Uniworld Launches New Douro Spirit

This week, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ new ship, the Douro Spirit (above), made its debut on the "Portugal, Spain and Douro Valley” itinerary.

The Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region, is being increasingly recognised for its wine making and natural beauty, reflected in an impressive 80% growth in UK river cruisers in 2010 over 2009, according to recent figures from the Passenger Shipping Association.

Its port heritage dates back over 2,000 years, with the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The Douro Valley is also a cultural landscape of exceptional beauty, with rambling vineyards and charming quintas clinging to the steep slopes of its valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions. And this is what you can expect to see and experience from the comfort of Douro Spirit.

Every riverview stateroom and suite onboard features a French balcony, so guests can get closer to the breathtaking scenery of the region’s unspoiled natural landscapes. The Spirit’s common areas provide added comfort with a main lounge featuring a full-service bar and dance floor, a restaurant, sun deck with jacuzzi and small swimming pool, a lovely onboard restaurant with open seating, fitness room, massage room, beauty salon and a boutique.

And all of this is presented on an intimate ship built to accommodate a maximum of 128 passengers and provide the small-ship boutique ambience that Uniworld has become known for.

The 11-day "Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley" cruise includes: three nights in Lisbon at a deluxe hotel; a 7-night cruise in a stateroom with a French balcony onboard Douro Spirit; all meals, with complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks served with dinner onboard; 10 fully-hosted shore excursions by English-speaking local guides; return flights and transfers. Prices start at just £2,499 per person.

For more info, visit www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of top UK cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Azamara's All-Inclusive Golf & Cruise Package

Azamara Club Cruises has announced a new relationship with PerryGolf, the luxury golf tour operator. Azamara Club Golf Cruises will offer escorted and all-inclusive golf tours and cruise programmes that feature some of the world’s premier golf courses.

The Golf Cruises will combine a range of itineraries with the full golf experience. The golfing add-ons are available through travel agents and Azamara Club Cruises directly, starting at $2,682 per person, as well as non-golfing companion rates starting at $669 per person. Also included in the programme are green fees, golf cart rental, ground transportation, golf bag delivery to the first tee as well as return to hotel or ship and storage after the round and overnight golf shoe shining.

Onboard, Golf Cruises guests enjoy an inclusive drink package, post-game cocktail receptions and two group dinners, one in a speciality restaurant. Single supplements starting at $263 also apply for the pre-voyage portion of the programme.

All golf programmes commence with a one or two-night pre-voyage golfing land stay, which includes luxury hotel accommodation, a welcome cocktail reception and dinner to meet fellow guests, as well as optional sightseeing tours for an additional charge. During their voyage, guests will play at four or five of the world’s most heralded courses, such as Old Head and Portmarnock, Ireland; Oitavos Dunes, Portugal; Montgomerie Links, Vietnam; Mission Hills, China; Four Seasons Provence, France; and Sperone, Corsica, depending on the itinerary.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for upmarket travellers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. The two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, offer a boutique European hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships can't reach, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region.

For more information on Azamara Club Cruises, visit http://www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury and adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Uniworld's Single Supplement Waiver

Solo travelers can cruise at NO additional charge this yea, as luxury river cruising specialist Uniworld waives single supplements on select 2011 departures. Book and pay the deposit at time of reservation to take advantage of these savings.

These savings apply to 12 European Itineraries including, Portugal, Spain, The Danube, Burgundy and Provence, Paris, The Rhine, Moselle, Main and Prague.

For full details of the cruises and offers, please visit:

www.uniworld.com/destinations/offers/Europe/733 or call the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

River Cruising Through Spain and Portugal.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is proud to announce its new luxury ship, the Douro Spirit, which will sail along Portugal and Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage Douro River. In 2011, the beautiful Spirit will be the most elegant ship to sail through the magnificent Douro River Valley.

The Douro Valley is a cultural landscape of exceptional beauty, with rambling vineyards and charming quintas clinging to the steep slopes of its valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions. And this is what guests can expect to see and experience from the comfort of Douro Spirit.

Every river-view stateroom and suite features a French balcony, so guests can get closer than ever to the breathtaking scenery of the region’s unspoiled natural landscapes. Staterooms and suites also feature fine linens, built-in closets, flat-screen televisions with satellite, and complimentary bottled water. Each bathroom is stocked with L’Occitane bath and body products and cosy waffle bathrobes.

Explore the seven hills of cosmopolitan Lisbon, uncovering a treasure trove of Old World architecture. Visit Coimbra, the “Birthplace of Kings”; Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges” with its UNESCO World Heritage-designated Medieval city centre; Guimãres, which also has its own UNESCO-listed Medieval city centre; and Salamanca, Spain, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Taste a variety of wonderful local wines from village vineyards, including the famed Port. Feast on a traditional meal at the Alpendurada Monastery; enjoy an authentic Spanish-style lunch complete with a flamenco show and dine at the Vintage House Hotel, a magnificent18th-century wine quinta overlooking the Douro. And, all along the way, uncover a land of genuine beauty and breathtaking charm, and meet warm-hearted, friendly people with welcoming open arms.

Uniworld’s 11-day Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley Cruise includes: three nights in Lisbon at a deluxe hotel with breakfast; a seven-night cruise in a stateroom with a French balcony onboard the Douro Spirit; all meals with complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks served with dinner onboard; ten fully hosted shore excursions by English-speaking local guides; and transfers on arrival and departure days.

For more information, visit http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or call the river-cruise agents of the UK's top cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Rivers and Coasts of Spain and Portugal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Spain and Portugal have much to offer the traveller and their rivers in particular are a very under explored when it comes to cruising. Now Archers Direct are offering the chance to travel along Andalucia's Guadalquivir River and The Algarve's Guadiana River for seven nights to marvel at a landscape of sun-blushed fields and quaint wine villages as well as ancient cities.

Designed to meet and exceed the expectations of a spacious and bright river cruiser, MS Belle de Cadix (above) offers style and superb service. Well-maintained and equipped with the latest technologies, the fully air-conditioned river cruiser accommodates 178 passengers in 89 light, airy cabins as it explores one of the most attractive regions in Europe.

The cruises start from Seville down Andalucía’s longest river to the port of Cadiz, then hugging the coastline to the Algarve and entering the River Guadiana to Alcoutim and Vila Real. Then, taking the coastal route again, you call at the Spanish port of El Puerto de Santa Maria before returning to Seville.

MS Belle de Cadix has a swimming pool; large sun deck; restaurant; lounge bar with dance floor; Panorama bar; swimming platform with access to the sea; gift shop and lift. The dining room is large enough to accommodate all passengers in one sitting.

Breakfasts are buffet style, while lunch and dinner have set menus, usually including a choice of regional specialities and traditional favourites. Aperitifs, coffee and digestifs are available in the lounge bar. Vegetarian meals and any special dietary requirements should be requested at the time of booking. There is an evening programme of entertainment and a welcome cocktail on the first night. While on board you will be looked after by the ship's hostess and purser.

All outside cabins have twin or double beds; air-conditioning/climate control; satellite TV; radio; hairdryer; safety deposit box; shower and WC; and large picture window. Your holiday price includes a 2-berth main deck cabin, or you may choose to upgrade.

For more information go to http://www.archersdirect.co.uk/