Tour Type:River Cruise Tour Duration:15 Days (14 Nights) From:Arles toAmsterdam Tour Code:EURCR15 Operator:APT
from AU $6,820 pp
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River Cruise Description
Cruise over the Moselle, Rhine and Rhone rivers in one unique holiday experience. Join your cruise in Arles as you travel north to Lyon. Board your second ship and continue to Amsterdam.
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.
Included Signature Experiences
Visit an olive farm in Les Baux
Enjoy a cheese tasting in Gruyères
Explore the Technik Museum Speyer
APT Guaranteed Inclusions
Join an expert local guide for a unique cultural experience in up to 20 towns, villages and cities
Tailor your European discovery with plenty of included experiences on offer
Transfers, port charges & tipping included
Freedom of Choice Touring
In Avignon, visit the Papal Palace and enjoy a city tour, or see the impressive Pont du Gard aqueduct
Enjoy a choice of gourmet-themed tours in Tournon, where you can sample wines or goat’s cheese
In Lyon, enjoy a city tour or a French cooking demonstration
At Breisach, take an excursion to Colmar in France, or to Germany’s Black Forest
In Rüdesheim, visit a unique museum, enjoy a gondola ride or take part in a wine tasting at a Rhine Valley winery
From Cologne, travel to Venlo and see the 2012 Floriade Horticultural Expo, or visit historic Maastricht
In Amsterdam, touring options include a canal cruise, a visit to the Van Gogh museum or a Wetlands Safari canoe tour
Cruising Highlights
Absorb the beautiful scenery of the Rhône River and Moselle River valleys
Cruise through the magnificent Rhine Gorge, a World Heritage-listed site
Cruise past castles, quaint villages and fertile fields along the River Rhine
Arrive Arles, Embark
Arrive at Arles, where your cruise of the beautiful Rhône begins. Seven Nights: APT’s luxurious Aria Class ship - the MS Amadagio (D)
Day 2
Arles, Freedom of Choice Touring
From Arles, perhaps head to Les Baux de Provence for a tour of the castle and free time. Then visit Moulin du Calanquet, an olive mill and farm in Saint-Rémy de Provence. Discover the Provençal tradition of olive growing during a tour and tasting. Or tour the olive farm first then visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh, spent many of his latter years. After your activity, see a number of Arles' Roman relics that are collectively listed as World Heritage sites. (B/L/D)
Day 3
Avignon, Freedom of Choice Touring, Grignan, Viviers
Today in Avignon, perhaps take a tour of the historic Papal Palace, or see the Pont du Gard. Take an excursion to Grignan, perched upon a hill and surrounded by lavender fields. Here, visit a truffle farm for an insight into this unique industry. Head out with the dogs in search of truffles then enjoy a tasting of these delicacies. Ttonight, enjoy a ‘ghost walk’ in abandoned Viviers. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Tournon, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy a choice of gourmet activities in Tournon today. Visit a goat farm for a tour, and savour goat’s cheese during a tasting, or sample wines at Rhône Valley winery. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Vienne, Freedom of Choice Touring
Cruise to the pretty town of Vienne this morning. Disembark and take a mini train-ride to see the first century Roman Temple of Augustus, and the medieval churches of St Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St Pierre. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Trévoux, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, a morning tour takes you through the beautiful Beaujolais region. Visit a vineyard in this famous wine-producing province and sample the world-renowned Beaujolais wine. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Trévoux, Lyon, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy a walking tour of Trévoux before cruising to Lyon and choosing between a cooking class and a city tour. (B/L/D)
Day 8
Lyon, Basel, Embark
Depart for Basel today. On the way, stop at the beautiful Lake Geneva region, and travel via Gruyères for a tour and tasting of the famous Swiss cheese. Seven Nights: APT’s luxurious Aria Class ship - the MS Amacello (B/D)
Day 9
Breisach, Freedom of Choice Touring Colmar/Black Forest
Today, choose between two activities. Take a city tour of medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed ‘Capital of Alsatian Wine’. Alternatively, take an excursion through the famous Black Forest region of Germany. Drive through a scenic forested area and stop at a cuckoo clock factory. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Speyer
On arrival in the city of Speyer today, you'll disembark for a brief tour, including a visit to the Technik Museum Speyer, Europe’s largest private technology museum. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy a morning of cruising before arriving in Rüdesheim, a great example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Here, disembark the ship and board the Winzerexpress mini-train, which will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a tour. Afterwards, re-board the ship and prepare yourself for the cruise along perhaps the most beautiful stretch of the river, through the Rhine Gorge. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Cochem, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning your ship will leave the Rhine and turn onto the Moselle River, a winding and picturesque waterway. Enjoy a morning of stunning views as the scenery of the spectacular Moselle Valley drifts by. In the town of Cochem, visit Reichsburg Castle and absorb stunning views over the river below. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Koblenz, Cologne,
Alight in the 2,000 year-old city of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle and choose your activity. Rejoin your ship in Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city. Among other attractions, see the city’s cathedral, once the world’s tallest building. (B/L/D)
Day 14
Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
After morning cruising you’ll arrive in Amsterdam and choose from two different activities. You might like to admire the city on a canal boat tour. Or perhaps visit the famous Van Gogh Museum. Following your Freedom of Choice Touring relax or explore further with some free time. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a special Farewell Dinner on board. Afterwards, perhaps head in to town to absorb the nightlife. (B/L/D)
Day 15
Depart Amsterdam
After breakfast today, disembark your ship and are transferred to the airport. (B)
Itinerary is based on 2013 departures. Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online. 2012 itinerary may differ from above.
River Cruise Prices
Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012/13 APT River Cruise Sale! Save up to $1,440 per couple PLUS add APT's own Superdeal Savings! 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 Fly FREE November Departures
Fly FREE Including Taxes on all November Departures - All Categories
Guaranteed lowest prices in Australia! We will combine the Fly FREE APT deal below & OUR PRICE to your quote. Terms & Conditions apply.
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.
Guaranteed lowest prices in Australia! We will combine the applicable APT 2013 Superdeal below & OUR PRICE to your quote.
View APT Superdeals by clicking on the icon on the left. Terms & Conditions apply.
Fly Free To Europe (including air taxes) Cat E & D
Fly Free To Europe (excluding air taxes) Cat C, B & A
Air Credits From $850 - $1,000pp (Cat T. T+, P, P+ & Owners Suites)
2013 Earlybird Offers Expire 30 September or until sold out
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.