Peter Deilmann Cruises is combining a nine-day Italian and French upscale land package with a seven-night sailing aboard the 50-stateroom Cezanne along France’s Seine River for an Ultimate Cruise Tour that spans 17 days.
The itinerary begins at the Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy, with its nearly 500-year-old villa and 25-acre park set upon the shores of the lake, will act as the base of operations for more than three days of sightseeing. A private lake cruise stops at Villa Carlotta for a tour and the Renaissance town of Bellagio for a stroll, followed by a day for independent exploration. After a transfer by private car to Venice’s Hotel Cipriani opposite the Piazza San Marco, guests will be given an introduction to the many sites of the city and will commence an excursion to the islands of Murano, also known as the Glass Island, for its 700-year history of glass blowers, as well as Burano, which is known for its lacework.
An overnight journey to Paris will take place aboard the restored luxury carriages of the Orient Express. After settling in at the Chateau of Les Crayeres, home to a three-starred Michelin restaurant, guests will tour Reims. Highlights of Reims include the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, where French kings were crowned, and its Old Town. Afterward, clients have the opportunity to explore the Champagne region to visit the vineyards, meet with a local producer and indulge in a Champagne tasting.
The Cezanne will serve as a floating hotel in the heart of Paris for a night, as guests tour Notre Dame, the Louvre, Sacre Couer, the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. From Paris, the ship will make stops in Les Andelys with a tour of Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau-Gaillard; in Caudebec-en-Caus, where an optional excursion to the Landing Beaches of Normandy is offered; and in Honfleur, whose unusual light inspired native son Eugene Boudin, and others, including Monet, Renoir and Sisley, to experiment with their crafts and ultimately form the Impressionist Movement.
In Rouen, the half-timbered city where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, guests will visit the Gothic Cathedral Notre Dame and Old Town. And in Vernon, which lies opposite of Giverny, guests will take a tour of the restored home of Monet, where they can see what inspired his famous paintings of lily ponds, Japanese Bridge and gardens.
Deilmann will offer six Ultimate Cruise Tour departures in 2009 — one each month from April through September.
The cruises are priced at $11,719 to $12,969 per person, based on double occupancy. A two-night Paris extension with included excursions is $615 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include a total of 10 excursions, five-star accommodations on land and an outside cabin onboard, all meals onboard, transfers and nightly entertainment.
Peter Deilmann Cruises
www.deilmann-cruises.com
