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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European Waterways Feature New Bordeaux Cruise

European Waterways have introduced a new 6-night itinerary for their luxury hotel barge Rosa, which features more of the renowned Bordeaux wine region, including a visit to Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tastings of premier cru and grand cru wines - perfect for you wine lovers!  

This new itinerary is only available this year on August 18 and 25 but, in 2014, Rosa will cruise this itinerary from August to November. 

The beautifully appointed Rosa carries just 8 passengers and can be booked either individually or whole-boat chartered. There is an elegant dining room and spacious sun deck, while there are bicycles for passengers to use along the tow paths.

All drinks are included and the onboard cuisine, like all European Waterways voyages, is provided by a highly-trained local chef using only the best regional ingredients.

The Bordeaux voyage sails from Castet-en-Dorthe to Boe (or vice versa) and includes calls at the medieval town of Nerac as well as a series of charming villages dating back to the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries.

For more info, visit www.gobarging.com and, for more luxury river-cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Jazz & Opera With CroisiEurope

Themed cruising continues to be a popular choice for cruise lines (and their passengers), and it is now increasingly the case with river-cruise operators, too. Check out these latest ideas from CroisiEurope that have just dropped in our Inbox.

Jazz cruise along the Seine, October 19

During this voyage on the 78-cabin MS France, guests will be entertained by the Rive Droite-Rive Gauche Swing Band and the exceptional voices of Candice Parise and Liza Michael as they perform tributes to Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. Starting in Paris, the cruise will meander along the Seine through Les Andelys, Rouen, Honfleur, Caudebec-en-Caux and Vernon before arriving back into Paris. Onboard, the 78 outward facing cabins all feature panoramic windows and private bathrooms while public areas include a spacious lounge and dining room. Cruise only prices start from €610 per person (approximately £519), including accommodation in an outside cabin with all meals, drinks with meals, entertainment and port taxes.

Verdi Opera Cruise from Venice, July 26
To coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Verdi, CroisiEurope is introducing a six-day Opera voyage departing Venice on the 78-cabin MS Michelangelo. As the cruise takes in Di Po Taglio and Polesella, guests will be entertained onboard by the very talented Ophelie Gaillard (cello), Florian Laconi (tenor), Raquel Camarina (soprano) and Stephanie Degand (violin). They will also enjoy a fabulous trip to Verona to attend a performance of one of Verdi’s best known operas – AIDA. Cruise only prices start from €1,225 per person (approximately £1,040), including accommodation in an outside cabin with all meals, drinks with meals, entertainment, opera ticket, transfer to Verona and port taxes.

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

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