandys, Celia spent considerable time as a teenager with her grandfather in England and during extensive travels abroad. Her most recent book, “We Shall Not Fail – The Inspiring Leadership of Winston Churchill,” describes the leadership principles that enabled her grandfather to lead England to victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

And, through an exclusive agreement with Tauck, Sandys will speak to guests travelling this September on a special single-departure Tauck itinerary, the new six-day “London Event.”  Sandys will also be featured on three different itineraries next year; the May 2014 version of the Tauck London Event, “A Week in London & Paris,” and a new 14-day river-cruise itinerary, “Cruising the Seine plus Versailles, Paris and London.” The Seine itinerary includes a two-night stay in Paris, a nine-night cruise along the Seine, and a two-night stay in London at The Savoy, where guests will attend the Churchill presentation by Sandys. 

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

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Avalon's 2014 European Preview

Avalon Waterways has launched its 2014 European River Cruise Preview Brochure with a range of early booking offers as well as announcing three new Suite Ships for delivery in the spring next year.

A range of great value early booking offers are available; the earlier the booking, the better the saving.  Those booking by May 22 can save up to £1,400 per couple; by June 30, the saving is £1,200 per couple; or book by September 30 to save £600 per couple.

The new preview brochure features 10 of Avalon’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhone and Dutch Waterways. The choice includes the Romantic Rhine (8 days from £1,255pp), A Taste of the Danube (8 days from £1,109pp), Capitals of Central Europe (10 days from £1,665pp), Burgundy & Provence (11 days from £1,909pp) and Balkan Discovery (10 days from £1,815pp). Ten other non-brochured 2014 cruises available to book via the website include Paris to Normandy Beaches (8 days from £1,135pp), Rhine & Moselle (13 days from £2,605pp), Grand France (16 days from £2,855pp) and Upper Rhine to the City of Music (12 days from £2,490pp).

Avalon’s flexible approach provides passengers with more of a personalised experience.  Included sightseeing with individual audio sets is available at three different levels all led by expert local guides. Leisurely sightseeing shows each destination’s highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way; traditional sightseeing explores a wide range of sights at a moderate pace and essential sightseeing shows the must-see sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own. Alternative sightseeing options are also on offer for those with different interests or for those who have visited the area before.

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

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CroisiEurope's River-Cruise Savings

Having introduced the new river-cruise options of family-owned CroisiEurope (see this blog from last Monday), we now have some tempting special offers to pass on for these special savings, all of which are valid until one week prior to each departure:

The Inviting Seine Valley

Save €350 per person (approximately £299) on an eight-night river cruise through the inviting Seine Valley. The cruise starts in Paris on April 13 and meanders through Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, Rouen and Les Andelys before arriving back in Paris. Prices are from €706 per person (approximately £603) based on two sharing, including eight nights in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals, onboard entertainment and port taxes. Plus, there is no single supplement.

The Seine Valley

Save €170 per person (approximately £145) on a five-night cruise from the Norman coast to Paris with departures on May 11 and 14. The cruise starts in Honfleur and visits the Cote Fleurie, Caudebec-en-Caux, The Abbey Trail, Rouen, Mantes La Jolie and Conflans Sainte Honorine before finishing in Paris. Prices are from €472pp (approximately £403) based on two sharing, including five nights in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals, onboard entertainment and port taxes. Again, there is no single supplement.

Canal Cruise from Saône-et-Loire to the Côte d’Or

Save up to €535pp (approximately £457) on a seven-night canal cruise on a hotel barge  from Saône-et-Loire to the Côte d’Or with departures on May 9 and July 22. The cruise starts in Saint Leger Sur Dheune and visits Santenay, Chagny, Chalon, Saint Jean de Losne and Petit-Ouge before finishing in Dijon. Prices are from €1,250pp (approximately £1,069) based on two sharing and include seven nights in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals, onboard entertainment, excursions, use of onboard bicycles and port taxes. Plus, there is a lower single supplement of just €282.50pp (approximately £241).

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

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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 Spring Offers

There is always something special about a spring-time cruise, and AMA Waterways have some great offers for Holland, Belgium, Provence and the Douro in Portugal. Plus they have a special guest aboard in October. Read on for details...!
 

Cruise through Europe’s tulip fields, saving £400

AMA's week-long 'Tulip Time' cruises reveal the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways in springtime, sailing past colourful tulip carpets, through green countryside dotted with world-famous windmills and visiting the great medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent. Departing on March 25 and April 1, 8, 12 and 23, the luxury cruise costs from £1,199 per person, saving £400pp. 

Luxury Provence river cruise, saving £324pp

Departing on April 12, this week-long voyage embarks in Arles, the setting for many of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces, and cruises to Lyon through Provence’s legendary wine regions. The cruise costs from £1,795pp, saving £324pp. Additional departures June 28 and July 26.

Portugal’s Enticing Douro, saving £450pp

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 on March 26 and offers a round-trip from Porto, making daily port calls along the route to picturesque towns and villages and places of interest, enabling guests to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions. The sailing costs from £1,395 per person, saving £450pp.

Strictly river cruising, with Ann Widdecombe


Strictly Come Dancing star, novelist, TV presenter and former MP Ann Widdecombe will talk about her life and career in presentations and book signings during a week-long cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel, departing on October 15. Guests can sail in her company from £1,975pp.

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

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Late River Cruise Offers from European Waterways

European Waterways still has some availability on a range of hotel barges in August and September in Burgundy, the Alsace and Gascony, plus the chance to enjoy La Dolce Vita in Italy. There are also a range of special late-summer offers that make these holidays even more attractive.

Traditionally 6-night departures, these ultra-relaxing holidays include: all gourmet meals on board, select quality wines, an open bar, daily escorted shore excursions, local transfers and the use of all barge facilities, such as bicycles and spa pools.

A TASTE OF FRANCE

Burgundy: this area boasts some of the finest wines and unspoiled countryside, with rolling hills covered in oak, maple and pine. The 12-passenger La Belle Epoque cruises through the heart of the wine-growing region along the Canal de Bourgogne, departing August 19 & 26. Cost: NOW from £2,190pp (was £2,690pp). The 8-passenger L’Art de Vivre cruises the charming Canal du Nivernais, departing on August 19. Cost: NOW from £2,190pp (was £2,690pp). Also available for charter, departing on September 2, at 25% off.

Alsace: a unique corner of Eastern France - a land of storybook castles, rolling vineyards, as well as Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque architecture. The new 12-passenger Panache cruises the picturesque Canal du Marne au Rhin from Strasbourg, departing throughout August and September. Cost: NOW from £2,290pp (was £2,790pp). Also available for charter, departing on Sept 2, at 25% off.

Gascony: close to Bordeaux wine country, this cruise passes by picturesque old villages and quaint farms en route to the join the Canal du Midi. The 8-passenger Rosa, cruises the Canal Lateral à la Garonne, departing on August 26, September 9 & 30. Cost: NOW from £2,050pp (was £2,550pp). Also available for charter, departing on Oct 7, at 25% off.

GOOD LIFE IN STYLE

Venice to Mantua: a magical itinerary with a diverse landscape, cruising past the islands of the Venetian lagoon and on the calm waters of the Po Valley along the Bianco Canal.

The 20-passenger La Bella Vita, departing on September 9 & 30. Cost: NOW from £2,140pp (was £2,350pp). Also available for charter, departing Aug, Sept & Oct, at 10% off.

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

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New River Cruise Brochure From Noble Caledonia.

The luxury cruise and travel specialists of Noble Caledonia have launched a brand new brochure dealing solely with river cruises. 

The company’s selection of deluxe river voyages includes journeys along the major rivers of Europe, Russia and China aboard vessels offering boutique accommodation from just 100-200 passengers.

From the fairytale castles of The Rhine and the dazzling Hermitage museum of St Petersburg to the floating markets on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia and the Port vineyards of the Douro, the brochure is packed with some fascinating holiday possibilities.  

You will also find some more unusual journeys on smaller vessels in South East Asia and South America as Noble Caledonia continue to provide their signature portfolio of upmarket but off-the-beaten-track ideas.

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

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A Wine Cruise Debut For AmaDagio

Cruising through the captivating Provencal wine regions, AmaWaterways will debut its luxury river cruiser AmaDagio on the Rhone on March 29, following her relocation from the Rhine and Moselle.

This cruise is also the first wine-themed cruise of the 2012 season on the Rhone, the Rhine and the Danube, featuring onboard wine experts and vintners and including complimentary tours to vineyards and cellars, wine lectures, wine tastings and fine dining with wine pairings. 

The 7-night Rhone voyage includes the Beaujolais wine region, tours of Roman ruins and stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Avignon and Arles, where many artists spent much of their life, including Vincent Van Gogh. Departures are on March 29 and November 8 and 15, with prices from £1,645 per person, including all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily tours, presentations and wine tastings by wine hosts and free use of onboard bicycles to explore on shore.

The `In Celebration of Wine’ cruises also feature in-depth cruises along the Rhine and Danube in the company of winery hosts, who will present regional wines and host wine-paired dinners, tastings and lectures and accompany guests during excursions. These special sailings feature excursions, such as a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an “Oktoberfest” in the village of Vilshofen created specifically for AmaWaterways’ guests.

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

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Late Deals from AMA Waterways

Top European river-cruise operator AMAWaterways have just announced a series of tempting reduced fares for this year, featuring three different cruises on the Rhone, Mosel, Rhine and Danube.

Here are the highlights:

April 13, Black Sea Cruise: Sail from Budapest along the Danube through Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria to the Bulgarian port of Rousse, including passing through the `Iron Gates’, the narrow divide between the Balkans and Carpathian mountains, to conclude the cruise with an excursion to Bucharest.

This week-long luxury cruise now costs from £1,187 per person (previously £1,654), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes. 

May 24, Rhone cruise: A late evening stay alongside the largely abandoned medieval town of Viviers, including an after-dinner 'ghost walk' through streets that once were home to 30,000 people, is part of this 7-night luxury river cruise from Lyons to Arles on board the luxury cruiser AmaDagio. With plenty of time in each port call, overnight stays during a week of castles, vineyards, wine tastings, fine wine and excellent cuisine include the cobbled medieval towns of Lyon and Touron, the rural riverside town of Vienne for an evening stroll past the waterside cafes, and Arles, home to Vincent van Gogh during his most productive last years, where some of his greatest works were painted. 

The week-long cruise now costs from £1,837pp, (previously £2,277), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

July 18; Cruise past Europe’s steepest vineyards in the Mosel Valley and along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine through the Rhine Gorge, with its castles and medieval half-timbered villages, from Luxembourg to Nuremberg along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal. The seven-night sailing departs from Remich (Luxembourg) and includes a late evening stay in Rudesheim, with its narrow streets lined with wine taverns, and in the lovely town of Koblenz and city of Frankfurt, allowing time to sample the relaxed evening ambience. 

This week-long voyage now costs from £1,487pp, (was £1,841), again with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

For booking details, follow this link to the river cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

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Garden Festivals and City Breaks

Keen gardeners should seize the opportunity to visit the World Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands between April 5 and October 7 on a choice of four AmaWaterways' luxury river cruise itineraries. The show, which takes place only every 10 years, covers 66 hectares of parkland and consists of five horticultural worlds and themed zones, connected by wooded areas, with 100 exhibitors from around the world.

Each day also features a cultural programme of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art from all over the world.

AMA's seven-night Enchanting Rhine cruise, from Amsterdam to Basel, is a typical example, with departures starting on April 19 and costing from £1,459 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, but excluding flights.

River cruising means seeing more in less time, never having to unpack or re-pack, with three of Europe’s most spectacular and historic cities - Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest - on many itineraries.

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

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Wine & Tulips With AMA Waterways

AmaWaterways’ 2012 season of wine-themed cruises gets off to an auspicious start with a President’s Wine Cruise from March 29, featuring the Company’s Provence and Spain itinerary and the debut of the luxury river cruiser MS AmaDagio on the Rhone. 

The itinerary takes guests through some of France’s most renowned wine regions and includes complimentary wine-themed shore excursions and winery visits, onboard lectures, wine tastings and wine pairings at meals. Highlights are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Arles and Avignon; the beautiful villages of Viviers, Tournon, Vienne and Trévoux and excursions to the Beaujolais wine region. 

The cruise is hosted by AMA President Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, accompanied by Carissa Chappellet of Chappellet Winery in Napa Valley and Archie McLaren, founder of the Central Coast Wine Classic.   

The Wine Cruise takes place from March 29 to April 5 on the Rhone from Arles to Lyon, and costs from £1,645pp based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

Or you can take in the Dutch bulb fields in bloom in spring time and include a trip to the amazing Keukenhof Gardens, where there are millions of tulips creating a dazzling carpet of colour.  

AMA's seven-night Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle cruise from Amsterdam to Remich (Luxembourg) costs from £1,595pp per person for a French balcony cabin, departing on April 1, based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

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

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Luxury Late River-Cruise Deal with AMA Waterways

How's this for a great late, late offer for a river-cruise? Admittedly, we do get a lot of them here at World of Cruising, but this is definitely worth passing on for the saving involved (more than 50 per cent), sailing with luxury operator AMA Waterways, and departing next Monday. Full details as follows:

8th August: £900pp saving off luxury Danube river cruise

Luxury river cruise operator AmaWaterways is offering a last-minute £900pp saving off a 7-night Danube River cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg sailing through Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Passau and Regensburg, departing 8th August, with prices now from £863 per person (usually £1,763 per person), including all meals, champagne breakfasts, wine with dinner and complimentary shore excursions.

See more at www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise agents at The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Viking's Touch Of Prestige

Viking River Cruises have announced the launch of their second state-of-the-art ‘green’ ship, the Viking Prestige.

Building upon the high standard set by Viking Legend, the industry’s first “green” river cruise vessel, the Prestige will have the same efficient, hybrid propulsion system. Producing less vibration and using significantly less fuel, this cutting-edge technology offers a quieter, smoother journey than other ships and represents the environmentally responsible future of Viking’s European vessels.

The new ship also features Viking’s signature décor: sophisticated, understated elegance across the 188-passenger vessel. Boasting all-outside staterooms and French balconies on both the Upper and Middle decks, the ship’s public areas also provide unobstructed panoramic viewing throughout, including in the single-seating restaurant, library, observation lounge and bar, as well as the expansive sun deck.

For more info, visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk or contact the river-cruise experts of specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Wine Tasting with European Waterways

European Waterways’ fully-crewed, 12-passenger hotel barge L’Impressionniste is cruising the Canal du Bourgogne on a special route designed to meet the demand for more wine–orientated cruises in Southern Burgundy, a region whose popularity continues to grow.

Highlights of the 6-night cruise itinerary include visits to the renowned medieval chateau of Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award every year a special prized label to the finest Cote d’Or vintages. There will be visits to some prestigious winemakers such as Domaine Jafflin, home to some of France’s finest Grand and Premier Cru wines, for private tastings.

Also included on the itinerary are visits to Dijon’s Palace and market and the 12th century Abbaye de la Bussiere, where passengers enjoy gastronomic delights and sample selected local burgundies in one of the fine restaurants.

The cruise route meanders through some of the great Burgundy vineyards and towns such as Beaune, capital of the region with a history of viticulture going back over 2,000 years. The itinerary includes a visit to Maison Champy, Beaune’s oldest winery established in 1720 and with even older cellars.

L'Impressionniste is a “floating boutique hotel” that comfortably accommodates up to 12 passengers. The boat is fully-air-conditioned and elegantly appointed with all modern conveniences, including an on-deck spa pool. Passengers are looked after by a highly experienced crew that includes the Captain, master chef, hostesses and a knowledgeable tour guide.

Rates for a cruise are from £2,690pp sharing a twin/double cabin. But for July and August departures, book 2 cabins and get the 2nd one for half price! Prices include accommodation in comfortable en suite cabins, all gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, daily excursions and local transfers.

For more info, visit www.gobarging.com or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Wine-Tasting On The Danube with AMA Waterways

For the first time, AMA Waterways is offering UK guests a wine-themed river cruise hosted by a British celebrity when renowned wine critic, journalist and television personality Jilly Goolden comes on board the cruise line’s luxurious AmaDolce for a Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest on November 14.

Goolden, known for her eccentric descriptions of wine that have included pear drops, liquorice and even rubber, presented BBC’s `Food & Drink’ show for 18 years. She went on to write a series of books on wine and food, and to appear in a number of TV shows, including the fifth series of `I’m a Celebrity – Get me out of here.’

Goolden will join guests on AMA's picturesque `Romantic Danube’ voyage past rolling hillsides, vineyards and medieval castles, through Austria’s captivating Wachau Valley with highlights that include visits to Vienna and Budapest.

While on board, she will present her knowledge of local wines, host wine tastings, accompany guests on a wine-themed shore excursion and mingle with passengers during meals and in the ship’s public areas.

All presentations, wine tastings and excursions are complimentary to guests and are included in the 7-night cruise price, starting from £1,376, which also includes all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles.

The cruise is one of a series of wine-themed cruises offered by AMA in October and November, timed to coincide with the harvest. The cruises will showcase Europe’s wine regions on the Rhine, Mosel and Danube, and, in addition to Goolden, will feature hosts such as Anthony Dias Blue, one of America's most influential wine, food and lifestyle personalities, and representatives from the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma, and winemakers from the St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa and Trinchero Napa Valley.

Itineraries include complimentary onboard lectures, wine tastings and excursions to historic vineyards and cellars. Passengers will also enjoy special wine-themed excursions, such as a Medieval Wine Fest in the Mosel town of Zell; a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; a tour and tasting at the historic Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an unforgettable candlelit evening and wine tasting at the Hofkeller, or cellar of the famous Residenz in Wurzburg.

Each of the distinctive wine-themed activities is complimentary and open to all passengers.

For more info, look up www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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