Jon loves France. I was born in Hanover thus lean towards everything Germanic; so the argument over which to choose — Rhine or Rhône — for our next river cruise could have gone on for weeks.
Fortunately, we have found the perfect solution. New for 2012, APT’s 15-day Rhine, Rhône & Moselle Treasures river cruise takes in both — the Rhine through some of the most fascinating towns and beautiful rural regions in Europe, then culture and cuisine along the Rhône. There’s even a bit of Moselle and Saône, too.
Choosing which company to book our cruise with was an easy decision though — we’ve travelled with APT before. They have such an excellent reputation and we spent a glorious fortnight surrounded in luxury on a first-class ship.
We love the look of the two Aria Class river ships featured on this trip – MS AmaCello and MS AmaDagio – and I adore APT’s exclusive Freedom of Choice Touring, which means that you can choose from a variety of sightseeing tours in selected destinations. What’s more, Jon very much likes the fact that beer and wine at lunch and dinner are included in the price.
Choice is a big thing with APT, we found, from categories of suite to the wonderful dishes served in the restaurant — the chefs are happy to accommodate any special dietary needs, too. For anything we want, we know that there will always be a crew member or our APT cruise director on hand to help everything run smoothly and make us feel really special.
With a maximum of only 148 passengers, we are sure to make friends really quickly and, if our previous APT holiday is anything to go by, the atmosphere on board should bevery convivial from the moment we join the ship in Amsterdam, having flown in on the included flight (there’s a wide range of UK airports from which we could have chosen to fly).
On day two, our touring options include a canal cruise in a glass-top boat to admire the city’s architecture, or a visit to the renowned Van Gogh Museum. It’s a tricky decision to make, but I’ll probably visit the museum. He’s my favourite artist and I’ve always wanted to go there.
After a snooze in the afternoon – the beds are so comfortable – I’ll nip to the on-board salon ready for the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner. Opportunities to dress up are few and far between these days, so it will be great to put on a best dress, feel elegant and be fussed over. I am slightly worried that my frock will not fit by the end of the cruise, though, with all that delicious food and wine.
On day three, we’ll arrive in Cologne, where we could opt for a visit to Venlo to visit the Floriade 2012 Horticultural World Expo (April 4-October 7), or a trip to the historic city of Maastricht.
After lunch, we’ll cruise to Koblenz, where we can take a lovely evening stroll. Next day, we leave the Rhine and turn into the Moselle for Cochem and Reichsburg Castle, which is one of those fantastically picturesque castles you see on postcards, perched more than 300 feet up on a rock. Jon says that he could see himself living there. . .
Next, we cruise back to the Rhine for the part of the cruise that I am most looking forward to – the beautiful Rhine Gorge, with its gorgeous medieval castles and lovely old villages.
One of Jon’s highlights follows: Rüdesheim for Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, featuring about 350 music boxes, from the delicate to big automated pianos.
There is a sightseeing tour around our next destination, Speyer, and a visit to the Technik Museum, Europe’s largest private technology museum, with more than 3,000 exhibits. I can see myself physically dragging Jonaway from the Space Flight Exhibition which includes space suits and even a landing capsule.
We change ships in Lyon – the culinary heart of France – and board MS AmaDagio. Halfway through our cruise itinerary, there is still so much to see and do — a Black Forest Tour, cheese tasting in the medievalcity of Gruyère and a French cookery demonstration.
We also soon swap rivers, to cruise along the Saône to the small town of Trévoux, where we will no doubt indulge in another of Jon’s favourite pastimes, sampling a glass or three of Beaujolais at a local winemakers.
One of the great things about an APT river cruise is that we will be able to try so many different things so easily. There’s a choice of gourmet-themed tours in Tournon, where we can sample wines or goat’s cheese. In Avignon, we’ll visit a working olive mill and enjoy a tour and tasting; and, with Freedom of Choice touring we can opt for a guided tour to the Papal Palace or visit the Pont du Gard, the incredible Roman aqueduct.
APT takes out all the worry about possibly missing something good in any of the destinations. All the best things to see and do are already lined up, so all we have to do is enjoy ourselves.
By the time we reach Arles on our last full day of river cruising – to enjoy a leisurely tour of the city’s sights – we’ll have seen and done so much. Little wonder that we are counting the days until we step aboard.
Like a private club: onboard your luxurious ship
There’s a special atmosphere on board APT’s river cruises: refined but not stuffy, efficient but friendly – some guests have said it’s like being at a private members’ club.
That’s thanks to more than 17 years’ experience running excellent European river cruises, in partnership with AmaWaterways, on some of the best ships available.
APT’s European fleet is at the cutting edge of river cruising. Aria Class vessels carry a maximum of 148 passengers in 75 suites, as well as a crew of 43. Concerto Class ships, meanwhile, are equally luxurious and aim to increase your options with, for instance, seven different dining choices.
Everything is arranged for your comfort and enjoyment. Your suite is much more than a room for the night – it’s your own spacious private retreat.
There’s a comfy bed, of course, a big wardrobe, safe, plush bathrobes and slippers, marble en suite with luxury toiletries, bottled water daily, individual air-conditioning and turn-down service. You can even pick what kind of pillow you want to complement the Egyptian cotton bed linen.
With a number of categories to choose from, all suites also have a state-of-the-art television system along with complimentary movies and music, and included wireless internet. You will love your all-weather AMA private balcony where you can sit in comfort, rain or shine, too.
Dining is a highlight of your cruise – from on-board breakfasts to fresh lunches to sparkling dinners – featuring delicious local dishes prepared by excellent chefs, and including fine wines with which to toast another wonderful day of luxury cruising.
Public rooms are as spacious and thoughtfully assembled as you’d expect, whether you want to relax or be more active. Settle down in a teak lounge chair, or perhaps in the pool or whirlpool, on the sun deck for panoramic views of gorgeous local scenery. There’s also a main lounge with welcoming sofas and floor-to-ceiling windows, and an observation lounge.
How about a game on the giant chessboard, or grab a book from the library? If you want to get more physical, there’s a walking track on the sun deck or take the lift to the fitness centre for a workout.
After sightseeing, the hair and beauty salon is the place for an indulgent massage or new hairstyle, ready for the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Short, but perfectly formed
If you would like to experience the Rhine or the Rhône in bite-sized eight-day breaks, APT offers a choice of shorter cruises
The Enchanting Rhine: If you love beautiful scenery, historic castles and quaint villages, the Rhine is definitely the river for you. The Enchanting Rhine is an eight-day cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the luxurious MS AmaCello. It incorporates some of the best sites the river has to offer, such as the stretch between Bingen to Bonn, a magnificent gorge with terraced vineyards and castle-lined cliffs, often called the "heroic Rhine".
Provence Cruising: Meanwhile, if your interest lies in delicious French food, wine and fascinating culture, choose the eight-day Provence Cruising trip aboard MS AmaDagio sailing through stunning countryside between Lyon and Marseille. Highlights of the trip include a visit to France’s culinary capital, Lyon, a French cookery demonstration, and gourmet-themed tours to an olive mill, winemaker and goat farm. Tastings are included, naturally.
Cruise details
The 15-day Rhine, Rhone & Moselle Treasures river cruise costs from £3,875 per person and can be travelled in reverse.
Save up to £680 per couple if you book by October 31, 2011.
The fully inclusive price includes flights (a Eurostar option is also available), transfers, all meals and complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner, guided shore excursions, plus all tipping, taxes and port charges. Departures are from March to November 2012.
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