To meet growing demand for experiential travel, European Waterways is offering a wider range of new themed cruise departures for 2020 including a Whisky Trail cruise aboard the Scottish Highlander and a Golf Cruise aboard the Spirit of Scotland.
There is also a Wine Appreciation Cruise aboard L’Impressionniste in Burgundy, France; and an Opera Cruise aboard La Bella Vita, which sails out of Venice.
For single malt whisky enthusiasts, the 5 April, 2020 Whisky Trail cruise aboard the 8-passenger Scottish Highlander hotel barge is ideal. Guests will visit at least three distilleries, where they will enjoy private tours and tastings, among them the family-run Benromach Distillery near Forres, as well as the Tomatin and Dalwhinnie distilleries, both in the Highland region. Cabins for the cruise start at €3,890 per person (approx. AU$6,500), based on double occupancy. There is no supplement for the Whisky Trail Cruise.
“Our guests don’t want to be ‘spectators’ of history and culture, they want to be participants,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. “From sharing a glass of Pastis with a friendly lock keeper, to gourmet lunch with a baroness, to playing golf in the country that invented the sport, they seek immersive experiences that are both memorable and meaningful in providing insight into the local cultures.”
The April 12, 2020 Wine Appreciation Cruise aboard the 12-passenger L’Impressionniste in Southern Burgundy features private tastings at some of the best, off the beaten path vineyards. Guests will enjoy such Burgundies as Nuits St-Georges, Santenay and Vosne Romanée, with premier or grand cru vintages hand-picked by the knowledgeable guides. Regions visited include the Loire Valley, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Alsace. Rates for the cruise start at €4,650 per person (approx. AU$7,600), based on double occupancy. A supplement of €675 (approx. AU$1,200) is applied to participants.
It’s widely believed that golf was invented in Scotland, where rules for the modern game and the first 18-hole courses were established. European Waterways’ 12-passenger Spirit of Scotland Golf Cruise offers guests the opportunity to play the game with the wide expanse of the Scottish Highlands providing a dramatic background. The boat’s April 26, 2020 departures lets players tee up at four championship courses that include the Castle Stuart, the Royal Dornoch, Fort Augustus, and Newtonmore. Rates for the cruise start at €4,150 per person (approx. AU$6,800). A supplement of €825 (approx. AU$1,345) is applied to participants.
For opera lovers, Venice’s Arena di Verona offers one of the most impressive settings to enjoy a performance of some of the world’s most famous operas. The August 16, 2020 departure on the 20-passenger La Bella Vita includes premium seats at this internationally famous venue for a performance of Verdi’s “Nabucco”. Cabins start at €3,490 per person (approx. AU$5,700), based on double occupancy. A supplement of €540 (approx. AU$900) is applied to participants. Other Opera Cruises can be booked throughout July and August, either by cabin or as a whole boat charters, based on availability.
