A personal note from Ales!
River cruising has become extremely popular in a very short time and with river cruise lines adding new ships almost every year, there are some great offers to be had, which is the reason for this special newsletter just before the end of the month.
One of my personal favorite river cruise lines, AMA Waterways, has some great offers which means free airfares on select cruises as well as reduced cruise rates. On top of this we are able to offer a $ 300 shipboard credit per couple on many sailings for 2015.
One of the itineraries for which special pricing is available (starting at $ 2,899 cruise only), is the “Paris & Normandy” cruise on the river Seine.
And if that wasn’t enough, I have listed all the inclusions which can be found on all AMA Waterways river cruises below for you:
- Deluxe cruise accommodations in an outside stateroom – most staterooms offer French balconies.
- “Limited Edition Tours”
- Life-enriching tours with personal headset included
- Entertainment on demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library and English language TV stations
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
- Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms
- Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
- Multiple dining venues
- Unlimited red & white wines from France’s great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board
- Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Transfer from the ship to the hotel in Paris
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Paris at the Pullman Montparnasse (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
- Special highlights including lectures, theme dinners, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and afternoon/evening piano music
- Services of professional Cruise Manager
- All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
- Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise and land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare from AmaWaterways
- All local taxes
Other itineraries are also available for this special rate and amenities. If you would like more information on the different options, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Also, watch out for our February newsletter, which will be send to you within the next 2 weeks, for some great tips for an unforgettable cruise to Alaska this summer!
Featured Itinerary
Day 1 DEPART USA/CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Paris, France.
Day 2 ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE – EMBARKATION
Arrive in Paris and embark to your luxurious ship. Meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 3 VERNON
Spend the morning enjoying the scenery along the Seine as you cruise to the provincial town of Vernon. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the town at your leisure. Later, you will visit Giverny and the home and gardens of Impressionist master Claude Monet. The artist lived here for more than four decades and immortalized his ponds and flower gardens in some of his most iconic paintings. The ship moors overnight in Vernon. (B,L,D)
Day 4 VERNON – CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX
After a scenic morning cruise on the Seine, arrive in the old fishing village of Caudebec. You will have a choice of two different tours. The first option is to visit Honfleur, a historic and picturesque port with pastel-colored houses that was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. The town’s medieval Sainte-Catherine church, with its separate bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. As an alternative, choose the “Routes des Abbayes” excursion spotlighting Normandy’s famous abbeys, more than 100 of which once covered this region. You will visit the ruined abbey in Jumièges as well as St. Wandrille, still a working monastery. (B,L,D)
Day 5 CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX – NORMANDY BEACHES
Today, you have the choice of three different excursions. “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion to the US sector. Your first stop will be the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. You will have free time to see the museums and have lunch on your own before visiting the US Cemetery and Omaha Beach at St. Laurent-sur-Mer. Your last stop is the Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc before returning to the ship in Rouen.
As an alternative, you can tour the British and Canadian sectors. Your first stop will be the Pegasus Monument in Ranville, followed by the Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer. You will also have the chance to visit the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s WWII museum, with a final stop at Arromanches.
A third option is an excursion to rural Normandy, which includes a visit to the Pays d’Auge and “Routes du Cidre” (the Cider Road). You will visit beautiful Norman towns and villages, such as Beuvron-en-Auge, Crevecoeur-en-Auge and Cambremer, and tour a Calvados distillery where you may sample apple cider and apple brandy. (B,L,D)
Day 6 ROUEN
Enjoy a morning walk through the medieval city of Rouen and see the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore Rouen on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 7 LES ANDELYS – CONFLANS
Depart Rouen early this morning and enjoy scenic cruising on the Seine to Les Andelys. An mid-day stroll along the river offers beautiful views of the Seine Valley’s dramatic white cliffs, centuries-old half-timbered houses, and the hilltop ruins of Château Gaillard. This former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart changed hands a number of times during the Hundred Years’ War. Athletically-inclined guests may enjoy hiking up to visit the ruins of this historic castle before we continue our cruise along the Seine. The ship arrives tonight in Conflans. (B,L,D)
Day 8 CONFLANS — PARIS
Today, you have a choice of two excursions. The first option is to visit Château Malmaison, former home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Your tour includes the Château’s interior, gardens and museum. Alternatively, travel to Auvers-sur-Oise, a town famous for the Impressionist painters who lived there in the 19th century, such as Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro. Your “Artists’ Walk” tour will include many sites associated with their work, including the Auberge Ravoux, former home of Vincent van Gogh. The upstairs room where Van Gogh died has been meticulously preserved. He and his brother Theo are both buried in the nearby town cemetery. The ship departs this afternoon for Paris, arriving in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 9 PARIS – DISEMBARKATION
After disembarking the ship this morning, guests participating in the post cruise extension in Paris will enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris plus a visit to one of the city’s most renowned museums, the Musée d’Orsay, built in a former railway station on the Left Bank. Its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces is the largest in the world and includes well-known works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh. After touring the museum, you will be transferred to your hotel. (B)
Day 10 PARIS
Today is yours to enjoy however you wish. Explore Paris’ multitude of landmarks, museums, cafes and shops, or choose one of several optional tours. (B)
Day 11 DEPART PARIS
Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
If you would like to stay a little longer in France, maybe a couple of days on the beautiful Cote d’Azur or travel on to another destination in Europe, this can be easily arranged and I’d be more than happy to assist you with your travel plans and make this an unforgettable and unique journey.
About Ales
I’ve been passionate about travel ever since I can remember. Having had the opportunity to travel all around the world for many years it’s my greatest desire to enrich peoples lives in a profound way by creating unforgettable journeys, and give each of my clients the amazing experiences I’ve had throughout my travels.
By allowing me to design your journeys, you can be assured that you will be taken care of from the moment we start planning your vacation until the moment you return. Contact me and let me know where you would like to go or let me help you find the destination that will give you the experience you are looking for.
May all your travels stir your soul and change your life forever – Ales.
