Day 1 - Arrive Arles Arrive in Arles today where your botanically themed cruise of the beautiful Rhone and Rhine Rivers begin. Tonight gather with your fellow travellers and friendly crew for a Welcome Dinner and Drinks. Enjoy a lecture on the gardens included on this cruise by the author of 'Great Gardens of Europe', Charles Quest-Ritson.
Seven night stay: one of APT's luxurious river ships. D
Day 2 - Arles, Les Baux, Avignon This morning, perhaps wander around Arles, exploring independently. Alternatively, take an excursion to the hilltop village of Les Baux to enjoy the rich floral colours and views, plus visit a working olive farm. You may choose to visit Bambouseraie, the biggest and best Bamboo garden in Europe. B, L, D
Day 3 - Avignon, Provence Explore Avignon, the 'City of Popes' on a guided tour through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace. Alternatively enjoy a visit to the gardens of Saint Andre Abbey or the Jardin de la Louve before continuing north to Viviers. B, L, D
Day 4 - Viviers, Tournon After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, a charming hilltop village, before sailing for Tournon. B, L, D
Day 5 - Tournon, Boucieu-le-Roi, Vienne Explore the beautiful landscapes of the Ardeche Mountains, and visit the markets of Boucieu-le-Roi before sailing for Vienne, which has a magnificent Roman history which is very much in evidence today. B, L, D
Day 6 - Vienne, Trevoux Today you have the opportunity to explore Vienne or to visit the Palais Ideal du Facteur Cheval. Here, the amazing garden building is considered the most extraordinary folly ever made. Cruise through Lyon to the rural town of Trevoux on the Saone River. B, L, D
Day 7 - Trevoux, Lyon This morning, tour the Beaujolais wine region and visit a local wine maker before sailing to Lyon. This afternoon you can choose to explore Lyon on your own, visit Parc de la Tete d'Or or enjoy a gastronomic walking tour of Lyon. This evening our special guest lecturer is author Jane Webster who will share her experience of renovating a French Chataeu in Normandy. B, L, D
Day 8 - Swiss Alps, Yvoire, Basel Enjoy a scenic journey from Lyon to Basel today. You can choose to travel directly through the picturesque Swiss Alps, or stop at the beautiful village of Yvoire and visit the award winning gardens of Le Labyrinthe. Travel the shores of Lake Geneva before arriving in Basel and boarding your luxury river ship for a seven night cruise on the Rhine River.
Seven night stay: APT's luxurious Aria Class ship, the MS AmaCello B, D
Day 9 - Breisach, Colmar Choose today between a city tour of Colmar or a tour through the famous Black Forest region. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to Insel Mainau, a floral paradise on the shores of Lake Constance. B, L, D
Day 10 - Strasbourg, Speyer This morning take a tour through the charming medieval town of Strasbourg, and enjoy a canal cruise before sailing for Speyer. Alternatively you can choose a full day tour by coach to the 19th century Schlossgarten Ludwigsburg before rejoining the ship in Speyer. B, L, D
Day 11 - Speyer, Heidelberg, Worms Today you have the option to visit the Speyer Technik Museum, which features an amazing collection of aircraft, classic cars, locomotives, fire engines and even a space shuttle. Perhaps visit Heidelberg's red-walled castle, or else take a trip to Scholofgarten Schwotzingen, an originally designed garden of exceptional size and loveliness representing the Baroque and landscape movements. Tonight we dock in Worms, famous for the white wine, Liebfraumilch. B, D
Day 12 - Koblenz, Cologne Cruise some of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River this morning via Koblenz, before arriving in Cologne. Choose between a tour of the old town of Cologne or a visit to a beautiful private garden. B, L, D
Day 13 - Floriade 2012 Enjoy a full day exploring the Floriade World Horticultural Expo, which is held once every ten years in the Netherlands. This expo showcases the world's most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, fruits and vegetables. We then return to the ship and cruise overnight to Arnhem. B, D
Day 14 - Arnhem Disembark in Arnhem today and choose an activity. Visit the Airbourne Museum Hartenstein or the famous garden plus Kasteel Rosendael. Alternatively, embark on a botanical discovery to Mien Ruys Tuinen's garden plus Botanische Vijvertuinen Ada Hofaman's garden. Return to the ship for a Farewell Dinner. B, D
Cruise ship operating this itinerary:
MS AmaDolce - Launched 2009
MS AmaLyra - Launched 2009
MS AmaDante - Launched 2008
MS AmaCello - Launched 2008
MS AmaLegro - Launched 2007
MS AmaDagio - Launched 2006
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Arles
Enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine a year Arles is regarded as the land of light. Both Picasso and Cezanne tested their artistic flair in Arles but it was Vincent Van Gogh who completely fell in love with this region and created over 200 pieces in just one year. Despite Van Gogh creating so many of masterpieces in Arles none of his works have remained in the area.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 35kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Van Gogh Foundation, Bullfighting Arena, Roman Baths
Avignon
Take your time wandering about the streets of Avignon, The ancient streets, the courtyards of the private mansions, the renovated facades will all charm you! One of the most elegant streets is the rue Joseph Vernet, adjacent to the Calvet museum and the Requien Museum. Don't miss the Antiquaire quarter, the Place de l'Horloge or the Chemin de Ronde which will take you to the Rocher des Doms. From the top of the ramparts you can understand why the site was chosen for a fort: Avignon stands high above the immense plains of the Rhône River and is the strategic point of the whole valley.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 8kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest
Palace of the Popes, Opera House, Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Pont d'Avignon
Viviers
Viviers consists of a lower town, where tradesmen and artisans once lived, and an upper or religious town that was the seat of a bishop during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance The upper walled town is an attractive warren of narrow cobbled streets with stone houses, a cathedral, and a castle terrace that offers spectacular views of the rooftops and river below.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 85kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest The House of the Knights, Roman Bridge, The Tower of the Michaelmas
Tournon
A pretty town with wide tree-lined avenues it is proud of its historical heritage and 11th-16th-century chateau which houses a museum of local history. To the north of the Grand Rue on Place St Julien lies Collegiale St Julien with its imposing bell tower. It serves as an example of the Italian influence on architecture in the area in the 14th-century.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport -92kms Currency - Euros (EUR)
Places of Interest Collegiale St Julien, Vallee du Doux
Vienne
No other city in the Rhône Valley offers such a concentration of architectural history as Vienne. Located in a natural basin of land between the river and the hills, this site was recognised for both its strategic and aesthetic advantages by the Romans, who vastly expanded the existing village when they invaded the area in the 1st century BC.Vienne was known in Roman times as 'Vienne the Beautiful', possibly due to the fact that its riverside position on the East bank of the Rhône made it a major port for wine. The wine in this region is outstanding and Romans may have enjoyed a glass or two while watching the evening's entertainment at one of the town's two theatres.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 25kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Roman Theatre, Temple d'Auguste et Livie, Le Palais Ideal
Lyon
Two thousand years of history have left their mark on the cityscape. Lyon's rich heritage resources reflect the different eras and tell the story of the city. Lyon's listing by UNESCO as a World Heritage site gives recognition to two exceptional features: "continuity of urban development" -the listed site covers a territory of 500 hectares (1235 acres) where the entire history of the city can be seen, from the founding of the Roman city of Lugdunum. And as "an outstanding illustration of city planning over the centuries" in this continually populated and active territory.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 7kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Lyon National Opera House, Tete d'Or Park, Fourviere Hill, Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)
Basel
Basel is by far the art and architecture capital of Switzerland. Its 40 museums, covering an area of almost 37 km2, can be easily reached on foot, mostly by strolling through romantic lanes and alleys in the Old Town. The finest and oldest art collection is housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel, as is “Schaulager” - a space for modern art - which was opened in 2003. The Fondation Beyeler, which is well worth a visit, is famous far beyond the limits of Basel - not only for the highly acclaimed special exhibitions, but also for the impressive building designed by architect Renzo Piano.
Country - Switzerland Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 6.5kms Currency - Swiss Franc (CHF)
Places of Interest Market Square, Town Hall, Basel Zoo, Cathedral, Fondation Beyeler Art Museum, Old Town
Colmar
Colmar is a historical town with much history stepping back to Middle Ages as reflected by the well-preserved buildings from that era and forms a major part of the Alsace region in history and tourism.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 1km Distance from port to Airport - 400kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Maison des Tetes, Dominican Church, St Martin Church
Strasbourg
The cosmopolitan, north-eastern city of Strasbourg is the intellectual, cultural and economic capital of Alsace. Stylish and atmospheric, it is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Situated just west of the Rhine, Strasbourg lies at the heart of the vital transport arteries that have linked northern and Central Europe with the Mediterranean since Roman times.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 10kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest The Grande Ile, Cathedrale Notre Dame, European Parliament
Speyer
The old imperial city of Speyer was a bishopric and boasts a Romanesque cathedral with six imposing towers and the finest and largest crypt in Germany. Four Holy Roman Emperors and four German Kings are buried in the impressive Royal Vault.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 98kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Great Romanesque Cathedral, City Centre
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is known for its famous castle, which overlooks the city's Old Town. A trip up to the castle affords a good view of the city and its photogenic bridge over the Neckar, whose form, with its multi-arch support structure, is reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct, and whose tower-flanked entrance was said to have inspired Walt Disney in his design of the Magic Kingdom. The Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Walk), across the river from the Old Town section, is another way to view the city and some of the older castles upriver.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 45kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Heidelberg Castle, Old Town, Museum of the Palatinate, Sculpture Park, Funicular Railway, Zoo, Philosopher's Walk
Koblenz
Situated in the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Moselle and surrounded by four low mountain ranges is the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historic buildings, its cosy lanes and narrow alleyways, the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a friendly town where guests feel right at home.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 116kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest German Corner, Empress Augusta Gardens, Theatre and Obelisk, Beethoven Memorial, Museum of Military Technology, The Wine Village
Cologne
The city's very name bears witness to its Roman past as the town of Colonia. As well as the legacy from Roman times and the Middle Ages, particularly the world-famous cathedral, Cologne has an extremely lively arts and culture scene. And besides being a centre of carnival activity and the "capital of Rhenish joie de vivre", Cologne is also an extremely attractive trade fair centre. Open, friendly and uncomplicated: that's Cologne!
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 16kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Cologne Cathedral, Philharmonic Hall, Zoo
Amsterdam
Take a boat ride along Amsterdam’s charming canals past sturdy old houses and under quaint bridges. Visit one of the city’s superb museums housing many of the Dutch Masters’ most outstanding works or learn about Anne Frank and the city’s Jewish heritage. Or, journey into the countryside and see historic windmills and the fascinating porcelain works in Delft.
Country - Netherlands Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from port to Airport - 15kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Dam Square, Anne Frank's House, Volendam & Marken
ms Amadagio Cabin Info
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Cruise line info
APT (Australian Pacific Touring)
A family - owned company since its auspicious conception in the 1920s, we began when Bill McGeary built a bus body on a tray truck after a tram strike crippled the city of Melbourne. Through Bill's son Geoff, we pioneered Australia's dynamic travel industry in the 1960's and 70's via a diverse range of modes. Such innovation continues to thrive within us today, now a multi-brand business with an extensive global portfolio of touring and cruising products still owned and controlled by the McGeary family. Now, with a third generation of the family contributing to our success, the benefits of the Company's family - style culture are increasingly apparent.
While vigorously pursuing a global vision, the unwavering focus is on delivering a life - enriching and memorable holiday experience for each and every individual that entrusts us with their valuable time and travel. Such longevity in a competitive environment coupled with a proven ability to meet the shifting expectations of the modern holidaymaker is testament to the pioneering spirit upon which the company was founded, and upon which it continues to operate and flourish today.
Ship info
ms Amadagio
On board the MS Amadagio you will enjoy the luxury of more space than on any other cruise ship in Europe. There are 2 lounges located on the upper deck where you can enjoy panoramic river views, the Panorama Lounge which accommodates up to 150 passengers, and the smaller Adagio Lounge which is perfect for groups and located in a glassed-in wellness area featuring a Fitness Center and a Massage and Beauty Salon. The ship has an elevator as well as bicycles on board for you to enjoy, while exploring on shore.
Inside your tastefully decorated cabin, you'll find all the amenities of a fine hotel, white-on-white plush bedding with down pillows and down duvet, a cozy sitting area, direct-dial telephone, flat-screen TV with local and satellite channels, internet access, safe, individually controlled airconditioning and ample closet space. All 75 staterooms are outside; 62 (82%) feature French balconies.
Although rarely found on European river cruise ships, suites aboard the MS Amadagio are extra spacious - 255 square feet. They feature a sitting area with a sofa and two chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows with French balcony and a luxurious, extra spacious bathroom with bathtub and shower.
