WINE CRUISES 2019 RHINE & DANUBE · RHÔNE & SAÔNE
"Life is far too short to drink bad wine."
This quote from the poet Wolfgang von Goethe is the theme of this journey of discovery through the world of wines. Legendary wine makers, small producers, outstanding wines: it's all there. Tasty gourmet treats and decadent desserts complete this hedonistic experience, sure to satiate the appetite and satisfy the palate. All with a charming, professional welcome that will make you feel "at home" immediately. Cheers!
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Dear Wine Lovers, For connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike who are interested in exploring Europe’s rich winemaking legacy, we have created the ultimate cruises — all about wines and wineries. Visit vineyards, meet passionate wine-growers, dine in style and relax on a cruise designed for savoring all that Europe’s wine regions have to offer: while travelling along the imposing Danube, through picturesque Rhine landscapes or down in the sunny heart of southern France. Whether you’re sipping a rosé in the lavender fields of Provence or enjoying the rich taste of Rieslings on the Rhine, each tasting pairs the wine with the beauty of its region. Learn about local grape varietals, the fermentation, history, and tasting techniques practiced in each area. The fascinating science of wine unfolds with the help of our wine expert, Martin Ward, who will accompany you on this fantastic journey. Oenophile Martin Ward set up Wine Educators International 20 years ago. Since then, he has been sharing his wine expertise as a trainer and wine educator in many wine-producing countries. In addition to his teachings, Mr Ward is also involved in buying and marketing wines and research in the wine industry. With several decades of experience, he has been presenting at major and regional shows on behalf of wine producers and multi-national corporations. Mr Ward’s entertaining, yet informal tastings, enable participants to experience all aspects of the food and wine culture with ease and enjoyment. Come aboard the AMADEUS fleet and taste the experience!
Dr. Wolfgang Lüftner and Martina Lüftner and the AMADEUS Team
Our Wine Cruises: Riesling & More
4 –7
Wine Cruise: Cologne – Passau
Burgundy, Beaujolais & 8 – 11 More French Wine Cruise: Lyon - Arles - Lyon Cover: Weinkomposition © 5PH/Shutterstock.com
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Riesling & More: Wine Cruise Cologne – Passau 8-day cruise from
â‚Ź 2.329,- per person
RHINE & DANUBE
This exclusive cruise on the Rhine and Danube rivers offers a journey of discovery through the world of good taste! On your 8-day tour, you will be enchanted by unmistakable Riesling wines, Franconian "Stein" wines, fruity Danube wines of the Wachau valley, creative craft beers and famous Nuremberg specialties! Learn all you need to know about winemaking in conversation with experienced winemakers and let floral, aromatic or peachy smells pervade your senses in exclusive tastings. Onboard dinners with wine pairings and discussions led by a Master of Wine round out this special program. Welcome to an atmosphere abundant in natural beauty, decadent treats and finest wine!
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View from the vineyards near Kaub to the castles Gutenfels and Pfalzgrafenstein in the Middle Rhine Valley.
Your Itinerary DAY/ CITY
ARR
DEP
PROGRAM
1 Cologne 18:00 Check-in from 4 pm In the evening Welcome Aboard Wine Toast Welcome Dinner 11:30 16:00 In the afternoon winery visit from Rüdesheim: 2 Rüdesheim a classic Rheingau Riesling winery visit in the town, the heartland of Riesling (incl.) 11:00 12:30 In the afternoon winery visit and vineyard walk: 3 Miltenberg Inside Franconia, Germany's Fairy Tale Wine Country (from Miltenberg/ to Wertheim) (incl.) Wertheim 16:30 18:15 Rejoin the ship 08:00 18:00 Würzburg walking tour with wine tasting 4 Würzburg in the morning Winery visit from Würzburg in the afternoon: Taste some of the greatest examples of Riesling wine and regional specialities (incl.) 15:00 19:00 Bamberg walking tour in the afternoon 5 Bamberg In the late afternoon onboard wine lecture and tasting Exclusive Highlight Dinner on board with wine pairing 05:00 13:00 City tour of Nuremberg in the morning 6 Nuremberg Visit a local craft beer brewery and taste some of the famous specialities of Nuremberg (incl.) Enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration on board in the evening (incl.) 7 Regensburg 08:00 18:00 Regensburg walking tour in the morning Excursion to Weltenburg Abbey in the afternoon In the late afternoon onboard wine lecture and tasting of famous wines along the Danube In the evening Captain's Gala Dinner with wine pairing from Wachau region 8 PASSAU 08.00
Disembarkation after breakfast
Excursions listed in blue are not included in the cruise price. We reserve the right to make amendments to port and excursion timings, itinerary or program. Group size for wine program - between 15 and 35 participants.
N E T HE R LA N DS
GE R M A N Y Rh
ine
Cologne
BELGI UM
Rüdesheim
Miltenberg
© Dominik Ketz
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
FRANCE
Wertheim Würzburg Bamberg MainDanube canal
RHINE & DANUBE
Oberwesel
Main
CZECH REPUBLIC
Passau
Danube
AUSTRIA 5
Riesling & More Cologne – Passau
Day 1 | Cologne Welcome to your AMADEUS wine cruise! Embark in the afternoon and get acquainted with your luxurious home away from home before the Welcome Aboard Wine Toast in the evening. Then join your fellow wine afficiandos for a delicious Welcome Dinner. Day 2 | RÜDESHEIM Your vessel arrives in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim in the late morning. This picturesque town with vineyard-covered hills overlooking the Rhine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge area, as well as the Rheingau wine region, which is known particularly for its excellent Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. In the afternoon, visit a classic Rheingau Riesling winery and discover why this area is known as the “heartland of Riesling”. In the cooler climate of this region, Riesling wines exhibit a distinctive richness of aroma as well as a cleansing acidity, and, unusually for a white wine, this variety of Riesling also matures magnificently over several decades. In the evening, enjoy dinner on board as your vessel cruises toward Miltenberg.
RHINE & DANUBE
Day 3 | MILTENBERG - WERTHEIM After breakfast, the ship will arrive in Miltenberg. This Bavarian town is situated in the historic Franconian wine region, which has been producing wine for over 1,000 years. Miltenberg is the starting point for a winery visit and a vineyard walk in the afternoon. The region’s most famous wines include the Silvaner and the Müller-Thurgau. Typically, they are bottled in distinctive, squat green or brown flagons called “Bocksbeutel”. While
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Elegant and educational wine experiences.
you are exploring this fairy tale wine region, your vessel leaves Miltenberg and continues to Wertheim, where you rejoin the ship later in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner on board. Day 4 | WÜRZBURG Arrive in Würzburg this morning to continue your exploration of the Franconian wine region. You can choose to join the optional Würzburg walking tour and wine tasting in the morning, which will take you to the town’s most beautiful sights and give you a chance to savor the region’s excellent wine. The continental climate, with warm, dry summers and cold winters, lends these wines their distinctive “personality”. Fuller-bodied, less aromatic, often drier and earthier than most, the Franconian wines are considered some of Germany’s most “masculine” wines. In the afternoon, visit a winery in the region and taste some of the best Riesling wines, along with regional specialities. In the evening, share your impressions with your fellow travelers over dinner. Day 5 | BAMBERG Enjoy a relaxed morning on board as your ship cruises the beautiful Main toward Bamberg. Join the optional afternoon Bamberg walking tour to explore this medieval, UNESCOprotected town. Sights worth seeing include the unique Town Hall, built on a bridge, and the Bamberg Cathedral with its four towers. In the late afternoon, attend the onboard wine lecture and wine tasting. The evening concludes with an exclusive Highlight Dinner on board with wine pairings while your ship transits the Main-Danube Canal.
Day 6 | Nuremberg Early in the morning, your ship docks in Nuremberg. You can opt to join the city tour of Nuremberg, or explore this Bavarian town on your own. Its attractions include the romantic Old Town, the Palace of Justice (the venue of the Nuremberg trials), the Nuremberg Castle, and a lively farmer’s market. As part of your Nuremberg experience you will visit a local craft beer brewery and taste some local culinary specialities. The vessel departs at midday. Back on board your floating hotel, your evening culminates with a rousing Oktoberfest celebration. Day 7 | REGENSBURG After breakfast, start your day with the optional walking tour of Regensburg and see its quaint Old Town, rightly declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlights of the city include the magnificent Gothic Regensburg Cathedral, the stone bridge dating back to the year 1135, and the Thurn and Taxis Palace. In the afternoon you can choose to relax on board or join the optional excursion to Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest monastery in Bavaria. Enjoy an onboard wine lecture and tasting in the late afternoon, with some of the most famous wines of the Danube region. The evening culminates with the Captain’s Gala Dinner with wine pairings from the Wachau region. Day 8 | PASSAU Your AMADEUS vessel arrives in Passau in the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, the crew bids you adieu and wishes you a safe trip home.
Spend some relaxing hours on deck and let yourself be enchanted by the romantic landscape.
A rustic wine tavern in Rüdesheim.
Included Features
Cruise date and fares prices per person in euros VESSEL / DATE CATEGORY / DECK C-4 C-1 B-4 B-1 A-1 Suite COLOGNE - PASSAU Haydn Haydn Strauss Strauss Mozart Mozart 12.09 - 19.09.19 AMADEUS SILVER II 2.329 2.569 2.889 3.079 3.319 3.749
• 3 selected wine tastings at different wineries including an introductory talk and exclusive tour; one craft beer brewery visit • Transfer from ship to wineries and back to ship
Single supplement / pers.: C-4 + C-1: 15% · B-4: 30% · B-1: 50% · A-1: 60% · Suite: 100% of the cruise All cabins are outside facing and have two beds that can be linked together or set up separately, as you wish. C-4 AMADEUS Silver II: 116, 117, 118, 119; B-4 AMADEUS Silver II: 233, 234, 235, 236
• Informative onboard wine discussions
Optional excursions prices per person in euros PRICE
• Fascinating river cruise in an outside river- view stateroom of your choice, most with drop-down panoramic windows; walk-out balconies in suites
Würzburg walking tour with wine tasting Bamberg walking tour City tour of Nuremberg Regensburg walking tour Excursion to Weltenburg Abbey
Arrival & Transfer Train Station – Port
• Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for all excursions • Services of an experienced, multilingual Cruise Director • Gourmet dining with all meals included (buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack) in the elegant Panorama- Restaurant, which accommodates all guests in one seating
prices apply per person per transfer
COLOGNE (DE) Port – Airport
53 26 40 17 59
• Welcome Wine Toast, Highlight Dinner featuring French wines, Captain’s Gala Dinner with wine pairing
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PASSAU (DE) Train station – Port
21
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Airport Munich – Port
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Best grapes and state-of-the-art bottling, corking, and labeling equipment guarantee an excellent final product.
• Free-flowing quality red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions with every dinner on board • Coffee and tea after lunch and dinner • 24-hour complimentary coffee and tea station • Special onboard entertainment with lectures, cooking demonstrations, onboard music performances and nightly music by the Amadeus Duo in the Panorama Bar • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles • Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted on the Sun Deck) • All port taxes and local taxes
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Burgundy, Beaujolais & More: French Wine Cruise LYON - Arles - LYON 8-day cruise from
€ 1.799,- per person
RHÔNE & SAÔNE
This themed cruise in southern France is a breathtaking combination of river travel and wine experience on lands where the mistral blows and the sun shines. Let yourself be carried away on your exclusive excursions to the best wineries in the region, from prestigious Burgundy and Beaujolais wines, to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the most famous vineyard areas in France. Through conversations with passionate winemakers, gain insight into the local culture of winemaking as well as the intricacies of this millennia old craft. The program is nicely balanced by a stop at a Provençal farm producing extra virgin olive oils, all together demonstrating what this very special region is all about.
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The charming countryside of Burgundy is characterized by its countless wine fields.
Your Itinerary DAY/ CITY
ARR
DEP
PROGRAM
1 Lyon 22:00 Check-in from 4pm. In the evening Welcome Aboard Wine Toast Welcome Dinner 08:00 19:00 In the morning winery visit from Mâcon: where 2 Mâcon Beaujolais meets Burgundy, tasting the wines of the Mâconnais and walk through the vineyards In the afternoon guided tour of Cluny Abbey 08:00 14:30 In the morning winery visit from 3 Chalon-sur- Saône Chalon-sur-Saône: village tasting of Southern Burgundy wines in the Côte Chalonnaise region in the afternoon excursion to Brancion and Cormatin Tournus 17:30 19:30 Rejoin the ship 06:00 12:00 In the morning city tour of Lyon or visit to Les 4 Lyon Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse in the afternoon onboard wine lecture and tasting; in the evening exclusive Highlight Dinner paired with French wines, Calvados and Cider 09:00 5 Avignon
In the morning, Avignon walking tour with visit of Papal Palace In the afternoon winery visit and cheese tasting from Avignon: Southern Rhône village tasting in the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape region
6 Avignon 05:00 Arles 08:00 18:30 Arles walking tour in the morning In the afternoon winery visit from Arles: Bouches-du-Rhône tasting and visit to olive farm 7 Châteauneuf- 04:30 08:30 Excursion to the Ardèche Gorge du-Rhône Le Pouzin 12:00 14:00 Rejoin the ship in the evening Captain's Gala Dinner with wine pairing 8 Lyon 08.00
Disembarkation after breakfast
gundy
Beaune
Ardèche
Rhô
margue
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Avignon Arles
M
ed
iter
I T A LY
Provence
RHÔNE & SAÔNE
Châteauneuf-du-Rhône Uzès St.-Etienne-des-Sorts Ca
ne
Trevoux Lyon
Chalon-sur-Saône Tournus SWI T Z E R LA N D Mâcon Montmerie-sur-Saône ône
Cormatin Cluny
Rh
Brancion
Le Pouzin
ôn
Bur
Sa
FR A N C E
e
Excursions listed in blue are not included in the cruise price. We reserve the right to make amendments to port and excursion timings, itinerary or program. Group size for wine program - between 15 and 35 participants.
ranean Sea
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Burgundy, Beaujolais & More Lyon is the gateway to the Beaujolais viticultural region.
Lyon – Arles – Lyon DAY 1 | LYON Your French wine cruise starts in Lyon, where you embark in the afternoon. Explore your luxurious floating hotel before the Welcome Aboard Wine Toast in the evening. The vessel remains in Lyon while you enjoy a sumptuous Welcome Dinner on board. DAY 2 | MÂCON At breakfast, your vessel arrives in Mâcon, located in southern Burgundy – a wine region that produces some of the most expensive wines in the world. You won’t want to miss the morning visit to a winery, where you will gain insight into the local culture of wine making, taste the famous Mâconnais wines, and take a stroll through the vineyards. In the afternoon, you can choose to relax on board or join the optional guided tour to Cluny Abbey, situated a short distance from the town. Founded in the year 910, the abbey has three churches and was home to over 10,000 monks at its height. As you relax at dinner on board, the vessel continues its journey.
RHÔNE & SAÔNE
DAY 3 | CHALON-SÛR-SAÔNE Continue your exploration of the Burgundy wine region in Chalon-sur-Saône, after arrival this morning. This charming town with its half-timbered houses is the starting point for a winery visit and wine tasting where you will sample some southern Burgundian wines of the Côte Chalonnaise region. Return to your vessel and watch the mesmerizing scenery as your ship continues along the Saône river, or alternatively, join the optional excursion to the medieval towns of Brancion and Cormatin, rejoining your vessel in Tournus in the late afternoon.
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DAY 4 | LYON Early in the morning, your vessel docks in Lyon. This UNESCO-protected city is known for its excellent local cuisine as well as its important historical and architectural landmarks. In the morning you can choose the optional city tour of Lyon to discover some of its most impressive sights, such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), a Renaissance area on the banks of the Saône. Alternatively, take part in the visit to “Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse”, Lyon’s internationally renowned gourmet food market, where you can sample local specialities. Your ship leaves Lyon at midday; during the afternoon enjoy an onboard wine lecture with wine tasting. The evening concludes with the exclusive Highlight Dinner with French wine pairings, Calvados and Cider.
DAY 6 | ARLES Early in the morning, your floating hotel leaves Avignon and continues to Arles, where you can explore on your own or join the optional morning walking tour through the town that once inspired Van Gogh. Discover the area’s long history, reflected by Roman ruins such as the Amphithéâtre d'Arles. In the afternoon, enjoy a trip to the Bouches-du-Rhône region, where you will visit a traditional olive farm and sample some fine wines. The combination of climate and geography makes Bouches-du-Rhone well suited to viticulture and grapes have been grown here for thousands of years. A lack of water in the soils leads vines to produce more concentrated grapes, leading to more flavorful wines. In the evening, your vessel continues its journey as you relax and enjoy dinner on board.
DAY 5 | AVIGNON Today’s destination is the historic city of Avignon. In the morning, explore the UNESCO-protected center and famous sights such as the medieval Pont d'Avignon on your own, or join the optional walking tour which includes a visit to the monumental Papal Palace. Your afternoon excursion takes you to the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône region, which has produced renowned wines since the 1800s. The ruby colored red wines, traditionally aged in wooden barrels or cement tanks (rather than in oak barrels), are particularly famous. Discover the intricacies of winemaking during a winery visit and sample some fine cheeses. The vessel remains in Avignon overnight.
DAY 7 | CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-RHÔNE • LE POUZIN Spend the day relaxing on board, or disembark for the optional excursion to the Ardèche Gorge. Known as “Europe’s Grand Canyon”, this natural wonder is one of the most remarkable sites in France. The grandiose, untamed landscapes of the gorge, the richness of its geological heritage, and its abundant fauna and flora are exceptional. Rejoin the ship in Le Pouzin in time for lunch. In the evening, celebrate your cruise at the Captain’s Gala Dinner with wine pairing. DAY 8 | LYON After breakfast on board, it is time to disembark. Your AMADEUS crew wishes you a safe journey home and hopes to see you again soon.
Calvados aged in oak barrels.
The Cozy River Terrace is a relaxing space to unwind.
Included Features
Cruise date and fares prices per person in euros VESSEL / DATE CATEGORY / DECK C-4 C-1 B-4 B-1 A-1 Suite LYON - LYON Haydn Haydn Strauss Strauss Mozart Mozart
• 4 selected wine tastings at different wineries including an introductory talk and exclusive tour
31.10 - 07.11.19 AMADEUS Provence 1.799 2.109 2.429 2.639 2.889 3.399
• Transfer from ship to wineries and back to ship
Single supplement / pers.: C-4 + C-1: 15% · B-4: 30% · B-1: 50% · A-1: 60% · Suite: 100% of the cruise All cabins are outside facing and have two beds that can be linked together or set up separately, as you wish. C-4 AMADEUS Provence: 116, 117, 118, 119; B-4 AMADEUS Provence: 230, 231
• Informative onboard wine discussions • Welcome Wine Toast, Highlight Dinner featuring French wines, Captain’s Gala Dinner with wine pairing
Optional excursions prices per person in euros PRICE
• Fascinating river cruise in an outside riverview stateroom of your choice, most with drop-down panoramic windows; walk-out balconies in suites
Guided tour of Cluny Abbey Excursion to Brancion and Cormatin City tour of Lyon** Visit to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse** Avignon walking tour with Papal Palace Arles walking tour Excursion to the Ardèche Gorge
58 58 38 41 38 28 46
**operate in the same time, only one may be booked.
Arrival & Transfer
Train station – Port The famous Papal Palace in Avignon.
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8 days parking place
• Services of an experienced, multilingual Cruise Director • Gourmet dining with all meals included (buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack) in the elegant PanoramaRestaurant, which accommodates all guests in one seating • Free-flowing quality red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions with every dinner on board
prices apply per person per transfer:
LYON (F) Airport – Port
• Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for all excursions
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• Coffee and tea after lunch and dinner • 24-hour complimentary coffee and tea station • Special onboard entertainment with lectures, cooking demonstrations, onboard music performances and nightly music by the Amadeus Duo in the Panorama Bar • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles • Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted on the Sun Deck)
© LianeM/Shutterstock.com
• All port taxes and local taxes
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Dr. W. Lüftner Reisen GmbH Menardi Center · Amraser See Straße 56 · A-6020 Innsbruck Tel.: +43/512/365781 · Fax: +43/512/365781-6 E-Mail: lueftner@lueftner-cruises.com · Home: www.lueftner-cruises.com
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