Dear Vacations To Go Customer,
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, river cruises around the world
temporarily stopped operating. Some ships are now planning to resume
sailing on U.S. rivers this month or next, and we will let you know as
soon as they are operating again.
In Europe, a limited number of river cruises are already operating but
for Europeans only. The European Union began accepting visitors from
select non-EU countries in July, which is a step toward a larger restart
of river cruising. The list of approved countries, which is said to be
reviewed every two weeks, includes Canada but does not yet include the
United States.
Today, I'd like to tell you about the highlights of cruising France's
most popular rivers. Vacations To Go offers a huge variety of river
cruise itineraries, plus every discount, deal and special promotion
available. Below are brief summaries of France's top rivers, in no
particular order.
Seine River
itineraries spend time in Paris, where included sightseeing tours
typically feature photo ops at the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph,
Notre Dame and the broad, busy Champs-Elysees. Beyond the capital,
highlights include Claude Monet's home and beautiful gardens at Giverny;
Chateau Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart's stronghold in Les Andelys; and
Le Havre, where passengers typically set out for D-Day landing sites
along the beaches of Normandy.
Meander through France's Burgundy region on a
Saone River
cruise. Walking tours of Macon take in the Wooden House, a charming,
half-timbered Renaissance home. Chalon-sur-Saone is an important center
for France's wine trade. Passengers can join an excursion to the
Hospices of Beaune, a 15th-century hospital complex famous for its
intricately detailed, colorful roofs.
Saone River cruises usually are combined with sailings of the
Rhone River,
which runs south through France's Provence region to the Mediterranean
coast. Itineraries call at Lyon, known as the country's gastronomic
capital; Arles, one of Van Gogh's favorite places; and Avignon, a walled
city with a 14th-century papal palace.
On
Bordeaux waterways
itineraries, ships navigate the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the
Gironde estuary in southwest France. Guests visit famed wine-producing
towns like Saint-Emilion, Pauillac and Sauternes and sample vintages at
wine estates. Try local specialties (such as caviar d'Aquitaine and
Arcachon oysters), and visit grand old chateaux.
Here are this week's Top 10 River Cruises. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability.
1) Paris to Normandy, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Begins and ends in Paris. Save $1,500 per couple. Book a suite and save up to $2,800 per couple. Starting at $3,299. Departures from March 30 through November 2, 2021.
2 Jazz Jaunts, 6 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Begins and ends in New Orleans. Save $600 per couple, plus receive a free $140 per cabin onboard credit. Starting at $1,499. Departs January 17, 21, 25 & 29 and February 2, 2021.
3) Charms of the South, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Memphis and New Orleans. Save up to $1,400 per couple, plus receive a free $140 per cabin onboard credit. Starting at $1,999. Departures from February 6 through December 12, 2021.
4) The Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise, 8 days with Riviera River Cruises. Begins and ends in Porto. Save $200 per couple. Book a cabin on the middle or upper decks and save up to $1,500 per couple. Starting at $2,079. Departures from March 26 through October 31, 2021.
5) Ohio River Exploration, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Louisville and Pittsburgh. Save $1,000 per couple, plus receive a free $140 per cabin onboard credit. Starting at $2,299. Departs June 6 & 13 and July 4, 2021.
6 Pacific Northwest Splendor, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Vancouver and Clarkston or Spokane. Save up to $3,000 per couple, plus receive a free $140 per cabin onboard credit. Starting at $2,699. Departures from March 14 through November 14, 2021.
7) Castles Along the Rhine, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel. Save up to 10%. Plus, receive an additional $500 per couple discount. Starting at $2,949. Departures from March 21 through October 31, 2021.
8) Magna on the Danube, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Budapest and ends in Vilshofen. Companion flies for free, plus receive free prepaid gratuities. Starting at $3,199. Departures from March 24 through December 29, 2021.
9) Sensations of Lyon and Provence, 8 days with Emerald Waterways. Travels between Lyon and Nice. Fly for $295 per person or save $1,500 per couple. Plus, receive an additional $250 per couple discount and free DiscoverMore shore excursions. Starting at $3,295. Departures from April 17 through October 30, 2021.
10) Windmills, Tulips & Belgian Delights, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Begins and ends in Amsterdam. Fly for free or save $2,400 per couple. Plus, receive up to an additional $1,300 per couple discount. Starting at $3,895. Departures from March 31 through May 3, 2021.
Sincerely,
Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go