AmaWaterways has chosen ten of the top river cruises for 2014, chosen for their cultural enrichment, specialist interest and access to spectacular sightseeing.

 

AmaWaterways’ UK General Manager Fay McCormack, said “River cruising is a perfect way to enjoy some of the world’s most iconic sights in a relaxed and comfortable manner without having to check into and out of hotels. You can unpack once and move from place to place enjoying luxurious accommodation, inclusive of gourmet dining, daily tours, free-wi-fi, drinks with lunch and dinner and free use of on-board bicycles in Europe.”

 

TOP NEW RIVER CRUISE DESTINATION
 

AmaWaterways cruises Myanmar’s (Burma’s) Irrawaddy for the first time in 2014
 

One of the world’s most secretive, mysterious and fascinating places, Myanmar (Burma), so long shut off from the rest of the world, has a unique, centuries-old culture and spectacular architectural wonders, including sacred structures gilded with gold leaf and encrusted with precious gems. For a full immersion of the country’s culture, while keeping a foothold in western creature comforts, luxury river cruise ship operator AmaWaterways (www.amawaterways.co.uk, 0808 223 5009) has built an all-suite 56-passenger river cruiser, the AmaPura, which launches on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy  river in November 2014, making daily stops with included excursions and tours to optimise the experience.

 

AmaWaterways’ Golden Treasures of Myanmar itinerary costs from £4999pp, including return UK flights from London, internal flights, two nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise stay in Yangon, transfers to and from the ship, ten nights on board the ship, all tours, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, on-board entertainment including cultural shows and lectures, and port charges.  

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/golden-treasures-of-myanmar-2014#cruise_itinerary

 

TOP D-DAY CRUISE
 

Visit the Normandy beaches, WWII monuments, museums and cemetaries
 

Mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy Landings in 2014 and remember the fallen with a guided visit to Normandy’s Gold and Juno beaches, a visit to the Juno Beach WWII museum, to Arromanches and to WWII monuments. The excursion is included on a week long luxury Seine cruise with AmaWaterways (www.amawaterways.co.uk, 0808 223 5009) from Paris, departing throughout 2014. Other highlights include a visit to the picturesque harbour at Honfleur, the castles and towns that line the Seine.

 

AmaWaterways’ D-Day cruises cost from £1889 per person, including return travel by Eurostar from London, daily tours and excursions, seven nights full board accommodation inclusive of gourmet dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles.

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/paris_&_normandy-2014

 

TOP EXOTIC CRUISE
 

Cruise the Mekong
 

Experience the exotic villages, towns, markets and temples of the Mekong on a 7 night river cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. AmaWaterways (www.amawaterways.co.uk, 0808 223 5009) has two magnificent river cruise ships on the Mekong, providing the most luxurious way to see Vietnam and Cambodia from the water. Cruises include all meals, local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks, fine dining and unlimited wine with lunch and dinner, daily tours and excursions, 7 nights cruise only costs from £1270pp (30th June 2014), and 11 night holiday with two nights in Seam Reap and a 7 night cruise inclusive of two overnight flights, costs from £ 2199 pp (27th June 2014) and a 17 night land-cruise holiday from £3499, (8th July 2014), including flights, transfers, 7 night river cruise and 8 night guided land tour

 

Contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009,www.amawaterways.co.uk

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/vietnam,-cambodia-&-the-riches-of-the-mekong-2014

 

TOP QUIRKY CRUISE
 

World’s first knitting cruise
 

It’s not often you get the chance to spend a week in the company of one of the world’s top 10 most influential men in the world of knitting* (other famous male knitters include Charles Dickens and Edward VIII). Departing from Vilshofen on 27th December 2014 Luxury river cruise operator AmaWaterways (www.amawaterways.co.uk, 0808 223 5009) is hosting the world’s first knitting themed river cruise, hosted by American knitting aficionado Barry Klein. During the 7 night cruise guests can take part in classes on stitch patterns and knitting techniques, join forums on fashion trends and the latest in luxury yarns, share techniques and knitting patterns in the company of other knitters. When not knitting, guests have the opportunity to explore the cities of Linz, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, inclusive of daily tours and excursions to take in the highlights of the destinations en-route.   

The 7 night `knitting cruise’ can be booked from £2249 per person, including return UK flights, all meals, knitting forums and presentations, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and, free use of on board bicycles.

*http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/FEATtopten.html

 

http://www.amawaterways.com/knitting_cruise

 

TOP for HISTORY
 

Jewish heritage Danube cruises
 

Trace the fascinating Jewish heritage of the Danube from the comfort of a luxury river cruiser, with a selected daily touring programme of excursions that include synagogue visits, Jewish districts, museums, monuments and other landmarks of significance to Jewish history, led by knowledgeable guides. The cruises pass through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and highlights include a special visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, the famous rabbi, a visit to Oscar Schindler‘s house in Regensberg, and Room 600 at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice. Passengers will also visit the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz and Old Synagogue, Sigmund Freud House (outside), Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Quarter in Vienna. 

 

The 7-night `Jewish Heritage’ Romantic Danube cruise between Vilshofen and Budapest, departing 5th April 2014, costs from £1919 per person including return UK flights, transfers, all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles.

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/the-romantic-danube-(jewish-heritage)-2014

 

TOP WINE CRUISE
 

In celebration of wine – wine themed cruises with presentations and excursions
 

During 2014 AmaWaterways is offering 16 wine themed sailings along Portugal’s Douro, the Rhine, the Seine and the Danube, and a leisurely cruise along the Rhone from Lyon to Arles, visiting wine growing regions such as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Arles and Avignon and the beautiful villages of Viviers, Tournon, Vienne and Trévoux. Guests will cruise in the company of wine experts and vintners, enjoy tours to vineyards and cellars, wine lectures, wine tastings and fine dining with wine. 

AmaWaterways’ 7 night wine themed sailing from Arles to Lyon on 20th November 2014 costs from £2399pp, including return UK flights, transfers, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily wine themed tours, presentations and wine tastings by wine hosts and free use of on board bicycles to explore on shore. Contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009, www.amawaterways.co.uk

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/provence-&-spain-2014

 

TOP for CHRISTMAS
 

Christmas market cruises
 

Savour the Christmas atmosphere and take a week long luxury river cruise through the heart of Europe, when the festive lights, the Christmas markets and often a dusting of snow capture the magic of Christmas. Between the end of November and late December AmaWaterways offers guests time to visit the festively lit cities and villages with their Christmas markets piled high with gifts and decorations and where the festive scent of gingerbread, sizzling sausages and spicy mulled wine add to the Christmas atmosphere. Return to a luxury river cruiser teeming with atmosphere and adorned with Christmas trees, garlands, colourful lights and swags to complete the festive spirit.

 

AmaWaterways’ 7 night Christmas Time cruise costs from £1787pp, (25th November 2014) including all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks  with lunch and dinner, daily tours and excursions, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, excluding flights. Contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009,www.amawaterways.co.uk

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/christmas_time_cruise-2014

 

TOP CITY BREAK CRUISE
 

One cruise, three cities
 

Three of Europe’s most spectacular and historic cities are included on AmaWaterways’ Legendary Danube cruise. Visit Austria’s capital, Vienna, the Slovak capital of Bratislava, with its historic castle and medieval streets, and the Hungarian capital, Budapest, divided into the old and the new by the mighty Danube, before continuing on to visit historic and pretty towns and villages in Austria and Germany.

 

AmaWaterways’ seven-night Legendary cruises from Nuremberg to Budapest, departing on 26th May 2014, costs from  £2249pp including return flights, transfers, all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles. Contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009, www.amawaterways.co.uk

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/legendary_danube-2014

 

TOP for FOODIES

Chocolate themed cruise along the Danube

The food on board AmaWaterways’ luxury river cruisers is already fit for any Epicurean, but for those with a sweet tooth and a passion for chocolate, the cruise line is offering a special Chocolate Connoisseurs’ Cruise along the Danube, sailing on board the AmaCerto, one of the most innovative ships on the Danube, from Vilshofen to Budapest. The week long sailing will be hosted by chocolatier Norman Love of Norman Love Confections, maker of artisanal, handcrafted gourmet chocolates and guests can expect chocolate tastings, demonstrations and mouth-watering lectures.

 

The week long chocolate lovers cruise costs from £2193 per person and departs from Vilshofen on April 28, 2014 (cruise only), the price includes all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles. Contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009, www.amawaterways.co.uk

 

http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/the-romantic-danube-(chocolate-themed)-2014

 

TOP ACTIVE CRUISE

Cruise and cycle
 

All of AmaWaterways’ ships in Europe carry a fleet of bicycles, available for guests to use free of charge. Guests can cycle independently or with a guide, cycling along the tow-paths between port calls, exploring local towns and villages on two wheels, or joining other guests on hosted cycle tours, for varying standards of fitness and ability. Guided cycling tours are included on a number of river cruises, including AmaWaterways’ Black Sea voyage from Rousse to Budapest on 7th July 2014, exploring the rural pathways, riverside villages and cosmopolitan cities of Hungary, Serbia and Romania with knowledgeable guides.

AmaWaterways’ Black Sea cruise costs from £2037 pp, departing 7th July 2014, cruising from Rousse to Budapest and including daily guided tours, cycling tours, all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, excluding flights. Contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009 / www.amawaterways.co.uk

 
http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/black-sea-voyage-2014

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

Mary Stuart-Miller
Tel: 01737 765636
Email: mary.stuart-miller@virgin.net