Friday, May 11, 2018

Want a More Sophisticated Cruise Experience? (Part 2)

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By: Mike Franks

Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

Last week, we featured a few cruise itineraries that are somewhat unique for the average traveler. Here are a few more selections offered by some of the more exotic, luxury cruise lines. Stretch your imagination and find one you like!

Jewels of Europe

A mixture of old world beauty, architecture and rich history in Old Europe.

Ports of Call include:


Explore wonderful Amsterdam – with its wealth of canals, museums, and bicycles.

Marksburg - delight in the medieval ambiance of Marksburg Castle, which has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. 

Rhine Gorge - enjoy the unrivaled views of the spectacular World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge.

Würzburg - Visit the Bishop’s Residenz Palace and sample some exquisite local wine. 

Bamberg - immerse yourself in the Old Town of Bamberg, a World Heritage-listed site alive with history.

Nuremberg - Welcome to this fascinating and ancient Bavarian city, dating back to the 11th century; site of the infamous Nuremberg War Crimes Trials at the end of World War II.

Regensburg - from its medieval town, the bordering Bavarian Forest and the confluence of three rivers, Regensburg offers a rich tapestry of experiences.

Salzburg – The birthplace of Mozart, let the ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’ transport you to another time and place. Enjoy an authentic Austrian lunch before an afternoon of humming along to some of the catchy classics.
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Melk - experience Melk’s magnificent 18th century Benedictine Abbey on a guided tour. 

Vienna - acquaint yourself with this opulent city by taking a fascinating guided tour of its most famous sights, including the Ringstrasse, a street featuring palaces, museums, and government buildings.

Rhine River Get Away

Experience river cruising for a whole new adventure. Overlook the Rhine from Germany’s best preserved medieval castle. Discover the various culinary traditions of Alsace. Explore the Black Forest and visit a local workshop to see a cuckoo clock making demonstration. Turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine—little wonder that the Rhine is one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. From Amsterdam and Cologne to Basel, this 8-day journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.

Journey Highlights:

Amsterdam:
Discover Amsterdam's scenic canals, charming flower markets and enriching Museum Quarter, where you can admire Van Gogh's artwork and masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age.

Kinderdijk: Tour the ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. Enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return on board for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. 
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Cologne: Visit the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Roman ruins, interesting neighborhoods and museums like the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum.

Koblenz: Proceed along the Rhine, disembarking to tour the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle. Alternately, choose an optional excursion that offers a lively and informative tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, or enjoy an optionally guided exploration of Koblenz on foot. After, enjoy an onboard lunch as you cruise the scenic Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where turreted castles and fortresses overlook the river from their hilltop posts.

Heidelberg: Admire the beautiful sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley. Walk through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. On your way back to your ship, visit the historic town of Speyer, home of the Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Strasbourg: See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. The afternoon is free to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome Art Nouveau and modernist architecture or join an optional excursion.
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Breisach: Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop to see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration, and learn how Black Forest Cake is made. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar to discover the storybook charm of its streets lined with medieval, Gothic and Renaissance buildings, and visit a fine arts museum. 


Tropical Treasures
Experience the tropics with a twist on this unique itinerary combining the historical treasures of Cartagena, the eco-wonders of Caldera and the enchanting splendors of Cabo.

Journey Highlights:
Bimini - known as a local favorite escape for vacationers seeking a laid-back pace, astounding natural scenery, a drink or two of rum and a dip in gin-clear waters.
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Cartagena - visit one of the most fascinating towns in South America and see ornate churches and convents, the dramatic Palace of the Inquisition, and other historical gems.
Caldera -  discover the "Switzerland of Central America" and its fascinating traditions, friendly people and superb scenery in an ideal climate.
Corinto - off the coast, huge waves draw fearless surfers. Farther inland, volcanic peaks draw trekkers and photographers to experience a landscape shaped by the collision of two tectonic plates, creating a display of earth’s primordial power in miles of lava and ash, smoke and rock, crater lakes and steamy hot springs.
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Acapulco - considered Mexico's capital of fun, enjoy outdoor activities from aquatic sports to golf and golden beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. 
Cabo San Lucas - laze on a deserted beach, explore the undersea world or discover bustling shops and markets for tempting treasures such as silver, jewelry,  and wooden sculptures.

These are just a sampling of the many unique vacations available every day of the year. When you are ready to stretch your imagination, one of these vacation packages may be right for you!


What is your dream vacation destination? Chances are there is a cruise ship going that way!

Visit my website www.landorseatravel.com or call me 1-844-TRAVEL and discover the allure of cruising!

Mike Franks is an owner/operator of Cruise Planners in Orange Park, FL. Cruise Planners specializes in ocean and river cruises, land tours and resort vacations.

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