STOWAWAYwww.cruiselates.com ‘s exclusive newsletter Issue 8 - APRIL 2017

This issue of Stowaway looks at the extraordinary choice of shoreside excursions along captivating French rivers and the contrasting style of the river boats that travel them.

Once again we are delighted that the feature has been researched and written by leading UK cruise journalist Jane Archer which tells us virtually all we need to know to plan an unforgettable trip.

For those nervous about booking a river cruise for the first time, take heart. American travel insurance giant Allianz’s cruise survey this week tells us that 12% of Americans prefer rivers to oceans because there are no waves. Kind of reassuring, isn’t it.

Don’t forget to check our late getaways website www.cruiselates.com for last minute opportunities to cruise on some of the world’s finest small luxury and boutique cruise ships.

River Cruising in FranceWith four rivers to choose from and attractions that cover everything from art and wine to history and the Second World War, it is easy to see why Britons have fallen in love with river cruising in France.

The number of Brits taking a river cruise in France is nowhere near those choosing the Rhine and Danube but demand is growing, and can only continue upwards as companies invest in new tonnage, upgrade existing vessels and also seek out fresh tours and attractions.

Scenic, for instance, is unveiling the first river cruise vessels to have a cookery school on board where passengers can get hands-on tuition. Scenic Culinaire is new on two vessels this year – Scenic Sapphire, which sails the Rhône and Saône, and Scenic Diamond, which sails the Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne rivers round-trip from Bordeaux.

Scenic also has new tours including a Scenic Rouge show in Lyon, canoeing on the Rhône, and a gala dinner and concert in the Pope’s Palace in Avignon.

Of the four rivers that cruise buyers can cruise in France, the Seine is probably the best known as the voyages start and end in Paris and take passengers to the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy (APT also has tours to the Somme battlefields on its eight-day Romantic Seine cruises in 2018).

However, those who research the attractions of

the Rhone will be hard put to resist its charms as they will go on a journey from Lyon, famed as the culinary capital of France, through the vineyards of Burgundy and Provence and end up in the gorgeous medieval city of Avignon.

For oenophiles, cruising the Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne Rivers from Bordeaux (known as a Bordeaux river cruise for ease) is irresistible as there are tours and tasting in the top wine-producing regions of the Médoc, St Émilion and Sauternes.

Finally there is the Loire in Western France - a new name on the river cruise scene thanks to CroisiEurope, which a couple of years back launched a paddlewheel boat with a shallow draft that could navigate its low waters.

European Waterways’ Anjodi while moored in Bezier on the Canal du Midi.

RIVER CRUISING IN FRANCE - Extended feature by Jane Archer

www.cruiselates.com ‘s exclusive newsletter Issue 8 - APRIL 2017

Cruise buyers trying to pick just one of these rivers will probably feel like a child in a sweet shop – especially if they the choice even more difficult with the hotel barge holidays in France that CroisiEurope and Belmond offer on canals in Burgundy, Provence, Alsace and Champagne. European Waterways provide a wide range of river destinations too, including main French, German and Dutch waterways as well as Venice and the Po Valley, the delightful Canal du Midi plus in the UK, the Thames, the Caledonian Canal, taking in Loch Ness and the Highlands and in addition Ireland’s River Shannon. These are on small boats that hold between eight and 24 passengers.

The good news for those who just can’t decide is that several companies package two or three French rivers into one holiday.

Avalon Waterways and APT combine the Seine and the Rhône, APT also pairs the Rhone and Bordeaux, while Uniworld River Cruises goes the whole hog with a Francophiles’ fest that links the Rhône, Seine and Bordeaux cruises.

If wine and castles appeal, AmaWaterways combines its Taste of Bordeaux itinerary with a post-cruise hotel stay in the Loire Valley where excursions visit the grand chateaux of Amboise, Chenonceau and Chambord.

What’s new on the rivers in FranceTauck is reducing capacity on the Emerald, which sails the Rhône and Saône, and Sapphire, which cruises on the Seine, by knocking 30 cabins onto 20. It is also adding a new alternative restaurant, Arthur’s, to each vessel.

Emerald Waterways is making its France debut with cruises on the Rhône on the new Emerald Liberté, a vessel with an inside pool that becomes a cinema in the evening.

Uniworld River Cruises is launching the new Joie de Vivre on the Seine in March. It holds 128 passengers and has French-inspired décor that spans the decades from the ’20s to the ’60s.

Keen cyclists can pedal along river banks and through vineyards on APT’s new eight-day Bordeaux by Bicycle cruises that include guided

bikes tours covering between 45km and 104km. Departures are in July and September.

Amadeus River Cruises’ has a new vessel on the Rhone and Saone this summer. Amadeus Provence is sailing round-trip from Lyon from July with optional tours to the Ardèche Gorges and Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct.

Emerald Waterways are dubuting the Emerald Liberté this summer.

Claude’s Supper Club aboard Uniworld River Cruises S.S. Joie de Vivre.

Scenic Culinaire cookery schools are available on two vessels this year.

A-Rosa has launched its first-ever river cruises on the Seine. Voyages are round-trip from Paris and range from four nights to a week. Flight-inclusive packages can be booked with Cosmos Cruises & Tours.

CroisiEurope has new seven-night art-themed cruises on the Seine that tell the story of Impressionist painters in on-board lectures and trips ashore to art galleries and the artists’ favourite haunts. Departures in May, July and August.

Riviera Travel is moving the Lord Byron from the Rhine to the Rhône this year. It will be sailing eight-day cruises from Lyon to Avignon and vice-versa between April and October.

Next StowawayA more news orientated issue – lots of interesting and exciting things to talk about. Coming soon to a computer your way. Please note if you have friends who would like to see Stowaway, ask them now to send contact details to a different email address: kmellis@btinternet.com (easier for us)

Happy sailing

Keith EllisEditorStowawaywww.cruiselates.com

www.cruiselates.com ‘s exclusive newsletter Issue 8 - APRIL 2017

Highlights on the French rivers

The SeineCruises operate round-trip from Paris and include:● A day in Paris with guided tours.● Rouen in Normandy, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431.● The D-Day landing beaches and Bayeux Tapestry.● Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh lived and died.

The Rhône and SaôneCruises are either one-way between Lyon and Avignon or round-trip from Lyon and include:● A day in Lyon with guided tours.● Tours of medieval Avignon and the city’s grand Popes Palace.● Tours to the spectacular Roman amphitheatre in Arles.● The former Roman city of Vienne.● Wine tasting in Tain l’Hermitage.

The Garonne/Gironde/DordogneCruises operate round-trip from Bordeaux and include:● Walking or cycling tours of Bordeaux.● Tours into the caves beneath St Émilion.● Tours and tastings in the Sauternes, Médoc and St Émilion wine regions.

The LoireCruises operate round-trip from Nantes and include:● A tour of Loire chateaux including Azay-le- Rideau and Villandry.● Hiking in the medieval city of Guérande.● A guided bike tour along the Loire.● Guided tours of Nantes, St Nazaire and Angers.

Cruiselines contact details:Amadeus-rivercruises.co.ukamawaterways.co.ukAPTouring.co.uk, Avaloncruises.co.uk, Arosa-cruises.com, Belmond.com, CroisiEurope.co.uk, Emeraldwaterways.co.uk, European Waterways.com, Rivieratravel.co.ukScenic.co.uk, Tauck.co.uk

The Clock Arch in Rouen.