Cruise into 2020 with Jules Verne

Latest collection features new cruises in Europe, Russia and Egypt, plus plentiful options for single sailors…

Specialist tour operator Jules Verne (www.vjv.com) has added six inspiring new itineraries to its selection of small ship cruises for 2020. Joining a collection of 46 water-based journeys in Jules Verne’s latest River & Coastal Cruises brochure, each itinerary is expertly planned and organised, and includes a programme of excursions tailored specifically for the Jules Verne group and led by expert local guides and experts.

Choose from the following new cruises, two of which also include an Early Booking Offer when booked by 30 January 2020:

Venice & the Ducal Cities

Cruise from the waterways of Venice to Mantua, along the Canal Bianco, on this leisurely six-night holiday, enjoying guided excursions to the magnificent ducal cities of Vicenza, Verona, Mantua, Cremona and Parma. Highlights include visits to the Verona Arena (the third largest Roman amphitheatre in existence) and Palazzo Te (a 16th century masterpiece of Italian High Renaissance art and architecture), as well as a violin-maker’s workshop in Cremona and a mouth-watering tasting of Parma’s famous produce at its Culatello ham and Parmigiana cheese cellars.

Departing 17 June and 21 September 2020, the price is from £1,595 pp*. Early Booking Offer: £50 pp deducted from all bookings made by 30 January 2020.

Secret Danube

Unlike the better-known waters of the ‘Blue Danube’ between Germany and Budapest, the eastern reaches of the river remain relatively unexplored yet offer equally striking sightseeing opportunities. Discover an alternative Danube on this nine-night cruise that encompasses five countries (Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia): take in the flora and fauna of the Danube Delta (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), visit the medieval capital of Bulgaria (Veliko Tarnovo), tour Roman-founded Ruse and the cities of  Bucharest and Belgrade, sail through the famous ‘Iron Gates’ gorge, and more.

Departing 20 May and 6 October 2020, the price is from £2,395 pp*. Early Booking Offer: £65 pp deducted from all bookings made by 30 January 2020.

Péniche Champagne

What better way to experience France’s famous Champagne region than on a relaxing barge cruise of the majestic Marne canal from Paris to Épernay, passing through picturesque countryside (including the Montagne de Reims Natural Park), visiting charming towns and tasting the eponymous sparkling wine every day? Exclusive to Jules Verne, this six-night itinerary travels to ‘The Pearl of Champagne’ (the village of Hautvillers, where Dom Perignon perfected his famous technique), the city of Meaux (famous for its Brie, hailed as ‘the King of Cheeses’) and historic Reims, known as the ‘City of Coronations’.

Departing 28 May and 9 July 2020, the price is from £1,995 pp*.

Péniche Sur Loire

Experience the authentic heart of France on a small group barge cruise along the Loire Canal, from Nevers to Briare, that’s a treat for the taste buds as well the eyes. Sample regional specialities such as Sancerre wine, accompanied by local goat cheese, and visit the vineyards and cellars in Pouilly-sur-Loire to learn more about – and taste – the famous Pouilly-Fumé wines. Exclusive to Jules Verne, this six-night cruise also includes a tour of Nevers (with its Espace Bernadette Soubirous, Ducal palace and half-timbered houses), plus visits to Fontmorigny Abbey, the beautiful riverside village of Apremont-sur-Allier and La Charité-sur-Loire, before crossing the Loire river via the magnificent Briare Aqueduct, one of France’s most prestigious waterways.

Departing 6 August and 17 September 2020, the price is from £1,995 pp*.

Waterways of the Tsars

This seven-night journey along the quiet rivers, lakes and canals between Moscow and St. Petersburg replaces Jules Verne’s popular ‘Russia Revealed’ cruise for 2020. Sailing on an upgraded vessel following customer requests (the five-star MS Rostropovich), this shorter seven-night itinerary features walking tours of historic Uglich (including the former Kremlin) and Kizhi Island (with its UNESCO-listed open-air Museum of Architecture), visits to the traditional Russian villages of Goritsy and Mandrogi (with its colourful izbas or log houses), and city tours of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Departing 22 August and 5 September 2020, the price is from £2,045 pp*.

Also NEW for 2020, Jules Verne has adapted one of its classic cruises to create an exclusive sailing on one of its most sought-after vessels…

Follow in the footsteps of the 19th-century British excursionists, who travelled by steamer to ancient Thebes, on The Original Nile by Royal Steamer, a luxurious voyage on board the SS Misr – a propeller steam vessel that was originally built by the Royal Navy in 1918, converted for King Farouk (and used for his birthday party in 1939), and restored in later years by Jules Verne and its Egyptian partners. Following the classic Nile route from Cairo and the Pyramids to Thebes and Aswan, this 13-night itinerary encompasses visits to well-known landmarks including Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, as well as to largely unvisited ancient sites such as Maydom Pyramid, the tombs of Beni Hassan, the catacombs of Petosiris and, at Amarna, the Northern Tombs and the Great Temple of Akhenaten. Jules Verne clients will also enjoy a private cocktail reception at the Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace, tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel and a visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple.

Departing 13 September 2020, the price is from £4,995 pp*.

Keen to cruise in 2019? Jules Verne has places available on several delightful autumn itineraries this year, including:

Péniche Alsacien

Experience one of the ‘Great Canal Journeys’ taken by Timothy West and Prunella Scales in their Channel 4 series during this six-night sailing on the Marne-Rhine Canal. Travelling by comfortable barge through France’s scenic Alsace region from Lagarde to Strasbourg, the cruise traverses no less than 40 locks, with the opportunity to walk or cycle between some, passing charming villages, fairy-tale castles, spectacular mountain vistas, dense forests and sweeping valleys, with en route stops in Saverne, Arzviller, Lutzelbourg and Lagarde for guided excursions.

Departing 20 September and 11 October 2019, the price is from £2,095 pp*. 2020 departures also available.

Andalucía from the Water

Discover Seville and Moorish Spain during a seven-night cruise on the Guadalquivir River to coastal Cádiz that also explores the cities of Córdoba, Granada and Jerez. Learn more about the region’s varied cultural influences, its history and distinctive architecture, and enjoy experiences ranging from a nature reserve visit and flamenco demonstration to an equestrian show at an original Andalucian hacienda.

Departing 31 October 2019, the price is from £1,745 pp*. 2020 departures also available.

Ancient Greece of the Olympics

Accompanied by guest lecturer, Eugenia Alexiou, explore the ancient sites at Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Epidaurus and Mycenae on this small ship sailing around the Peloponnese and through the Corinth Canal. The nine-night cruise takes place during the quieter season, when neither the heat nor the crowds of summer hinder access to these fascinating, heritage-rich areas.

Departing 30 October and 6 November 2019, the price is from £2,495 pp*. 2020 departures also available.

Sailing solo?

Renowned for its arrangements for single travellers, Jules Verne offers No Single Supplement places (subject to availability) on selected cruise departures in 2019/2020, including An Iberian River Journey (seven nights from £1,995 pp*), Bordeaux & the Rivers of Wine (seven nights from £1,995 pp*), Tributaries of the Rhine (eight nights from £1,965 pp*), Christmas Markets & Music on the Danube (five nights from £1,945 pp*), The 600-Mile Nile (12 nights from £2,795 pp*) and The Holy Ganges (11 nights from £2,495 pp*).

Jules Verne also offers singles-only sailings on several of its cruises in 2020, with Solo Group departures available on Impressions of the Seine (seven nights from £1,695 pp*) and Danube Waltz (seven nights from £1,895 pp*).

*Prices are based on two people sharing unless otherwise specified (see ‘Cruises for Single Travellers’, above) and include return flights, cabin accommodation, transfers, port charges, meals, drinks, excursions and on-board lectures as per the itinerary, and the services of a Tour Manager, guides and local representatives.

Small and exclusive:

Most of the vessels used by Jules Verne for its river and coastal cruises accommodate between ten and 100 passengers, allowing guests to travel in comfort and without the formalities of the larger ships featured by many holiday companies. Several cruises are also exclusively chartered by Jules Verne, enabling guests to enjoy an enhanced, specially tailored excursion programme in a convivial atmosphere alongside like-minded companions.

Can’t choose a cruise?

To assist its guests in selecting a holiday that suits their particular preferences, Jules Verne has added a useful cruise calendar to its River & Coastal Cruises brochure, making it simple to search for departures at specific times of the year and to spot which itineraries are exclusive Jules Verne charters. There is also a helpful section featuring the top-quality cruises as voted for by Jules Verne customers (overall and for  quality of vessel, food, cabins and excursions), the data for which has been gathered from Jules Verne’s continual monitoring of clients’ comments via questionnaires and feedback.

Booking with the best:

Fully ABTA and ATOL bonded, and winner of many travel awards, Jules Verne’s expert staff organise every detail, ensuring that clients can book in complete confidence. This commitment is further reinforced by Jules Verne’s 100% Price Guarantee; the holiday price is fixed when clients book and will remain so, even if Jules Verne’s costs increase subsequently.

The latest edition of Jules Verne’s River & Coastal Cruises brochure, covering departures until November 2021, can be viewed, downloaded or ordered in print here.

For more information or to book a river or coastal cruise with Jules Verne, call 020 3553 3722 or visit www.vjv.com.