It is the serenity of a river cruise that differentiates it from an ocean one…………oh, and the ducks of course!
Effortlessly passing through some of Europe’s most magnificent scenery between your destinations, there will always be something to see as you enjoy the facilities and comfort of your modern, well-appointed vessel. Swan Hellenic has exclusively chartered the mv A-Rosa Stella for our cruises on the Rhône next year and she will make a first class base from which to explore this evocative river. Only three years old and finished to an extremely high standard she will welcome you back from your excursions and provide the perfect environment in which to make new acquaintances while you discuss the day’s events and look forward to those still to come. Comfortable cabins, some with Juliette balconies and all with satellite TV, well-designed en-suite facilities and more than adequate storage space will ensure that you will have as close to a ‘home-from-home’ experience as is possible.
The public rooms with floor to ceiling windows will continue to offer wonderful vistas when dining, enjoying one of the Lounge Talks provided by our travelling Guest Speaker or, of course, simply relaxing in the Lounge with a drink to hand. The fabulous Fitness and Beauty Centre and Spa are certainly not areas you would expect to find on a river vessel and are likely to prove very popular with passengers. A small but well equipped gym, massage treatment rooms and two saunas (one of them with windows to the outside world!) will help you maintain a level of fitness during your cruise and the only additional charge will be for beauty and massage treatments.
The spacious sun-deck is ideal for relaxing with shaded or open areas as you prefer. Comfortable lounge chairs, a pool and golf putting area create a welcoming space and there will hopefully be opportunities for a deck BBQ during your cruise. When it comes to dining, the bright open plan Dining Room will tempt you with mouth watering buffet displays for breakfast and lunch while dinners will be more formal with tempting, waiter served international menus.
The Rhône and Saône rivers meet at Lyon, the start and finish point of your cruise, and once you’ve had an opportunity to discover France’s bustling second city the A-Rosa Stella will begin your journey of discovery through ever changing scenery. From the vineyards of Burgundy to the sweeping open spaces and seemingly endless lavender and sunflower fields of Provence this is a Francophile’s paradise. Beautiful walled medieval villages will be passed and lasting evidence of history from the Jurassic period, through Greek and Roman occupations, to Romanesque and Medieval times will challenge and stimulate you and your local guides will endeavour to give you a flavour of it all. The famed gastronomy and viticulture of the region will be touched upon and the artistic opportunities that so famously attracted Vincent Van Gogh and Cézanne amongst others can be enjoyed, (you can stand in the square in Arles where Van Gogh painted Café Terrace at Night, one of his best known masterpieces). And an overnight stay in the attractive town of Avignon, which temporarily became home to the Popes in the 14th century and is immortalised by the song about its bridge, will be one of the many places that will hopefully provide you with lasting memories of your cruise.
And the ducks? They will always be grateful for any bread that may come their way!
Paul Carter ~ Swan Hellenic Cruise Director
To view our river cruises please click here. Our programme is selling very fast so please book early.
