Author Archives: Jan European Barging & River Cruises

Messina Hof Winery Hosts AmaWaterways Wine Cruise

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Uncork local traditions, savor intense flavors and enjoy palate-pleasing adventures during an AmaWaterways Wine Cruise. Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo of the Messina Hof Winery hosts the March 2019 wine cruise aboard AmaLyra. The cruise promotes a wide range of activities throughout the whole trip in order to appreciate wine heritage more through a series of tastings, discussions, and tours around each port.

The AmaWaterways Seine Wine Cruise sets sail on March 21st, 2019 and will last for 7 nights. The cruise is set for the following cities and sights: Paris, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Caudebec-en-Caux, Normandy Landing Beaches, Rouen, and Vernon. Each destination has been preprogrammed with activities for all the cruise attendees to enjoy. Itinerary are as follows:

March 21st Paris – Embarkation and welcome aboard wine toast.
March 22nd Les Andelys – Château Gaillard tour, or Les Andelys bike tour, or Château Gaillard hike, and Scenic cruising.
March 23rd Le Havre – choices of Full-day Honfleur excursion, or Half-day Honfleur excursion, or Routes des Abbayes tour, Afternoon Le Havre city tour, or Fécamp Monastery visit with Benedictine tasting, or Le Havre bike tour.
March 24th Caudebec-en-Caux – choose from a Full-day excursion to American or Canadian & British Normandy Landing Beaches, or Normandy countryside excursion.
March 25th Rouen – Morning walking tour, or Rouen bike tour, or Rouen hike, Jewish Heritage Rouen, or Tastes of Normandy tour.
March 26th Vernon – Scenic cruising, Château de Bizy tour with cider and Calvados tasting, or Bike tour.
March 27th Paris – Wine Museum and Onboard Champagne tasting.
March 28th Paris – Disembarkation

To get on the cruise, rates start from $2,249 per person. (This includes the $750 per person disount). This is good for 7 nights’ deluxe accommodation in river view stateroom. Upgrades in stateroom category assignments are allowed but should be prearranged before the cruise embarks. Europeanbarging is also offering a $50 per cabin on board credit.

The fare also covers for unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Passengers will enjoy fine dining at The Chef’s Table and Main Restaurant, and Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour. Passengers will also get to experience and mingle at a Captain’s Gala Dinner and Cocktail Reception. And for creature comforts, there is complimentary Wi-Fi access on board. When docked, they can get to choose from a variety of guided shore excursions as well as complimentary bicycles and helmets.

The AmaWaterways Cruise is not only a great way to appreciate wine more, it is also a great opportunity to meet and socialize with people that share the same passion and delight for wine and more.

For more information on the cruise and its activities, contact Jan Baumgartner of Europeanbarging.com at 888-869-7907, or send an email to jan@europeanbarging.com.

Jan Baumgartner is an expert when it comes to Wine Cruise, Seine River Cruise, AmaWaterways . To find out about River Cruises, AmaWaterways, visit their website at Europeanbarging.com.

Enjoying 3 Bordeaux Wines – on a River Cruise

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When taking a European River Cruise through Bordeaux, you can experience a one-of-a kind wine tour all throughout the journey.

The cruise will take you to different wine destinations that offer a variety of world-renowned wines in the area.  There is the opportunity to experience 3 Bordeaux Wines – Medoc, Cotes de Bourg and Sauternes

Other than savoring the taste and aroma of good quality wines, a Bordeaux River Cruise will be a treat for the eyes as you enjoy magnificent views of lush vineyards, historic landmarks, and natural landscapes.

MEDOC WINES
There are a number of vineyards in the Bordeaux area and you must not miss trying out some of the most popular wines. The full-bodied red wines in the Medoc region are recommended. The world-famous wines in this region are made at family-owned chateaus producing signature blends and grand cru wines.

Visit the Margaux and St. Julien vineyards and cellars to also gain insight of several centuries of winemaking tradition. Admire the scenic view of rolling vine-covered hills as you go from one place to another.

BOURG WINES
Northwest of the city of Bordeaux is the Cotes de Bourg, one of the oldest wine producing regions in France. You can find around 400 winemakers in this area, the majority of which are family-owned. Cotes de Bourg is known for Merlot-based red wines but it also produces dry white wine in small quantities.

SAUTERNES WINES
Another popular wine in the Bordeaux region is the Sauternes. It is known for being a timeless classic when it comes to white wines. A tour to the Sauternes area will give tourists a taste of this sweet wine as they are learning about the “noble rot” process involved in making it. In this winemaking process, the grapes are left on the vines to rot to maintain the concentration of sugar and acidity.

Taking an AmaWaterways River Cruise in the Bordeaux region will indeed satisfy wine lovers. At the same time, it showcases the number of attractions that has earned its slot in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Europeanbarging is offering a $1000 discount per person off a Baron’s Creek winery cruise departing  Aug 14 – 21, 2025. Offer good thru March 30th 2024. CALL NOW for best selection. Europeanbarging.com 888-869-7907

The Northern Dutch City of Hoorn

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Europeanbarging presents Arosa Cruises to Hoorn on the Arosa Flora and Silva

Hoorn is a town in North Holland and was once the capital of West Friesland. It features many beautiful houses from the Golden Age, when the Dutch East India and the West India Companies had offices here. Cape Horn, is the the most southerly point of the Americas and was discovered by Willem Schouten  The cape was named after his home town.  Another famous explorer from Hoorn was Jan Coen, who founded Jakarta in Indonesia.

Dutch City of Hoorn

Enjoy a stroll along the Hoorn Harbor and see the diversity of ships in the harbor. There are some very old sailing vessels that are still sailed today.  As you walk into town there is a fortified gate from 1532 that was originally a defense tower. It was named Hoofdtoren, In front of Hoofdtoren stands a wooden landing made in 1464 named the Houten Hoofd.  In 1651 a bell tower was constructed on top of the tower. The lock to the main harbor dates back to 1778. There are several canals leading from the main town and many shops and bars at the harbor.  Walking along the cobbled and brick streets and along the canals you will find lots of interesting architecture and shops.  While we were in Hoorn there was a world soccer game going on and I think the whole town was in a bar at the harbor so we had the whole town to explore mostly on our own.  Everyone started coming out of the bar as we headed back to our ship and they were in good spirits leading us to think their team won.

Sites of interest include Staten Parliament, built in 1632 and located in the town square – Rode Steen.  It is now the Westfries Museum.  The museum has an extensive collection of paintings, silver objects, porcelain, historic firearms etc. The exhibition of this vast collection covers 25 rooms, one of which is a style-room. In 1953, 15th century cellars were discovered under the building. These cellars are now part of the exhibition for archaeological objects from Hoorn and its surroundings.

St. Jans Gasthuis museum holds temporary exhibits.  Near this museum is  the Bossehuizen  which is a collection of 3 houses built in 1612 and featuring friezes depicting the defeat of the Spanish Admiral Bossu in 1573.

Arosa offers 2 Northern Rhine itineraries that stop in Hoorn. The 7 night Experience the Northern Rhine cruising Holland and Belgium, and  the 9 night Experience the Rhine and the Sea, which cruises northern Holland as well and Holland and Belgium.  April departures on these North Rhine River cruise itineraries include Amsterdam and the Keukenhof Gardens. Rates from $1484 for 7 night.  Rates include all meals, beverage package, Wi-Fi and use of the ship’s fitness and spa facilities.

Taking in this fabulous city of historical and architectural wonders will be a great delight. Book your trip with us today!  Europeanbarging.com  888-869-7907

 

Cruising the Canal du Midi on the 6 Passenger Roi Soleil

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Converted to a  hotel barge in 1999, the Roi Solei is a deluxe six passenger barge cruising the Canal du Midi in Southern France.

The Roi Soleil  offers cruises in the Canal du Midi area in France, some of the highlights include: Medieval Carcassonne, a fortified Medieval fortress with a walled city and preserved ramparts, Narbonne (Roman capital), historic Cathar hilltop towns, as well as the experience of cruising on the man made Canal du midi – finished 350 years ago, and featuring 91 working locks.  Cruise through the magnificent vistas vineyards as far as the eye can see to the snow capped Pyrenees.

The Roi Soleil also offers special wine charter themed cruises.  With their contacts the owners can help you find some special vintages, they can offer daily wine tasting or even comparison tasting with other wine regions – at additional cost.

Family cruise charters are another specialty of the Roi Soleil.   Excursions can include cycling (bike and helmet sizes can be arranged in advance for children), horse back riding, 4 wheel riding, hot air balloon swimming at the beach, in the river or on the barge.  Excursions can be arranged for the children at the same time as the adults are out on excursions.

With a large saloon on the upper deck, with a fireplace, bar and elegant dining area, the barge has an open feel with many windows and skylights. The barge has two sundecks with a retractable canopy and a jacuzzi tub at one end.  The cabins can be configured for queen or twin, and ensuite bathroom with large showers, lave stone floors, and heated towel racks.  There is limited Wi-Fi depending on reception.

For excursions there is an air-conditioned eurovan with seating for 8, and there are six Giant Boulder Breeze Hybrid bikes and six helmets.

Continental breakfast includes fresh breads, pastries, cereals, fresh fruits, yogurt, freshly brewed coffee and tea.

  • Atypical lunch might consist of: Smoked duck and granny smith apple salad with fresh raspberry dressing,  braised quail served on creamy porcini mushroom risotto, and lemon soufflé.
  • A typical dinner might consist of: home made foie gras au torchon with pear and date, Charollais beef fillet on braised beetroot and fresh asparagus with chunky basil pesto and plum, apple chutney. Chilled blackberry & vanilla soup with caramel & balsamic ice cream on a chocolate truffle with pistachio spun sugar, followed by coffee, tea or liqueurs with fine chocolates. The galley on the Roi Soleil was specifically designed with an open plan to accommodate passengers who may be interested in participating in our Chef cooking demonstrations to learn new techniques or pick up a few tricks.

Included in the rate is 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, all meals – from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.  Check out the Roi Soleil itinerary and our videos on the Roi Soleil barge and the Roi Soleil Dining.

For more information contact us at 888-869-7907   or europeanbarging.com   European River Cruise and Barge specialists since 1998.

Visiting Miltenberg on a Main River Cruise

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The medieval town of Miltenberg, along the Main River,  has the most enchanting medieval charm around every cobblestone street, narrow alleys, and half-timbered houses, window baskets overflowing with fresh petunia flowers add to the flavor of the town.   Tourism plays  a major part in the local economy. In the Old Market Square is surrounded  by half timbered buildings, restaurants, bratwurst stalls, local handcraft stalls and the Old Town Hall as well. These structures are still in remarkable shape in spite of having been built in the 16th and 17th centuries.   The town also has 2 surviving gates from the Middle Ages – The Wurzburg Gate and the Mainz Gate.

Referred to as “The Pearl of the Main River”, today the city has a population of 9,000 – It was originally settled in  pre-Roman times and has enjoyed a rich and lively past. Being located near the Main River, it was a major trading location between Frankfurt and Nuremberg

A popular destination in Miltenberg is the famous hotel Gasrhaus zum Riesen.  Maybe the oldest hotel in all of Germany, originally built about 1411. Rebuilt nearly 200 years later in the half-timbered, Renaissance style. The hotel has since been renovated to include some more modern amenities.

Main attractions  in Miltenberg are: Miltenberg Castle (built in 11th century, the castle is now used as a museum of old and modern art work – Museum.Stadt.Miltenberg),  Fraenkischer Rotwein Wanderweg (medieval architecture), Brauhaus Faust (brewery), Mainbrucke, (a beautiful Bridge),  St. Kilian Kellerei, (Wine cellar).

Main festivals include –  the first weekend in July, the Town Festival (Stadtfest) is held;  In late July, the Mildenburger Theatertage (“Theatre Days”) takes place; beginning on the last weekend in August and for ten days, the Michaelismesse (“St Michael’s Fair”), the biggest fair on the Bavarian Lower Main (Bayerischer Untermain), is held (despite the similarity in names, it is not Michaelmas, which falls on 29 September, a month later).

One of the best ways to visit Miltenberg is from a Rhine/Main/Danube River Cruise. Check out our video on Miltenberg.  We have cruises available on AmaWaterways, Arosa, CroisiEurope and Amadeus Cruises and can assist in finding the perfect cruise for you.  Europeanbarging.com  888-869-7907