DEILMANN OFFERS “THE ULTIMATE CRUISE TOUR” – A UNIQUELY POSH ADVENTURE SHOWCASING THE FINER POINTS OF LAKE COMO, VENICE AND PARIS COUPLED WITH A SEINE RIVER CRUISE ABOARD THE FIVE-STAR MV CÉZANNE
New York, November 2008 -- Peter Deilmann Cruises is offering guests an unparelleled opportunity to explore two of Europe’s most culturally wealthy countries in a single 17-day deluxe adventure – combining a nine-day Italian and French upscale land package with a seven-night sailing along France’s River Seine. Guests can take in the many wonderful gardens of Lake Como after their private lake cruise; stroll with a guide through a variety of Venice’s most important sites; take the famed Orient Express on an overnight to Paris; indulge in the taste of champagne while in Champagne; and slowly cruise along one of France’s most romantic rivers, the Seine, stepping ashore at many of the villages and cities along its path. Land accommodations are in deluxe hotels including three nights at Lake Como’s Villa d’Este, and two nights each at Hotel Cipriani in Venice and the Chateau of Les Crayeres, while on board the MV Cézanne, passengers enjoy all the amenities of a small luxury hotel in the heart of France. The six departures – one each month from April through September 2009 – are priced at $11,719 to $12,969 per person, double. A two-night Paris extension with included excursions is $615 per person, double.
The Villa d’Este in Lake Como, with its near 500-year-old villa and 25-acre park set on the shores of the lake, acts as the base of operations for more than three days of sightseeing. A private lake cruise stops at Villa Carlotta for a tour and the Renaissance town of Bellagio for a stroll, followed by a day for independent exploration. After a transfer by private car to Venice’s Hotel Cipriani, a luxury estate opposite the Piazza San Marco, guests are taken in hand for an introduction to the many sites of the city and an excursion to the islands of Murano, also known as the Glass Island for its 700-year history of glass blowers, and Burano, known for its lacework.
The overnight journey to Paris is aboard the restored luxury carriages of the famed Orient Express, taking passengers back to a bygone era. After settling in at the Chateau of Les Crayères, renowned not only for its high standards of service but also for its three-star Michelin restaurant, guests will tour Reims. Highlights include the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, where French Kings were crowned, and its old town, and then venture off to the Champagne region to visit the vineyards, meet with a local producer and tickle the senses with a Champagne tasting.
The MV Cézanne serves as a floating hotel, set in the heart of Paris for a night, as guests take a tour of the City of Lights’ not-to-be missed sites – Notre Dame, the Louvre, Sacrè Couer, Champs Elysées and Eiffel Tower. From Paris the ship makes stops in Les Andelys with a tour of Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau-Gaillard; Caudebec-en-Caus, where an optional excursion to the Landing Beaches of Normandy is offered; and Honfleur, whose unusual light inspired native son, Eugéne Boudin, and others, including Monet, Renoir and Sisley, to experiment and give the world Impressionism. In Rouen, the half-timbered city where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, guests visit the Gothic Cathedral Notre Dame and old town; and in Vernon, opposite Giverny, guests are take a tour of the restored home of Monet, his lily ponds, Japanese Bridge and gardens.
The fully air-conditioned MV Cezanne, completely renovated in 2006, is a deluxe ship with 50 large staterooms, sun decks and stylish public rooms that include an elegant restaurant, bar, lounge and library. Dining on board is single seating and the cuisine is continental. Mid-afternoon tea and coffee is served every day on deck and in the lounge and there is a late evening buffet. The friendly, multi-lingual staffs cater to passengers’ every wish – and offer a high level of service with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers. A non-smoking policy applies to the interiors of all Peter Deilmann River vessels.
Fares include 10 excursions, five-star accommodations on land and an outside cabin onboard, all meals onboard including Captain’s welcome and farewell champagne receptions, transfers and such nightly entertainment as traditional and folkloric performances. Port charges of $120 and a fuel surcharge of $70, per person, are additional.
Peter Deilmann Cruises has been offering award-winning European river cruise vacations since 1983. In addition to its line up of cruise tours, Deilmann also has special interest cruises catering to music, golf, equestrian, wine, gardens, cycling, hiking and wellness/spa. Seven other Deilmann luxury vessels make their way along the rivers of 13 countries, as part of 10 additional all-inclusive cruise-tours offered by Deilmann Cruises.
For more details on the cruise, optional tours and air arrangements, contact a travel agent or Peter Deilmann Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or by E-mail at pdcmail@deilmann-cruises.com. Further information on The Ultimate Cruise and other Cruise-Tour offerings may also be found at www.deilmann-cruises.com/tours/tours.htm. Cruises itineraries, deck plans and ship photos are online at www.deilmann-cruises.com.
