|
Greetings, once again, from Lynnwood, Washington.
This week, it became very clear that summer has left us. Next is fall and then winter. Our big group returned on Sunday from their 10-day Princess cruise down the West Coast and back. On Tuesday I’ll be seeing off a group of 240 Travel With Alan travelers, going on a 20-day cruise, through the Panama Canal. I will meet the group three weeks later in Miami!
In the last month, the question that I am asked most often, is when are you going to offer another European river cruise? River cruises have become very popular over the past several years….but they are very different from an ocean cruise. River cruises are totally focused around the sightseeing. There are no waterslides or spectacular shows, but you will be in port every day and you will be enjoying sights and scenery all along the way. You will cruise by cities and small towns, past farms and medieval castles, bridges and roads and much more, throughout the journey.
Best of all, river cruises are very inclusive. A tour is included in every port of call. As this cruise is on Ama Waterways, in most of the ports you have a choice of different complimentary tours, ranging from regular sightseeing tours to bicycle tours…and more. Please see the day-by-day itineraries, which show all the options….and all are included!
The river cruises also include breakfast, lunch, and dinner aboard. As this cruise is on AmaWaterways, the meals are excellent. Ama Waterways’ European ships are members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – a prestigious international culinary society. There are also snacks offered throughout the day.
Ama ships are beautiful and have large staterooms. With our “deal”, you will get a complimentary upgrade to the top stateroom available on the ship, excluding suites… first-come, first-served. Aboard the AmaKristina and the AmaLucia, two beautiful “sister ships”, some of the top staterooms even have “double balconies”, with BOTH a French balcony and a step-out balcony! With our special deal, you get a complimentary upgrade, confirmed at the time of booking, to the best available stateroom on the ship, excluding the suites. Ama ships feature fine dining, lectures, theme performances, and more. Ama features a hosted cocktail reception EVERY EVENING, with complimentary cocktails. There are also complimentary regional wines and beers served every day with lunch and dinner.
This week’s offer actually combines two great European river cruise itineraries into one great tour. The first cruise gives you a chance to see much of France, along the Rhone and Seine Rivers. The second cruise takes you on the Rhine River through Switzerland, France and Germany. As an added bonus, the second cruise also includes some famous Christmas Markets in your port visits along the Rhine. Christmas Markets are a winter wonderland, featuring holiday music, crafts, food, and the very hot “gluhwein”, the region’s hot mulled wine…served piping hot! These are two, separate cruises that we have joined together to make one complete vacation package. You will have a 7-day cruise aboard the AmaKristina, on the Rhone River and a 7-day cruise aboard the AmaLucia, on the Rhine River. As another bonus, we have also connected these two cruises with a ride on France’s “TGV” high-speed train, from Lyon, France to Basel, Switzerland. You will get to experience this high-speed train while enjoying the scenery in France and Switzerland. AmaWaterways has done everything to make that “transition day” a great day of your vacation. You will transfer from the pier in Lyon to the train station, board the train, travel at speeds up to 200 MPH to Basel, and then have a waiting transfer to take you from the train station, in Basel, to the AmaLucia. You will feel right at home on your second ship, as the two ships are identical twins! Ama does everything to make the day seamless. You simply leave your luggage in your stateroom aboard the AmaKristina and it is waiting for you in your new stateroom aboard the AmaLucia! Check out both of these itineraries.
COLORS OF PROVENCE
Day 1, AVIGNON – EMBARKATION. Board the ship for your Colors of Provence cruise. (D)
Day 2, TARASCON - ARLES. Provençal town Tarascon is known for its medieval architecture and charming tales – especially the legend of the Tarasque monster. Join a guided walking tour where you’ll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Vincent Van Gogh paintings. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh’s Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. During the afternoon, you’ll visit the enchanting medieval fortress, the Castle of Tarascon – a fortress designed to protect but surprises all with its elegant interior, fit for royalty. Or, delve deeply into the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Afterwards, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence. Alternately, you can enjoy an excursion to explore the medieval, walled village of Aiges-Mortes. In the evening, enjoy an illuminations cruise around Avignon. (B,L,D)
Day 3, AVIGNON. Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions in the morning. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or, you can visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades. During the afternoon, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Alternately, you can enjoy a bike tour through the city. (B,L,D)
Day 4, VIVIERS. Take in the quaint surroundings of Viviers, a charming commune that sidles up to the right bank of the Rhone. From Viviers, travel to the magnificent hilltop village, Grignan. After visiting this enchanting Provençal town, go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D)
Day 5, TOURNON. Admire the hilltop village of Tournon with its imposing castle. You have a choice of four excursions. Take a train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux, stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines, or cycle through the French countryside. (B,L,D)
Day 6, VIENNE - LYON. Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. Later in the day travel to Lyon, considered the “Food Capital of France.” Take a walking tour that starts in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” You can also visit the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse, named after the late chef renowned for his Michelin-starred l’Auberge du Pont de Collonges restaurant. There you’ll have a chance to sample of the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Alternately, join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind (B,L,D)
Day 7, LYON. Visit a traditional Beaujolais winery and learn the history and techniques of their vineyard. Plus, enjoy a tasting of their specialty. (B,L,D)
Day 8, LYON – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Lyon as you prepare for transfer to Paris aboard the high-speed TGV Train. Upon arrival in Paris, you will have a panoramic city tour before transferring to the port, where you will join the AmaDante. (B)
ENCHANTING RHINE
Day 1, BASEL – EMBARKATION. Board the ship in Basel for your Enchanting Rhine cruise. (D)
Day 2, BREISACH, GERMANY. Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or go on a hike to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (B,L,D)
Day 3, STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. Then walk through its iconic UNESCO World Heritage “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. For the active adventurer, you can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie. (B,L,D)
Day 4, LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM. Ludwigshafen isyour gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Or ride along the river Neckar to the medieval town of Ladenburg where you’ll have some free time to explore the shops and quaint Marktplatz. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. (B,L,D)
Day 5, RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE – LAHNSTEIN. Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike through Rüdesheim’s vineyards, taking in views of the town, the Roman Bridge and Bromersburg Castle. Or join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein where you’ll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 6, COLOGNE. Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000-year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi— are believed to rest. Alternatively, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten; or visit a local tavern to taste Kölsch beer and reibekuchen mit apfelmus—potato pancakes served with applesauce. (B,L,D)
Day 7, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. Amsterdam boasts amazing history, art, architecture, and museums, and you have a choice as to how you wish to explore it. The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour beginning with a scenic canal cruise. Or opt for a rare experience with a journey into the Netherland’s Floriade Expo* in Almere – very close to Amsterdam – which will feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, souvenirs and food stalls. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. (B,L,D)
Day 8, AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
These two cruises show you some of the best of Europe with a bonus of some Christmas Markets.
As usual, the best part about this package is the price….$4799 per person, based on double occupancy. For those traveling solo, we have a very special single supplement of $950…..and so much is included! This price includes the round-trip air from most major American and Canadian gateways…into Marseille and returning from Amsterdam, the 14-day cruise (7 days aboard the AmaKristina and 7 days aboard the AmaLucia, all transfers, the TGV train from Lyon to Basel, an included shore excursion in each port of call, onboard entertainment, lectures and more, all onboard meals, nightly cocktail hour with complimentary drinks, fine wines served with lunch and dinner, complimentary bottled water, complimentary internet, and more. In fact, we’ve even pre-paid all of your onboard gratuities. You just have to show up and go!
Best of all, this price includes a complimentary upgrade, confirmed at the time of booking, to the best available stateroom on the ship, excluding the suites. That means you can move up all the way to a double-balcony stateroom, on both cruises. These are huge river cruise staterooms that have both a French balcony and an outside balcony. The upgrades for these cruises can be over $2000 per person, per 7-day cruise. This is a deal….you are getting two top river cruises, with air, transfers, upgrades and more, for far less than the cost of one cruise. Almost everything is included…two cruises, all transfers, the high-speed train, most excursions, meals, upgrades…for this one, even the port charges and taxes are included…and the onboard gratuities for the ship staff and tour directors./.this deal is “all in”!
This one will go fast. If you want to go, give us a call at:
1-855-885-9252
OR
For faster service, you may now click on the sign-up link below to use our new online Travel With Alan Booking Form:
Travel With Alan Booking Form
If you prefer to call our office, please have the following information available for EACH guest:
Full legal name, (first, middle and last), exactly as it appears on your passport
Home mailing address (address where you receive your credit card statement).
Two phone numbers, per stateroom booked
Your e-mail address (where you would like to receive correspondence for this tour)
Date of birth
Credit card number, expiration date, and security code
If you would like to join us on this trip, please call us or book online at your earliest convenience. We are open today until 5:00PM Pacific Time. Enjoy the rest of your week. I’ll be back next week, with more!
Alan
Alan Schiller
Group Coordinator
|
