Springtime on Russia’s Waterways
For one departure only, Exeter International, an 18-year-old luxury tour operator that specializes in tours to Russia, is offering a special five-night sailing on the Volga Dream starting at $1,725 per person, based on double occupancy. Departing on May 8, the cruise sails roundtrip from Moscow, visiting quaint rural villages, including Myshkin, Goritsy, Yaroslavl and Uglich, and returning on May 13.
All meals and shore excursions are included as well as complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Staterooms feature river views from large windows, private showers, full bathroom facilities and individual climate control.
The five-star Volga Dream has been newly rebuilt and redesigned to accommodate and carry fewer than 100 passengers which, in turn, also allows for more intimate guided tours in each village.
Last year, Exeter International picked up top accolades, including Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist list for being one of the top custom travel arrangers in the U.S. (www.exeterinternational.com)
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Viking is accepting 2011 bookings for Europe and Egypt // (C) 2010 Jaap Hart |
Viking Offers Limited-Time Pricing
Viking River Cruises has announced the release of dates and prices on more than a dozen Europe, Russia and Egypt itineraries for the 2011 season. As an added bonus, 2011 cruises will be offered at 2010 prices for a limited time. According to the line, the early release was initiated because of record 2010 sales and high demand for the company’s most popular itineraries.
“River cruising is no longer the travel industry’s best-kept secret,” said Viking River Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen. “Past guests and new Viking cruisers alike are booking earlier than ever before, and this extraordinary interest prompted us to kick off the 2011 season.”
With the launch of 2011 departures, Viking is promoting its Early Booking Discount when booked by March 31. With this single-offer promotion, clients will get two-for-one cruise fares; reduced international airfare; and complimentary wine with dinner onboard.
The 2011 itineraries now available for booking include the multi-country Grand European Tour; the Danube Waltz from Passau, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary; the 15-day Treasures of the Rhine, Tulips & Windmills; the Elegant Elbe from Berlin to Prague, the Czech Republic; the Waterways of the Czars from St. Petersburg to Moscow, Russia; and the Pathways of the Pharaohs, sailing roundtrip from Cairo, Egypt; among other popular itineraries.
For 2011, commissions start at 12 percent for cruise and land bookings, 5 percent for full-price airfare bookings, 10 percent for the Travel Protection Plan and 12 percent for land extensions. (www.vikingrivercruises.com)
Celebrating With French Country Waterways
American-owned-and-operated French Country Waterways is offering special deals on any of its three boutique cruises in France with a $250 savings during April departures. And, for those celebrating a quinquennial wedding anniversary — anniversaries that take place every fifth year — in 2010, the savings are even more significant.
Anniversary discounts vary and correspond to the number of wedded years that the couple has been together — from 5 percent off for a fifth anniversary to 50 percent off for a golden anniversary. The Quinquennial Anniversary promotion is good for departures scheduled from April 4 through Oct. 31.
Each cruise provides a lunch ashore and a dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant; four-course candlelit dinners with Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines; daily sightseeing excursions to nearby medieval towns and churches, chateaux and famous vineyards; and a festive dinner to mark guests’ anniversaries.
French Country Waterways is known for creating a member-of-the-family atmosphere on its 12-person luxury vessels. Onboard, there is one crewmember to every two passengers, and all of the staff is fluent in both English and French.
All French Country Waterways barges are available for individual bookings and for charter by families, friends and groups of eight to 12 persons. (www.fcwl.com)
