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JOURNEYS magazine
Volume III, 2014
The World Is Your Oyster…Literally
Due to its growing popularity, more and more
river cruise ships are on the water and circling
the globe. Three notable options include Uniworld
Boutique River Cruise Collection, Viking Cruises
and Avalon Waterways.
Launching in 2015, Uniworld’s new Super
Ship,
S.S. Maria Theresa
, will set sail around Europe
with an exceptional selection of itineraries. Its
Ultimate France itinerary offers the very best of
each region, including Paris, the Normandy coast,
Bordeaux, Burgundy and Provence. Guests will
tour capital cities and explore ancient villages,
visiting the Palace of the Popes in Avignon,
perusing the famed farmers’ market in Lyon and
enjoying local wine tastings. Another highlight is
the new Eastern Europe Explorer itinerary, which
will sail through Hungary, Croatia, Romania,
Serbia and Bulgaria. Guests will tour the eerie rock
formations of Belogradchik, the ornate 17th
century churches of Arbanassi and the eclectic mix
of French-influenced architecture.
Viking Cruises recently christened 18 vessels,
one of which includes the
Viking Baldur.
One of its
popular itineraries takes guests through the
Netherlands and Germany. Travelers cruise
through the Middle Rhine Valley, taking walking
tours of medieval castles and cobbled streets.
Highlights include a sampling of local beers, a stop
at the site of World War II’s Operation Market
Garden and a visit to Germany’s sandstone ruins.
Twelve new vessels are scheduled to launch next
year, along with two new itineraries highlighting
the Rhine River.
Avalon Waterways is another great option for
river cruising.
Avalon Myanmar,
launching in 2016,
will offer a number of unique itineraries across
the Asia-Pacific region. Travelers will explore
the best of Myanmar, known as “The Golden
Land,” along the Irrawaddy River. Guests will
cruise past lavish shrines, teak forests and
riverside villages, stopping for an unforgettable
sampan ride at sunset. They’ll learn how villagers
make candy from the toddy palm tree and take a
walking tour through a pottery-making village to
see the process from start to end. Other highlights
include a stop at a local market, the opportunity
to “ride” an elephant through the forest and a
visit to a farmer’s home for a glimpse of daily life
at the island village of Kyun Daw.
The experiences that await on a river cruise are
limitless. So no matter what choice is made, river
cruise guests will always set sail in style.
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