Sanctuary Ananda’s Myanmar Specialities

We are always excited to bring you something new here at Time Spent At Sea and here is a great new river-cruise opportunity from Sanctuary Retreats, with eight enticing itineraries available on the luxurious all-suite Sanctuary Ananda in Myanmar.  

These itineraries include three, four and seven-night ‘Discovery Cruises’ between Bagan and Mandalay as well as a selection of longer and more unusual ‘Exploration Cruises’ allowing guests time to explore the Upper and Lower Ayeyarwady and the shallower Chindwin River. 

Sanctuary Ananda will sail every day on each itinerary and, where possible, guests will experience local transport to reach off the beaten track villages and must-see sights to ensure a true local and unique experience.

Discovery Itineraries include:

Three Nights – Bagan to Mandalay

Setting off from Bagan, this three-night experience includes a visit to some of the most important temples and pagodas in Bagan; a horse-drawn cart visit to Ava, the old imperial capital and archaeological site; Sagaing with its convents, pagodas and silversmiths; and Amarapura to visit textile workshops and drinks at sunset at the mile-long U Bein bridge.

Four Nights – Mandalay to Bagan

This itinerary begins in Mandalay, the cultural capital of Myanmar, and makes its way down to Bagan, the spiritual heart of the country and home to over 2,000 gilded pagodas.  Highlights on the journey include the textile workshops of Amarapura; Sagaing, the centre of Myanmar Buddhist faith; Pakokku with its local markets and traditional shoe factories; and the Sale monasteries

Seven Nights – Bagan-Mandalay-Bagan

This longer cruise is a combination of the three and four-night itineraries but also offers a train ride across the Gokteik Viaduct to Naung Pein and a visit to Pyin Oo Lwin and its Botanical Gardens. There will also be visits to jaggery, lacquerware and brick workshops; the Thone Zu Pagoda with its Nat shrine; and a hike up Mount Popa, an extinct volcano, to see the stunning summit monastery, pagodas and shrines. 

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

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Sample La Belle Vita With European Waterways

We are big fans of European river-cruising for the chance to really get under the skin of the destinations you visit, and here is a great opportunity for a taste of Italy, sailing in style through the Venetian Lagoon and the Po Valley to the Renaissance City of Mantua.

This special cruise route can be found with European Waterways’ 20-passenger La Bella Vita, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy the diverse cultures and landscapes en route, from picturesque lagoon islands with their colourful houses, to wild beach dunes and pine woods with an abundance of birdlife; and from the charming Venetian port of Chioggia via the River Po and Bianco Canal to the captivating lakeside setting of the Renaissance city of Mantua.

Cruise highlights include:

• Guided tour of historic Venice – hidden gardens, Pavilion of the Gondolas, Naval Museum
• Cruise the Canal of the Orphans past picturesque lagoon islands
• Tour of the colourful port of Chioggia and its famous red fish market
• Private wine tastings at Villa Widmann-Borletti
• Visit to the 17th Century private stately home, Villa Ca’Zen
• Tours of historic Mantua and Ferrara

Like all the hotel barges in the European Waterways fleet, La Bella Vita will be fully crewed with a captain, gourmet chef, hostesses and a tour guide. Every 6-night cruise includes comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned, en suite cabins, gourmet meals, open bar, fine wines, daily escorted excursions, entrance fees, local transfers and the use of barge facilities such as bicycles to explore the towpaths and a large sundeck to relax on from which to enjoy the Venetian Lagoon and River Po.

This summer, booking by 19 July, a 6-night all-inclusive Venice and Po Valley cruise aboard La Bella Vita departing on August 25, starts from just £1,890pp, including a £500 per person discount (based on double occupancy).

For bookings visit www.gobarging.com, or see more ideas on this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury 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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Introducing CroisiEurope

It's not often we get the chance to introduce a brand new cruise line to our readers, but here's one we are definitely keen to share, especially as it adds significantly to the options for European river-cruising.

CroisiEurope is a 37-year-old French family-run business, building, owning and operating 28 elegant ships, with an average capacity of 100 to 180 passengers. Offering excellent value for money, these smart river-cruise ships are designed to sail in any water conditions, to fit under low and narrow bridges and navigate challenging rivers and canals.

CroisiEurope also seeks out creative itineraries and often operates on rivers where nobody else cruises, such as the Guadalquivir and Guadina rivers in Spain, the Tisza in Hungary, Venice lagoon and the Po in Italy, in addition to rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhone, Saone, Gironde, Garonne and Douro and the canals of France. There is also a selection of coastal cruises in the Adriatic and Mediterranean on 100-cabin M/S Belle de l'Adreatique, which can reach small ports and harbours inaccessible to large cruise ships.

Unique itineraries are available on most European rivers, ranging from three nights in Paris to 12-night transcontinental cruises all the way to the Black Sea. Prices start from just €300 per person for three nights full-board on a 'Paris Taster' mini-cruise. CroisiEurope also offers a number of themed cruises, including lifestyle gourmet & wine cruises; cruise & hike for active guests; classical music cruises; harvest festival cruises; and Christmas markets and New Year cruises.

The fleet, with 50 to 90 cabins on each ship, offers excellent onboard facilities, combining sophisticated "Francophile" lifestyle with insightful itineraries and panoramic views from cabins, lounges and sundecks. All cabins are outside with panoramic windows, fully equipped with bathrooms, TVs, hair dryers and air conditioning.

What’s New…. 

• In August 2012, CroisiEurope acquired La Jeanine, a 12-cabin hotel barge that will sail on the Alsace canals and in Burgundy, offering bespoke experiences with English-speaking commentaries between May and October.
• Following unprecedented success and continued demand for five, six, seven and eight-night Gironde & Garonne river cruises from Bordeaux, there will be more Bordeaux departures when the brand new MS Cyrano de Bergerac joins MS Princess d'Aquitaine in May.

For more info on European river-cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's specialist for deluxe river cruise options.

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Noble Caledonia's Indian Adventure

Here's a new offer that has just arrived in the World of Cruising Inbox that we really like the sound of - join Noble Caledonia as they venture along India’s most holy river on two journeys, allowing guests to discover the true spirit of the country. No river in the world plays a more important cultural, economic or social role in the lives of more people than the Ganges. The spiritual heart of Hinduism, the river is strewn with cities, pilgrimage sites, mountains and forests. Any river journey allows the traveller to slowly absorb the sights and everyday life that is just not possible by any other means of travel, and this is particularly true of the Ganges; its banks offer a colourful, ever-changing scene and a fascinating glimpse of India, from the enchanting rural landscapes to the bustling towns and cities. Anyone who travels regularly to India will tell you moving around on land can be frustratingly slow. But this journey aboard the newly built RV Rajmahal alleviates much of this stress as so much of what can be seen and done can be approached from the banks of the river. Romantic notions and modern travel are often a difficult marriage, but a Ganges journey is one of the few trips that can still inspire and be a genuinely moving experience, whether guests are watching a torrent of pilgrims and holy men wading into the river; reflecting on the history of the Raj and its ever present monuments; or simply observing fishermen and locals going about their business in their tiny boats. Priced from £4,995 per person for 17 nights; book by May 31 and save £500pp. For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's river cruise specialists.

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New Tauck Bridges River Cruise

Featured prominently in Tauck’s 2013 Bridges collection is its new river cruise itinerary, “Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise.” The 10-day itinerary (from $4,690 per person, cruise only) begins with an included two-night hotel stay with guided sightseeing in Paris that highlights the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and a special dinner at Fouquet’s. Guests then travel on the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, where they’ll board Tauck’s MS Swiss Emerald (above) for a seven-night cruise on the Rhone.

Tauck is including a number of fun and engaging activities for families throughout the itinerary, including a scavenger hunt in Paris’ Louvre, a lesson in “petanque” (a ball game similar to bocce) in Viviers, a hayride in the Camargue, bicycling in Avignon, and a hands-on French culinary experience in Tournon. Three departures of “Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise,” will be offered in 2013, on July 11, 25 and August 1.

In all, for 2013 Tauck will operate departures of 17 Bridges itineraries highlighting destinations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. Each Bridges trip is fully inclusive, with all accommodations, ground transportation, entertainment, sightseeing, gratuities, most meals, airport transfers, luggage handling and much more built into the price.

Returning Tauck Bridges travellers can also benefit from the company’s Gift of Time offer, which allows them to extend their 2013 journey with a complimentary hotel night. Guests can choose to redeem their free night at either the beginning or end of their journey, at the hotel normally featured on the first or last night of their itinerary. To qualify for the Gift of Time, returning guests must book no later than December 28. Other restrictions may apply.

For bookings in the UK, consult The Cruise Line, the UK's river-cruise specialists, on 0800 008 6677.

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Alsace, Scotland & Italy With European Waterways

In need of an autumn tonic? Ready to look at a luxury hotel barge holiday? Well, European Waterways have three perfect ideas with you in mind! Just take a look at this little selection of late autumn offers from Europe's leader in small, deluxe river-cruising.

Harvesting the Beauty of Alsace

This autumn, the 12-passenger Panache is cruising through the historic French region of Alsace. Bordering Germany, the region features a combination of French and German cultures, with a classic landscape of rolling vineyards and winding waterways. Its medieval villages and historic citadels are tucked away between the Vosges Mountains on the west and the River Rhine to the east. During a characteristically long and warm autumn, the region’s half-timbered houses are set against an auburn countryside, complete with ripe rows of grapes just waiting to be picked and processed into wine.  

The Scottish Highlands

The magnificent Scottish Highlands are arguably the quintessential trademark of Scotland. Featuring the Grampian Mountains and Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, they are populated with medieval castles, country farm towns, and vast lakes. And passengers on European Waterways’ luxury barge The Scottish Highlander will be in “high” spirits, with spending long, peaceful days cruising the Caledonian Canal. 

Guests will take in the view on a gondola trip up Britain’s eighth highest mountain, Aonach Mor; Scottish history will be explored at the famous medieval Eilean Donan Castle featured in the movie Highlander; and more cultural magic will be unveiled at Cawdor Castle, the setting of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. And, for some onboard entertainment, a Scottish piper will serenade passengers one evening and Captain Dan Clark will play Scottish tunes on his accordion at the farewell dinner. 

Say “Ciao” to La Bella Vita

Cruising slowly down the canals of northern Italy, one is truly living “La Bella Vita.” It means “the beautiful life” in Italian, and it is also the namesake of European Waterways’ stylish 20-passenger vessel that cruises the region. Travelling between Mantua in north central Italy and the coastal city of Venice, La Bella Vita cruises through the Po Valley and the Veneto on the canals and rivers of an ancient Roman trade route. It visits towns such as Ferrara, which boasts Medieval and Renaissance architecture, cobblestone streets, and the aroma of delicious local cuisine – where life in the moment really couldn’t be more “Bella.” 

La Bella Vita’s varied itinerary spans the gardens and wine cellars of the 17th century Villa Widmann-Borletti, to the colourful beach towns of the lagoon islands. Guests will tour Venice, the ancient city built on water, and the small fishing port town of Chioggia, featuring a colourful fresh fish market, among other excursions. 

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

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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