Along the Mekong - AmaWaterways’ Land-Cruise

Interested in the grand way to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, with time to explore on land as well as along the magnificent waterways of this part of the world? Look no further. AmaWaterways' Riches of the Mekong 15-night land-cruise includes two nights in vibrant Hanoi followed by an overnight stay aboard a luxury junk in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay.

This wonderful tour then continues, via a short flight, to Siem Reap (Cambodia), the gateway to the amazing Angkor Archeological Park to experience tours of world-renowned sites such as Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, the Bayon and the newly-reopened Baphuon Temple.

The journey continues with a 7-night voyage along the Mekong River from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), calling into the bustling capital of Phnom Penh and numerous points of historical and scenic interest, including Kampong Chhnang, Oudong, Tan Chau, Sa Dec, Xeo Quyt and Cai Be.

Along the way, guests visit floating markets, rainforests and Buddhist monasteries; ride an oxcart and a trishaw and participate in the delicate craft of rice-paper making.

The full 15-night land-cruise costs from £2,422 per person and includes hotel accommodation, excursions and all meals, wine, beer, local spirits and soft drinks with meals on board, while the seven-night cruise-only option costs from £1,060 per person, including excursions and drinks.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Viking's Valentine Bonus

To get holidaymakers into the romantic spirit next Valentine’s Day, Viking River Cruises will send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to every customer who books a cruise with them between the 6th and 14th of February 2012. The Company offers scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China and Southeast Asia, sailing right into the heart of some of the world’s most beautiful and romantic destinations.

So, if you want to live out your very own fairytale romance in Heidelberg castle; walk hand in hand around Budapest; or stroll through the streets of the capital of love, Paris, Viking has the holiday for you this February.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

New for 2012/13 With Bales Worldwide

Bales Worldwide has launched its new 2012 Escorted Small Groups and Tailor Made Holidays programme for 2012/13. The new brochure covers 40 countries (with an additional 10 included online) throughout Asia, Africa, the Far East, Latin America, Egypt and Arabia, India, Canada, Alaska and Australasia. There are a few countries making a welcome return, as well as an increased offering in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Peru, Morocco and throughout Africa.
River cruises are offered on the Nile (several options), Yangtze, Ganges, Mekong, inland Borneo and the Galapagos Islands.
And, book before 30 September and you can save £100pp

For more information, visit www.balesworldwide.com  or The Cruise Line.

Two AMAWATERWAYS river cruise ships to debut in 2011

River cruise operator AmaWaterways, known for its innovative ships and itineraries, is launching two state-of-the-art river cruisers in 2011.

In September 2011, the brand-new MS AmaLotus will join AmaWaterways’ first Mekong vessel, MS La Marguerite, to sail the ‘Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong’ itinerary. 

The décor of AmaLotus will combine colonial elegance with local artefacts and regional Mekong touches. The ship features all-outside accommodations and deluxe 226 sq. ft. staterooms with all the amenities of a fine hotel. Some 90 percent of staterooms have a private outside balcony, while suites, at 624 sq. ft., provide the ultimate in onboard pampering.

AmaLotus features a restaurant serving Asian and Western specialties as well as an authentic Vietnamese ‘Lau’ (Hot Pot) dining facility. In addition, there is a beautiful lounge, gift shop, spa, fitness room and sauna. The expansive Sun Deck is a haven for relaxation, where passengers can mingle and observe the unforgettable Mekong scenery from comfortable lounge chairs; take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or enjoy a cool drink from the Sun Deck bar. 

AmaLotus makes its debut on September 5, 2011 and will sail seven-night Mekong river cruises from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Prices start from £1,224 per person, including all meals on the ship, port charges, all shore excursions as detailed in the itinerary, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, bottled water in every stateroom and a rich programme of entertainment, from local dancing and music performances to themed dinner and cultural lectures. Flights are extra and a 15 night land-cruise itinerary can also be booked with AmaWaterways from £2442 per person, including two nights in Hanoi, an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, 3 nights in Siem Reap, the seven night Mekong cruise and a two night stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

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

The completely redesigned MS AmaKatarina will be inaugurated on May 10, 2011, debuting as the most luxurious vessel on the Volga-Baltic Waterway travelling from St. Petersburg to Moscow.  The AmaKatarina is being rebuilt starting from the hull and designed to meet AmaWaterways’ demanding specifications. The ship is unequalled in terms of spaciousness, accommodations and enticing public areas. The only luxury vessel in Russia featuring outside balconies in over 70 percent of its staterooms, AmaKatarina’s four suite categories range in size from 280 to 432 sq. ft.  All 76 staterooms feature a sitting area, a refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, TV and phone (onboard communications only) and bottled water is replenished daily.   

Stunning public areas aboard AmaKatarina include two dining rooms offering complimentary wine and soft drinks at dinner; a beautiful Panorama Lounge; bar/nightclub; conference hall and solarium. The ship also features an elevator, gift shop, infirmary and Internet access. 

Prices start from £2,249 per person for 11 nights, including full board on the voyage; free-flowing wine and fruit juice during dinner; bottled water in every cabin; detailed excursion programme; a ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre in St Petersburg; cultural entertainment and musical performances on board; lectures; Russian language classes; and port charges. Flights are extra.

AmaWaterways produces a dedicated brochure for the UK, with sterling pricing. Visit  www.amawaterways.co.uk, or The Cruise Line

Luxury Expedition Cruises to Australasia

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If you’ve been following us here on the blog since January, you’ll know we’ve concentrated quite a lot on expedition and adventure cruising. Qantas Holidays now has introduced a new programme of luxury expedition cruises to explore remote areas of Australasia with one of our favourite operators, Orion Expedition Cruises.

The cruise options include Wild Tasmania, with this cruise starting and ending in Hobart and departing on 1 December 2010, taking in the starkly beautiful Flinders Island along with the dramatic, red granite peaks of stunning Wineglass Bay and apple blossom and vineyards of Port Huon.

Other Orion cruises will take in New Zealand, Borneo, The Mekong Delta and the Gulf of Siam.

Their flagship Orion is a purpose-built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest.

Orion II (above), which is due to join in May 2011, is another private yacht-like expedition cruiser and again offers the finest standards in small-ship travel. She, too, has an ice-strengthened hull for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic and is fitted with stabilisers.

The expedition equipment includes Zodiacs and fast tender to deliver the full Orion expedition experience. Combining luxury and service, she will be staffed by 68 officers and crew to serve her capacity of 100 guests.

As we never tire of pointing out, Orion Expedition Cruises is a fantastic way to explore Australasia and Asia, combining high-quality cruising with the chance to get up close and personal with the people, wildlife and cultures. Many parts of the Asia-Pacific region remain largely inaccessible to conventional touring options but, with Orion, travellers can get to remote areas with experienced expedition leaders, hopping onboard Zodiac boats to get into small inlets and islands, returning each night to the comfort of the mother ship.

All prices include: Taxes, fees and port related charges, cruise transportation, all meals onboard, 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programmes, use of ship’s sporting equipment and facilities and Zodiac excursions and tender transfers.

River Cruising in Europe and Asia

By guest blogger Steve Newman

In the last five years, River Cruising has increased in popularity tremendously. So much so that is now the automatic choice for many people planning a luxury European holiday. And, if you think about it you can completely understand why.

Combining the history and culture of rivers, towns and cities with practically the ultimate in relaxation, they offer a sedate and enjoyable way to explore an area whilst on holiday. Leading the way and recognised as one of the top players in this market is AMA Waterways.

The company’s fares include all meals, excursions, Internet/Satellite connection in every cabin, and quality wines and beer with every Dinner. Add open seating amidst elegant yet comfortable surroundings, a Grand Panorama Lounge with bar and dance floor, and aft lounge for up to 50 passengers, and you can see why people come back time and time again.

AMA's ships really are something else and it’s quite true to say you would be forgiven for thinking the interiors had been plucked from some grand hotel. You even have the chance to use their complimentary bicycles to explore the towns and cities on your own.

Opportunities exist to travel along the famous rivers of Europe, such as the Rhine and Danube, and also to explore the countryside of Portugal and Provence as you gently drift by. Cities like Lyons, Budapest, Vienna and Amsterdam are all able to be visited. To the north, why not take in a cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg and explore that city’s canals and the wonder that is The Hermitage?

Due to the company expanding its routes, you also now have the chance to explore the mighty Mekong as it flows through Vietnam and Cambodia. Ancient temples, villages and floating markets are all untouched by time on this fascinating journey.

Sixteen and eight-day options are available, both finishing at Ho Chi Minh City. Either way, what you have here is a company offering river-cruise opulence, the highest levels of service and wonderful memories that will stay with you forever.

For more details, contact http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/