Life On Board AmaWaterways

AmaDara - Cruising with Jane McDonald - Friday 23rd February, 9pm, Channel 5

We are extremely excited that 'Cruising with Jane McDonald' is going to highlight the superb AmaWaterways 'Charms of the Mekong' sailing. Tune in to watch Jane explore Vietnam & Cambodia as she travels the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap onboard the AmaDara. 

As one of AmaWaterways closest agency partners we are delighted to be able to offer an amazing package to allow you to follow in the footsteps of Jane and enjoy first hand this beautiful and mysterious destination. 

With departures throughout 2018 and 2019, this superb 11-night itinerary features the following; 

Prices for this wonderful itinerary start from just £2,995.00 per person!!

Exclusive Offer - Book before the 28th February 2018 and receive a further £75.00 per person discount! 

Price includes: 

• Return economy flights from London. 
• 2-night hotel accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza (or similar) including buffet breakfast. 
• 7-night deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom with twin balconies. 
• Immersive excursions and authentic local encounters. 
• Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise. 
• Unlimited wine with every lunch and dinner onboard. 
• Complimentary house brand spirits, local beer and soft drinks during cruise. 
• Bottled water in every stateroom, replenished daily. 
• Welcome dinner and farewell dinner. 
• 2-night hotel accommodation in Siem Reap at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort (or similar) including buffet breakfast.  

Upgrade to a superb 15-night package with a further 3 nights in Hanoi and a unique 1-night stay onboard a luxury junk on Ha Long Bay from an additional £975.00 per person!!

Price quoted is based on 4th August 2018 sailing in a category B stateroom. All prices are per person and are based on two adults sharing a stateroom. 11-night price include return flights form London, overseas transfers and port charges. 15-night price include return flights from London, domestic flights in Vietnam and Cambodia, overseas transfers and port charges. Flight fares are subject to change at the time of booking and based on availability. Visas may be required, please contact your consulate or embassy for full information. Fares and offers are subject to availability and may be changed / withdrawn at anytime. Offers are valid on new bookings only made on or before 28th February 2018. Standard terms and conditions apply. Please contact us for full details. 

AmaDara - River Cruising With Jane McDonald.

Uniworld - 7 Nights 'Enchanting Danube' - S.S Maria Theresa. 

Sailing from Budapest to Passau, Jane experienced the majestic Danube on the 5* S.S Maria Theresa. This beautiful itinerary features five countries and is perfect for both first time river cruisers as well as seasoned cruisers. 

Special Offer: 

Book before the 31st May and save up to £1,200.00 per person on 2019 sailings! 

This offer applies to selected Uniworld sailings and has limited availability. Call now for full details. 

Uniworld - 7 Nights 'Rhine Christmas Markets' - S.S Antoinette 

Christmas market cruise is a magical experience and Jane again choose Uniworld as she explored some of Europe's oldest and most traditional Christmas markets on this Basel to Cologne sailing. 

AmaWaterways - 11 Days 'Charms of the Mekong' - AmaDara. 

For her first river cruise in Asia, Jane joined the award-winning AmaWaterways' AmaDara for an 11-day adventure from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Tony and Sam have also experienced the amazing Mekong aboard the AmaDara and both would be delighted to talk about this incredible itinerary. This itinerary may also be extended to include a stay in Hanoi and onboard a luxury junk in Ha Long Bay. 

Special Offer: 

Save up to £500.00 per person on selected AmaWaterways Mekong sailings in 2019. 2020 and 2021!

Offer is on selected dates only and has limited availability. Please call for full details. 

Avalon - 10 Nights 'Burgundy & Provence' - Avalon Poetry II 

For her first experience of French rivers Jane chose this amazing 11-day Avalon cruise combining a 2-night stay in Paris, then TVG train to Dijon and transfer to board the Avalon Poetry II for a 7-night cruise exploring the beautiful towns and villages of Burgundy and finishing with a relaxing overnight on the Cote d'Azur. 

Special Offer: 

Book a 2019 Avalon river cruise before 30th April and save up to £3,400.00 per couple on selected departures! 

Book a 2020 Avalon river cruise before 30th April and save up to £1,500.00 per couple on selected departures! 

Single travellers - Avalon welcome solo travellers on their cruises and on selected departures offer no supplement for booking a Panorama Suite or Deluxe Stateroom as a single person. 

All Avalon offers are on selected departures and have limited availability. Call now for full details. 

Emerald Waterways - 7 Nights 'Roundtrip on the River Douro' - Emerald Radiance. 

For her latest river cruise adventure Jane has chosen a superb sailing along the twist and turns of the World Heritage listed Douro Valley onboard the beautiful Emerald Radiance. Starting and ending in Porto, one of Portugal's oldest and most beautiful cities, this charming sailing calls at Pinaho, Vega de Terron and Pocinho. 

Special Offer: 

Book your 2019 Emerald European river cruise now and save up to £1,000.00 per person! PLUS choose either an unlimited FREE premium drinks package OR choose 200 Euros per cabin to spend onboard. 

Book your Emerald 2020 European river cruise before the 30th April and save up to £1,000.00 per couple! PLUS receive 250 Euros per cabin to spend onboard! 

Solo Traveller - book the 8-day 'Secrets of the Douro' cruise to depart on either the 13th July or 10th August 2019 and pay no single supplement! Please note this offer is strictly limited to five cabins per sailing so contact us now before these sailings sell out! 

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AmaKristina - AmaKristina - Basel to Amsterdam.

Sunday 9th September.

After an early morning flight from Newcastle (via Amsterdam) we arrived in Basel early afternoon. Basel airport is only 6 kilometres from Basel although as it is on the French border you must remember to exit baggage collection through the relevant gate. Not wishing to enter France we followed the directions for Switzerland and, after meeting our pre-booked taxi driver, twenty minutes later we were checking in to our hotel The Wettstein for a 1-night pre-cruise stay. Already there to meet us were our friends, Val & Ken, who had flown in direct from London. For anybody staying in Basel the hotel Wettstein is the perfect choice, a small modern three-star hotel located close to the banks of the river Rhine and just a ten minute stroll from the centre of town.  One great feature is the hotels’ tranquil garden area where breakfast can also be taken.

The weather was exceptional with temperatures of over 32 degrees! And as we walked across the bridge into Basel for dinner we suddenly noticed there were literally hundreds of people floating in the Rhine. As you can imagine this was an amazing sight. It turns out that in Switzerland letting the current of the river carry you along is a very popular pastime. People strap coloured inflatable bags around their waist, into which they place a towel, a change of clothes and wallets/purses, they then enter the Rhine and allow the quick moving current to simply transport them down river. After several miles they float ashore beside a good selection of bars and restaurants, dry themselves down, put on fresh clothes and go for a few drinks and a bite to eat. On a very hot Sunday evening this seemed a perfectly natural and inviting thing to do. Though not sure it is going to catch on in the river Tyne!

Monday 10th September.

Basel, like all of Switzerland, is expensive so for breakfast we decided to try out one of the many local cafes where a superb coffee and fresh croissants, sitting in the sun, was a perfect start to the day and a very reasonably priced one too.

Having time to kill we checked out but left our luggage at the hotel and as we had not seen much of Basel the night before, took a one-hour sightseeing tour on the hop-on, hop-off city bus. A great way to spend an hour with one advantage being that one stop was directly in front of the AmaKristina, which was going to be our home for the next seven nights. After a light lunch in the city centre we collected our luggage and took a short taxi ride to the river where we boarded the AmaKristina. Cabins are available from 3pm but passengers can board at any time and the crew will look after their luggage until the staterooms are available, delivering the guests luggage directly to their room. Passengers can then either go back ashore and explore Basel or enjoy the ships facilities with tea, coffee and light snacks available in the lounge. We had noticed that there was a small bar right next to the ship and decided to sit there enjoying a drink as we watched our fellow passengers embark. Just to give an indication of how expensive Basel can be, in this bar (which appeared to have been built out of an unused shipping container) two glasses of wine and two beers cost 39 Swiss Francs (approximately 31 British Pounds!).

The AmaKristina is rated in the latest Berlitz River Cruising in Europe guide as the number one vessel, out of over 320, currently sailing in Europe.  Viewing the ships facilities and then entering our stateroom it is easy to understand why. The ship is beautifully appointed and our stateroom, with both an outside balcony and a French balcony, was furnished to an extremely high standard. At 6pm all passengers are invited to the lounge for a welcome cocktail with the Captain and Hotel Manager, followed by the mandatory safety and information briefing from the Cruise Manager.

One great new introduction for 2018 from AmaWaterways is the ‘Sip and Sail’ cocktail hour. Every evening for one hour before dinner they serve a selection of complimentary wine, beer, spirits and cocktails in the lounge. A brilliant idea and a great way to meet your fellow passengers.

Food onboard AmaWaterways is of a very high standard and the dinner is the highlight of everyday.  The restaurant is a stunning room and offers free-seating with tables ranging in size from 4-8 and two semi-private rooms seating 10, perfect for larger groups. Dinner is waiter service with a choice of appetisers, soups, main courses and desserts. All beautifully prepared and presented. Unlimited complimentary red and white wines are served with every lunch and dinner with a choice of at least four different wines with each evening meal, many paired to either the meal or the region you are sailing through. If there is nothing on the evening menu that appeals, the chef is always happy to prepare a sirloin steak, a salmon fillet or a chicken breast.

Tuesday 11th September.

Entering the restaurant this morning we discovered the ship had already docked in Breisach. Breakfast on board offers a vast choice of hot and cold dishes, a chef’s station offering fried eggs and omelettes cooked to order as well as a table menu offering poached eggs, eggs benedict and, I suspect for the Americans, the A-list breakfast which included steak, eggs, mushrooms, hash browns etc. In addition, if you want to start the day with a bit of fizz, there is also prosecco on offer each day.

Excursions are included within the price and there is always a choice at each destination. Today we had chosen to visit Riquewihr, so after breakfast we boarded our coach for the 1-hour journey to Riquewihr. Officially one of the most beautiful villages in France and located in the heart of Alsace. Largely escaping damage during World War II, the village appears to have remained unchanged over the centuries with many houses and streets dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. After a very informative guided tour there was time to enjoy a beer in the sunshine before the coach journey back to the AmaKristina.

After a light lunch we relaxed on the sun deck as the AmaKristina left Breisach and headed towards Strasbourg. After changing for dinner we relaxed in the main lounge listening to the ships resident entertainer playing a wide selection of music whilst we enjoyed our complimentary ‘Sip and Sail’ drinks.

After another impressive dinner and several glasses of equally impressive wine the AmaKristina docked in Strasbourg where she would remain for the night. The ship docks a little way outside the town so it’s not really possible to walk into Strasbourg after dinner however this evening an amazing local entertainer, called Enrico Novi, came onboard to give a performance. Enrico is a professional guitarist, singer, and music producer offering a unique musical experience. Even though there is only Enrico on stage you will hear an entire band because in addition to live guitar and vocals, Enrico is accompanied by himself! The background track for each song is recorded, produced, and edited by Enrico in his studio. Every sound – drums, base, guitars, percussion, and back-up vocals – is him. His tribute to Dire Straits was amazing.

Wednesday 12th September.

Waking in Strasbourg we decided to have a light breakfast so ordered double poached eggs which arrived perfectly cooked with a beautiful runny yolk. To be fair that was enough for Joanie but I did have a couple of croissants just to finish off.

After breakfast we joined our coach for a city tour of Strasbourg visiting all of the European Government buildings, including the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Human Rights before a fascinating walking tour of the Petite France district. With free time after the tour ended we decided to have lunch in this pretty, medieval area, sitting outside and enjoying people watching whilst savouring mussels in white wine and pasta.

Arriving back on board ship late afternoon we enjoyed a pleasant two hours simply chilling on deck before changing and meeting with Val and Ken for complimentary pre-dinner drinks and another superb evening meal.  

After dinner guests were invited into the lounge for live entertainment provided by a singer and an accordion player. To be fair this did not encourage us to rush away from the dinner table (and complimentary wine) however we did and were so glad we had. The female singer was amazing covering classic songs from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s – many by Édith Piaf– and accompanied by a superb accordion player.

Thursday 13th September.

Today AmaKristina is in Speyer and the excursion we had chosen was Heidelberg so after our ‘light’ breakfast we boarded our coach for the 40-minute drive to this historic town. Heidelberg is the oldest University City in Germany, founded in 1386, and the town is dominated by its historical castle. As we learnt from our guide the castle was the site of the first performance in Europe of a play by William Shakespeare. After a walking tour of the castle, we took a short funicular ride down to the town centre where we enjoyed a coffee in the sunshine in the main square. Back on board at 1 o’clock, the AmaKristina sailed towards Rüdesheim whilst we enjoyed lunch as journeyed down the Rhine.

‘Sip and Sail’ started at 5.30pm today (but we still made it!) as dinner was also early tonight (starting at 6.30pm). The reason for an early meal was that this evening there were excursions after dinner. Departing by Choo Choo train, tour A visited Siegfried’s Music Cabinet Museum, whilst tour B went for a Rüdesheimer coffee. A Rüdesheimer coffee is made with brandy so you can probably guess which excursion the four of us selected (hint: it wasn’t A!).

Friday 14th September.

AmaKristina had overnighted in Rüdesheim and after a breakfast of fried eggs, cooked to order, sausage, crispy bacon, and croissants we again boarded the Choo Choo train for our morning excursion. The choice this morning was a 15-mile guided bike tour, a 6-mile Ehrenfels Castle hike, or a scenic gondola ride and wine tasting. Probably no need to tell you which one we selected! Just to say the gondola ride over the vineyards, with amazing views down to the Rhine, followed by an hour’s wine tasting, was brilliant. Instead of taking the train we decided to walk back to the ship (three times in 24 hours was sufficient).

Wandering through the picturesque narrow streets, we stopped outside a restaurant to look at the menu where upon a local lady approached us and said we should really go in to try the local delicacy which was a glass of wine served with onion cake! Not wanting to appear rude, and bearing in mind it had been a good fifteen minutes since our last glass of wine, we went in and took a seat in a pretty little courtyard. The lady we had spoken to was already in there with a group of friends and indicated on the menu what we should order. It turns out that new wine is the latest press and so appears very cloudy in the glass and it is this that is served with the onion cake. Seeing this Ken and I ordered large beers whilst Joan and Val opted for the wine and cake. Ten minutes later they received their large glasses of very strong and very cloudy wine with a huge portion of hot onion cake. Delicious but not exactly a light snack!!

Arriving back on board we discovered that as it was another glorious day the chef had decided to organise a BBQ on the sun deck with a choice of steak, burgers, sausages, chicken and a huge selection of accompaniments all washed down with complimentary wine and beer.  At quarter to two the AmaKristina set sail for Lahnstein and one of the highlights of the cruise, sailing through the Rhine Gorge. With the Cruise Manager giving a running commentary we sailed past thirty-four castles and the Loreley Rock, sitting on deck soaking up the sun and the sights.

This evening Joanie and Val put on their smartest outfits and we met in the lounge at 6.30 for ‘Sip and Sail’ hour. This evening we could linger in the lounge slightly longer than usual as tonight we were eating in the Chef’s Table Speciality Restaurant and dinner was due to start at 7.45 pm. Located at the rear of the ship, the Chef’s Table Speciality Restaurant offers a unique culinary experience and offers seating for a mere 24 guests. With an open kitchen, guests are able to watch the chefs as they prepare a multi-course tasting menu. With panoramic windows this intimate venue is perfect if you are enjoying a special occasion during your cruise and all passengers are allowed to eat in this restaurant once during the sailing (at no extra cost). On this sailing the menu at The Chef’s Table Restaurant was as follows;  

Chef’s Welcome

Feta Cheese Pana Cotta, Matcha-Dill Sauce, Cucumber, Brioche.

Appetizer 

Scallop, Tiger Prawns, Giogia Beet, Tahini-Humus, Avocado, Sepia Ink.

Key Lime Daiquiri Sorbet.

Soup

Asian Tom Ka Coconut Soup.

Sea Bream, Chardonnay Foam.

Hickory Salmon, Yakitori Sauce.

Blueberry Sorbet.

Main Courses

Braised Beef with Porcini Sauce and Short Ribs with Prune Sauce.

Golden Beets, Green Asparagus, Pumpkin Mash, Potato and Pumpkin Gratin.

Desserts

Nougat Gateau, Green Apple Sorbet, and Almond Chocolate Pearl.

European Cheese selection, Biscuits.

Fresh Fruit Platter.

To accompany the meal we enjoyed a Gruner Veltliner (Austrian white wine), a Blauer Zweigelt (Austrian red), a Californian Chardonnay and a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon. Simply an amazing experience!!

Saturday 15th September.

Breakfast today was taken as the AmaKristina sailed towards Cologne. After breakfast we relaxed on the sun deck and enjoyed the scenery. At 10.30 all guests were invited into the lounge to sample a selection of German sausages and beer. You may find this hard to believe but this was just too early, even for us!

After lunch in the restaurant we stood on deck as AmaKristina docked right in the centre of Cologne where we then disembarked for a 1-hour walking tour of the city followed by Kolsch beer tasting and potato cakes (not too early now!)

Where the ship docks is only a 10 minute walk from the city centre so we all decided to enjoy a leisurely walk back to the ship, stopping at a pleasant Irish bar that just so happened to be showing the Newcastle vs Arsenal match.

The AmaKristina set sail for Amsterdam at 5.45pm and we all met in the lounge for the Captain’s farewell cocktail party where the Captain and Cruise Manager introduced us to the entire crew. Cocktails were followed by an amazing Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner. Following dinner we headed into the lounge where another brilliant live group had come onboard to entertain us.

Sunday 16th September.

Having stayed up late and enjoyed the late night snacks in the lounge, this morning we decided to skip breakfast and instead simply sit on our balcony and enjoy the views as we sailed into Amsterdam. The river leading into the city is very picturesque with tree-lined walkways and attractive houses. On a beautiful Sunday morning there were lots of joggers and walkers about, all of whom were very happy to exchange waves as we sailed past.

Arriving in Amsterdam at 1.45 in the afternoon there was a choice of three excursions however as we knew Amsterdam very well we decided to simply explore the city independently. The AmaKristina docks just past the main railway station so it is only a 10 minute walk to Dam Square.  After a very pleasant three hours in warm sunshine, we strolled back to the ship in time to change for our final ‘Sip and Sail’ hour in the lounge.

Settling your bill at the end of the cruise is very simple and efficient, during the course of the week you register a credit card at reception and overnight, on your last evening, your final bill is slipped under the door of your stateroom. Providing you agree with the charge there is nothing else you need to do and your card will be charged automatically.

Monday 17th September.

On your final morning you are requested to vacate your stateroom by 09.00 am, however you are then free, if you wish, to stay onboard until your onward transfer. We were actually staying on in Amsterdam for two nights and had organised a taxi to our hotel through the Cruise Manager. Again this was very efficient and we simply enjoyed a coffee in the lounge until the announcement was made that our taxi was now waiting for us. We then said our goodbyes, disembarked, identified our luggage, and climbed into our waiting taxi.

Overall Opinion.

Berlitz rate all AmaWaterways ships extremely highly and having sailed on the number one rated vessel it is easy to see why. It is difficult to pick any faults with this ship, the crew or the facilities on board. Meals are exceptional and the ‘Sip and Sail’ hour a brilliant idea.

AmaWaterways is a premium product and there are much cheaper river cruise operators out there, however the consensus of opinion of everyone we spoke to was that they are exceptionally good value for money. If you want to enjoy Europe in luxury and style AmaWaterways is the perfect choice.  

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AmaDara - CLIA Asia River Cruise & Destination Forum.

Saturday, 7th April.

Arriving in Singapore, after a very comfortable flight with Emirates from Newcastle (via Dubai), we met our pre-arranged driver and were transferred to our home for the next three nights – The Quincy hotel. The Quincy is a modern, boutique style property situated a mere five minute walk from the famous Orchard Road and offers a great alternative to the huge resort style properties. The Quincy offers guest a number of free benefits including; free cakes, pastries and nibbles from 12pm – 6pm daily and a free bar and hot buffet from 6pm – 8pm daily.

After a quick shower and change we left to meet a friend to enjoy a Saturday night in Singapore. Tip: if, as we did, you intend to hop on and off the public transport as you explore the city it is well worth paying 20 dollars for a 24-hour public transport pass. This gives unlimited travel on both bus and the incredibly efficient MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) & LRT (Light Rail Transit) systems. The services are quick, regular and very easy to use. Cards can be purchased at any station.

Jumping on the MRT we headed to the Marina Bay area to view the gardens and the Marina Bay Sands hotel. The hotel dominates the skyline with its three towers supporting an infinity pool and nightclub on the 57th floor. More about the nightclub later but in truth we were not blown away by the hotel which felt very impersonal and more of a tourist attraction than a five-star property. Tip: If you want to sample local delicacies without wandering around Chinatown or Little India, the food court in the Marina Bay shopping centre is amazing.

Feeling less than impressed with the Marina Bay Sands hotel we jumped in a cab and headed to Clarke Quay, a relatively new entertainment area built along the waterfront with a large selection of bars and restaurants, many of which featured live entertainment. A great place to have a wander and soak up the atmosphere on a Saturday night. We settled on dinner and a drink at Brewerkz, a fantastic little micro-brewery. With a great range of their own brews and an interesting menu, a burger and a pint worked out at around £22 a head. One final pint in Clarke Quay, enjoying the atmosphere and listening to a great live band, before deciding to call it a night and head back to our hotel.

Sunday, 8th April.

After a pleasant breakfast we met our hosts from the Singapore Tourist Board who were going to look after us for the next two days. Our first stop this morning was the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore’s second cruise terminal, specially built to accommodate the new generation of mega cruise ships. Highly functional and efficient the terminal is designed to get passengers on and off the ships as quickly and simply as possible. This is not the terminal used by Star Clippers, they use the smaller Singapore Cruise Centre. The Singapore Cruise Centre was rejuvenated in 2011 and in our opinion offers a more comfortable passenger experience with the added benefit of being located next to the Harbour front and Vivo City Malls.

Today we were treated to lunch at The National Gallery where we sampled Violet Oon’s Peranakan cuisine. A stunning and popular restaurant, dishes on offer included Ngoh Hiang (a deep-fried pork and prawn roll), Beef Rendang and Ikan Goreng Chilli (fried fish with chillies). Tip: if you are a chilli lover (like Sam) you must try the Ikan Goreng, it was the hottest dish that Tony had ever tasted!! If the hundreds of chillies covering the fish does not give you sufficient heat, they serve it with an additional chilli paste on the side – check out our Facebook page to see a photo. 

After lunch we headed to Singapore’s historic Chinatown which evolved around 1821 when the first Chinese junk arrived. A fascinating area to walk around and a must see is the historic Chinatown Heritage Centre. The only place in Singapore where the original interiors and living spaces of old shop house tenants have been recreated.

This evening we were first taken to Mount Faber to enjoy a Singapore Sling and sunset over the harbour front and Sentosa Island. After which we took a 30-minute ride on the Singapore Cable Car, from Faber Peak across the harbour to Sentosa Island and back again (Sam: “two fam trips, two cable cars, what are the odds?!”). Dinner this evening was at Clifford Pier, once the historical landing point of Singapore’s forefathers it has been beautifully restored and is now a stunning dining destination. Unfortunately the dining experience failed to live up to the venue with both the level of service and quality of food disappointing. Tip: We would still recommend a trip to Clifford Pier but only for a drink. If you sit outside on the terrace you will get a fantastic view of the nightly Marina Bay Sands light show.

As we mentioned earlier the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is home to a nightclub, Ce La Vi, located on the 57th floor and this is where we headed after dinner for a late night drink. This is where the rich and beautiful of Singapore gather and it offers patrons stunning views of Singapore’s skyline. Well worth a visit but very expensive.  

Monday, 9th April.  

After another wonderful breakfast we were taken to Fort Canning Hill for the Graves, Guns and Battles Tour. Fort Canning is the underground, former British Command Centre known as the Battlebox. It is here where the decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese was made in February 1942. A fascinating and poignant excursion and a must do for anybody with any interest in British or world history.

Leaving the Battlebox we all piled onto trishaws (two per trishaw) for a mad ride around Little India. Disembarking from the trishaws, it was only a short walk for lunch at The Banana Leaf Apollo, one of Singapore’s most famous Southern Indian restaurants. We were served an amazing selection of curries and sambals, including the restaurants signature dish – fish head curry. Sam became a hero to the group by eating four fish eyes (he was content with two but the table next to ours hadn’t touched theirs and he wasn’t going to let them go to waste!!), apparently the best part of the dish!

After a couple of hours of relaxation back at our respective hotels we headed to The Gardens by the Bay. Situated on reclaimed land, Gardens by the Bay allows guests to explore flora from around the world displayed in huge, cooled eco-domes. We ate at the open-air food market located in the gardens, Satay by the Bay. A wonderful selection of food stalls selling local and Asian food. Great value and fantastic quality. Tip: we are not vegetarians but the Bok Choy with Garlic was simply amazing.

After dinner we wandered down to the central area of Gardens by the Bay to watch the twice-nightly Gardens Rhapsody show.  There are some amazing things to see and do in Singapore and this free show definitely one not to be missed. Difficult to describe, a mythical enchanted forest surrounded by huge artificial trees supporting a network of walkways, you will enjoy an amazing 15-minute sound and light show. The show we saw was based around songs from the movies and included tunes from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Magnificent Seven and Jurassic Park.

Singing as we left the gardens (maybe not out loud but certainly in our heads) we boarded the coaches for a 40 minute drive to Singapore Zoo where we experienced a magical night safari. This is the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals and is one of Asia’s most popular excursions. Sitting in an open-air tram, the 45 minute journey gives you the chance to see over 2 and a half thousand animals from over 130 species including the endangered Asian Elephant and Malayan Tiger. Tip: Take one of the optional 20 minute walking tours which we found got us much closer to the wildlife.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 10th & 11th April.

A morning transfer from our hotel to the airport to catch our flight to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the first ever CLIA Asia River Cruise & Destination Forum. This two day conference was designed to allow agents to gain first-hand knowledge of this important and growing river cruise destination. We were two of only 70 UK agents to attend and feel that the knowledge we have gained will enable us to ensure we can tailor-make the perfect itineraries for all our clients wishing to travel to this beautiful destination.

During a packed two day agenda we held meetings and listened to presentations from the owners and directors of the most important cruise companies operating in this area as they detailed the unique benefits of their cruises and their plans for the future. Companies we met included; AmaWaterways, APT, Avalon Waterways, Belmond, Croisi Europe, Ganges Voyager, Pandaw Cruises, Scenic and Uniworld.

The conference was amazing and both Sam and I can’t wait to talk to people and help them plan their perfect trip.

Ho Chi Minh City is truly fascinating and we were lucky enough to be hosted each evening at places that we think should be must do’s for anybody visiting this city.

Caravelle Hotel

On Tuesday we were hosted at the Caravelle Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, originally built in a French Colonial style, during the Vietnam War it was home to the majority of the American Press core and the daily press briefings were held on its rooftop. Many famous people, including Bob Hope, have stayed here. Hosted by Scenic we enjoyed an amazing (free flowing) drinks and canape reception on the rooftop.

Vietnam House

Luke Nguyen is a famous Vietnamese-Australian Chef, he has hosted numerous TV shows, appears regularly on Australian MasterChef and owns a number of restaurants (and a cookery school) including the Red Lantern restaurant in Sydney. Luke’s parents fled Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam War and Luke was actually born in a refugee camp in Thailand before his parents settled in Australia. It had always been his ambition to open a restaurant in Vietnam and in 2017 this ambition was realised when he opened Vietnam House. Courtesy of APT we were lucky enough to dine here and in all honesty it was one of the best meals we have ever had!! Our menu for the evening was:

***Appetizers***

Handmade noodles rolled with Salmon, cured in mountain pepper, lemongrass and kumquat

Netted spring rolls with lobster and fresh herbs

Smoked duck & galangal salad

***Mains***

Garoupa fillets in an XO sauce, char grilled in banana leaf

Jumbo river prawns, wok tossed with basil & seafood sauce

Wok tossed Australian beef tenderloin with smoked mash

Thien Ly flower, wok tossed with garlic & oyster sauce

Garlic fried rice

***Dessert***

Vietnamese coffee flan

Pandan crème brulee

Tip: Whenever you are in Ho Chi Minh City you simply must eat here and as Vietnam is so cheap prices here, although expensive by local standards, are cheap in comparison to European prices.

Tip: Luke Nguyen is an ambassador for APT and accompanies two cruises a year on the Mekong. Not surprisingly 2018 / 2019 are already sold out however 2020 goes on sale shortly so if you would like to Travel with Luke contact us now.

Tip: Luke will be accompanying for the first time an APT cruise in Europe. The cruise will be a 7-night sailing from Paris and during the sailing Luke will cook for guests at a restaurant in Paris and at a vineyard during the cruise. He will also host cooking demonstrations onboard ship. This cruise will go on sale in May and will certainly sell out almost immediately. If you want the chance to sail with Luke please contact us now to register.

Thursday, 12th April

Sam and I were lucky enough to have been invited by Kristin Karst, the co-owner of AmaWaterways, to join her and Stuart Perl, UK Managing Director, on a 4-night sailing onboard the AmaDara. This was the vessel featured on the recent ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’, so as you can imagine we were very excited.

After a very short flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh we transferred to the AmaDara, our home for the next five days. The AmaDara is a beautiful and well-appointed vessel accommodating up to 124 passengers in suites and staterooms, all with both a French balcony and an outside balcony. After time to unpack we met Stuart and Kristin and dined in the Chef’s Table Restaurant. Located at the aft of the ship the Chef’s Table Restaurant seats up to 28 passengers and offers a multi-course degustation menu with paired wines. All guests have the opportunity to dine there, at no extra charge, at least once during the cruise.

After dinner we travelled by tuk-tuk to the luxury Sofitel Hotel for a cocktail reception with the senior managers of this hotel chain. This is a stunning hotel and Sofitel hotels are used by AmaWaterways on their 11 and 15 day Mekong packages.

Friday, 13th April.

After an early breakfast we joined our coach for an excursion to Cambodia’s Royal Palace. Set in beautiful grounds the Royal Palace comprises numerous buildings, the majority of which you are allowed to wander freely around. The Buddha room is well worth a look, with over 1500 Buddha’s on display including a huge gold and diamond encrusted Buddha, reputedly worth £45 million.

Returning to the ship, the rest of the day was at leisure as we sailed from Cambodia across the border back into Vietnam. The border crossing is easy as the ship simply anchors and Vietnamese customs come on board and check passports (which are held by AmaWaterways so guests aren’t disturbed) before allowing the vessel to sail on. At this point the Cambodian tour guides disembarked and we were joined by four Vietnamese guides who would accompany us for the rest of the cruise.

Saturday, 14th April.

After breakfast we boarded our tender for the short journey to Evergreen Island and a walking excursion through a local village finishing at a traditional Rattan factory. Supposedly one of the poorest villages in Vietnam, the people were extremely friendly and virtually every house had three satellite dishes to allow them to receive not only 100’s of Asian TV channels but also worldwide sports channels including the English Premier League. One strange custom the Vietnamese adhere to is the burying of relatives in the front garden, erecting an elaborate marble tomb on top of the deceased. You soon get used to seeing one or more tombs in virtually every garden you pass.

After a visit to a Rattan factory and the chance to do some shopping, we climbed aboard trishaws for a journey through town to a silk factory. These trishaws take just one person with the passenger sitting on a very narrow bench with no real space for your legs, fun, exciting, uncomfortable and probably best done only once!!

We stopped at the silk factory that produced the black silk for the dress worn by Angelina Jolie at the premier of the film ‘Maleficent’. The factory shop was unfortunately out of black silk dresses but I did buy Joanie a lovely silk scarf and silk fridge magnet, so brownie points were scored.

Climbing back aboard the trishaws we were transported through the town back to the jetty for our tender back to the AmaDara. After dinner we were entertained at the Crew Talent Show which comprised of groups formed from each department of the ship judged by four passengers in an X-Factor style contest. Not a lot of talent on show but great fun nevertheless!!

Sunday, 15th April.

With a choice of excursions this morning, Sam and I selected the long excursion which visited Xeo Quyt, a hidden forest base used by the Viet Cong leaders during the Vietnam War. Covering 60 acres, this base was home to 20 Viet Cong leaders and although 1.5 miles from the nearest US base it was never discovered. A fascinating excursion and well worth a visit.

Arriving back onboard AmaDara in time for a late lunch, we decided not to take the afternoon excursion and instead opted for a leisurely afternoon on board relaxing with a couple of cold beers up on the sundeck. This evening, before our final dinner onboard, the Cruise Manager invited all guests into the lounge to meet the crew. A wonderful chance for guests to be introduced to and thank the crew who have provided such wonderful service throughout the cruise.

The final dinner onboard upheld the high standards that had been set throughout the cruise and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. If you have sailed with AmaWaterways (or really any cruise company for that matter) you’ll know that breakfast tends to be a buffet, with an action station where a chef cooks eggs to order (fried, scrambled, omelettes etc.), lunch was a buffet with a small selection of additional dishes that were cooked to order and dinner was à la carte. If, at dinner time, nothing appealed to you could always order a steak or that night’s pasta dish.  Tonight happened to be the birthday of one of our party and so at the end of the meal the crew presented our table with a cake. Having just had a four course meal no one was particularly hungry but we tucked into a slice regardless.

Tonight was karaoke night and so after dinner the majority of the group gathered in the lounge for a night of singing. After a slow start (it seemed like everyone was reluctant to go first) we found ourselves enthusiastically singing away until the early hours.

Monday, 16th April.

An early start today with all cases to be outside staterooms by 07.00 am, ready to be collected by the crew. After an early breakfast we said our farewells and then boarded our coach for the 90 minute transfer from My Tho port to Ho Chi Minh City. All passengers are dropped off at the Sofitel hotel and those not booked on a post-cruise tour can leave their luggage there free of charge.

As our flight wasn’t until 23.55 we had a day to explore the city and decided to walk to the War Remnants Museum, a fascinating and thought-provoking museum detailing the Vietnamese War from its beginnings in 1950 right through to 1975. After leaving the museum we wandered around the city before having lunch in an Asian fast food restaurant in the food court of one of the many shopping malls – starters, pork noodle main courses, coke and water for less than £7.00!!

Tip: Ho Chi Minh appears to have very few traffic laws (or at least few that are enforced) with bikes being driven on pavements, the wrong side of the road and straight through red lights. Take care when walking around the city and when crossing the road. The best approach is to wait for a gap and then slowly and calmly begin to cross, you’ll find that the bikes simply swerve around the pedestrians. Whatever you do, never run.

Returning to the Sofitel we enjoyed a final cold beer (two actually!) before taking a taxi to the airport for our return flight with Emirates (via Dubai) to Newcastle. The taxi again proved how cheap Vietnam is, 35 minutes from the hotel to the airport (in rush hour traffic) cost less than £6.00.  

It was a long journey back and Sam and I were both shattered when we finally landed in Newcastle, a good 30+ hours after we disembarked the AmaDara, but it was a fantastic trip and we have no doubt the knowledge and experience gained will prove invaluable.  

Please visit our facebook page to see a collection of photo's taken during the trip - https://www.facebook.com/The-Vacation-Company-129421010477019/?ref=bookmarks

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AmaCerto - River Cruise Excellence Awards 2017

We have recently returned from the 2017 CLIA River Cruise Conference in Amsterdam. During the conference the prestigious 'River Cruise Excellence Awards' were announced (the only dedicated river cruise awards, designed to highlight the innovation, enthusiasm and excitement of agents in this sector) and we were surprised and honoured to be named as the recipient of the 'Best River Cruise Newcomer' award.

It was wonderful just to be nominated but to walk away as winners was a wonderful way to end our first few months working in the river cruise sector. As we look towards the new year we are excited to continue working closely with our colleagues at the river cruise companies and we look forward to helping our clients find the right river cruise for them.

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AmaSonata - New for 2018 - Danube Serenade.

Discover the undeniable beauty of the Danube as you explore the towns that line its picturesque banks. 

Nuremberg - famous for its ancient castle, gingerbread and toy manufacturing. Whilst in Nuremberg you will have the choice of two excursions: one focusing on the medieval highlights and one focusing on WWII. Enjoy a guided tour through this well-preserved medieval city, showcasing the Imperial Castle, famous town and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. Alternatively, turn back the pages of a darker history with a guided tour of the city's most important WWII sites including the Nuremberg Trails Memoriam. 

Regensburg - one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities, and you'll discover why on a walking tour showcasing the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. 

Passau - discover the 2,000-year-old city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube River, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress for panoramic views overlooking three rivers. 

Vienna - Experience the regal elegance of Vienna with one of three different excursions. Join a city tour that takes you to the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors. Afterwards visit Vienna's historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen's Cathedral. Alternatively , join a tour to a famous Viennese cafe for a taste of sachetorte, a sinfully rich chocolate cake, and sekt, an Austrian sparkling wine. For those who prefer to be more active, you can cycle along the Danube and through the Danaupark. 

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AmaPrima - New for 2018 - Rhine & Moselle Delights.

Dramatic rivers yielding to fairytale towns and iconic cities that all come alive as you discover four countries - Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands - along the storied Rhine and Moselle. 

Breisach - step back in time with a visit to Riquewihr, a charming medieval hamlet that looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour admire historic architecture and surrounding vineyards as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively you may wish to visit Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to Freiburg's Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have "the most beautiful spire on Earth".

Strasbourg - the capital of Alsace, has, due to its borderline location, flavours of both France and Germany. Join a city tour that takes you past the stunning Parc de l'Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République and then walk through the iconic "La Petite France" district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. 

Rüdesheim - here you will have a choice of three excursions; take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike tour through the town and along the Rhine river; or hike to Ehrenfels Castle, idyllically situated in midst of the vineyards.    

Bernkastel - strategically located in the middle of the Moselle Valley's wine-producing region. Walk through the colourful Old Town centre and past a multitude of medieval buildings before enjoying a wine tasting at a local winery.  

Cologne - join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue on to the Cologne Rathaus, the oldest town hall in Germany, the Overstolzenhaus anf the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with apple sauce. 

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Zambezi Queen - New for 2018 - Wildlife & the Falls.

Spend one night in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg, before flying to Kasane, Botswana to begin your Zambezi Queen safari cruise on the Chobe River. After exploring the Chobe region and National Park, spend two nights experiencing the magic of Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. 

Fly back to Johannesburg for two nights, and whilst there, visit the township of Soweto and walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, learning about the region's past struggles and the rise of the human spirit. Then take a short flight to the game-rich country of the Greater Kruger National Park - home to the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo. This world-renowned park covers an area of 50-million acres. 

Spend three nights at the five-star game lodge - offering excellent safari viewing and exceptional amenities, service and cuisine. 

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