The 2017 River Cruise Collection

THE

2017 COLLECTION

River Cruising in Europe, Russia & Southeast Asia

PASSIONATE ABOUT TRAVEL WILD ABOUT EXPERIENCE Phil, our MD, explains why your next holiday should be a River Cruise.

Well, this is it! The Cruise Village’s very first dedicated river cruising brochure. Designed to open-up a whole new world to those who have never considered a river cruise holiday, those who have thought about it but want to know more, and those of you who have already discovered river cruising and are planning where to go next, and who with.

One thing I can guarantee is that you will never find a better way to travel in style, visiting so many different countries, cities, towns & villages in one holiday. It can be as busy or as laid back as you want it to be. It can be as active or as relaxing as you make it, but one thing is for sure – you’re not going to spend much time in your cabin!

My team have been busy this year travelling the rivers of Europe and the Far East to make sure they can answer your questions and give you the best possible advice.

River cruising is all about the destinations and the experiences they offer you. It’s why I am so passionate about river cruising, and I’m sure you’ll discover that my entire team are too!

If you haven’t already, please seek us out at Facebook.com/rivercruising.co.uk or of course our award winning website www.rivercruising.co.uk.

Thank you for all your support in 2016 and we look forward to introducing you to a whole new world in 2017 and beyond.

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Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

RIVERS IN FOCUS...

CRUISE LINES THE DOURO

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Discover a journey that takes you through steep sided vineyards and a countryside which hosts monasteries, castles and baroque mansions. Not forgetting the many opportunities you will get to sample the famous Tawny Port Wines and local delicacies.

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS

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River cruising the Russian Waterways isn’t like river cruising in the rest of Europe. To most travellers, there’s a sense of the unknown as you take to the water. It doesn’t feel quite European. It does feel distinctly adventurous.

THE MEKONG

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The world’s 12th largest river offers some of the most incredible and diverse sights, cultures and cuisines - it’s a thrilling new world!

Encounter fishing villages apparently untouched by time; dense rainforest; and a fascinating history rooted in war.

Viking River Cruises

10

Riviera Travel

12

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

16

Emerald Waterways

20

Avalon Waterways

22

Tauck

26

Uniworld

30

Wendy Wu Tours

32

Amadeus Cruises

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REVIEWS & MORE What to expect

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Review : Emerald

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Review : Tauck

24

Solo Travellers

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WHAT’S NEW And the award goes to...

River Cruising on the go...

From the very beginning in 2007, the concept of RiverCruising.co.uk was to deliver expert advice through sharing our river cruising experiences and adventures with anyone who wanted to know more about river cruising. But in a way that brought river cruising to life, through digital media with interesting editorial articles and exciting audio visual presentations.

In 2013 we started our first river cruise marketing campaign online. Now 3 years on, we have a business that delivers 5 star Feefo reviews, high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business. And now, despite stiff competition, we have managed to secure yet another award to add to our growing collection. We won Best Marketing Promotion of River Cruise Online for our website RiverCruising.co.uk at the inaugural UK 2016 River Cruise Awards.

NEW FOR 2017

RECOMMEND A FRIEND

Keeping up to date with all the latest offers isn’t the only way that we make it easier for you to find the right cruise.

Discover your next holiday on our NEW mobile- and tablet-friendly website, featuring an enhanced search facility.

Learn more about the rivers, find a special offer or read our latest blog - all on the go!

Love River Cruising? Travelling with friends?

Recommend them to RiverCruising.co.uk, and you’ll both receive £50 per booking discount*

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Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

WE’RE THE BEST, BUT DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...  Excellent service 

lpful with  Lyndsay was extremely he

tes and my requests for the right da  . the right cruise. Very friendly  Would definitely recommend  them to everyone

e  Fantastic and efficient service. Th to my holiday tailored and booked  requirements.

 Exceptional service very helpful

 5 Star 

for sorting everything out booking and sending three couples on same cruise all have all details out promptly so we  holiday information

 River Cruising made

difficult into easy. 

first  The best people to contact for a  time river cruise customer ey  Excellent help and information. Th er my got in touch very shortly aft the end. initial enquiry and helped to



ars.  Booked with them for ye  Never been let down



4.8 /5

Independent Customer Feedback Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

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NEW TO RIVER CRUISING? Whether you’re looking for the perfect city break, a relaxing holiday or a sightseeing adventure, a river cruise can give you that – and so much more.

A river cruise offers a great opportunity to take a different kind of break with friends and loved ones. Imagine waking up to the sound of calm waves lapping the side of the boat, walking out onto the veranda and enjoying the magnificent views, ones that you won’t get on a standard holiday. With a river-cruising holiday you don’t have to imagine: you can easily make it into a reality.

Far From The Madding Crowd: River cruise line ships are relatively small, catering for under 200 passengers. This helps them to provide the best customer service possible, and ensures that you get the relaxed and informal cruise you’re looking for.

Personal Service: Because of the fewer guests and staff on board, the service feels more personal. The waiters and

You can travel on exciting journeys such as Amsterdam to Budapest via Cologne and Vienna. No matter how big your appetite is for adventure we have a river cruise to suit practically everyone; from Moscow to the Mekong, and winetasting to sunrise sightseeing. With so many options available you simply need to board your cruise ship, check in and you’re set for an adventure.

Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits you gain from a river cruising holiday.

We Don’t Rock The Boat: You can forget about motion sickness on a river cruise! The vessel will not be sailing into open oceans and so there are certainly no large waves to worry about! And if that isn’t reassuring enough, the vessels are designed with flat-bottoms, ensuring a smooth and pleasant journey along the river!

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bar tenders learn your name and you become familiar with the team on board! From the moment you embark you are truly looked after - the highly trained staff literally cannot do enough for you; the attention to detail you receive is outstanding!

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Travel in Style: Not sure what to expect from the staterooms and cabins? To many peoples’ disbelief, the staterooms on board are spacious and contemporary; often compared to that of a modern hotel room. Plus, within most staterooms are luxurious amenities such as a flat-screen TV, bath robes, slippers, a refrigerator, internet access and other ‘hotel style’ amenities. Accommodation will vary by river cruise operator but most ships have a choice of stateroom, from a picture window to a step-out balcony and suite – all varying in size.

Visit Places Ocean Cruises Can’t Reach: The smaller size of a river ship enables them to dock in locations unbeknown to an ocean ship. River vessels dock right in the heart of some of the world’s greatest cities and towns which means you can literally walk straight off the vessel and into town.

work with provide a choice of guided walks and tours for each destination. Simply pick as many or as few as you wish, go along and explore your surroundings. Who knows, you might just find your new favourite place. If you’d rather stay onboard, that’s fine. After all, a river-cruising holiday is all about relaxing and going at a pace that suits you.

Included As Standard: Inclusions vary by cruise line, but you’ll find that the majority of river cruise lines include at least one shore excursion per port of call, selected drinks with lunch and dinner, and gratuities. That makes a massive difference to your cruise bill; compared to the one you may be presented with at the end of an ocean cruise!

Ever Changing Scenery: First of all, you’ll always have a view of land because river cruises do not enter open waters, and with a new port of call every day comes more breathtaking scenery; from hillside vineyards to medieval castles, you really can expect postcard perfect scenery! And even if there is a full day of cruising, it will be a day of scenic cruising through some of the world’s most spectacular valleys!

A Tasty Time: On-board you will be treated to the local cuisine and fine wines so that you can really get to grips with the culture of the country you’re visiting.

Don’t Forget... It’s Your River Cruise: The cruise lines we

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Delights of the Douro by Sara Macefield - Travel Writer Unlike the busy bustle of continental voyages along the Rhine and the Danube that pass through the likes of Cologne, Budapest and Vienna, the socalled River of Gold casts a more soporific spell as it weaves its way through the Douro Valley.

This is less a cruise about cities, and more a sailing of scenery and serenity as vessels follow the centuries-old route taken by the first port traders through a landscape so beautiful it has gained UNESCO World Heritage status.

Steep-sided valleys and precipitous slopes sculpted with vineyards hint at the world-famous port wines produced here, with different varieties readily poured during tastings at pretty wineries – or quintas – along the river.

The Douro runs through Spain and Portugal, but is only navigable on a 125-mile stretch between the picturesque coastal city of Porto and Vega de Terron on the Spanish border, where riverboats have to turn back and retrace their route.

Round trips take roughly four or five days, so river

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cruise lines generally add a couple of nights while the vessel is moored in Porto, giving passengers time to explore the city either before or after the voyage. Some companies also include a stay in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, a 2.5 hour train ride away.

Travellers should pick their time carefully as the peak summer months of July and August can be blisteringly hot at around 40 degrees Celsius, while early or late season weather can be chilly.

But in fine weather, the Douro is a perfect setting for drinking in the views and learning about the heritage of the river, when wooden “rabelo” boats, laden with barrels of port wine used to navigate its treacherous waters to the port houses further downstream.

The Douro’s waterfalls and fast-flowing rapids claimed many a precious cargo, and in 1862 this included an English baron who drowned when his boat foundered on rocks near the Valeira Gorge.

His body was never found and it is thought the weight of his money-belt, full of gold sovereigns,

dragged him down to the riverbed. The ladies accompanying him had a luckier escape as they were able to float to safety when their crinoline skirts filled with air.

Today’s cruisers needn’t entertain such worries as the Douro’s frothing waters have been tamed by towering locks (among the tallest in Europe where waters rise and fall by up to 115ft) creating a succession of dams providing hydro-electric power.

Admiring the scenic backdrop is a big part of sailing along this river, though it’s also a natural fit for wine-lovers and history enthusiasts.

Excursions are a must as there are few places of interest directly on the river and little scope for wandering ashore to explore on your own.

One of the main stops is the town of Regua, from where passengers are taken to Vila Real to see the handsome baroque palace Casa de Mateus with its stunning gardens.

Sharp-eyed visitors may recognise it as the grand building pictured on the labels of the famous Mateus Rose table wine – even though the popular tipple is not produced there.

The sleepy village of Pinhao is noted for its railway station, containing pretty blue and white tiled frescos typical of the region, though Porto’s Sao Bento Station boasts a far more impressive display.

Many trips whisk passengers off to deserted villages full of history, beautiful views and Baroque architecture, but as the boats may sail while passengers are ashore on excursions (meeting them further along the river) don’t make the mistake of

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taking them all otherwise you’ll miss out on parts of the actual voyage.

One trip that shouldn’t be missed is the full-day excursion to the Spanish cathedral city of Salamanca, a 90-minute drive from the border at Vega de Terron.

Pedestrianised streets and enchanting cobbled walkways lined with souvenir shops and cafes add to its appeal; the warm glow of the sandstone buildings giving it the nickname the Golden City.

Who cruises there?

Portugal’s River of Gold  June to December 2017  Viking Hemming, Osfrid or Torgil

• 2 nights in Lisbon at a superior first-class hotel • Guided tours, including 5 UNESCO sites: Jerónimos Monastery and Tower of Belém in Lisbon, University of Coimbra, Porto’s historic centre, Salamanca’s historic centre, Alto Douro wine region • Sample local port wines & attend a flamenco show 10 Days from £1,645pp

Secrets of the Douro  June to October 2017 With two cathedrals and a university dating from the 13th century, Salamanca brims with history and heritage that will satisfy the most ardent culture fans.

The same can be said of Porto, whose historic wealth flowed in on the back of discoveries in the New World, evident in the churches and cathedrals full of frescos and opulent gold leaf.

Take a boat trip in a replica “rabelo” and explore the mass of winding narrow streets and pastelcoloured merchants’ houses in the Ribeira riverfront area where a clutch of prominent historical buildings include the 12th century Porto Cathedral and the Gothic Church of Sao Francisco.

But no cruise along the Douro would be complete without a visit to a local winery or the port wine cellars in Gaia, a rival port on the opposite side of the river to Porto; established in the 13th century to avoid taxes, with famous names such as Taylor’s, Graham’s and Cockburn’s still in evidence.

Like the port wines themselves, these cities and the Douro River bring an undisputedly unique taste to a region full of distinctive features.

 Emerald Radiance

• Evening dinner hosted at a local winery estate • Join your barman for a lesson on how to make cocktails using port wine on board • Discover more; with guided excursions to the Mateus Palace, Palacio da Bolsa or Guimaraes* • Swimming pool & Cinema on board 8 Days from £1,745pp *at a supplement

Douro, Oporto & Salamanca  April to October 2017  ms Douro Elegance or ms Douro Serenity

• Guided tour of Oporto with visit to Port Wine cellars • Enjoy a full day excursion to Salamanca with guided tour and Flamenco show • Tour to the castle and medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo • Guided tour of Mateus Palace and gardens 8 Days from £1,399pp

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Explore the World in Viking Comfort The world is an amazing place and Viking believe you deserve to see, hear, taste and touch it all.

Exciting, surprising and enlightening, a Viking river journey is like no other. As rich in natural beauty as it is in fascinating culture, it gives you a unique view of the destinations you are visiting and takes you straight to their heart.

Viking’s position as an independently owned company gives them the freedom to create journeys where you can immerse yourself in each destination, whilst decades of experience give them an unrivalled level of expertise. And with the largest and most innovative fleet of ships in the world, they are consistently voted best river cruise line at all the major awards ceremonies.

Viking believe that your journey should be more than pointing a camera at the famous sights and quickly moving on. It’s about exploring the culture, history and cuisine, and getting under the skin of each incredible place. Their thoughtful itineraries and enriching excursions invite you to crew and staff were excellent do just that. When it comes to creating cruises  All of the was great!

– and cruise ships – they don’t break the rules, and the food we were served they make the rules. ly mark them 10 out of 10.  With a worldwide fleet of around 60 river cruise I’d absolute Valued Client - travelled on Viking Prestige, April 2015 ships, most of which are less than three years old, their ships are everything you could wish for. From state-of- the-art European Viking Longships and brand new Elbe ships to their Russian fleet; the sparkling Viking Emerald in China, and a colonial-style ship that sails the Mekong, there really is no more comfortable or stylish way to explore the world.

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 Return scheduled flights from London, with a choice of up to 14 regional airports at no extra charge  Quality wine, beer & soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board  Expert guided excursions  Tea and coffee any time on board  Complimentary Wi-Fi on board  Centrally located superior, or firstclass, hotel accommodation - where land-stays are included

 Europe : Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle & Elbe  France : Bordeaux, Rhône, Seine  Portugal : Douro  Russia : Volga  Asia : Yangtze & Mekong

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Chateaux, Rivers & Wine  8 Days  March-December 2017  Roundtrip from Bordeaux Explore Bordeaux like never before... Discover the ports, vineyards, farms and forests of Aquitaine, once Europe’s richest kingdom. See Bordeaux’s fountains and cellars. Create your own personal blend of Cognac at the Camus distillery. Hunt for truffles in Périgord, then taste them in a home-cooked meal. Savour France’s finest oysters fresh from the bay at Arcachon.

Sip Saint-Émilion, Médoc and Sauternes in their own terroir on an 8-day cruise through Bordeaux—a region synonymous with fine wine and finer living.

Highlights • Savour wines and delicacies in France’s Aquitaine region • ‘Shop with a Chef’ in Bordeaux’s local markets includes a saving of up to

£750pp!

Fares from

£1,895

per person

based on 01 Jul 2017

EXCLUSIVE TO RiverCruising.co.uk Rhine Getaway  8 Days  Apr-Dec 2017

 8 Days  May-Dec 2017

1.  Amsterdam to Basel (or reverse) Highlights • Kinderdijk windmills • beautiful Neckar Valley • Strasbourg’s Petite France includes a saving of up to £750pp!

Fares from

Book any Viking River Cruises holiday in January 2017 and receive

Romantic Danube

£1,645

per person

based on 16 Dec 2017

1.  Budapest to Nuremberg (or reverse) Highlights • Explore Budapest • 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites includes a saving of up to £750pp!

Fares from

£1,545

per person

£100 per person

On Board Spending Money

based on 10 Dec 2017

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

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A Quality To Value Ratio, That Is Unrivalled In 2016, Riviera Travel celebrated an astounding 32 years of providing high quality escorted European & Worldwide tours and river cruises.

Having launched the sale of 2017 river cruises, Riviera Travel are pleased to announce the addition of 5 new five-star ships to their extensive collection sailing the rivers of Europe. The MS Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde and Emily Brontё have not only been specially commissioned to be the most perfect vessels afloat, they are also all-suite ships, meaning style, elegance and luxury is at its highest level.

Their ships in Europe are all exclusively chartered by Riviera Travel. All their cruises are managed by their ever popular Tour Directors and Managers, many of whom have been with the company for over a decade.

Whatever part of Europe or the wider world you want to discover and explore on your river cruise, Riviera Travel’s superb ships - amongst the very finest in the world - are waiting to take you there.

Their 13 exquisite vessels operate 10 carefully crafted itineraries along the Rhine, Moselle, Main, Danube, Rhône, Seine & the Douro.

So where will your river holiday take you?

There are so many Riviera Travel river cruises to choose from that you’ll be truly spoilt for choice – whether you want an eight day break or longer.

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arles  What a beauty the ms Ch

that Dickens is! I especially love oom.  there’s a kettle in each stater

 Escorted by an experienced Cruise Director with extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes included  Surprisingly spacious five-star cabins and suites, all with hotel standard beds and beautifully appointed en-suite bathrooms  Exceptional fine dining cuisine prepared by dedicated, professional chefs on board

Jess “Mopper” - Social Media Guru

 Europe : Danube, Rhine, Moselle & Main  France : Rhône, Seine  Portugal : Douro  India : Ganges  Southeast Asia : Mekong

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland  8 Days  May - October 2017  Cologne to Basel This relaxing Rhine river cruise along one of the most scenic waterways in Europe allows you to enjoy stunning Interlaken and some of the finest Alpine scenery on earth.

After a few days of the breath-taking steep sides of the Rhine Gorge, the expanses of its rift valley and Switzerland’s quintessential alpine peaks home will seem a long way away.

Highlights • Visit to the pretty, romantic town of Rüdesheim - centre of the Rhineland wine trade • An evening in Speyer - dominated by the imposing basilica • Tour of the beautiful Black Forest and lakeside town of Titisee • Tour of some of the finest Swiss Alpine scenery, seeing the Jungfrau and the Eiger, Interlaken and the stunning lakeside town of Lucerne

Fares from

£1,199

per person

based on 10 Oct 2017

The Seine, Paris & Normandy 1.

 8 Days  June to September 2017  Roundtrip from Paris

Highlights • Guided tour of historic Rouen • Guided tour of Paris • Stop in Les Andelys

Fares from

£1,299

per person

based on 01 Jul 2017

Medieval Germany 1.

Blue Danube

 8 Days  May to October 2017  Mainz to Regensburg

Highlights • Visit to Mainz – capital of the Rhineland • Guided tour of medieval Bamberg

Fares from

£1,199

per person

1.

 8 Days  April to October 2017  Roundtrip from Budapest

Highlights • Guided tour of Vienna • Tour of baroque Bratislava • Tour of Salzburg

Fares from

based on 03 Oct 2017

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£1,099 per person based on 24 Oct 2017

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The next few days are a real eye-opener. One of the best things about a cruise between Russia’s two major cities is the fact that you see so much of the country’s interior. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see what life is like for a majority of the country’s residents.It’s the same with any river cruise: to sit on deck and watch life in the tiny towns and villages as you sail by can sometimes be more revealing than seeing the massive metropolises. It’s one of the many reasons why river cruising is becoming so popular.

We call in at towns that have 1,000 years of history. Places that have links to mighty rulers such as Peter the Great and cross over lakes that are so big they look like oceans.

From Russia With Love by Sam Ballard - travel writer A cruise on Russia’s waterways is an interesting proposition. More adventurous than major European rivers such as the Rhine or Danube, but safer than the Nile, it also doesn’t require as much travel – or commitment – as a cruise on an Asian river like the Yangtze, Mekong or Irrawaddy.

Russia is a vast destination, the largest country in the world, and a river cruise is great way to see some of the country’s many highlights. From the European grandeur of St Petersburg, with its streets packed full of palaces, to Moscow, with its proud military history – Russia is a country that many are familiar with yet know comparatively little about.

I boarded my Russian river cruise in St Petersburg where we would be staying for a couple of nights before setting sail for Moscow, with calls at Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy and Uglich before reaching the capital, where we would be staying for another two nights before flying back home.

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St Petersburg is glorious. Built only 300 years ago on former swamplands, it stands proudly on the edge of the Baltic Sea and has a network of canals that make it feel like Venice or Amsterdam.

It is often referred to as Russia’s cultural capital and actually served as the imperial capital for the golden years of the Russian Empire between 1732 and 1918.

In Kizhi we visit an island on Lake Onega, and wonder around Kizhi Pogost, two spectacular wooden churches and a bell tower – one of which has 22 domes. The entire structure is made all the more incredible given that it was built without nails.

It’s like something from Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings.

We tour the city and see Russian Orthodox churches, like the Church of the Saviour on Blood, with its colourful domes, and wander around the cavernous Hermitage Museum, which reportedly has three million exhibits, although only a fraction are on permanent display. If you wanted to see each one, it would take you about seven years to do so.

On one an evening we sit in a decadent theatre and watch the ballet.

After a few nights in St Petersburg (and one too many vodkas) we begin our journey to Moscow.

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In Moscow, we are given a tour of Red Square and the Kremlin. We also ride on the Underground and see some of the most opulent stations in the world. A far cry from dingy Piccadilly Circus – Moscow’s stations are like the corridors of palaces.

Full of chandeliers, marble floors and statues. They were part of Joseph Stalin’s attempts to make the Soviet Union seem a success to the outside world.

Something that surprised me throughout the trip right from day one was the friendliness of Russians.

Whether it was in cafes, on board our ship or just passing people in the street, the atmosphere was always friendly and welcoming. There was none of this trumped up east versus west animosity that goes on between high government officials. The people I met were proud of their country and happy to show it off to outsiders.

I would recommend a Russian river cruise to anyone.

Who cruises there?

Jewels of Russia  May, June or August 2017  Scenic Tsar

• Private Russian ballet concert at the majestic Palace of Prince Vladimir • In Moscow visit the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet a real cosmonaut and learn about the history of space exploration 15 Days from £4,840pp

Waterways of the Tsars  May to October 2017  Viking Helgi, Truvor, Ingvar or Akun

• Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Culture Curriculum: Enjoy onshore music and dance performances; learn a little Russian; listen to lectures about Romanov Tsars, the Soviet Union & current affairs; attend a Russian cooking workshop; participate in Russian tea time 13 Days from £2,845pp

Imperial Waterways of Russia  May, June or July 2017  River Victoria

• St. Petersburg city tour with canal cruise and Alexandrinsky Theatre ballet performance • 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Moscow city tour with Kremlin & Armoury Museum visit 13 Days from £4,460pp

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

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See in 2017, the Scenic Way It’s All Included: From airport transfers and on-board tipping, to once-in-a-lifetime excursions, complimentary drinking and dining, and a private butler service, Scenic have thought of everything. With such peace-of-mind, guests can feel relaxed to indulge as much as they please, without the worry of a large bill at the end of the trip.

Space-Ships: Much like that of a world-class hotel, a Scenic Space-Ship combines the latest innovation with unrivalled opulence. Generously proportioned to feel intimate and spacious in equal measures, five dining venues, a pool, Sun Deck with a walking track, and a Wellness Area make time on-board truly enjoyable.

Suites: With 84% of suites boasting an innovative Sun-Lounge system, transforming your balcony into an all-weather conservatory-style space at the touch of a button, guests can spend time relaxing in their room, enjoying room service or a complimentary drink from the mini bar, as the  picturesque landscapes pass by their window.

Freechoice Activities: From bike rides around enchanting villages and monuments, to  shopping with an on-board chef, a wealth Lyndsay - Cruise Specalist of cultural highlights present something for everyone, at a pace that suits you.

Enrich Excursions: Scenic guests will have exclusive access to some of Europe’s most sought-after hotspots. Medieval banquets at German castles or classical concerts in palatial settings awaken the senses, ensuring guests come away feeling part of select group lucky enough to access Europe’s true magnificence.

whilst I’ve never felt as pampered, Douro on holiday, as I did during my cruise with Scenic...

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 Your own butler  Complimentary beverages all day, everyday  Unique & unforgettable excursions  Six dining venues, from casual to fine dining  The freedom of Scenic’s e-bikes electronically assisted bicycles  Complimentary Wi-Fi internet  All gratuities

 Europe : Rhine, Danube, Main  France : Rhône, Seine  Portugal : Douro  Russia : Volga  Southeast Asia : Irrawaddy, Mekong

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Eastern Enlightenment

NEW FOR 2017

 8 Days  April to May 2017  Belgrade to Bucharest By taking the passage to Eastern Europe, you are invited to travel through the ages and uncover the secrets that neighbour this mighty waterway. Between the colossal natural splendour of the Iron Gate and the turbulent past of Bucharest, a world of beguiling curiosity awaits. Tip-toe through leafy Bulgarian villages, enjoy a unique cocktail event at Kalemegdan Fortress and explore the canals of Tulcea, Romania.

Highlights • Taste your way around the local market on Scenic’s “Shop with a Chef” tour • World Heritage-listed village of Arbanassi • Cruise the spectacular Iron Gates • Small boat exploration of Tulcea • Overnight stay in Bucharest

Save up to £750pp!

Fares from

£1,895

per person

based on 25 Apr 2017

EXCLUSIVE TO RiverCruising.co.uk Beautiful Bordeaux

Rhine Highlights  8 Days  Apr-Oct 2017 1.  Amsterdam to Basel (or reverse) Highlights • Explore Cologne • View the Rhine Gorge from a cable car • Sample chocolates Save up to £1,500pp!

Fares from

£1,545

per person

based on 15 May 2017

 11 Days  Apr-Oct 2017 1.  Roundtrip from Bordeaux Highlights • Sundowners at Château Siaurac • Concert at a Château • Tasting at Rémy-Martin Save up to £1,500pp!

Fares from

£2,845 per person

Savings up to 45%, plus an additional £50 saving, on all Scenic European river cruises, and

FREE

private door-to-door transfers Book your next adventure by 15 February 2017

based on 29 Jun 2017

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

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When Carol, my wife, brought home river cruise brochures for a week’s break, I thought what could a boat on a river possibly do for me?

REVIEW: EMERALD WATERWAYS DANUBE

We speak to Carol and Bill, who both enjoy ocean ship cruising, and felt skeptical about trying a River Cruise.

“Intriguing itineraries, inclusive service, modern and innovative ships, daily guided excursions etc.” were the promises made in Emerald Waterways’ brochure, so I said to Carol, “I’m interested – let’s go!”

We left Manchester for Munich, where at the exit gate a smiling Emerald rep guided us to our transport to Nuremberg - a new, private people’s carrier, that we shared with another couple for our 80 minute journey.

On arrival at the river berth, the Emerald Star lay on the water; sleek, stylish and serene, ‘mmm’ I thought, this is getting very interesting. Simone, our cruise director, met us with drinks and ushered us to reception to register, as our luggage was whisked away in seconds to our Panorama Balcony Suite.

Initial impressions were very good, as I stood within a small threetiered atrium, that also had a ‘lift’ to the two decks above. To be honest it would take too long to write about every feature on the ship (yes, I have been converted!), but I’m sure the team at RiverCruising. co.uk would only be happy to provide the same brochure I had!

Briefly, our cabin was compact and ingeniously designed with copious deep drawer space, and enough room under the bed to store all our luggage. The 180 sq. ft. area was ideal for the week. The ‘inside balcony’ was actually a floor-to-ceiling cabin-width window, where the top half drops down electronically behind the bottom half – Hey presto, a balcony – how good is that!

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Later we met Simona and Albert (Hotel Director) for reception drinks in the small pool area, a tranquil and peaceful place which had a retractable roof over the pool, for sunny weather. And at night, the pool was converted and the area became a cinema – this ship was getting better all the time!

In the morning we cruised the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Kelheim, then continued along the Danube to Regensburg – a well preserved medieval city. As we berthed other river ships were moored up, which gave us the opportunity to compare, needless to say. ‘Star’ was the most superior.

Carol and I did our own walk around the city, viewing several interesting sights – St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Old Stone Bridge, and a historic sausage kitchen! In the evening we had an excellent meal in the spotless and spacious restaurant, then were entertained in a very comfortable and large bar lounge by a traditional Bavarian Band.

Hilarious.

In Passau we did our own walking tour again, visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral (my favourite) with its brilliant Baroque architecture, and housing Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. Fascinating! Who counted them?

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The scenic Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems along the Danube, has charming landscapes dotted with romantic castles and chapels on steep wooded hills. Who carried the stones up there and how??! Lost count of the number of vineyards and orchards along the banks of the river, but we were in Austria’s best wine-growing region.

As the ship moored up in Durnstein a picturesque town, you could see a ruined castle high above it where, apparently, Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Late afternoon we had a Wachau Apricot presentation onboard (locally grown, and used in Wachau cuisine). The liqueur, as I’m sure my fellow cruisers, will agree was delicious! However, the wines produced here are Austria’s best and I would seriously recommend the Gruner Veltliner, a dry white wine of the region. Outstanding!

Vienna, the ‘City of Waltzers’ and more to me. Carol and I had to do the ‘amble’ walking excursion as there was so much to see in Austria’s capital; including the Opera House, Burg theatre, Spanish Riding School, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Imperial Palace and more.

Our tour guide which we could hear on our ‘ear receivers’ was extremely knowledgeable, historically perfect, humorous and helpful in every way. Apparently most River Cruise Tour Guides

have a 5/6 week induction training programme, with Emerald Waterways it is a 2 year course! I flippantly asked the question, “did you get a degree at the end?”, the response was, “no, a job!”

Carol’s first highlight of the cruise, occured in the evening with an exclusive Viennese Concert at the Imperial Palace for Emerald Waterways guests only! Music from Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss by the Vienna Imperial Orchestra and its vocal soloists.

After another superb breakfast, with the ‘egg chef’ providing ‘spot-on’ fluffy omelettes, Carol and I decided to stroll through the city of Bratislava, to enjoy its culture and history. We were amazed by the ‘street music’ and ‘café’ style atmosphere on most streets.

In Budapest, Carol and I walked to Margit Island; it’s probably twice the size of Blackpool’s Stanley Park, with many attractions.

The musical dancing fountain was something else. We hired a ‘Noddy’ electric carto transverse the many ‘Parks’ pathways.

Carol’s driving was like a ‘dervish’ unleashed; I left so sorry for the OAPs that were quietly enjoying the sunshine on the many benches around the park, as they knee-jerked their legs under their chin to avoid amputation as Carol flashed by!

THE highlight of the cruise, without question (and Carol and I agreed on this), was following dinner on our last night in Budapest.

We were all invited to ascend to the ‘sun-deck’ as the ship slipped its moorings in darkness and transversed Margits Island to cruise back up stream. We were met with the splendour of a kaleidoscope of colour, provided by the lights on every building and bridge, the length of Budapest.

Awesome, breathtaking and a fantastic ending to our river cruise.

In conclusion, Emerald Waterways provided an intimate, upmarket river cruise experience, with excellent cuisine, service and comfort.

Without a doubt, we will cruise another river one day – it’s the only way to visit the past and present on nature’s own waterways.

Carol & Bill cruised on Emerald Waterways “Danube Delights”.

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Enjoy 2017, the Emerald Waterways Way Exceptional Emerald Value: Providing guests with once-in-a-lifetime excursions and an unrivalled on-board experience is a priority for Emerald Waterways. From every delightful mouthful and guided tour, to staff tipping, their inclusive promise makes life on-board a relaxing one.

Star-Ships: Designed to introduce the luxury of an ocean cruise to the intimacy of Europe’s rivers, an Emerald Waterways Star-Ship cuts a striking figure on the rivers of Europe and Asia. Combining comfort and innovation, the on-board heated pool is a wonderful way to unwind during the day, before it transforms into a cinema, by night.

Suites: A selection of four cabin grades range from a 162ft² Stateroom to a 315ft² Owner’s OneBedroom Suite. All Balcony Suites provide guests with Emerald Waterways’ unique private balcony function with open-air system which allows you to enjoy the passing views, whatever the weather.

EmeraldACTIVE: A range of EmeraldACTIVE excursions to encourage more out-going  guests to take part in guided bike tours and hikes beyond city limits - completely optional and included in the price. On-board bicycles  also allow guests to explore each destination independently and at their own pace.

Valued Client - travelled on Emerald Star, April 2015 EmeraldPLUS: ‘Extra special excursions’ allowing you to get right to the heart of a village, town or city, experiencing the dayto-day life of locals on authentic adventures, like invitations to dine at the home of locals, or guided tours of famed gardens. Expert tour guides help to create truly unique memories.

er Our first time on board a Riv t it will Cruise and we’re certain tha not be our last!

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 Return flights from a selection of UK airports, including transfers between the airport and the ship  Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are available with lunch and dinner  Free tea and coffee all day every day and a bottle of water in your room which is replenished daily  Eye-opening excursions  On-board tipping

 Europe : Rhine, Danube, Main  France : Rhône, Seine  Portugal : Douro  Southeast Asia : Mekong

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Rhine-Main Discovery  8 Days  July, August & October 2017  Amsterdam to Nuremberg Explore Germany’s two most enigmatic waterways across an eight-day itinerary. Beginning in Amsterdam and continuing on to Cologne, you’ll experience the outstanding natural beauty of the Rhine Gorge and sail past picturesque villages, enjoying an authentic slice of German living.

Highlights • Overnight stay in Amsterdam including city tour • Optional tour to Drachenburg Castle • Pass the impressive Pfalzgrafenstein Castle • Guided hike to Wertheim Castle • In Rüdesheim take the cable car to the Germania monument • Walking tour of the medieval Bavarian town of Miltenberg • Take a walking tour of vibrant Cologne • Absorb the sights of Würzburg on a tour

Save up to £1,000pp!

Fares from

£1,095

per person

based on 06 Oct 2017

EXCLUSIVE TO RiverCruising.co.uk Danube Delights

Sensations of Southern France

 8 Days  Apr-Oct 2017 1.  Nuremberg to Budapest (or reverse) Highlights • Guided Vienna sightseeing • Tour Melk’s Benedictine Abbey • Discover Bratislava Save up to £1,000pp!

Fares from

£1,395

per person

based on 28 Sep 2017

 8 Days  Apr-Oct 2017 1.  Avignon to Lyon Highlights • City walk in Avignon including the Papal Palace • Visit to the Hospice de Beaune Save up to £1,000pp!

Fares from

£1,295

per person

Book any Emerald Waterways European river cruise in January 2017 to SAVE up to £1000pp, PLUS

€250 per stateroom

On Board Spending Money when you book on the Vista or Horizon Deck

based on 26 Aug 2017

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

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Luxury from A Unique Point of View Whether you want to explore the waterways of Europe or venture farther afield, you’ll get a unique perspective of the passing spectacular scenery, from one of the most spacious staterooms.

Choose from Avalon’s wide range of inspirational itineraries, and let your private chauffeur pick you up when you set off and drop you home again when you return.

With one member of staff for every three passengers, Avalon have struck the perfect balance of attentive yet unobtrusive service, and fine cuisine, with wine and beer included. It is sure to tempt you back on board after a day’s sightseeing. You don’t even need to think about gratuities, transfers or port charges when you travel with Avalon, they’ve got it covered.

The One And Only Bed With a View Avalon’s revolutionary Panorama Suites, featured on all Suite Ships, are the most innovative and spacious on the river – just like staying in a floating boutique hotel room. Sized at 200 square feet and 30% larger than those on many other river  cruise lines, the living space is remarkably roomy. Even the placement of the bed is unique: facing the window so that the last thing  you see at night and the first thing you see the Jess - Marketing next morning will be the magnificent passing riverscapes. What could be more relaxing?

Open-Air Balcony Suites Well-appointed Suites feature wall-to-wall sliding panoramic windows opening to create an open-air balcony, as well as a large private bathroom with full shower, spacious storage, L’Occitane bath products, luxurious Comfort Collection beds and Egyptian cotton linens.

ing Quite possibly the most relax e holiday I’ve ever been on. Th excursions were excellent.

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 The largest suites on Europe’s rivers, with beds facing stunning river views  Wall-to-wall panoramic windows that create your own open-air balcony  Private home pick-up service to and from the airport  Return flights - up to 27 UK airports  Sightseeing tours in every port of call  Soft drinks, wine and beer at lunch and dinner

 Europe : Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle & Dutch Waterways  France : Rhône, Seine  Southeast Asia : Irrawaddy, Mekong & Yangtze  Worldwide : Amazon

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Central European Experience  12 Days  March-December 2017  Paris to Prague An introduction to the magnificent Moselle, Rhine, and Main Rivers, plus the fascinating Main Danube Canal. Your holiday begins with two nights in the “City of Light.”, Paris. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Trier, Miltenberg, Würzburg, and Bamberg. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in pretty Rüdesheim, and the Bishop’s Residenz in Würzburg and taste some of the Moselle’s much loved wines in Bernkastel.

Highlights • Travel by high-speed train from Paris to Metz or Luxembourg • Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, and see the legendary Lorelei rock • 2 nights to explore the city of Prague, with a hotel stay to finish your holiday in style

Save up to £855pp!

Fares from

£2,140

per person

based on 30 Apr 2017

EXCLUSIVE TO RiverCruising.co.uk Paris to Normandy  8 Days  Apr-Oct 2017 1.  Roundtrip from Paris

 8 Days  Apr-Dec 2017 1.  Prague to Budapest

Highlights • Monet’s gardens in Giverny • The poignant landing beaches of Normandy Save up to £824pp!

Fares from

£1,325

Book any of the featured Avalon Waterways river cruises in January 2017 and receive

Legendary Danube

per person

based on 04 Apr 2017

Highlights • Beer tasting in Nuremberg • Melk’s Benedictine Abbey • Budapest’s architecture Save up to £800pp!

Fares from

£1,999

per person

€100 per room

On Board Spending Money

based on 12 Aug 2017

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

23

Getting into the festive spirit with the Christmas Markets in towns and cities along the Rhine has never been easier or more luxurious.

REVIEW: TAUCK’S RHINE CHRISTMAS MARKETS

We sent two of our staff, Heather and Carol, to experience their first Tauck river cruise and to find out what it’s like cruising in Northern Europe as winter approaches.

After an effortless transfer from Cologne airport, we were welcomed aboard the MS Grace with warm flannels for your hands and a swift and efficient check in.

We unpacked in our roomy category 5 French balcony room, connected to the complimentary WiFi, and began exploring the ship. There was no mistaking the season as we strolled through MS Grace - Christmas stockings hung outside every room, Christmas garlands of red & gold, twinkly lights and a Christmas tree adorned the public areas and in the Panorama lounge there was even a fantastic edible Gingerbread house and train with a Gracelands theme. Magical!

After an evening on the town in Cologne, and an extremely comfortable night’s sleep (best beds ever!), we awake early, refreshed and ready to embark upon our first tour - the magnificent Coln Cathedral and the Roman Germanic Museum.

The museum is a must see, and Tauck’s guided tour started the moment the museum opened its doors, meaning it was less crowded enabling us to take in all of the history, artefacts, statues and, most impressive of all, the mosaic floor.

After an on-board champagne brunch, in the the Compass Rose dining room, it was time for our first glimpse of a Christmas Market.

In the medieval town of Aachen (reached by a coach transfer), Tauck encourage all to pick up a Tree decoration (with â‚Ź10 that they give each guest). The smells as we wander the markets are incredible... German specialities like Printen, Dominosteine,

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Spekulatius and marzipan bread are amongst the freshly baked tasty delights on offer. Turns out that the decorations we chose are used to decorate our communal Christmas tree đ&#x;Ž„after dinner - great fun and brought out some camaraderie among all the guests.

When we turned in for the night we were greeted with a lovely surprise in our cabin - a Santa tie & hat and a yummy chocolate.

What a way to start your day! I opened the curtains and we were gliding effortlessly along the Rhine as the early morning mist was lifting and it felt almost magical. We went back to bed and just enjoyed the views passing by our french balcony windows.

Our morning is spent gazing at the numerous castles and vineyards, as the MS Grace navigates the UNESCO protected middle Rhine, from the upper deck wrapped in blankets sipping on hot chocolate and sampling a few potato fritters & apple sauce with the sun peeping - a beautiful experience.

One of the highlights of this section of the river is the legendary Loreli Rock which rises at a bend in the Rhine where the river is perilously fast and deep, legend has it a witch, named Lorelei, lured sailors to the rocks with her siren songs!

We arrived at Rudesheim in the afternoon following a discovery briefing, and disembark to visit the Musikkabinnet - a fascinating and unusual collection of music boxes of all descriptions.

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Rudesheim is a lovely quaint town and offers small Christmas market stalls leading off narrow cobbled streets decorated with Christmas trees and lights. After the museum visit Tauck had arranged a cookie making demonstration, and a glass of gluwein to enjoy whilst listening to a local band. A leisurely stroll along the bank via numerous stalls and we are back on-board for dinner.

We awake to another beautiful, crisp, frosty morning, and leave Speyer, on a Mercedes Benz coach, for Heidelberg. The journey takes about 40 minutes, and our on-board guide points out significant highlights on the way, including the Speyer technological museum which includes all modes of transport from WW1 upwards including a spacecraft! Upon arrival we are met by our local guides and split into small groups for our tour of Heidelberg castle - the theme here really is love and romance...

The university town is a city that will capture your heart, and a must-see is the student kiss shop where you can purchase heart shaped chocolate delights to give to a loved one! Then continue shopping, or join in the Yuletide festivities at the local ice rink.

We were taken to a traditional German brau house where we experienced German sausage, sauerkraut and what is best described as macaroni cheese with bacon bits - delicious! The meals, when travelling with Tauck, are so authentic and traditional that they don’t just complete the experience, they make it extra special - our fellow guests certainly agreed with us that this is just one detail that makes cruising with Tauck different.

Our next call was Plitterdorf, from which we are taken by coach to Baden-Baden. Our local guide took us on a walking tour of the town. It’s freezing today, but the sun is starting to peep through

and the town looks so pretty covered in frost. Baden is best known for its thermal baths, so don’t forget your bathing suit if you fancy a dip!

The following day saw us in Strasbourg - the home of the original Christmas market, dating back to 1570! After an in depth walking tour of the old city (which is not recommended for those with mobility issues) you finish outside the Notre Dame du Strausbourg cathedral. You can choose to return to the ship (using one of the scheduled shuttles) or enjoy some free time in the city.

After an early lunch on board we decided to burn off some of the Gluwein calories and go for a bike ride along the river. The paths are flat and perfect for cycling, we even cycled over the Europa bridge which has fantastic views.

The next day was a long day of sightseeing but certainly worth it as this was the prettiest part of the trip - Colmar tops the travel guides as one of the most beautiful towns in France, although novelist George Duhamel went further and declared it the most beautiful little town on the planet! They’re not wrong! It’s storybook picture-perfect. We’re sure that Colmar’s medieval centre of cobbled streets, canals, and early Renaissance buildings are enchanting in any season - but never more so than at Christmas.

Disembarkation day in Basel began with a beautiful view of Switzerland, where we would definitely recommend that you extend your stay in the nearby Tauck hotel.

Our Tauck River cruise was nothing short of understated elegance, the staff on-board the MS Grace were fantastic from the moment we stepped on-board, and every whim was taken care of.

We hope you enjoy your Tauck River cruise as much as we did!

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The Most Exclusive Experiences Ashore Europe’s Waterways Delivering truly inspirational travel experiences has defined Tauck for the past 90+ years, ever since Arthur Tauck Sr, took six guests on the first road trip to the places he really knew and loved in New England. He gave his guests an insider’s point of view - and Tauck are still doing that today, providing access to experiences you could never have on your own. Their European river cruise architects spend countless hours researching, crafting and curating Tauck Exclusives for every journey. In 2017 they will introduce their two newly re-designed riverboats sailing in France, ms Sapphire and ms Emerald, now reconfigured to carry a maximum of 98 guests - offering Tauck’s most intimate cruising experience. They have also increased the number of departures for their family river cruising with sailings on the Seine, Rhône, Rhine and Danube; a great way for families to bond over creative, active and cultural moments.

Whether you’re exploring the Rhine or the Danube, the Rhône, Seine, Maas or Moselle;  the magic of Tauck’s award-winning European river cruises lies in more than just the riverboat you’re aboard or the landmarks you’ll visit. It’s  in the intimate atmosphere and personalised Tauck guest, Rhine - Oct 2016 service you’ll enjoy aboard the customdesigned riverboats of Tauck’s Destination Fleet. The places you’ll discover off the beaten path, along with the must-see sights you just have to experience. The uncommon access to local culture and the exclusive destination experiences you just can’t get on your own.

Tauck never settle for ordinary because you deserve much more from a river cruise.

ding Beyond expectation! Outstan y. personal service in every wa ark.

Personal service is their hallm

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 No Single Supplement on every sailing in category 1 rooms  Everything included in the price - You can sail with Tauck and literally not have to put your hand in your pocket.

Not just private entrance to museums/ galleries but beautiful dining experiences in palaces & chateaux, sampling the local cuisines and wine  All tips (local and onboard), entrance fees, private visits etc are included  The only extras on ship are hairdresser, massage, cruise shop… that’s it!  Transfers are always included whether you take the flights or not

 Europe : Rhine, Danube, Main  France : Rhône, Seine

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

French Waterways  10 Days  April - October 2017  Paris to Lyon It’s hard to imagine a more enjoyable cruise than gliding along the Rhône through the vineyard country from which come some of the world’s most exceptional wines.

But first... meet Tauck on the Champs Élysées for a welcome dinner at a Parisian brasserie long known as a celebrity hangout.

Highlights See a 14th-century palace designed for papal splendour, Roman ruins, a medieval abbey, play petanque, and a Roman aqueduct’s design that remains a lasting beauty.

En route, taste an aged Beaujolais, a Côtes du Rhône direct from the source, world-renowned chocolates, and superb cheeses.  entire trip was magical! The

The organisation of the trip was terrific!

EXCLUSIVE TO RiverCruising.co.uk

Book before 28 Feb 2017 to benefit from a complimentary night at a luxury hotel pre or post cruise.



plus

Fares from

£3,615

per person

based on 19 Apr 2017

Complimentary home pick-up service worth up to £300

Danube Reflections  12 Days  May to October 2017  Vienna to Prague (or reverse) Vienna is your starting point (with an idyll in the Viennese Woods), followed by a sumptuous evening of champagne, dining and music at a Vienna palace. From here your riverboat journey unfolds like a dream: dramatic river landscapes, fairy-tale castles, Roman ruins, and romantic villages; wine tastings, a private lunch at a Cesky Krumlov castle, and so much more.

Highlights Dramatic river landscapes, fairy-tale castles, Roman ruins, and romantic villages, the epicurean delights of Wachau Valley, wine tastings, a private lunch at a Cesky Krumlov castle, a mountaintop abbey drenched in lavish Baroque art, and the eclectic charm of Bratislava. 

It was so very nice to be taken care of in  every possible way

Fares from

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

£3,770

per person

based on 11 May 2017

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Whichever way visitors experience it, the seven days travelling on the Mekong will pass in a blur of one-off experiences to be remembered for years.

For example, an overnight stay the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh is full of contrasts. A heartwrenching visit to the Killing Fields memorials could be followed by Happy Hour cocktails at Raffles Hotel or a $10 rub-down in a downtown massage parlour.

Deeper into the jungle, guides will take guests to a fish farm and to an agricultural community where smiling women might be busy picking fiery chillis.

Not too busy that they won’t have time to break off and pat the stomachs of the more portly male passengers, who can become Happy Buddhas for a day.

The Magnificent Mekong by John Honeywell (Captain Greybeard) - travel writer It was Lara Croft who introduced most of the western world to Angkor Wat, but she is not the only Tomb Raider to have plundered these Cambodian relics.

The temple complexes form the biggest religious monument in the world – lost to the jungle until rediscovered by French archaeologists in the 19th Century. They largely survived the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that killed off much of the population and brought the country to its knees in the 1970s and 80s but more recently they came under attack from bounty hunting invaders from Thailand. Now the greatest threat comes from the millions of tourists who are allowed to climb over them pretty much at will.

The temples were built for Hindu worship and later converted for Buddhists by a Cambodian king who changed his country’s religion. Nowadays, visitors can ascend to the highest point of Angkor

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Wat and join marauding macaques to clamber over the many faces of Bayon temple. A little further on, it’s fascinating to see how Ta Prohm – the real Tomb Raider temple – is being reclaimed once again by the jungle, with giant trees growing out of the stonework.

Serene monks will offer blessings on a visit to their monastery, while elsewhere hard labour is the order of the day as workers in a brick factory cut clay to be fired in kilns which burn barrow-loads of rice husks.

Before much longer, these intricately-carved sandstone structures will inevitably be roped off and the numbers of visitors will be restricted. A new visitor centre is under construction, and eco-friendly electric transport will soon replace the swarms of tuk-tuks that deliver many of Angkor’s two million visitors a year from their hotels and hostels in nearby Siem Reap.

For many passengers on a Mekong River cruise, a stay in the town’s luxury hotels is an essential part of the holiday. Just as important are extended stays in Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, which perfectly bracket a week on the water.

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

A morning tour of a food market can be a challenging experience, too. Fruit and vegetables are piled high at the roadside and there are more varieties of fish than it’s possible to name. If some of the meat looks unrecognisable it’s probably best not to ask what animal it comes from. Strong stomachs will not be deterred from sampling the local KFC – Khmer Fried Crickets – or the deepfried tarantulas.

Passengers familiar with European river cruising will find their floating homes on the Mekong are a little different from the long, low vessels on the Rhine or the Danube. Here there is plenty of teak, bamboo and brass, with probably no more than about 30 cabins on each. Local dancers will be brought in for entertainment at least one night of the cruise, and other entertainment will probably include showings of films such as The Killing Fields and The Quiet American.

Who cruises there?

Luxury Mekong  Jan-Apr & Aug-Dec 2017  Scenic Spirit

• Unlimited complimentary branded drinks • Enriching experiences, such as a Monk blessing in Oudong, or high tea in Phnom Penh • Take a cyclo ride from Cham village • Meet the young novice monks at Wat Hanchey 12 Days from £3,490pp

Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights  July 2017 to April 2018  AmaLotus

• Free flights & savings of up to £2,000 per couple^ • Home-to-airport transfers by private car† • 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City & 3 nights in Siem Reap • Sunrise experience at Angkor Wat • Guided city tour in Phnom Penh by tuk tuk 15 Days from £3,295pp

A Journey on the Mekong  April, October & November 2017  RV Mekong Prestige II

• Gaze in awe at the magnificent city and temples of Angkor, the greatest ancient site in Asia • See the fascinating Cu-Chi tunnels, a poignant reminder of the US-Vietnam conflict • Visit the teeming floating markets of Kampong Chhnang and Cai Be 15 Days from £3,199pp

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

29

The World’s Only Authentic Boutique River Cruise Line Multi-award-winning river cruise line Uniworld is renowned for its outstanding service, offering indisputable luxury on-board. The Uniworld experience embodies style, comfort and sophistication, and guests will find gourmet dining venues, beautifully-appointed suites and staterooms and much more aboard a unique and elegant Uniworld river cruise ship.

Uniworld is committed to delivering the highest standards of excellence in luxury river cruising.

‘No request too large, no detail too small’ is the credo of the Uniworld staff, who go above and beyond to create an extraordinary experience for guests.

Uniworld’s truly all-inclusive European voyages provide guests with unsurpassed convenience as they venture through the continent’s waterways in style. With everything included in the price, such as fully hosted excursions with personalisation options, all onboard local entertainment, all gratuities onboard and onshore, and internet and Wi-Fi access guests can rest assured that their experience along Europe’s waterways will be  everything it should be and more.

From the rivers of Europe to more exotic locales – India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Egypt  – Uniworld’s journeys provide an intimate and Patrick, European Jewels up-close view of some of the world’s oldest civilisations. Exploring ancient treasures by day with hosted small-group excursions, and enjoying five-star hotels and elegant ships at night, our guests can be treated to the unsurpassed Uniworld experience worldwide.

It’s a truly unique experience, unlike any other journey in the world.

s On a scale of 1 to 10, this wa a 12.

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 All scheduled airport transfers  All gratuities – onboard and onshore  All meals onboard – with a farm-totable culinary philosophy, be treated to world-class dining  Unlimited beverages onboard – incredible local wines; craft beers; premium spirits; speciality coffees; fine teas; and soft drinks  All shore excursions, personalised to suit your interests  24-hour room service and concierge services - New in 2017  In-suite butler service - European ships

 Europe : Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Po, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Garonne, Dordogne & Douro  India : Ganges  Russia : Volga  Asia : Yangtze, Mekong

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Castles Along The Rhine  8 Days  March - November 2017  Basel to Amsterdam Find inspiration in the romantic, soul-stirring beauty of the fabled Rhine. Flowers tumble from baskets lining streets of half-timbered houses, and lights glint off quiet canals. A mighty river carries ships through a landscape shaped by time and history. The spires of medieval churches and castles appear around each bend, and vineyards climb the verdant hillsides.

Highlights • Exclusive Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting • “Do as the Locals Do” Strasbourg walking tour • Exclusive guided “Go Active” bike ride, and Marksburg Castle visit • Kölsch beer tasting

One of the most fabulous trips I have ever  taken

Book any Uniworld European River Cruise, departing in 2017, by 31st January and SAVE £250-£1,150 per person

NEW SHIP

S.S. Joie de Vivre

Fares from

£2,199

per person

based on 05 Nov 2017

SAVE £1,150 UP TO



per person

Paris & Normandy  8 Days  Mar-Nov 2017 & Mar-Nov 2018  Roundtrip from Paris A journey steeped in wonder. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau Gaillard, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. History buffs will be fascinated by D-Day sites and Rouen where Joan of Arc was martyred.

Highlights • Exclusive guided “Go Active” bike ride to Giverny and hike to Château Gaillard • Exclusive guided “Go Active” golfing excursions • ‘Do as the Locals Do” Île de la Cité and Latin Quarter Tour • Seine riverbank bike ride 

Once in a lifetime trip turned out better  then all expectations

Fares from

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

£2,719

per person

based on 29 Oct 2017

31

Cruise the dynamic waterways of China, Southeast Asia and India With award-winning Wendy Wu Tours you can journey along the mighty Yangtze; voyage the verdant Mekong; meander along the Irrawaddy or Chindwin in Burma, or unwind in the serenity of the Keralan backwaters in India. The never-ending scenery, culture and riverbank riches will fascinate you.

Choose from some of the most iconic river cruises in Asia and enjoy the exceptional experiences and natural highlights of the region. The group tours offered by Wendy Wu give you the opportunity to tick off some of the big sights of your chosen area whilst also enjoying the pleasures of river cruising. Whilst the river cruise may not be the focus of these itineraries, it is very much a central part of it, allowing you to experience your chosen country in a variety of ways.

Travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of – from international flights, visas and accommodation; and all the touring listed on your itinerary. You’ll also be accompanied by an industry leading National Escort.



For a more luxurious travel experience, ask us about Wendy Wu’s ‘Exclusive Collection’ tours which feature small groups, five-star accommodation and a range of exclusive experiences - Sip Champagne on the Great Wall of China, gain a first-hand account of current excavation projects at the Terracotta Warriors, cruise on Halong Bay in pure luxury, get hands on with a Vietnamese cooking class and savour a cocktail on a rooftop bar with an enviable view over Shanghai’s Huangpu River.

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 20 year’s experience  Fully Inclusive prices  Authentic dining and delicious local cuisine  Hassle-free visa service included  Award winning guides

liday one Excellent guide made the ho  to remember

Valued Client - Majestic Yangtze, November 2016

 China : Yangtze & Li  India : Brahmaputra & Kerala Backwaters  Southeast Asia : Irrawaddy & Mekong

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Vietnam Highlights  18 Days  Selected dates Feb-Nov 2017 & Jan-Nov 2018  Saigon to Halong Bay Appreciate the very best of Vietnam’s wonderful sights with a leisurely itinerary that takes you from the verdant Mekong Delta and booming Saigon in the south to graceful Hanoi and magnificent Halong Bay in the north with captivating landscapes and rich heritage in between.

Highlights • Discover the lush Mekong Delta, the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’ • Infiltrate the mystery tunnel system of the Vietcong at Cu Chi • Visit the stunning Nha Trang beach • Experience the charming beauty of Hoian ancient town • Immerse yourself in the dynastical architecture of Hue • Drift on emerald waters amongst the picturesque peaks of Halong Bay  Mekong Delta and Halong Bay were as

The good as they are made out to be

EXCLUSIVE TO RiverCruising.co.uk

Book either Wonders of China or Vietnam Highlights, departing in 2017, by 31st January and SAVE £100pp



Fares from

£2,590 per person

based on 14 Apr 2017

SAVE £100 per person

Wonders of China  16 Days  Mar-Nov 2017 & Mar-Nov 2018  Beijing to Shanghai China is a land of many wonders – ancient and modern, natural and man-made. This hugely popular tour is a comprehensive journey through China’s most iconic sights from the magnificent Great Wall to the mighty Yangtze River.

Highlights • Wander along the incredible Great Wall of China • Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors • Enjoy four nights on the Yangtze for a glimpse of China past and present • Get up close and personal with the Pandas of Chongqing • Absorb the rural serenity of the Li River and Yangshuo • Marvel at the city of Shanghai on a Huangpu River Cruise 

Really excellent service, the national tour  guide was first class.

Fares from

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

£2,990 per person

based on 05 Nov 2017

33

Authentic and Culturally Engaging Cruises in Europe.

Amadeus River Cruises is a family-owned and operated company with over 40 years of river cruise experience. The Amadeus fleet features 10 multi award-winning vessels which offer spacious outside cabins, the majority with a French Balcony or a walk-out exterior balcony. Aboard all of the Amadeus vessels, hospitality is more than just a tradition, it is a passion - a passion you will experience in every detail. With English speaking staff and crew trained to the highest standards of service, the ambience on board is relaxed yet impeccably gracious, designed to make you feel right at home in the heart of Europe.

Your cruise experience includes gourmet dining including buffet breakfasts, multi-course lunch and dinner menus, afternoon tea and midnight snacks. Free-flowing local wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner as well as complimentary tea and coffee at the 24 hour coffee station and bottled water in your cabin.

The ships feature modern technology including  complimentary Wi-Fi. A great choice of optional excursions at every stop allows you to customise your experience,  or you can also enjoy the freedom that the Amadeus River Cruises guest complimentary bicycles on board provide.

With every guided excursion you are offered an ultra-lightweight wireless Amadeus Audio System so you won’t miss a thing.

Amadeus offer a choice of fascinating river cruises for every season and occasion, including itineraries that span the breadth of Europe from Amsterdam to the Black Sea.

care of Every detail was well taken ulous. and the cabins were simply fab

34

 Single Supplements from just 15%  Shorter duration cruises from just 3nts  Themed cruises including Classical Music, Rhine in Flames and Christmas Markets  Danube Delta itineraries featuring an optional Delta boat safari  Complimentary use of onboard bicycles  Award Winning vessels

 Europe : Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Rhône, Saône, Seine and Dutch & Belgian Waterways  France : Rhône, Saône & Seine

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

1200 Miles Along The Danube  11 Days  15 October 2017  Bucharest to Vienna The Beautiful Blue Danube flows from humble beginnings in Germany’s Black Forest through the richness of the Danube Delta before emptying into the Black Sea. During your cruise, explore the famous cities of Vienna, Belgrade & Bucharest to name just a few. Take in the scenery as you pass through the Iron Gates, the natural border between Serbia & Romania.

No other cruise along the Beautiful Blue Danube takes you through the heartland of Europe quite like this. Experience the sights and sounds that 1,200 miles along the Danube offers.

Highlights • Don’t miss out on the boat excursion into the Delta Safari where you will be up close and personal with some 300 species of birds including cormorants and white tailed eagles!

Fares from

£1,699 per person

based on 15 Oct 2017

Tulip Serenade  8 Days  April to May 2017 1.

1.  Roundtrip from Amsterdam Highlights Celebrate springtime in Holland and Belgium, visit Keukenhof in bloom, and discover the riches of Ghent, Antwerp, & Bruges

Fares from

£1,299 per person

based on 27 Apr 2017

Danube Rhapsody

Classical Rhine

 8 Days  Apr-Oct 2017

 8 Days  Mar-Nov 2017  Amsterdam to Basel (or reverse)

1.  Roundtrip from Passau Highlights Pass through 4 European countries (Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia) and 3 capitals (Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava)

Fares from

£1,659

per person

Highlights Sample Dutch ingenuity, pictureperfect German towns, the scenic Rhine Gorge, sophisticated Strasbourg, and vibrant Basel

Fares from

based on 01/08 Jun 2017

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

£1,449

per person

based on 03/10/31 Oct 2017

35

GOING SOLO Finding a good deal when you’re travelling by yourself remains the most emotive subject when we talk about cruising...

TAUCK

All Inclusive Luxury

Tauck offer great value for solo travellers, in fact there are no single supplements on all of their European River Cruises in Category 1 rooms. In addition, solo travellers also enjoy savings of £650 per cabin in Category 4 and 5 on selected departures.

Who you travel with can be so important - meeting interesting, like-minded people is a big part of the Tauck experience.

THE RHINE, SWISS ALPS & AMSTERDAM

We believe there’s no better holiday than a river cruise to travel alone on. River cruises offer the perfect environment to make new friends, escape to quiet areas and enjoy the informal touring nature of the shore excursions, especially the walking tours around towns and villages.

Whilst we know there’s always room for improvement, there are a few river cruise lines that are leading the way when it comes to providing more affordable options for solo travellers.

Follow the romantic river on its winding journey from Switzerland to the Netherlands, with a 7-night cruise plus two nights in Bern. You’ll experience medieval winetowns, cathedrals, castles, museums, and river landscapes of the kind that inspired JMW Turner and Richard Wagner. Begin with a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in Bern, with an idyll in Lucerne; then sail from Basel with visits to Colmar, Stuttgart, Rudesheim and Cologne... a Tauck Exclusive evening of dinner and music at Schloss Ehreshoven... a visit to the windmills of Kinderdijk, and exploration of Amsterdam including a canal boat tour along the city’s historic waterways.

10 days from £3,790 Based on Category 1 room on 18 July 2017

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Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

RIVIERA TRAVEL

Great Value

AMADEUS

A Wealth of Choice

Riviera Travel believe travelling on your own doesn’t have to mean travelling alone. Riviera Travel offer river cruise holidays with zero single supplement on the lead cabin grade, and whilst hotels prices generally work out a little more for single occupancy rooms, Riviera Travel will never charge you extra for meals, excursions, flights, rail journeys or transfers.

Having no one but yourself to decide what to do each day is a rare luxury. This is why Amadeus have designed each of their journeys with the single traveller in mind. In addition, they offer significant savings to independent travellers and allocate more single space on every departure.

CRUISING THE HEART OF EUROPE

CLASSICAL DANUBE

Crossing half way across Europe, absorb amazing changes, incredible variety of medieval towns, UNESCO heritage sites, Gutenberg bibles, Marc Chagall’s stained glass and sights too numerous to mention.

• Admire the stunning scenery of the Rhine Gorge, Main and Danube • Guided tour of Koblenz • Visit picturesque Boppard, Rüdesheim, Mainz and Passau. • See Miltenberg, Wertheim, Melk Abbey and Regensburg • Guided tours of Würzburg, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest • Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg • Tour of Nuremberg Incl. visit of the site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials and Nazi rally grounds

This cruise starts in Budapest, Hungary’s throbbing capital city, and leads first along the Danube upstream to Passau. Highlights of the journey are optional sightseeing tours of Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Passau and Regensburg.

The optional visit to the Benedictine Abbey at Melk and the cruise through the adjacent picturesque landscape of Austria’s Wachau district are truly memorable.

On this trip to the heart of Europe you will not only enjoy its wonderful scenery but also learn much about its countries, cultures and people.

15 days from £2,529

8 days from £1,299

Based on Romeo deck on 27 July 2017

Based on a C-4 room on 04 October 2017

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

37

A SHARED EXPERIENCE We make sure our travel specialists, and the team working behind them, have as much River Cruising experience as possible. This is so that you know, when you talk to us, you’re getting advice from someone with first-hand knowledge.

Every year, in November, CLIA run a river cruise convention that the majority of our team attend. This gives each member of our team the opportunity to board ships from practically every river cruise line, meaning even if they haven’t cruised with a line, they will have at least experienced an example of the line’s ships. In addition to those ship visits, here’s a snapshot of just some of the river cruising experience our team have: Becky Hawker - Travel Specialist

Gill Williams - Leisure Agent of the Year 2016

Carol Reynolds - Holds the purse strings

Cruised with Riviera Travel Experienced the Rhine

Cruised with Emerald Waterways, Scenic & Tauck Experienced the Rhine & Danube

Cruised with Emerald Waterways Experienced the Danube

Darren Hilsdon - Travel Specialist

Lyndsay Patterson - Travel Specialist

Debs - After Sales

Cruised with Avalon Waterways Experienced the Seine

Cruised with Tauck & Avalon Waterways Experienced the Main and Seine

Cruised with Viking River Cruises Experienced the Danube

Hollie Rigney - Travel Specialist

Cherie Howells - Travel Specialist

Jess Nuttall - Social Media Guru

Cruised with Viking River Cruises Experienced the Danube - about to do the Yangtze!!

Cruised with Avalon Waterways Experienced Seine

Cruised with APT, Scenic & Viking River Cruises Experienced the Mekong & Danube

Carol Limacher - Travel Specialist

Sue Smith - Travel Specialist

Lewis Johnston - Award-winning Marketeer

Cruised with Tauck Experienced the Rhine

Cruised with Viking River Cruises Experienced the Danube

Rachel Harryman - Travel Specialist

Heather Ascroft - Team Leader

Cruised with Viking River Cruises Experienced Bordeaux region

Cruised with Tauck & Emerald Waterways Experienced the Rhine

Cruised with Tauck, Avalon Waterways & AmaWaterways Experienced the Rhine, Dutch Waterways, Danube & Main

Kym Proudnikov - Travel Specialist

Sinead Scott - Marketing

Cruised with Tauck Experienced the Main & Danube

Cruised with Avalon Waterways & Tauck Experienced Dutch Waterways & the Danube

Daniel Latimer - Travel Specialist

Jess Clayton - Marketing

Cruised with Avalon Waterways & Scenic Experienced the Seine & Danube

Cruised with Avalon Waterways Experienced the Seine

38

Phil Nuttall - The man in charge Cruised with Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Tauck, Emerald Waterways, Scenic & Wendy Wu Experienced the Rhine, Danube, Dutch Waterways & the Yangtze

Secure your River Cruise today - Call RiverCruising.co.uk on 0800 810 8220

Luxury barges cruising along France’s most scenic rivers and canals.

Explore the majestic vineyards of Burgundy or the medieval villages of Provence. Drift past blazing fields of sunflowers and hilltop châteaux.

Discover France at a leisurely pace, through picturesque locks and riverbanks lined with fishermen.

Every night the barge berths in a new location. A gourmet dinner is served on board before settling down to sleep, lulled by the lapping waters.

Lazy hours on deck are combined with exciting activities ashore. Bicycles are stored on board to explore the local area.

Private transport is available for longer excursions, complete with a driver and knowledgeable guide.

If you’re planning a special occasion, it doesn’t get much more special than this!

Ask to speak to Phil personally, and discuss chartering an entire barge.

Call 0800 810 8220, or visit RiverCruising.co.uk for more information

RiverCruising.co.uk THE RIVER CRUISE EXPERTS

If undelivered please return to: The Cruise Village, 298 Highfield Road, Blackpool, Lancashire. FY4 3JU

Enquire & Book Today

Book with the UK's Small Cruise Agency of the Year

 0800 810 8220  RiverCruising.co.uk *Recommend a Friend offer is applicable to new river cruise bookings from 01 January 2017. The £50 per booking discount will be applied at time of final payment, and cannot be used towards the holiday deposit. “Friend” booking must be made within 28 days of original customer’s booking, and must be a new customer to RiverCruising.co.uk.

All fares shown in this booklet are based on two adults sharing the lead grade of stateroom, inclusive of flights (where applicable), resort transfers, and taxes - unless stated otherwise. All itineraries, dates and pricing were correct at time of going to print but are subject to change and availability.

All promotions and offers are subject to availability, apply to bookings made in GBP, and can be changed/withdrawn at any time without notice. For general booking conditions including advice on ATOL/ABTA protection, full promotion terms and conditions, applicable ships and sail dates, full promotion combinability restrictions, cancellation charges and other information, please visit the relevant River Cruise Line’s page on our RiverCruising.co.uk website or speak to one of our River Cruise Specialists. All information is correct as at 6th December 2016 but we reserve the right to change or withdraw this supplement at any time, but in any event the supplement will automatically become invalid on 28th February 2017. We take every reasonable precaution to ensure the details are accurate, but occasionally errors might occur and we reserve the right to advise you of any corrections at the time you book. E&OE.

( 0800 810 8222

ABTA NO. P6710