2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

Somme Battlefields Honfleur Caen Soligny-la-Trappe Jumièges 7MS AMALEGRO Rouen Vernon North Sea Les Andelys Giverny Normandy SEASONAL CRUISING Spring Time Cruising March – May Autumn Colours September – mid-November Christmas Markets November & December See pages 46-47 for details. Coach Cruise No. of nights stay Freedom of Choice InclusionsTM Included Sightseeing FRANCE Day 6. Vernon, Rouen. Set in the heart of the famous Normandy region and once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, Rouen is a place of incredible history and architecture. On disembarking here today, a city sightseeing tour will take you to a selection of the city's most enthralling sights. You'll walk among the distinctly French half-timbered houses; see the imposing Cathédral Notre-Dame, which has the highest spire in France and was the subject of several Monet paintings; and admire the famous Gros Horloge, a 16th-century astronomical clock. You'll also learn about the real story of Joan of Arc as you see the 14th-century courthouse where she was sentenced to death and the Market Square where she was burnt at the stake. After the tour, enjoy time at leisure this afternoon to further explore as you please. With your ship moored overnight in Rouen, you may like to step out after dinner for a pleasant evening stroll through the city. Day 7. Rouen, Caen, Pays d'Auge. Departing Rouen by coach, travel across the lovely Norman countryside on an excursion to Caen – located just 15 kilometres from the English Channel. The site of the Battle of Caen – which occurred during the historic Battle of Normandy – Caen was largely destroyed during World War II. During your time here, you'll see several memorials for the landings at Normandy, the Battle for Caen and indeed the Second World War. Afterwards, continue through the Pays d'Auge – an area that seemingly epitomises the Norman countryside. See the charming timber-framed houses of the towns and the Norman cows grazing in the lush green fields as you make your return to the ship for dinner this evening. Day 8. Rouen, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Today disembark and choose from our two Freedom of Choice Touring Inclusions. Perhaps join an excursion to the seductively pretty port city of Honfleur, set at the Seine estuary, opposite Le Havre. Here, a sightseeing tour of the city takes in the cobbled streets, the old and picturesque port area, Saint-Catherine's / FRANCE Beaune Church, the largest wooden church in France, and much more. Then enjoy some time at leisure before returning to Rouen. Alternatively, travel a stretch of the historical Routes des Abbayes (The Norman Abbey Circuit). Visit the grandiose ruins of Jumièges and discover St-Wandrille, the Trappist monastery in Soligny-la-Trappe. During the journey, your guide will detail the spiritual, intellectual, artistic, political and economic roles that these abbeys have played since the 5th century. After your activity, rejoin your ship. Colmar Seine River Conflans Versailles Paris 3 Amsterdam NETHERLANDS Rhine River Cologne Cochem Moselle River 7 MS AMACELLO Koblenz GERMANY Rüdesheim Rhine River Speyer Black Forest Breisach Basel SWITZERLAND BLD BLD Day 9. Les Andelys. Cruising back towards Paris, today's port of call, Les Andelys, is situated right on the Seine River and is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful places in all of France. High on a cliff above Les Andelys lie the ruins of Château Gaillard, built between 1196 and 1198 by Richard the Lionheart. Richard, then the Duke of Normandy as well as the King of England, built the fortress to protect his Duchy. On disembarking, you'll enjoy a tour of Les Andelys before heading up to Château Gaillard to tour the ruins and take in the amazing views. Afterwards, you'll re-board your ship and settle in for an afternoon of particularly picturesque cruising. TRAVEL TO BASEL IN SWITZERLAND Day 11. Paris, Disembark, Basel, Embark Ship. After breakfast, disembark the MS AMALEGRO for the last time back in Paris. Here, 8 Day (EUSC08) guests depart the tour with a transfer to the airport. Remaining guests journey via Beaune to Basel in Switzerland, set at the crossroads of Germany, Switzerland and France. Long a university, banking and trade centre, Basel's past is still evident in its medieval town hall and exquisite 18th-century homes. Seven Night Stay: APT's luxurious Aria River Ship – the MS AMACELLO. ITALY Mediterranean BD CRUISING THE LEGENDARY RHINE & THE BEAUTIFUL MOSELLE Day 12. Breisach, Freedom of Choice BLD Day 10. Conflans, Freedom of Choice BLD Inclusions. Once again this morning, you'll enjoy a choice of touring activities. You might like to disembark for an excursion to Auvers-sur- Oise, a commune in the north-western suburbs of Paris in which Vincent Van Gogh spent the final days of his life. Here, take in the charming sights and scenes that Van Gogh himself saw and often painted during his last years, and pay your respects at the cemetery where he and his brother Theo now rest. Alternatively, enjoy an excursion to the city of Rueil-Malmaison for a guided tour of Château de Malmaison, a vast manor house that was once the home of General Napoléon Bonaparte. After exploring inside the house, wander through the pleasant gardens before returning to your ship. With both groups then back on board, take in the lights by the riverside as your ship cruises back along the Seine River to Paris. Inclusions. Today, on arrival in the Rhine Valley town of Breisach, choose from two options. The first, an excursion to the Black Forest in Germany, will take you by coach through a lovely scenic forested area, past a number of lakes as well as several brilliant examples of rural German architecture. You'll also visit a quaint little cuckoo clock factory before returning to your ship. Your second option is a trip to the medieval city of Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route. During a tour here, see half-timbered framed houses; the German-influenced old quarter; the Launch River and more. You'll also enjoy a wine cellar visit and wine tasting. This evening, perhaps set out for a stroll through Breisach. BLD BLD Day 13. Speyer. Disembark your ship today for a guided tour of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities. Afterwards, travel to Europe's largest private technology museum, the Technik Museum Speyer, which features more than 3,000 exhibits from all areas of technical history. Spread over more than 30,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space, exhibits include a space shuttle, Boeing 747, more than 300 classic cars, the largest permanent Formula-1 exhibition in Europe, 60 aeroplanes and more. Later, re-board your ship and enjoy another delicious dinner on board as you continue cruising along the Rhine River. www.aptouring.com.au BLD 97 ROMANTIC RIVER SEINE CRUISING P L A T I R I N E E U M S S

• Cover