The rather little-known river cruise division of Adventures by Disney is going all in in the European river market as it plans to expand its river cruise offering to southern France on the Rhone River in 2020. The family focused escorted tour unit already includes departures on the Danube, Rhine and Seine rivers and offers active sightseeing adventures as well as immersive culinary experiences along its itineraries. Adventures by Disney uses rivers ships from AmaWaterways so as to ensure an upscale and all-inclusive experience for its customers.
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Adventures by Disney also is expanding the number of adult-exclusive departures in 2020, giving adult guests even more opportunities to experience the variety and adventure of a river cruise in a fun, comfortable setting with Disney.
During the new eight-day, seven-night Rhone River itinerary onboard AmaCello, Adventures by Disney guests will sail through southern France, including the region of Provence for the first time. The tour company has curated engaging, authentic experiences in every port-of-call, including: Active sightseeing adventures exploring enchanting towns and villages by bike; kayaking beneath the famous 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard; and taking in the scenery of the Gorges du Doux by steam train and rail bike.
Interactive culinary experiences celebrate the region’s local flavors and world-famous cuisine. The menu of activities includes a private truffle-hunting experience and tasting; cheese and jam making at a goat farm; and an immersive tasting experience at a family-owned olive oil farm near Les Baux-de-Provence. Guests will also enjoy curated tastings featuring Rhone Valley wines, chocolate and more.
Engaging art-focused excursions draw guests into a world of color and imagination. Among the highlights are a walking tour of Roussillon’s colorful Ochre Trail followed by a painting class; a demonstration in the art of silk-weaving in Lyon; and a visit to the Carrieres de Lumieres, a former limestone quarry where famous impressionistic paintings come to life.
Immersive historical tours are supported by signature Disney storytelling as guests step into the stories of the Palais des Papes, a breathtaking palace that was once the seat of papal power; the Roman ruins of Lyon and Nimes; the historic hilltop villages of Gordes and Les Baux-de-Provence; and the 12th-century Abbaye de Senanque, where tales of medieval Cistercian monks unfold.
Beginning in 2020, Adventures by Disney guests can enhance their European river cruise vacations with three-day, two-night stays in Paris, Amsterdam and Budapest. These guided group itineraries are designed to maximize vacation time, highlighting each city’s most well-known attractions while also uncovering unexpected hidden gems.
The Paris Short Escape can be added to Seine and Rhone sailings to round out vacations in northern or southern France. In Paris, not only will guests come face-to-face with one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll also enjoy spectacular views of the “City of Lights” from their seats at dinner on the structure’s first floor. Other activities include a private walking culinary tour and a bucket-list visit to the Louvre Museum, which features a local expert guide and a special art detective activity for Junior Adventurers.
The Amsterdam Short Escape can be added as a post-cruise stay following Rhine River sailings to complete the cruise’s four-country journey. This itinerary is comprised of a number of hands-on activities, like a painting workshop following a visit to the Van Gogh Museum and a tile glazing activity at an earthenware factory. Guests will also visit quintessential Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk, embark on a canal cruise, and taste their way through the trendy Jordaan neighborhood.
The Budapest Short Escape can be added to Danube River sailings as the perfect land complement to the Central European tour by water. The itinerary combines enriching cultural excursions—guests can indulge in homestyle Hungarian cuisine at a historic bistro, ride in a tuk-tuk (motorized rickshaw) and revel in a performance at the Budapest Opera House—with visits to the city’s must-see locales, such as Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church.
Bookings for 2020 river cruise vacations open to the public on Jan. 31, 2019. For more information or to book a vacation, call us at 800-603-8838 or click on Adventures by Disney.
