Tour Type:River Cruise Tour Duration:15 Days (14 Nights) From:Arles toAmsterdam Tour Code:BTFRRN15 Operator:APT
from AU $8,145 pp
Click Map To Enlarge
River Cruise Description
On this 15 Day, exclusive botanically themed river cruise, take in the spectacular blooms at the sixth Floriade Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands, which only takes place every ten years. You'll see some of Europe's finest gardens and most beautiful sights, all while cruising the beautiful Rhone and Rhine Rivers of Europe aboard a luxury cruise ship.
Highlights of the Rhine
Flowing from the magnificent Swiss Alps and out to sea beyond the Netherlands,
the Rhine sweeps through some of the most fascinating towns and beautiful rural
regions in Europe. Wandering the streets of an historic city such as Cologne or
Worms, both contenders for the title of Germany’s oldest city, you’ll lose yourself
amid vibrant urban landscapes encompassing both the ancient and the new.
Cuisine & Culture along the Rhône
The treasures of the Rhône region are innumerable, so cruising along the river
itself is the perfect way to absorb the sights at a relaxed pace. Explore Lyon,
the gastronomic capital of France, and delve into its past with a city tour.
In Avignon, marvel at the grand 14th century edifices standing as testament
to the city’s historical significance. Your cruise either begins or culminates at
Arles, a Mediterranean city at the mouth of the Rhône delta which features
Roman monuments amongst its historical attractions.
River Cruise Highlights
Tipping included on cruise and shore excursions
Enjoy the services of both local and Botanical guides
Attend the sixth Floriade Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands for a full day
Enjoy a fascinating guest lecturer program
Visit private and iconic gardens
Choose your touring in Arles, Avignon, Vienne, Lyon, Breisach, Strasbourg, Worms, Cologne and Arnhem - at no extra cost
Explore Arles, home of Vincent Van Gogh
See the beautiful Ardèche Mountains and the Black Forest
Arrive Arles, Embark
Arrive in Arles today where your botanically themed cruise of the beautiful Rhône and Rhine Rivers begins. Tonight gather with your fellow travellers and friendly crew for a Welcome Dinner and Drinks. Enjoy a lecture on the gardens included on this cruise by the author of ‘Great Gardens of Europe’, Charles Quest-Ritson. (D)
Day 2
Arles, Freedom of Choice Touring, Avignon
This morning, perhaps wander around Arles, exploring independently. Alternatively, take an excursion to the hilltop village of Les Baux to enjoy the rich floral colours and views, plus visit a working olive farm. You may choose to visit Bambouseraie, the biggest and best Bamboo garden in Europe. (B/L/D)
Day 3
Avignon, Freedom of Choice Touring, Provence
Explore Avignon, the ‘City of Popes’ on a guided tour through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace. Alternatively enjoy a visit to the gardens of Saint André Abbey or the Jardin de la Louve before continuing north to Viviers. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Viviers
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, a charming hilltop village, before sailing for Tournon. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Tournon, Boucieu-le-Roi, Vienne
Explore the beautiful landscapes of the Ardèche Mountains, and visit the markets of Boucieu-le-Roi before sailing for Vienne, which has a significant Roman history which is very much in evidence today. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Vienne - Trévoux, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today you have the opportunity to explore Vienne or to visit the Palais Ideal du Facteur Cheval. Here, the amazing garden building is considered the most extraordinary folly ever made. Cruise through Lyon to the rural town of Trévoux on the Saône River. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Trévoux, Lyon, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, tour the Beaujolais wine region and visit a local wine maker before sailing to Lyon. This afternoon you can choose to explore Lyon on your own, visit Parc de la Tête d’Or or enjoy a gastronomic walking tour of Lyon. This evening our special guest lecturer is author Jane Webster who will share her experience of renovating a French chateau in Normandy. (B/L/D)
Day 8
Swiss Alps, Yvoire, Basel
Enjoy a scenic journey from Lyon to Basel today. You can choose to travel directly through the picturesque Swiss Alps, or stop at the beautiful village of Yvoire and visit the award-winning gardens of Le Labyrinthe. Travel the shores of Lake Geneva before arriving in Basel and boarding your luxury river ship for a seven night cruise on the Rhine River. Seven Nights: APT’s luxurious Aria Class ship - the MS Amacello (B/D)
Day 9
Breisach, Freedom of Choice Touring, Colmar
Choose today between a city tour of Colmar or a tour through the famous Black Forest region. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to Insel Mainau, a floral paradise on the shores of Lake Constance. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Strasbourg, Speyer, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning take a tour through the charming medieval town of Strasbourg, and enjoy a canal cruise before sailing for Speyer. Alternatively you can choose a full day tour by coach to the 19th century Schlossgarten Ludwigsburg before rejoining the ship in Speyer. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Speyer, Freedom of Choice Touring, Heidelberg, Worms
Today you have the option to visit the Speyer Technik Museum, which features an amazing collection of aircraft, classic cars, locomotives, fire engines and even a space shuttle. Perhaps visit Heidelberg’s red-walled castle, or else take a trip to Scholofgarten Schwotzingen, an originally designed garden of exceptional size and loveliness representing the Baroque and landscape movements. Tonight we dock in Worms, famous for the white wine, Liebfraumilch. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Koblenz - Cologne, Freedom of Choice Touring
Cruise some of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River this morning via Koblenz, before arriving in Cologne. Choose between a tour of the old town of Cologne or a visit to a beautiful private garden. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Floriade 2012
Enjoy a full day exploring the Floriade World Horticultural Expo, which is held once every ten years in the Netherlands. This expo showcases the world’s most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, fruits and vegetables. We then return to the ship and cruise overnight to Arnhem. (B/D)
Day 14
Arnhem, Freedom of Choice Touring
Disembark in Arnhem today and choose an activity. Visit the Airbourne Museum Hartenstein or the Palace of Het Loo, Piet Oudolf’s famous garden plus Kasteel Rosendael. Alternatively embark on a botanical discovery to Mien Ruys Tuinen’s garden plus Botanische Vijvertuinen Ada Hofaman’s garden. Return to the ship for a Farewell Dinner. (B/D)
Day 15
Depart Amsterdam
We arrive in Amsterdam early this morning where you disembark after breakfast. Transfers to the Amsterdam airport are included. (B)
Itinerary is based on 2012 departures. Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online.
River Cruise Prices
Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 APT River Cruise Sale! Save up to $860 per couple. Exclusive to Global Journeys. Deposit this month to apply!
Subject to availability at the time of booking.
Note:
All departures above are guaranteed to depart. Single prices available, please request.
We will check the availability of your departure in your quote along with all applicable cruise specials.
2012 Europe River Cruise SuperDeal Savings
EXCLUSIVE - Our Best Price Above PLUS APT's Superdeal Savings Below!
Guaranteed lowest prices in Australia! We will combine the applicable APT Superdeal below & OUR PRICE to your quote.
View APT Superdeals by clicking on the icon on the left. Terms & Conditions apply.
Fly Business Class Return From $1,995 Per Person
Fly Free To Europe (including air taxes)
Companion Fly Free To Europe
Superdeal Savings - Up to a further $1,000 per couple off.
The information below relates to this itinerary only.
Tour Operator: APT
APT holidays are designed for the premium end of the market and offer quality, first-class experiences. Each holiday presents a mix of cultural activities, luxurious accommodation, world-class dining and more. Many of APT's holidays, include their innovative Freedom Concept™ which allows travellers to choose from a range of touring and dining options. Further, all holidays are operated by a dedicated team of professionals, who ensure each holiday is as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.
We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on APT including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well as information on their 'Touring Styles', and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their cruises. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
As market leaders, our resources, experience, passion, expertise and proven track record ensure that we're the most reliable cruise operator on Europe's waterways. With a 98% satisfaction rating, and having launched all of our ships on schedule, there's no company more reliable or trustworthy than APT. We promise we'll continue to set the amazing standards for which we are known, making your choice easy. Put simply, APT are Australia and New Zealand's true European river cruising experts.
Travel documents, including your travel kit (with luggage labels, ticket wallet, personalised itinerary, touring information and travel bag), are sent approximately two to three weeks prior to departure from your home country, provided full payment has been received.
Each of our state-of-the-art ships was designed with our valued travellers in mind. Our operation allows us total control in delivering the standards for which we are famous. And with eight ships cruising in 2012 we are able to offer more cruising routes, ships and departures than most other companies. Custom-designed and built in Holland by the world's foremost ship building experts, APT's European river ships signify the evolution of modern river cruising. From the intricate elegance of the interior appointments and the opulence of the suites to the wealth of recreational choice provided in the vessel's public areas, these river ships are truly the finest on Europe's waters. You can find more information on individual ships here. (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
On an APT Platinum Sailing, you'll enjoy special
features and inclusions that will enhance what is
already an amazing holiday experience. You'll feel
as though several elements of the cruise have been
designed specifically to meet your own individual
interests and expectations, and you'll travel with
like-minded APT guests. Throughout our itinerary pages, our special
APT Platinum Sailings departures are indicated by this logo. Read more> (Note: This link will NOT take you away from this tour itinerary page).
All meals are prepared by European chefs and consist
of European-style food that has been adjusted for our passengers.
On board, enjoy a full buffet breakfast in the restaurant. Lunch
offers salads, soups, a choice of mains and dessert. Dinner is
a multi-course meal with a selection of mains. Coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout
the day and during meals. Water on board the ships is drinkable.
Wine, soft drinks or beer are included with dinner on board. All meals on board are included. Meals are served in the
dining room in a single sitting. Open seating allows you to sit
at different tables if you wish to meet other fellow passengers.
Handicapped facilities on board are limited. River cruise vessels
are not equipped with wheelchair ramps and hallways and doors
may not be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Ships are
equipped with an elevator but it does not access all decks (apart
from the Sound of Music with no elevator onboard). Additionally,
motorcoaches and minibuses used for transfers and shore excursions
may not be equipped with wheelchair ramps. Any condition requiring
special attention must be reported to APT at the time of booking.
Facilities and services for passengers with disabilities differ among
destinations and, in some cases, may be limited or non-existent.
Participants requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a
person responsible for and physically able to provide such assistance.
Transfers and shore excursions follow a predetermined timetable
and thus participants should have no physical impairment(s) that
would affect the time schedules or interfere with the rights of other
passengers on their holiday. Without limitation, APT and its affiliates
are not responsible for any denial of services by airline carriers,
cruise vessels, hotels, lodges, coaches, local guides, operators
or other independent suppliers.
For your convenience, all purchases and paid services on board
are billed with a guest check and added to your shipboard account.
At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid
with cash or credit card. The ships do not accept payments made
by Diners Club cards. The onboard currency is the Euro.
Solo travellers pay only a 50% single supplement on all suite categories from E to P+ on European River Crusies. On Exclusive Sailings we will match up those who are willing to share a suite with another single traveller of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single supplement. If no match is found then single supplements apply.
Arrival & Departure Information
Prebooked Transfers
All APT clients travelling on an Exclusive Sailing or Exclusive land
tours receive a transfer on the first and last day of the tour. This will
be from the airport to/from either the ship or tour hotel. A transfer
is not included, though may be purchased, should you be arriving
or departing on days other than the first and last day of touring.
These additional transfers are only applicable when your
pre and/or post tour arrangements are booked with Global Journeys & APT.
On Your Own Transfers
If you have not arranged an arrival transfer with Global Journeys, make your own way
to the ship or hotel with the help of the information provided in your itinerary. If you have independent travel arrangements
prior to your APT tour and do not have an APT transfer, the Tourist
Information office at your arrival city will be able to offer assistance
with directions to the ship or hotel. If you transfer to the ship on
your own, we recommend you call the ship prior to confirm the
ships docking location.
The APT Europe Office is available in case of an emergency.