July 2018/Issue 04
FOR MEMBERS OF
IN THE HEART OF THE CITY OF MOZART The unique Flair of Salzburg
Dear AMADEUS guests, We are pleased to be able to, once again, introduce a new edition of the AMADEUS magazine! In this issue we include many interesting articles and fascinating facts on our declared favourite subject – travelling along the most beautiful rivers into the heart of Europe where stunning cities are waiting for you to explore! One of these fascinating gems is ‘Mozart‘s city, Salzburg‘ which we are focusing on in this issue. Why not find out for yourself just how much the city has to offer, also away from the well-trodden tourist trails – the journey starts on page 8! From page 14, we visit a river which couldn’t be any more diverse: the river Main has long been more than simply one of the many tributaries of the Rhine and does, in fact, with its rich history and diversity, have just as much to offer as its “big brother”. If you are planning a visit to “la belle France” you shouldn’t miss the tips of our travel expert: on pages 22 and 23, Dr. Wolfgang Lüftner, founder and president of Lüftner Cruises, shares his favourite destinations in the North and South of France with you. And, for all of you who have always wondered what life is like as a captain on board a cruise ship, you can look forward to an exclusive interview on page 24 with Dan Balan, captain on the Amadeus Queen, who reveals the daily challenges and highlights he faces on the ship and which port he particularly looks forward to on his journey through Europe. Are you already getting ready for your next river cruise? Then we would like to present our exclusive AMADEUS Cruiser Club: on page 28 you will find all the information on your free membership and can find out which benefits you can enjoy by participating in our bonus programme. We look forward to being able to welcome you soon, in person, on board the AMADEUS fleet – until then, happy reading! Sincerely,
Dr. Wolfgang Lüftner
Dipl.- Vw. Martina Lüftner
and the AMADEUS team (club@amadeus-cruiserclub.com)
Amadeus Provence
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4 LATEST NEWS
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New in 2019: A new light in the heavens: the Amadeus STAR
• Culture and Wine: New theme cruise on three routes • Amadeus Signature Cocktail: Travel and pleasure go together
On a voyage of discovery in fascinating Normandy
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IN THE HEART OF THE CITY OF MOZART The unique Flair of Salzburg
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AT HOME ON THE WATER Dream Job: Captain
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DR. WOLFGANG LÜFTNER RECOMMENDS The Wonders of France
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THE ENCHANTING RIVER MAIN Between History and Modernity
CAST OFF Christening of the Amadeus Queen
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AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB
Publisher: LÜFTNER CRUISES, Amraser See Str. 56, A-6020 Innsbruck, www.lueftner-cruises.com This Magazine is copyright protected. Lüftner Cruises accepts no liability for the accuracy of the information in this magazine. Layout & Design: Claudia Messner Werbegrafik Photo Credits/Copyrights: Atont France, Basel Tourismus, Bildagentur Huber, Budapest Information, Bauer, Corbis, Dieter Jacob, Eichholzer, Ferienland Bernkastel-Kues, Fotostudio Stanger, Frankfurt Tourismus, Hotel Sacher Wien, Keukenhof, Koblenz-Touristik, KölnTourismus GmbH, Le Palais Prag, Lüftner, Lyon Tourist Office, Manfred Horvath, Niederösterreich Werbung, Oberösterreich Werbung, Peter Rigaud, Philippe Bastie, Rausch, Regensburg Tourismus, Rüdesheim Tourist AG, Rumänisches Touristenamt, Shutterstock, Tourismusverband Linz-Donau, Tristan Deschamps, Wien Tourismus, Zwickl
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News from the World of Amadeus A NEW LIGHT IN THE HEAVENS: THE AMADEUS STAR Another premium river cruiser will join the AMADEUS fleet from April 2019: with a total of 70 generous deluxe cabins and 12 AMADEUS suites, the AMADEUS Star offers all the comfort of an elegant boutique hotel that will cater to your every comfort: in addition to the luxurious open-air lounge, the „River Terrace“, the AMADEUS Star will delight you with a sumptuous wine bar and a stern terrace with a fantastic view of the river landscape as you float by. All the cabins have large adjustable panoramic windows that have been developed specifically for the AMADEUS fleet. The star cruiser will make its debut in the spring of 2019 before sailing along the Dutch and Belgian waterways and the majestic Danube.
CULTURE AND WINE: NEW THEME CRUISES ON THREE ROUTES Wine and culture go hand in hand, as evidenced by the exclusive AMADEUS themed cruises dedicated to fine wines. Wine lovers will enjoy a very special river cruise on three different routes along the Rhine, the Danube and the Seine in northern France; in addition to the cultural highlights of the region, the focus of these tours is on exclusive wine tastings, excursions to the most beautiful wineries in the region, exciting themed lectures and meeting local winemakers in person. A cruise that promises moments of pleasure and allows your guests to experience the stunning places you visit with all your senses!
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AMADEUS SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Travel and pleasure belong together, and as it is known worldwide that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, since 2018 we have been offering our guests our AMADEUS Signature Cocktail on board our AMADEUS fleet. If you would like to daydream about your last river cruise, then you are in for a treat: our cocktail experts on board have given us their secret recipe! INGREDIENTS 4 cl gin 2 cl elderflower syrup 2 cl lime juice 4 cl pineapple juice Decorate with slices of lime and mint leaves. PREPARATION Shake the gin, elderflower syrup, lime juice and pineapple juice in the shaker together with roughly two ice cubes, and strain into a wine glass. Top off the AMADEUS Signature Cocktail with some slices of lime and mint leaves.
ON A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY IN FASCINATING NORMANDY Cider and Calvados, cultural highlights, a wonderful panorama between sky and sea; this is the best description of the picturesque Normandy. From 2019, you can experience a new fullday excursion to the region on the route through Northern France. In the morning, explore Arromanches and Longues-sur-mer, where history was once written, as both places played a significant role in the liberation of Western Europe during the Second World War. After a traditional Norman lunch break, you will visit the impressive historic center of Bayeux, and in the afternoon, of course, a visit to a local Calvados distillery with a final tasting of the noble drop is a must! Live like God in France - a dream that is within your reach in Normandy!
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In the Heart of the City of Mozart
The Unique Flair of Salzburg Salzburg is always worth a visit both in summer when guests young and old will enjoy a colourful and internationally renowned cultural offering, and in the winter when romantic Christmas markets and candlelit stalls invite you to stroll around and take in the atmosphere. However, if you think that the beautiful city on the river Salzach is known only for “Mozartkugeln” (a small, round sugar confection made of pistachio, marzipan and nougat that is covered with dark chocolate) and the film “The Sound of Music“, you’re missing so much – find out for yourself!
Mozartkugeln
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View of Salzburg castle and old town above: the famous „Mozartkugel“ is sinnfully delicious
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The world famous „Salzburger Festspiele“ is the cultural highlight of the city every summer
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View of the Getreidegasse
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Salzburg castle with evening ambience
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“Salzburg, you Jewel of Austria” So the official anthem sung by the residents of Salzburg goes, and a just a brief glance at the state capital and the Salzburg region confirms what the locals already know: the city and region have an abundance of natural and cultural gems and the beauty of the region with its picturesque lakes and lush pastures speaks for itself. But the capital of Salzburg won’t disappoint either: its name derives from a former flourishing salt (Salz) trade, which represented an important source of income in the Early Middle Ages. The city was also blessed with wealth and prosperity due to its function as the seat of the Archbishop, and its numerous magnificent Baroque buildings still bear witness to this illustrious past. SALZBURG’S FAMOUS CITIZENS The most famous of all the natives of Salzburg must be the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born in the city in 1756, and it’s no coincidence that the city is dubbed “Mozartstadt” (City of Mozart) and that it has also named its airport after the renowned musician. Thousands of tourists flock to the Getreidegasse in Salzburg to visit Mozart’s birthplace every year, and the now world-famous Salzburg Festival grew out of the International Festival which was, of course, held in Mozart’s honour. But not only musicians, but also prominent writers and scientists can be counted among Salzburg’s famous sons and daughters, including Georg Trakl, one of
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 the major German-speaking Expressionist poets and the famous physician and pharmacist Paracelsus, after whom the private Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg is named.
PROBABLY THE MOST FAMOUS STREET IN AUSTRIA The Getreidegasse runs from west to east through the historic old town and has much more to offer besides Mozart’s birthplace: the high, narrow town houses still convey a vivid impression of medieval life, as do the numerous wrought-iron guild signs above the old shops, and the “Durchhäuser” (houses with a public thoroughfare) that are so typical of Salzburg, which are used to indicate connecting routes that lead under adjacent houses, and often come out into hidden, picturesque courtyards. The word “Getreide” in German means grain, but the most famous street in Austria has nothing to do with cereal crops as you might expect: the street was first recorded in 1150 as “Trabgasse”, which comes from the word “trabig” in the Salzburg, which is roughly translated as “bustling” proof that the Getreidegasse was already a lively part of the city in the Middle Ages.
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A VERY SPECIAL KIND OF WEATHER PHENOMENON When it rains in Salzburg, you can sometimes experience a curious phenomenon called “Schnürlregen”, literally “string rain”, which is named so because individual, very thin drops appear to fall as a single, continuous thread from the sky. As the city experiences frequent showers owing to its location, Salzburg Schnürlregen is one more of the many good reasons to seek out one of the numerous picturesque coffee houses in the city centre until the skies clear again. Speaking of coffee houses: there are hundreds in Salzburg, and one of the most famous is undoubtedly the Café Tomaselli in the heart of the old town, which has been run very successfully for 150 years by the Tomaselli family. This coffee house is known above all for its famous guests, notably Hermann Bahr, Hugo von Hoffmansthal and Max Reinhard, who are said to have written a significant piece of history here; it is rumoured that the idea for the Salzburg Festival was formed in the Café Tomaselli roughly 100 years ago. THE SWEETEST TEMPTATIONS OF SALZBURG But not only do coffee houses have a long tradition in Salzburg, there are hundreds of culinary delicacies to sample here, and if you’ve never tried “Salzburger Nockerln”, a light, sweet soufflé formed into peaks and sprinkled with sugar, you should do so without delay! This popular dessert is said to have been created by the mistress of the former Salzburg Prince-Archbishop in the 17th century and originally intended to depict the three local, snow-covered Salzburg mountains: Mönchsberg, Kapuzinerberg and Gaisberg. Today you can find this tempting treat everywhere in the City of Mozart, and although individual makers will have their own, secret recipe
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Sweet as Love and Tender as a Kiss Nockerln must always include the same basic ingredients, sugar, eggs and flour to merit the name “Original Salzburger Nockerln”. The sweet soufflé occupies a very special place in the heart of the Salzburgers, which is also expressed in Fred Raymond’s operetta “Saison in Salzburg” (Season in Salzburg), in which this unique delicacy is praised in a song as being “sweet as love and tender as a kiss”. A FORTRESS AND A BULL Unique to the City of Mozart is its fascinating location set among towering cliffs, surrounding the city like a defensive wall. Atop of those cliffs sits the undisputed landmark of the city, the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The fortress is an impressive castle complex dating back to the 11th century and rises up over the Baroque towers of the city. Its former role was to protect the principality and the archbishops from enemy encroachments, which never in fact happened and, to this day, the fortress has never been captured by military force. The reason for this is told by the Salzburgers themselves in a legend that has been woven around the structure for centuries. The Archbishop of Salzburg was besieged in the Hohensalzburg Fortress during the peasant uprisings in the 16th century. However, due to its excellent strategic location,
the attackers were unable to take the fortress, and the besiegers decided to starve it out until it surrendered. Food became increasingly scarce until there was only one bull left, but the city commander had a brilliant idea. He led the brown-spotted animal up onto the city wall to demonstrate to the attackers there was still food within the fortress walls. The next night, the Salzburgers painted the bull white and again, paraded the beast along the wall, the next day they painted it black, and repeated the spectacle until the besiegers, convinced there was still abundant food left, decided to withdraw. Great rejoicing erupted in the fortress, and the citizens took the bull down to the Salzach and washed it until it assumed its original brown-spotted appearance. Since then, according to the legend, the Salzburgers have also been referred to affectionately as the “bullwashers”, and although a lion is displayed on the city’s coat of arms, numerous references to the famous bull, which once saved the inhabitants from a hostile incursion, can be found around the city. So, if you pay
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a visit to the enchanting City of Mozart, remember to look out for the small details that make this place so appealing and engaging - you‘ll be surprised what you will discover, experience and taste in Salzburg off the beaten track.
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The Enchanting River Main Between History and Modernity
It is undoubtedly the lifeblood of Franconia, one of the most important European waterways and also forms the gateway to the country beyond the Rhine; the Main, longest tributary of the Rhine and direct link to the Danube. Most people don’t know nearly as much about the Main as they do about its “big siblings,“ the Rhine and the Danube; but wait: this river has much more to offer than just its geographical location, which makes it so ideal and vital for modern shipping today.
Lush green banks, the major cities of Frankfurt, Würzburg and Mainz, historic jewels like Wertheim, Bayreuth and Bamberg, colourful half-timbered houses and excellent wines, with a lively history and an exceptional position that favours shipping both in the past and present, make it a strategically important waterway − the Main is a river of many facets. 12-13 Frankfurt am Main, finance capital and headquarters of the European Central Bank 13 Tranquil town of Nordheim in Franconia
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The MainDanube-Canal connects the North Sea with the Black Sea THE ENIGMA OF THE MAIN The Main is far more enigmatic than most of the other rivers in the region, as can be seen from its name alone. This is presumed to be of Celtic origin, but opinions are divided as to its exact meaning, because the name “Main” could derive both from the Indo-European word “mei“ meaning “water“ or the Latin word for “wall“ or “fence.“ Linguists have not yet come to an agreement on the precise origin of the word, but the fact is that the Main was still dubbed “Moyne“ in medieval tradition and only later, in the course of the 14th century, did the name “Meyn“ appear in the records. It is as difficult to determine the exact length of the Main as it is to be sure of the origin of its name. Although the river in the most common reference works is usually specified as 527 km long, the Main is, however, fed by two different source rivers of different dimensions and the total length will be different depending on which of the two rivers are used in the calculation. The fact that the Main is a highly fascinating body of water is shown as we look at these two source rivers: the Red Main is considered the longer, but less voluminous of the two, its name comes from the loamy, reddish deposits it carries from its basin area and which turn the water red. The situation is different with the White Main: the river is significantly shorter than the Red Main but contains a greater volume of water. Like its red counterpart, the White Main derives
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its name from the light granite in the area of its source, which turns the water slightly white. THE EVENTFUL HISTORY OF THE MAIN
The Main was already being used as an important and busy transport route at the time of the Celts and Teutons. Numerous settlements owe their existence to this impressive waterway and in 793 AD, Charlemagne had already made a first daring attempt to connect the Main to the Danube through the Karlsgraben, an artificial canal. However, he failed during his lifetime because of the technical challenges entailed in this ambitious project, and it would take over a thousand years until this bold endeavour achieved success. From the 12th century onwards, goods and passenger transport regularly sailed
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Frankfurt in 1884 (Friedrich Ernst Morgenstern)
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Rothenburg ob der Tauber
FROM THE MAIN TO THE SEA Even today, the Main is crucial for modern shipping, although with fewer disruptions compared to medieval times! The construction of the Main-Danube Canal, which in the 1960s, created a federal waterway approx. 171 km long, connecting the Main at Bamberg with the Danube at Kehlheim. After it was completed in 1992, the canal was used to construct a continuous main shipping route enabling the navigation of the entire waterway between the North Sea and the Black Sea. The route from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Constanta in Romania is the shortest waterway connection between these two seas and crosses the Rhine, the Main, the Main-Danube Canal, the Danube and the Danube-Black Sea Canal across Europe and is often also aptly referred to as the “Europe canal.“
buildings that still exude medieval charm, including the imposing cathedral and the impressive New Residence. Other popular destinations are the two Main jewels Wertheim and Miltenberg, where beautifully preserved, picturesque half-timbered houses that have largely survived from the 14th century, can still be admired in the historic town centres.
on the river, and wood in particular was transported in large quantities mainly to Frankfurt and the Netherlands where it was used for shipbuilding. However, transport was far from being as comfortable as it is now, as shipping on the Main was still much more at the mercy of environmental factors such as high or low tides, sandbanks and weather conditions, and shipping was held up by up to 32 customs stations along the river.
MAIN LANDSCAPE AND CULTURAL STRONGHOLDS There are numerous beautiful cities along the banks of the Main which are definitely worth a visit: for example, the Upper Franconian town of Bamberg, traditionally a residence of the bishops and which also marks the point from which the Main is navigable. The town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, delights its visitors with many historical and listed
Wine lovers, on the other hand, will enjoy a visit to Würzburg: the city on the Main is known far beyond its borders for its charming Baroque and Rococo buildings and is the heart of the Franconian wine region with its countless wine bars, wine cellars and vineyards. White wine varieties such as Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus are very popular here, as are numerous red varieties including Dornfelder, Pinot Noir and the rosé Rotling made with several grape varieties. You will also enjoy a trip to the river
towns on the Main and when you visit the region don’t forget to taste these fabulous Franconian wines which are grown on the warm southern slopes of the Main Valley.
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FRANKFURT – THE PULSATING METROPOLIS ON THE MAIN However, the Main not only offers fabulous wine landscapes, but also a true cosmopolitan city: the Hessian city of Frankfurt am Main is the fifth largest in Germany and was first mentioned in 794. Frankfurt was a free imperial city in the Middle Ages and was later the coronation city of the Holy Roman Emperors. Following the Austro-Prussian war and rapid industrialisation in the late 19th century, the population grew, and Frankfurt now has 736,000 inhabitants. Legend has it that the city was given its name by a fortunate coincidence: during the Saxon Wars, the Franks were fleeing with their king, Charlemagne and, unable to advance, were trapped
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on the banks of the Main. A deer then magically appeared to show them the way to a flat ford where the Franks could easily cross the river, unlike their pursuers, who tried in vain to find the ford. The escaped Franks settled on this very spot and gave the location its symbolic name “Frankfurt”, the “ford of the Franks”. Frankfurt is now an important European transport hub, and the city is also considered one of the most important financial centres with, among others, the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange being located here, along with major international industrial, service and exhibition centres. With its architecturally beautiful buildings and the di-
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View of the Würzburg Residence
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Stately wine cellars
verse art and culture, this metropolis on the Main never ceases to captivate visitors from all over the world. If you decide to travel to the fabulous Main region, you will find a wealth of opportunities that are worth exploring: cultural and natural wonders, historic places and culinary delights, ancient traditions and a river that is not only of international importance in the modern era, but which has always influenced and characterised the history of the region from the earliest times.
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Water is my life and I just can’t get enough of it Do you have a particular favourite port you like travelling to? There are so many wonderful towns and cities along the European rivers that it’s very difficult to choose. For me, personally, though, the Residence City of Würzburg is a magical place which I always love to visit, time and time again – we visit here, for example, on our 15-day “Across the Heart of Europe” cruise. A special sight is the old Main Bridge which offers a fantastic panoramic view of Marienberg Fortress. The Würzburg Residence, which was built by Balthasar Neumann at the start of the 18th century as one of Europe’s most significant Baroque palaces is also stunning, particularly the staircase with the breath-taking frescoes by the Venetian painter Tiepolo and the Imperial Hall. A further insider tip is the Staatliche Hofkeller Würzburg winery which offers guided tours of the historic wine cellar and regional wine samplings.
At home on the water:
Dream Job: Captain He is the most important man on board, steers the ship safely from port to port along Europe’s rivers, has the responsibility for the passengers and the entire crew and is the first contact person for all matters: being a captain is a challenging but also interesting job. In an exclusive interview, Dan Balan, captain of the AMADEUS Queen, talks about his life on board and reveals his personal favourite port in Europe.
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What would you say is so unique about your ship, the AMADEUS Queen?
INTERVIEW WITH DAN BALAN Captain of the Amadeus Queen
The heart and soul of a ship is its crew. We spend the whole cruise season on board together and in this time the crew becomes like a second family. It is also this sense of togetherness that makes the AMADEUS Queen so special. I am sure that this is also something that our guests can feel and their feedback has shown that they particularly appreciate the very relaxed yet also elegant atmosphere on board.
The indoor pool is also something very special to me as it brings the element of water that bit closer to our guests during their journey.
Why did you decide to become captain? I’ve always enjoyed travelling and, even as a child, thought that the idea of exploring foreign cities and countries was something fascinating. I was always very aware that this job brings a great deal of responsibility with it – towards the guests, the crew and the environment, but it is something which I am happy to take on. The captain is the most senior authority on board and responsible for the whole ship and everyone on it and this is something which I always take into consideration in my work. However, the responsibility is also a nice aspect and something I wouldn’t do without.
What are your duties on board? Besides the responsibility for the whole ship I, as captain, also have to make all the nautical decisions and managerial duties are also part of my work on board. A particularly nice aspect of my work is the contact with guests and on each trip, I always look forward to inviting guests to the captain’s gala dinner and spending a relaxing evening on board with them. It is particularly this diverse and varied work that makes my work as captain my dream job. The only disadvantage is that I am, unfortunately, not permitted to do weddings.
Is there a dream which you would like to fulfil in the future? Water is my life and I just can’t get enough of it and would therefore love to ride a sailing boat – that is my dream and, at the same time, also a challenge. I am looking forward to being able to realise this in the future.
Mr Balan, thank you very much for the interview – all the best for the future in your exciting job!
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DR. WOLFGANG LÜFTNER RECOMMENDS:
The Wonders of France Nordholland
A country where rough chalk cliffs meet lovely harbour towns, lavender fields as far as the eye can see, fabulous buildings from all eras tell their eventful history, where art and cuisine are appreciated in equal measure: France is rightfully considered to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world, which offers so much you can discover.
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Étretat
Once again, we have asked a real travel expert to give us his insider tips: Wolfgang Lüftner, CEO and founder of Lüftner Cruises and a passionate Francophile, explains the five highlights you shouldn’t miss on a trip through France!
TIP 1: THE CHALK CLIFFS OF ÉTRETAT One look is enough, and one can understand why so many famous painters set up their easels here and were inspired by the enchanting landscape. The scenery along the chalk cliffs of Étretat is unbelievably picturesque and wildly romantic: at the foot of the white cliffs, the roaring surf, the salty sea air and the unique view of a panorama that looks like it was painted. A walk along the paths along the Étretat cliffs is a must on any visit to Normandy. The impressive structures form bizarre rock formations, natural sculptures and rock gates that provide some unique photo opportunities. Just 40 minutes away, at the mouth of the Seine in the English
Channel, is the port city of Le H avre, which welcomes its visitors with its maritime charm: the largest city in Normandy was totally redesigned in the 1950s by star architect Auguste Perret and the town centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, is definitely worth a visit!
Claude Monet‘s Garden
Le Havre
TIP 2: CALVADOS AND APPLE TART France is world-famous for the culinary delights it has to offer, one of which, especially popular in the north of France, is Calvados. Produced traditionally from apples, and less frequently from pears, it has been produced since the 16th century, when apple must is fermented into cider and then stored in oak barrels for two to six years, which gives it its unique flavour. Today, Calvados, whose name derives from the region in which it was originally produced, is one of the most typical products from the Normandy, Brittany and Maine regions. Incidentally, the classic French apple tart, which is traditionally also made from the high-quality Calvados apples, goes perfectly well with the fine fruit brandy. Their taste is reminiscent of rich orchards, summery warmth and the idyllic, rural life in the north of France. If you’re travelling through the region, remember to sample this culinary highlight and definitely enjoy a piece of tradition that will allow you to savour the magic of France with all your senses.
TIP 3: CLAUDE MONET’S GARDEN Tucked away in the French village of Giverny is a very special gem: the former home of the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet is open to visit and will delight those interested in art and culture in particular. The artist was interested in the art of horticulture throughout his life and was intensively involved in specialist literature and garden exhibitions. He rented this contemplative house in May 1883 and initially laid out a beautiful flowering ornamental garden, before he purchased the property and the buildings on it a few years later and expanded it to create an impressive water garden. The centrepiece of the garden is a lush water lily pond, which is spanned by a bridge modelled on a Japanese prototype; the same motif that appears in many variations in Monet‘s numerous images. The picturesque village is now easily accessible, a visit to the garden, the house and in particular Monet‘s studio takes visitors on a journey back to the late 19th century and direct to the roots of Impressionism.
Avignon
TIP 4: THE PAPAL PALACE IN AVIGNON
Calvados
The south of France also has much to offer, notably Avignon on the banks of the Rhône in Provence. This sublime city is famous for its monu-
mental Palace of the Popes, which rises majestically above the imposing walls of the old town. The largest Gothic building in the world was home to a total of seven popes and two antipopes in the 14th century, and this monumental residence is now one of the ten most popular monuments in France. Covering an area of 15,000 square metres, the palace has four Gothic cathedrals and today there are over 20 rooms open to visitors, including the private rooms of the former popes decorated with captivating frescoes by the 14th century Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti. However, the Palais des Papes not only functions as a museum but also serves as a venue for cultural events all year round including exhibitions, concerts and performances. A visit to the Palace of the Popes in July, where the Festival d‘Avignon has regularly been held since 1947, is highly recommended.
Camargue
TIP 5: NATURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE CAMARGUE There are plenty of opportunities to experience the splendours of nature as well as France‘s fantastic cultural offerings, as the French landscape is extremely varied; from steep cliffs in the north to alpine charm and the Mediterranean south, there’s something for every taste. The beautiful landscape of the Camargue is a particularly enchanting natural jewel, and here visitors will discover here a mysterious world in which land and water form an enchanted landscape of marshes and lakes. Located in Provence, the area is home to more than 356 species of birds and other rare species living in the wild, including flamingos, white Camargue horses and bulls. The Camargue region was declared a Regional Natural Park in 1970 to protect the unique flora and fauna and is divided into various protected areas. Some parts are however open to visitors and not only provide an insight into the extraordinary flora and fauna, but also reveal the incomparable beauty of this region, which is unique in the world.
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CAST OFF! Dr. Wolfgang Lüftner and Daughter Corina, Godmother of the Ship
Hotel Manager Stephan Busch greets the guests
The name says it all: the AMADEUS Queen, the 15th ship of the AMADEUS fleet, was formally christened on 4 April 2018 in Amsterdam and has, since then, become a true Queen of the river cruise. The new ship received its name in front of almost 200 guests in the usual familiar setting. Corina Lüftner, the youngest daughter of Martina and Dr Wolfgang Lüftner who lead the company, took on godparent duties. The Amadeus Queen sails along on the Rhine and Danube rivers as well as the Dutch and Belgian waterways.
Amadeus-Club with indoor-pool Dr. Wolfgang and Martina Lüftner with family
Captain Dan Balan and Father Johannes Kiefmann during the christening
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AMADEUS Cruiser Club Hundreds of destinations, thousands of river kilometers and endless possibilities: if, after your cruise, you develop a taste for these things and can’t get enough of our relaxed river cruises, then the AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB is the perfect option for you! If you travel with us regularly, you will be rewarded with manifold advantages as from your second cruise. From 01.01.2019 we are introducing numerous new advantages for all members, as well as the GOLD status as the highest possible club membership level. The club membership level is determined by the number of cruises taken with us. In addition to existing benefits, GOLD club members will receive a free spa treatment and invitations to exclusive AMADEUS events, such as the christening of one of the new AMADEUS ships.
/ M I TG L I E D S KA RT E D M E M B E R S H I P CA R
MEMBER 123456
AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB Club membership costs nothing apart from a few minutes of your time while you fill in the form.
Your AMADEUS CLUB advantages at a glance Levels
Welcome Bonus*
Annual Bonus**
Invitation to the exclusive ACC-Cocktail
Free cabin upgrade
Invitation to the Captain’s Table
to the next category***
during the Captain‘s Gala Dinner
Free spa treatment (1 hour)
nal o s r e P Your rship Card e Memb
Invitation to exclusive AMADEUS events
e many
AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB: after 1 st cruise Cruise 2
€ 30,–
Cruise 3
Enjoy th
benefits
orld of of the w
US
AMADE
€ 30,– € 30,–
AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB-STAR Status: after 3rd cruise Cruise 4
€ 50,–
€ 50,–
Cruise 5
€ 50,–
Cruise 6
€ 50,–
Cruise 7
€ 50,–
AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB-GOLD Status: after 7th cruise Cruise 8 Cruise 9 and more
€ 100,–
€ 100,– € 100,–
* Welcome Bonus: can only be used as credit on board; valid for 5 years from date of issue ** Annual bonus: can only be used as credit on board; valid for 1 year from date of issue *** Subject to availability at commencement of journey
Registration and information about the AMADEUS CRUISER CLUB: club@amadeus-cruiserclub.com www.lueftner-cruises.com/club Add something special to our next edition
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Have you spent relaxing but exhilarating days on board an AMADEUS vessel, with lots of exciting discoveries and inspiring experiences? If so, why not inform us about your last cruise and help us with our next AMADEUS MAGAZINE. Inform us which excursion you liked the best, tell us about somewhere special you discovered that you would would recommend or supply the best snapshot of your journey — we are looking forward to receiving your contribution. Please mail us at magazin@lueftner-cruises.com