Ama River Cruise Advantage on Excursions and Dining

 

AmaPrima cabin with French doors

 

 

 

 

 

AmaPrima River Cruise cabin with French doors

Travelers will cruise in absolute luxury aboard the AmaWaterways’ river cruise ships – complete with spacious staterooms, on-board entertainment and Internet/WiFi access. Fine dining in multiple venues, complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner and cabins with French doors (some ships have useable balconies) are just some of the amenities available aboard the cruise.

When your ship docks in the heart of town, stroll ashore for included excursions or set off to explore on a complimentary bicycle. Unpack just once then settle in as each destination comes to you. With no need to navigate from place to place, you’ll find a sense of adventure and a sense of home all in one vacation.

In order to accommodate each and every passenger’s pace, AmaWaterways offers a “Gentle Walkers” group, for those who’d like to explore at a more leisurely pace. Wherever possible, we also offer an “Active Walkers” group for those interested in covering more ground; and a “Late Starter” group for those who prefer to sleep in. AmaWaterways also offers multiple tours in each port for those that might have visited the area before at no additional charge.

AmaWaterways is the only river cruise line that carries more than two dozen bicycles and safety helmets, free for you to use throughout Europe. 

The bicycles give you the freedom to venture out and explore the riverside bike-ways or participate in complimentary guided bicycle tours. Whether you join a guided bike tour or explore on your own, our user-friendly bicycles offer the ultimate in touring freedom.

Amawaterways is proud to be the only river cruise line invited to join one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations founded in 1950 in Paris. Every AmaWaterways vessel cruising in Europe is an official member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs. Membership is considered an achievement of world-class culinary achievement.

AmaWaterways offers cruises on the Mosel, Rhine and Danube in Germany, Douro in Portugal,  the Rhone and Saone in France as well as Bordeaux for 2015.  The Danube River from Germany through Austria and Hungary to the Black Sea.  There are many Themed cruises – such as Christmas Markets, Wine, Beer and Tulip cruises.

Check the “Special Offers” section on the front page of our website for special offers on AmaWaterways River Cruises in Europe.  888-869-7907

http://www.europeanbarging.com/River_cruises

Trier – Germany’s Oldest City Located on the Mosel River

Trier is a 4th Century Roman city located on Germany’s Mosel River and surrounded by vineyards and charming wine villages. Easy town to tour by foot or bicycle and their is a sightseeing train to go further in the hills.Luxury Barges, Casual Bike and Barge and River Cruises all Continue reading

Italian Islands of Murano and Burano

Italian Islands of Murano and Burano are Great Vacation Spots

Italian Islands of Murano and BuranoThe islands of Murano and Burano are located in the Venetian lagoon. They offer a perfect escape for visitors who want to discover the wonders of Venice. In addition to the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage backdrop, the islands are renowned for their ability to transport people back in time to an era of respected and genuine craftsmanship.

Whether you are on a barge cruise or river cruise from Venice, Italy, two ports of call will be the islands of Burano and Murano. It would be a wonderful experience to know the history, art and folklore of these islands. Situated in the north of the historic centre, Murano and Burano are the most famous small islands to visit near Venice. They stand as the faithful guardians of their culture and traditional handicrafts that have made them famous throughout the world.

Italian Islands of Murano and Burano are Wonderful Tourists Locations

Even though they are a bit touristy, they do have some really nice craft to offer. Murano is famous for its beautiful glass processing and Burano for lace making and the cheerful colorful buildings.

Murano is a great attraction for tourists who want to learn more about glass and purchase some souvenirs and artistic objects for home. “Murano Glass” is known as the finest glass in the world. In Murano-popularly known as the glass blowing island-you are usually taken directly to one glass blowing factory, where you will see some interesting glass blowing techniques and then have the opportunity to buy some glass ware, glass objects and such. The Italy glass you purchase here will add to the charm of your house as well as stay as the memory of the place forever.

While Murano’s claim to fame is glass, Burano’s is the lace. Burano is one of Europe’s most prosperous lace making centers. The women of Burano are famed as the best in Italy at creating all kinds of fine lace items, from clothing to fashionable accessories. Most of the shops carry the same products, but if you keep checking out the shops, you can find some really nice quality lace and linen items.

As you arrive in Burano, the first thing to catch your attention is the ensemble of colorful row house facades. According to a legend, the colorful houses helped fishermen recognize their homes in the thick mists that sometimes surrounded them. Today they brighten up the atmosphere and add to the unique charm of Burano.

Our Po river cruise and Italy barge cruise will be a great option if you want to visit the amazing Italian islands of Murzno and Burano. Call us for more details! Europeanbarging.com 888-869-7907

Cruise the Rhine and Mosel Wine Regions

Experience a Wine Cruise along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers

AMA Rhine and Mosel Wine Cruises are designed with wine connoisseurs in mind. However, did you know the historic beauty of the Rhine River makes this trip a Germany Castle Cruise as well? Take the Rhine River Cruise for the castles and the Mosel River Cruise for the vineyards – AMA combines the two treats in one deluxe package.

Cruise and Visit the Wine Villages of Germany

Ships docked on the Moselle RiverExplore the world’s oldest wine Road, the German Wine Route. Tour around the wine villages in Germany looking for the biggest wine barrel in the world, large enough to house a restaurant. Try pronouncing “Gewurztraminer” while you enjoy this crisp, spicy wine in Germany’s oldest vineyard. Wine villages in Germany are surrounded by castles, palaces and Roman ruins. Keep your camera handy to snap shots of romantic corners in these picturesque villages.

Wine Cruise

The wine cruise meanders along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, waterways famous for their scenic views. A Rhine River Cruise includes castles surrounded by emerald green landscape. The Mosel River Cruise offers a vineyard-rich countryside. Step off the luxurious vessel straight into the heart of an ancient village, host to local wineries. Towns that boast over 1,000 years of wine history beckon with the promise of medieval marketplaces and fountains surrounded by quaint town squares.

Wine Tasting

In addition to delightful excursions to museums housing self-playing musical instruments as old as 300 years, the wine cruise offers, well, many chances for wine and even beer tasting. Enjoy sampling wines at the Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel. Kick your heels up at a medieval wine festival in Zell. Admire the historic Cologne Cathedral before enjoying tastings of the city’s famous beer, Kölsch, at the Früh Brewery. Explore narrow alleys lined with wine taverns and indulge in tastings hosted by local vintners.

Starting in legendary Paris, take an exciting high-speed TGV ride and embark on your river cruise. The Rhine offers a Germany Castle Cruise while the Mosel is nestled into twisting landscapes of vineyards and villages. The cruises feature gourmet dining, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks and musical performances. Enjoy informative lectures and cooking demonstrations or explore on one of many culinary excursions or daily tours.

AMA Cruises along the Rhine and Mosel rivers offer guests the experience of lavish travel and site-seeing opportunities that create lasting memories. Castles, medieval villages and vineyards hosting wine tastings are waiting.

For more information contact us at 888-869-7907  or jan@europeanbarging.com  to learn more about our wine themed river cruises in Europe.

Majestic Jewel of the Mosel River Valley

COCHEM’S Reichsburg Castle- Majestic Jewel of the Mosel River Valley 

There is perhaps no better way to tour the historically rich, scenic towns of Rhineland Germany than by river cruise. The cruises usually feature relatively small cruising vessels that have limited passenger capacity but are large on amenities, style, and service. ID-100163279Quaint villages and conspicuous German castles are thoroughly enjoyed by the 360 degree views provided on the sun decks of most river cruise ships and barges. A favorite tour among discerning travelers is the Mosel River cruise which meanders past beautiful Cochem Germany. These unique trips often climax with memorable shore excursions to popular attractions like those found on the Mosel bike and barge cruise.

Mosel River Cruise

The Mosel river or “Moselle” river as the French call it is a peaceful tributary of the Rhine River that flows from France to Germany. The area surrounding the Mosel River in Germany is known as the Mosel River Valley, and the towns located there are reminiscent of storybook tales of the medieval era. For those who find romantic villages complete with cobblestone streets surrounded by lush vineyards and Germany castles appealing, then a Mosel River cruise is an ideal choice for a holiday trip.

Cruising down the Mosel River gives holiday travelers the opportunity to see many of the oldest towns in the heart of Europe in grand style. Depending on the chosen itinerary, passengers get to view the cities of Koblenz, Cochem, and Bernkastel just to name a few.

The cities visited are not the only appeal of this type of holiday choice; the cruises themselves are absolutely exquisite. Many cruises are taken on luxury river or barge vessels that feature five-star dining and stellar service. The all-inclusive travel packages ensure that passengers completely relax while travelling from the time they board until disembarking at the end of the journey.

cochem germany

A popular river cruise itinerary includes a trip to the town of Cochem. The Mosel Bike and Barge cruise allows passengers to conduct a shore excursion that gives them the best of both worlds when it comes to scenic views. After leaving the river cruise barge, active passengers bike to Cochem to explore the popular town.

The town of Cochem holds a very interesting past as an imperial estate complete with a castle and fortifications that was eventually lost in its entirety to the French during the 1600’s. French troops razed the original Reichsburg Castle to the ground, and the castle was only rebuilt in its current neo-Gothic style architecture in 1868 by a wealthy Berlin business person who used the renovated castle as a summer home for his family. Since 1978, tourists have been able to take tours of the Reichsburg Castle. For more information about booking a cruise to the romantic Reichsburg Castle, contact us.