Exclusive 2008 European Wine Cruises

 Your onboard crew will pamper you as a distinguished wine authority offers instruction on how to differentiate between a truly great, an average, and an everyday “table wine,” and also describes how various grape varieties are cultivated. Learn the differences between a Hungarian Tokai and an Austrian Grьner Veltliner…or between a French Sauvignon Blanc and German Riesling Spдtlese. Special wine tastings will show you what to look for in a good wine—from color and bouquet to legs and finish. Visit a small wine village and taste the wines to test your new-found talent. An adventure Bacchus himself would enjoy!
   
                                     Flavors of Burgundy & Provence, Paris to Nice
                                               November 2, 2008. From $2649.00 
 
 Burgundy and Provence—synonymous with beautiful scenery and fine wines. And on this special departure of our Flavors of Burgundy & Provence vacation we’ve added many extra elements to delight the wine lover! While your onboard crew pampers you, a distinguished wine authority will offer instruction on how to differentiate between a truly great, an average, and an everyday “table wine” and also will describe how various grape varieties are cultivated. Special wine tastings will show you what to look for in a good wine—from color and bouquet to “legs” and finish. Visit the Chardonnay area, home to the popular varietal of the same name and learn about the strict tradition of the Beaujolais Nouveau. A special French dinner, for which each wine has been carefully chosen to complement the dish, will teach you the rules of food and wine pairing, and for the chocolate lover, how about a wine and chocolate pairing experience? An adventure Bacchus himself would enjoy!

                                    The Blue Danube Discovery, Budapest to Prague
                                                November 7, 2008. From $2289.00

 Wine lovers—this special departure of our popular Danube cruise is for you! Not only will you gaze in wonder at some of Europe’s most famous historic buildings, strolling through smaller towns and villages along the way, but this unique cruise offers you the chance to learn about and savor some of Europe’s most famous wines. Your cruise is accompanied by a distinguished wine authority who will enhance your vacation experience by introducing you to the wines of Europe and, in particular, to the wines of the region. Your stay in Budapest would not be complete without the chance to learn about Hungary’s famous Tokai wines. Cruise upriver to Austria, where so many of Europe’s delectable wines are produced. Learn about the famous Eis Wein, a sweet dessert wine which gets its name because the grapes are not picked until after the first frost. Sail through the tranquil Wachau Valley, where vineyards cling to the slopes. A visit to a local wine cellar introduces you to the wines of the area. A special dinner is offered one evening, where each dish has been carefully paired with “its” wine. What are the rules of food and wine pairing? Our expert will enlighten you and ask you to join in a lively discussion at the close of the meal. Germany’s famous Riesling wines will be more closely scrutinized—and tasted, of course—so that by the end of this memorable cruise, we hope you’ll return home with happy memories of the sights and sounds and an enriched knowledge of some of Europe’s famous wines.

                                     The Legendary Danube, Prague to Budapest
                                               November 13, 2008. From $1889.00

 This special departure of our popular itinerary is a must for wine lovers! The Danube River down to Budapest is one of the most scenic in Europe and winds its way through one of Austria’s most important wine-growing regions. While still offering you all the important sights and highlights we have outlined in this vacation, we have also added a number of wine-related features, giving you the opportunity to learn more and become better acquainted with some of Europe’s best wines. Some are popular all over the world, some you may never have heard of. From Prague to Budapest, you’ll be accompanied by a distinguished wine authority who will enhance your vacation, introducing you to the wines of Europe and, specifically, to the wines of the region. Lectures will provide insight into local wine production and the correct art of wine tasting—how do you recognize the difference between a good and a great wine? Try a variety of Riesling wines in Germany, sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley in Austria where vineyards cling to the slopes, and pay a visit a local wine cellar. Our expert will introduce you to the basic rules of food and wine pairing, before you sit down to a special dinner for which the wines have been chosen with care to complement the dishes. Afterward, there’s time for a lively discussion. From Riesling in Germany and Grьner Veltliner in Austria to Tokai in Hungary, each port of call will bring memorable sights with wines that will awaken your senses.