Guests will be invited to join Aqua Expeditions CEO and Founder, Francesco Galli Zugaro and celebrated Chefs, David Thompson and Pedro Miguel Schiaffino on a series of Mekong and Amazon River cruises in 2016.

These hosted voyages will provide guests with an insight into the entrepreneurial vision, local inspiration and design details that have combined to create exceptional luxury small ship cruising, incredible travel adventures, absolute comfort and wonderful dining experiences at a relaxed and easy pace on two of the world's most fascinating waterways.

With the creation of Aqua Expeditions and building of three beautiful cruisers - Aqua Mekong, Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon - Francesco Galli Zugaro, a modern-day adventure seeker, realised his dream of bringing the world to remote and untouched locations and providing an opportunity to interact with beautiful people - young and old. At the same time, guests are able to delve into the culture and history of local communities along the rivers' paths and see amazing animal, bird, fish and plant life across breathtaking landscapes.

In addition to the experiences available to guests on all Aqua Mekong cruises, Francesco will take guests on the hosted voyages on a bike riding adventure to local markets along the Mekong and kayaking on the gentle flows of the Amazon to spot the captivating local wildlife. Francesco will also share his vision which lead to Aqua Expeditions, over evening cocktails.

Francesco Galli Zugaro Hosted Departures
Aqua Mekong
7-Night Expedition Cruise: 26 August - 2 September 2016
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Aqua Amazon
7-Night Expedition Cruise: 19 – 26 November 2016
Nauta (Iquitos), Peru to Nauta

David Thompson, who has been consulting Executive Chef on Aqua Mekong since the vessel's inaugural cruise in October 2014, is well known in Australian-circles having run the acclaimed restaurants, Darley Street Thai and Sailor's Thai in Sydney before moving onto open the Michelin-starred Nahm London then Nahm Bangkok. David has recently returned to Australia to open his newest restaurant, Long Chim in Perth.

Pedro Miguel Schiaffino is consulting Executive Chef on Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon. He is also Chef/Owner of Malabar, one of Lima's most cutting edge and innovative restaurants, and founder of catering company, Schiaffino Gastronomika. Pedro has been listed in San Pellegrino World's 100 Best Restaurants.

On the hosted departures, David and Pedro will take guests on market tours to discover the locally grown and harvested ingredients so essential to the freshness of the dishes they serve on each of the vessels.  Guests will also join an on-board Master Class where David and Pedro will share their secrets of recipe planning, preparation and delivery and discuss the way in which the dynamic international food scene is transforming the way they design their latest visions of culinary creativity.

David Thompson Hosted Departures
Aqua Mekong
7-Night Expedition Cruise: 22-29 April 2016
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
7-Night Expedition Cruise: 13 – 20 May 2016
Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Pedro Miguel Schiaffino Hosted Departures
Aqua Amazon
4-Night Explorer Cruise: 29 March – 2 April 2016
Nauta (Iquitos), Peru to Nauta
7-Night Expedition Cruise: 26 November – 3 December 2016
Nauta (Iquitos), Peru to Nauta

*Aqua Mekong and Aqua Amazon 3-Night Discovery Cruises and 4-Night Explorer Cruises are available as components of all 7-Night Expedition Cruise schedules.

The hosted cruises in 2016 are priced from USD3660 on Aqua Mekong and USD3330 on Aqua Amazon per person twin share for 3 nights.

For further information and reservations, call 1800 243 152 (Toll Free) or visit Aqua Expeditions' booking facility at www.aquaexpeditions.com.

ABOUT AQUA EXPEDITIONS

Aqua Expeditions was the first adventure travel company to introduce five-star luxury cruises on the Amazon River in Peru and on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, founded Aqua Expeditions to cater to discerning, adventure travellers seeking to explore remote and culturally-important destinations for luxury voyages on the world's greatest rivers.  Aqua Expeditions' flagship vessel, Aqua Amazon launched in 2008 with 12 luxurious suites and was soon joined in 2011, by the 16-suite Aria Amazon, both creations of Peruvian designer, Jordi Puig and featuring floor to ceiling windows, Jacuzzi, gym, sundeck and the haute Peruvian cuisine of Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.  In October 2014, Aqua Expeditions expanded to Indochina with the launch of Aqua Mekong with 20 design suites, sailing the historic Mekong River between Cambodia and Vietnam. For more information about Aqua Expeditions, please visit www.aquaexpeditions.com.

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Sally Morgan         
Head of Media Communications
02 9211 6590       
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sally@uniquetourism.com

Jonica Paramor
Managing Director
9211 6590
0416 261 590
jonica@uniquetourism.com