Voyages Jules Verne adds river cruises

Voyages Jules Verne expands its exclusive river cruises collection

Three new river cruise itineraries added to latest World of Wonders brochure alongside a tempting selection of winter breaks

Renowned for its range of worldwide river cruises, award-winning specialist tour operator Voyages Jules Verne has added three itineraries to its latest World of Wonders brochure, covering departures until December 2016. Each of the cruises featured is arranged exclusively for clients of Voyages Jules Verne, creating an enjoyable ‘house party afloat’ ambience as you sail between fascinating destinations as diverse as Egypt and the River Elbe.

Reintroduced earlier this year following updated Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice on travel through the Nile Valley, Voyages Jules Verne’s Original Nile Cruise can now be experienced in five-star style on board the SS Misr, formerly owned by King Farouk I and arguably the most luxurious steamship on the Nile. Sailing from Cairo to Luxor in considerable comfort whilst dining on delicious international cuisine, sightseeing highlights of this 11-day journey include visits to the Cairo, Hawara and Maydom Pyramids, the tombs and catacombs of Tuna-el-Gebel, Akhenatan’s royal city and the Temple of Hathor at Denderah. The holiday concludes spectacularly, too, with a private cocktail reception for Voyages Jules Verne clients at the Old Winter Palace followed by an evening visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple.

Departing 12 April 2016 only, The Original Nile by Royal Steamer costs from £2,995 pp with no single supplement on Main Deck single cabins, subject to availability. The price includes flights (Heathrow), transfers, ten nights’ full board on the cruise vessel, excursions and the services of guides and local representatives.

Closer to home, Voyages Jules Verne also offers two NEW European river cruises:

Exploring the fascinating cultural heritage of the towns and cities that lie along its banks, Princely Treasures on the Elbe takes travellers from Prague to Berlin on board the MS Elbe Princess, a new vessel operated exclusively for clients of Voyages Jules Verne. Chosen for its smaller size and draught, which allows it to cruise into Prague itself, the MS Elbe Princess is your base for this nine-day sailing, with on-shore experiences that include sightseeing in Berlin, an afternoon walking tour of Prague’s Old Town and private concert at the Baroque Refectory of the Church of St. Giles, timed entrance to Dresden’s legendary Green Vault and visits to Potsdam’s Sanssouci Palace & Gardens, and Cecilienhof Palace. Porcelain enthusiasts will also enjoy visits to Meissen (where a 100-metre Meissen porcelain frieze awaits inspection) and Dresden’s fine porcelain museum.

Departing 29 May 2016 only, Princely Treasures on the Elbe costs from £1,995 pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), transfers, eight nights’ full board and drinks on the cruise vessel, excursions and the services of a tour manager and local guides.

 Combining the masterpieces of Dutch art and nature in one delightful four-night cruise, The Art of Amsterdam & The Hague visits the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis Museum and Binnenhof whilst also taking in the horticultural delights of the world-famous Keukenhof garden, where the vibrantly hued flowers and blossom are at their very best in springtime. Exclusively chartered for Voyages Jules Verne’s clients, the cruise takes place on the MS Victor Hugo, with the option to add a two-night Amsterdam extension at the end of the itinerary.

Departing 9 & 21 April 2016, The Art of Amsterdam & The Hague costs from £770 pp* (no single supplement, subject to availability, on 9 April departure) including flights (Heathrow), transfers, four nights’ full board and drinks on the cruise vessel, excursions and the services of a cruise director and local guides. *Early booking offer applies (book by 15 December 2015 to save £30 pp). A two-night Amsterdam extension, staying at the four-star Inntel Hotel, costs from £295 pp (two sharing).

Can’t wait until Spring? Voyages Jules Verne’s latest edition of World of Wonders also tempts travellers with an array of winter holiday experiences. For those not yet fortunate enough to have observed the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis for themselves (and for those who have, but would like to see it again!), Voyages Jules Verne offers three Northern Lights itineraries. In Iceland, these range from a three or four-night Ice Land of the Northern Lights break (from £895 pp**) – which includes a stay ‘in the middle of nowhere’ that’s perfectly placed for Aurora spotting – to a seven-night Ice & Lights itinerary that takes in Iceland’s glacial lagoon, ice cap and volcano area (seven nights from £1,595 pp**). And, while Northern Lights sightings can never be guaranteed, what better place from which to base yourself, should they put in an appearance, than on a Hurtigruten vessel as it cruises within the Arctic Circle along the coast of Norway, from Tromsø to Kirkenes? Northern Lights Voyage costs from £1,065 pp** for four nights, and from £1,195 pp** for five nights.

Keen on Christmas? Instead of slogging it out on the High Street this year, take a relaxing cruise on the MS Vivaldi from Vienna to Budapest and Bratislava, picking up unique hand-crafted gifts for friends and family as you go, during visits to some of Europe’s most characterful Christmas Markets. Departing 30 November & 4 December, Christmas Markets & Music on the Danube is also a must for music aficionados, with Strauss, Mozart & Schubert concerts, arias at the Budapest Opera House, a gypsy music performance and a tour of Beethoven’s home all included in the itinerary. Price is from £995pp**.

 Alternatively, travel over the festive period itself and experience Midnight Mass in a Hungarian Church on Christmas Eve, followed by a performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Budapest Opera House on Christmas Day. Departing 22 December, the price is from £1,445 pp** with no single supplement (subject to availability). More details here.

For scenery worthy of a Christmas card, head to Austria, where Winter in Tirol promises warm hospitality in a picture-perfect setting. Staying at the family-run Landhotel Stern in the pretty village of Obsteig, enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing and guided winter walks by day, whilst guided torchlight walks and candlelit dinners make the evenings memorable, too. Departing 19 December 2015 and from January to March 2016, the price is from £625 pp** with no single supplement (except 19 December, and subject to availability).

 ** According to the itinerary chosen, prices are based on two sharing and include air travel, taxes, transfers, accommodation, some meals, a sightseeing programme and the services of guides and local representatives.

Booking with the best

Voyages Jules Verne was named Best Holiday Company in the 2015 Which? Travel survey. Scoring an impressive 94% overall, VJV was also the only company to be awarded five stars in each of the five categories on which it was assessed: customer service, accommodation, description matching reality, the tours offered and value for money.

For more information or to book any of the above tours, call Voyages Jules Verne on 020 3553 3722 or visit the new-look website at www.vjv.com.

 To view the current edition of VJV’s World of Wonders brochure, spanning worldwide departures until December 2016, please click here.